Early Saturday morning, three life-long friends gathered in the parking lot at Gillette Stadium to help one another adjust their robes and stoles as they prepared to celebrate yet another milestone.

Over the years, Savannah Resendes, Jailyn Tavares, and Angela Locke have created lasting memories as they navigated elementary school, middle school and high school together in their native New Bedford. 

Now concluding their studies in early childhood education at �����ؿ���Ƶ State University, crossing the commencement stage together inside Gillette meant a lot for these tight-knit friends and first-generation college graduates.

“It’s been very rewarding, fun, and exciting,” Tavares said. “We all stuck through it together.”

Added Resendes: “It’s rewarding being the first person in your family to do this. It shows all the sacrifices my parents made that helped provide me with opportunities.”

Across two ceremonies, BSU celebrated the achievements of 1,841 members of the Class of 2022. Many have faced the loss of loved ones, immigrated to a new country, cared for their children, and worked multiple jobs while taking classes.

Graduates faced a pandemic and graduated amid a war in Ukraine and the prospect of an economic recession. Yet these achievers are ready to change the world for the better, said President Frederick W. Clark, Jr., ’83.

“With all of the adversity, I believe that our newest graduates sitting in front of me will be the next greatest generation because you are strong, resilient and determined,” he said. “You, my friends, give all of us hope for the future.“

Speaking to graduates of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley highlighted her perseverance as a parent, caregiver to a mother with terminal cancer, sexual assault survivor, and forceful advocate for a more just world.

“May you continue to get up, survive, to thrive, to bring your purpose-driven contribution to our commonwealth and our world. … You are worthy. You are enough and, guess what else, you are ready,” she said. “You are ready for whatever comes next.”

Pressley received an honorary degree along with renowned basketball coaches and former roommates Elaine Clement-Holbrook, ’75, G’81, and Barbara Stevens, ’76. Clement-Holbrook, who coached girls basketball at Easton’s Oliver Ames High School, and Stevens, who led Bentley University’s women’s basketball team, told science, mathematics and business graduates how they used their BSU degrees to mentor and educate countless students. 

“What drove us was knowing we had to be at our best in order to bring out the best in those we taught and coached. It’s the same in any profession,” Stevens said. “You have no choice but to be your best, because when you strive to be great, you inspire those around you to discover their own greatness.”

For student speaker Majd Al-Jurf, finding one’s greatness often means leaving one’s comfort zone, just as she did in moving from Jordan to Massachusetts. 

“We don’t all face the same challenges, but we do share many of the same feelings,” the accounting and finance major told morning graduates. “For many of us, the path to commencement wasn’t easy...You are all insanely brave and will continue to be in the future.”

Those feelings ranged from confidence in newfound knowledge to grief at the loss of a close relative, said Shakira Rosado, a social work major who spoke to afternoon graduates.

“As we embark on the next journey of our lives, remember that emotions make us human,” she said, adding: “We may feel overwhelmed, whether it’s with nerves, happiness, excitement for what lies ahead, or all of the above. Whatever it is, embrace it.”

Locke, one of the trio of friends from New Bedford, is guided by Nelson Mandela’s belief that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.

“I’m now graduating and educated, but I will also become an educator for others,” she said. “With the climate of the world right now, we all need some education in our lives.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

As we embark on the next journey of our lives, remember that emotions make us human. ... We may feel overwhelmed, whether it’s with nerves, happiness, excitement for what lies ahead, or all of the above. Whatever it is, embrace it.

Sam Alloy, G’22, knows what it means to persist.

Once told he shouldn’t be an elementary teacher because he has autism, Sam never gave up. He eventually found a community of professors at �����ؿ���Ƶ State University who offered unwavering support and believed in him.

“I have gotten through everything that stood in the way. It’s been a very long road,” Sam said, adding: “Stubbornness is a virtue.”

Sam was one of 490 graduates celebrated at the College of Graduate Studies’ Class of 2022 commencement. With Gillette Stadium towering above them, the newest BSU alumni reflected on the challenges they faced: adapting to remote learning during COVID-19; juggling classes, work and raising families; and living in a deeply divided world coping with war and economic challenges.

“The fire of adversity has been very hot indeed,” President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83, told graduates in his address. “Because of that adversity, you, my friends, are emerging stronger than before.”

Times like these provide the best opportunities to challenge oneself, just as the members of the Class of 2022 did, said student speaker Em Sandman, ’19, G’22.

“Tenacious people do not wait around, they find a way to make things happen, and best believe, they get it done,” said Sandman, who earned a master’s degree in criminal justice. “Tonight, we graduate with a complementary degree in tenacity.”

Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago, who received an honorary Doctor of Public Service, drew parallels to his college experience in the 1970s. Then, as now, war and rising gas prices dominated the headlines. But today’s graduates also faced a pandemic.

“I am more optimistic because I look at the graduates and what you have gone through to earn your academic credentials,” Santiago said. “I know that you will bring about a better future than perhaps any of us did.”

Catherine Harvey, ’19, G’22, who studied social work in graduate school, is already making a difference as a crisis clinical coordinator at Aspire Health Alliance, a job that fulfills her longtime career goals.

“I’ve had a passion for mental health and service and just helping people,” she said.

Sandman said the class is ready to make their mark on a world where she hopes equity overcomes oppression and hate.

“We’ve done hard things and we stay ready to conquer even harder ones,” she said, adding: “Our potential is too powerful to conserve.”

Tenacious people do not wait around, they find a way to make things happen, and best believe, they get it done. Tonight, we graduate with a complementary degree in tenacity.

When Lesly Freed, G’22, last crossed a commencement stage, Richard Nixon was president, “American Pie” and “Lean on Me” were among the songs that topped the Billboard charts, and a gallon of gas cost just 36 cents.

Fifty years after her undergraduate graduation, Lesly will again proudly wear a cap and gown, a testament to the fact that it is never too late to further one’s education.

“I always want to be a lifelong learner,” said Lesly, who is earning a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) at �����ؿ���Ƶ State University. “I always want to set another goal for myself.”

Lesly, who received an undergraduate degree in sociology from Boston University, has held music, office support, writing and education positions. Living in the multicultural community of Randolph, Lesly became interested in serving its diverse populace. She has worked in K-12 and adult education for the past decade, primarily teaching English as a second language.

Much of her TESOL knowledge was gained informally on the job, however, Lesly craved a degree in the field.

“The program at �����ؿ���Ƶ was terrific,” said Lesly, who appreciated interactions with her classmates and professors. “They helped me explore questions I didn’t even know I had. … I loved every minute of it.”

Through BSU courses, she expanded her knowledge of lesson structure and planning, strategies for teaching a second language, and the history of language.

“She was a pleasure to work with, a lovely person,” said Dr. Yulia Stakhnevich, a TESOL professor. “She was very smart and very generous with her time to help other students review their work. That’s very valuable when students can have a community of learners.”

Lesly, who aspires to work with college students or advanced English learners, encourages others to return to school.

“I just think it’s wonderful for the soul,” she said. “Maybe you’ll find another passion to work on. Try to experience as much as you possibly can. Keep your eyes, ears and mind open.”

When she crosses the commencement stage on June 24, Don McLean’s music probably won’t be blaring from the Gillette Stadium speakers. But Lesly will have the support of 14 wildly cheering family members and friends, including her college roommates from 50 years ago.

“I’m delighted,” she said. “I’m thrilled.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

I always want to be a lifelong learner, I always want to set another goal for myself.