More than 1,300 students graduated from Regis College on Saturday at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston with degrees ranging from doctoral to associate levels. The 92nd commencement ceremony included graduates from the Boston Public Schools partnership and online students from 44 states.
Donato J. Tramuto, renowned health care and social justice activist, philanthropist, and author delivered the commencement address and asked graduates to know their personal and professional why. “Graduates, your lives will not be about doing one great thing, rather it will be about doing many little things that have the capacity to drive great change. It is important to not only uncover your professional why, you must uncover your personal why. Nobody cares what you do until they know why you do it.”
Tramuto announced the formation of the Tramuto Porter Compassionate Leadership Scholarship that will be awarded each year to a nursing student at Regis.
The university also bestowed honorary degrees on Geeta Aiyer, president and founder of Boston Common Asset Management, and John J. Tegan, Jr., former Regis College Board of Trustees chairman and founder and chairman of Communications Technology Services, LLC.
Senior class president Caroline O’Connor addressed her fellow classmates about their adaptability, resiliency, grace, and empathy since the middle of their sophomore year when the pandemic began. She said, “We were given no choice but to face this challenge, and I can say with full confidence that this class rose to the occasion. I know for many of us, at times getting to this point felt impossible. But, here you all are despite whatever odds were in front of you. We did this. I truly mean it when I say, if we can earn a college degree during a pandemic, nothing is impossible.”
Graduate student Regina Robinson who graduated with her doctorate in higher education leadership also addressed the audience about her dream deferred becoming a reality, “Now, because of our degrees from Regis College, we have a tremendously timely opportunity to transform society with what we’ve learned here.” Robinson’s hope is that the Class of 2022 will be remembered as leaders defined by a greater purpose, leaders who recognize greatness in people from every diverse walk of life, and leaders who are committed to making a greater impact on the world.
