Framingham State University Celebrates Commencement

Framingham State University Celebrates Commencement

May 22, 2017

One of the largest classes in the history of Framingham State University celebrated commencement on Sunday, May 21st, during a beautiful ceremony on the Framingham Town Green.

“As a result of their hard work, all of our graduates today have deepened their knowledge, strengthened their analytical and communication skills, demonstrated their commitment to lifelong learning, and taken an important step in separating themselves from the field in an increasingly competitive job market,” Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallos told a crowd of around 5,000.

The University conferred 1,019 bachelor degrees and 487 graduate degrees during the two ceremonies.

Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford gave the keynote address during the undergraduate ceremony, telling the graduates to avoid measuring success by how much money they make.

“At this point in my life, I’ve met many successful people,” Reckford said. “They are the first to tell me that simply making a lot of money is not very satisfying. Most successful people I’ve known—or known about—are deeply interested in solving a problem. So when you start comparing yourself to others and thinking about the good life, I would suggest that you look to those who inspire you with greatness. And when you’re considering lifestyle—I pray that you will spend less time chasing stuff and more time making the world a better place.”

The University conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Reckford for his work leading Habitat for Humanity. The Class of 2017 also presented him with a check for $2,500.

U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton gave the keynote address during the graduate ceremony, telling the students to use failure as an opportunity to grow as individuals. As examples, he discussed how two of the greatest failures during his life have helped he become the person he is today.

“Don’t just face failure but embrace it and commit yourself to learning from it,” he told graduates. “No matter what happens, don’t give up. Drive on. If you do that, then you’ll do well when it’s hardest, and that’s when it matters most.”

Moulton received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Framingham State during the ceremony. The University also awarded its Citizen Laureate Award to former State Representative Tom Sannicandro, who is currently the director for the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston. The Citizen Laureate Award is given annually to someone who has consistently supported Framingham State University.

About Framingham State University

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 as the nation’s first public university for the education of teachers. Since that time, it has evolved into a vibrant, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering small, personalized classes on a beautiful New England campus. Today, the University enrolls more than 6,000 students with 58 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional fields. As a State College and University (SCU), Framingham State prides itself on quality academic programs, affordability, and commitment to access for all qualified students.