Assumption College Awards 693 Degrees at 99th Commencement Ceremony

Monday, May 09, 2016

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

Assumption College awarded 693 Degrees at their 99th Commencment that took place on Saturday, May 7 at the DCU Center.

Of the 693 degrees, 463 of them were Bachelor of Arts degrees, 187 graduate studies degrees and 43 continuing and career education degrees.

“Our society today needs individuals such as yourself who have developed a moral and ethical framework and who understand that policies, decisions and actions devoid of values have a negative consequence which will be detrimental to the common good. Today we not only confer upon you a degree, but we entrust you with the task of bringing into the world those values illumined by the eternal Word that you have encountered during your years at the College. As you prepare to go forth from Assumption, I challenge you to take what you have learned to lead a life beyond the self by contributing your time and talent in service to the community so as to create a better world for future generations,” said President Francesco Cesareo, Ph.D.

The Class of 2016 valedictorian was Andrew Lampi who said the following about his time at the school, "Assumption has given us a home where we had many chances to explore our identities, our vocations, and our passions. In finding ourselves, we have been able to build a foundation for the rest of our lives as we go out into the world to build new homes in new places. By giving us the freedom to find what inspires us, and by letting us do it with the people who accept and care about us, Assumption has given us a great gift. You can’t build a home without a solid foundation, and it is the people at Assumption College who are the true foundation of that place we call home. We need to remember what makes our foundation so strong as we begin to build our lives on top of it.”

Commencement Speaker

The commencement speaker was Dr. Carolyn Woo, CEO of Catholic Relief Services which is one of the world's largest providers of humanitarian assistance.

“Attend to and cherish people, be brave in order to live out your full potential and integrity, and be compassionate. You will meet God on the way,” Woo said.

Woo received an honorary degree along with delivering her speech.

Honorary Degrees

Alogn with Dr. Woo, Honorary degrees were awarded to Dr. James O’Connell, president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program; and Assumption alumni Dr. Fred Bayon ’65, Board Chair Emeritus, and Michael Tsotsis ’71, Trustee Emeritus, in recognition of their dedicated work to community service and living the Assumption College mission.

Assumption College

Founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption in Worcester, Mass., Assumption College is a Catholic liberal arts institution that offers undergraduate students 42 majors and 48 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, and professional studies; as well as master’s and continuing education degrees and professional certificate programs—each through an educational experience that grounded in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition.

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