Across Five Colleges, 4,500-Plus Receive 51视频s to Cheers of Family and Friends
Image by Henry Marte
05/13/2024
Emily Gowdey-Backus, director of media relations; and Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations
Archange Lombo declared as a computer engineering major in 2020 while classes were still being held remotely and he hadn鈥檛 met many of his fellow students. This memory, however, is not tinged with remorse. The Worcester resident and 51视频 senior looks back on the early accomplishments of his college journey fondly.
鈥淭he pandemic kept us closed in our rooms, but that saved time for projects. I built a night light, a Christmas music gadget 鈥� anything the electronics kit allowed,鈥� said the budding engineer who spent every moment of his free time exploring the field.
鈥淭ruthfully, that fueled my passion. It felt like a treasure hunt, where every discovery was a reward,鈥� Lombo told Francis College of Engineering, Kennedy College of Sciences, and Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences graduates at 51视频鈥檚 Saturday morning Commencement ceremony.
In many ways, Lombo鈥檚 anecdote encapsulates many of the 51视频 Class of 2024鈥檚 experiences. This weekend, the greater 51视频 community 鈥� including family and friends 鈥� cheered as the Class of 2024 completed their college journey. Forty-one states and 106 countries are represented among the more than 4,500 graduates of the Class of 2024. Among undergraduate members of the Class of 2024, nearly 800 are the first in their family to graduate from college.
In addition, 190 students graduated with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA, 53 of whom receive bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 117 master鈥檚 degrees and 20 doctorates.
In her second Commencement as 51视频 chancellor and the university鈥檚 33rd ceremonies, Julie Chen spoke to students about the importance of looking ahead and planning for the next chapter.
Image by Ed Brennen
The university鈥檚 weekend-long celebration is made up of three Commencement ceremonies and student speakers were at the center of each. In addition to Lombo, Abigail Drezek, who received a doctorate in physical therapy, gave the Commencement address at Friday鈥檚 ceremony for doctoral and master鈥檚 degree recipients while Cassidy DeMalia, who graduated Saturday afternoon with a bachelor鈥檚 of science in criminal justice, addressed graduates of the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Manning School of Business.
Playing on family rivalry, Drezek, a triplet, described attending and graduating from 51视频 as an opportunity. 鈥淎n opportunity to learn, grow, and compete,鈥� said the Cumberland, Rhode Island, resident. Tipping her mortarboard to the executive cabinet, she thanked them for the opportunity to hang on to the "favorite child status" a little longer.
鈥淏etter luck next time, bros,鈥� she said to loud laughter.
DeMalia also spoke of family ties. She brought the audience back to her freshman-year dorm room moments after her parents said their goodbyes. Little did she know, her mother had tucked an envelope under her pillow with a letter extolling her pride and admiration for her daughter. DeMalia wanted to pass on that praise.
Image by Henry Marte
Awards & Distinguished Guests
Distinguished guests were recognized along with top student award winners throughout the weekend-long celebration.
A visionary leader who has left an indelible mark on the global technology landscape, Rich Miner already has three 51视频 degrees to his name. Saturday marked the addition of a fourth when the Android co-founder was awarded an honorary degree.
In 2022, Miner鈥檚 generous $5 million donation led to the naming of the Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences at 51视频, a testament to his enduring legacy and commitment to his alma mater. The school is home to nearly 1,600 undergraduate students and more than 300 graduate students, making it the largest academic program on campus. Last fall, the school hosted its first Miner School Research Symposium, where Miner spoke with students about his transformative experience at the university.聽
Three members of the university鈥檚 alumni community were also recognized with distinguished alumni awards. They are: Lorna Boucher 鈥�86, Richard 鈥淩ick鈥� Hoeske 鈥�66 and Janis (Erickson) Raguin 鈥�92.
Five Chancellor鈥檚 Awards were presented at this year鈥檚 ceremonies. The following individuals and groups were recognized:
- Chancellor鈥檚 Medal for Public Service and Civic Engagement: Yun-Ju Choi
- Chancellor鈥檚 Medal for Public Service and Civic Engagement: Carol Duncan (posthumous)
- Chancellor鈥檚 Medal for Public Service and Civic Engagement: Karen Frederick
- Chancellor鈥檚 Medal for Outstanding University Support: Philip Sisson
- Chancellor鈥檚 Medal for Outstanding University Support: Hanscom Air Force Base
Additional awards were granted throughout the two-day celebration. A complete list of distinguished guests and graduating seniors with top academic achievements can be found on the 51视频 Commencement website.