Nearly 600 Honored at Winter Commencement

Bridgewater State College held its 24th Winter Commencement Ceremony Friday night, where nearly 600 graduates were honored.

During the ceremony, President Dana Mohler-Faria called upon the graduates to serve their communities, saying that their generation will play an integral role in the changing world.

He advised graduates to dedicate time and energy to social justice and community service, as their efforts would help shape a better society.

"Your life is more than just about you. What you do will make a difference for so many others. Your commitment will define the future of this world," he said.

Louis Ricciardi, '81, chairman of the BSC Board of Trustees and member of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, encouraged students to help those in need whenever possible.

"You are part of a community that needs your passion and compassion," he said.

Keynote speaker State Representative Peter J. Koutoujian currently serves as the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. A leading representative who has spent more than a decade on Beacon Hill, he stressed the importance of reaching goals through diligence.

"The harder you work, the luckier you get," he said, "because you will be prepared to seize opportunities when they come along."

He also encouraged the graduates to act bravely when facing challenges.

"Do the things in life that take courage," he said. "You will find that you are always ready to do them."

Student speaker, Greg Reynolds, an Iraq veteran, spoke about facing the challenges life presents, illustrating his message with his story of the motorcycle accident that nearly took his life and claimed his left arm. Among his many goals on his road to recovery, he said, was to do five one-armed pushups. He achieved that and more, demonstrating his accomplishment with 10 on-stage pushups.

After his inspirational tale, he delivered compassionate parting words.

"We must go forward with empathy for our fellow man, lend a hand when needed, step out of our comfort zone and interact with those seemingly different from ourselves, realizing ultimately that we all are of the same race, the human race," he said. (Rob Matheson, Institutional Communications)

Mr. Reynold's story was featured on Boston's Fox TV affiliate, view it here.


Here are scenes from the evening's ceremony.