By Cole Strzelecki
As we reach the end of the school year, it is time, once again, to say farewell to the senior class of 2023. This year, Commencement for Undergraduate students will occur in person on Saturday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. in the gym at the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center. Graduate Student Commencement will take place the following day at 2:00 p.m. in the same location.
Commencement has been in the planning process since January of this year. “It takes a lot of time to plan with bi-weekly committee meetings,” explained the Director for University Event Planning, Cathy Rivet. The long process is worth it, though, as the plans result in granting graduating students a memorable experience surrounded by family, friends, the staff that helped them along the way, and some inspirational speakers.
The speakers at this year’s Commencements will be Jon Clifton, CEO of the company Gallup, and Thomas Lines, founder, and CEO of Quercis Pharma. Clifton will deliver the undergraduate commencement address, and Lines will provide the graduate commencement address. Alongside speaking, both will receive honorary degrees from Western New England University.
As for the students themselves, they will receive the degrees that will lead them to the next step of their lives. For some, they may be heading straight into a career. Others, however, will be progressing to graduate or professional schools to study subjects such as law, education, finance, medicine, and much more.
Rivet had explained that our University estimates about 850 graduating students in total showing up to the Commencement ceremonies. Around 510 students will be at the Undergraduate Commencement, and about 298 will be at the Graduate Commencement. The departments planning Commencement also anticipate that about 3500 guests will attend the ceremonies.
For Commencement, University Events partners with the Provost’s Office to direct the event’s planning. Though they are in charge, many departments on campus help with the event as well, ensuring it acts as a proper send-off for our University’s graduating students.
Looking at the information provided, it seems this year’s Commencement weekend will be another success. With no significant changes in plans this year than what is usually expected from this ceremony, it appears that both Undergraduate Commencement and Graduate Commencement will run smoothly. Though the graduating students will be missed by many at Western New England University, they are moving on to the next big step in their lives. So good luck, class of 2023, and best wishes in your future endeavors!
