2011 Commencement Greetings

Invocation

Carol A. Allan, SSJ, Director of Campus Ministry

God of Wisdom, We gather this morning, with hearts filled with joy and gratitude for the graduating Class of 2011. We gather to celebrate this momentous occasion that signifies another phase on their journey through life. Graduates, you came to the Elms with a youthfulness of awe and wonder, now you leave Elms as mature, educated professionals.

You garnered strength from one another. You learned to be courageous and to speak out. You were strong in carrying your academic studies. You were uncompromising in standing for values.  You sacrificed when necessary with tenderness and compassion for others.

You faced injustices in our world and became witnesses to your faith.

With heavy hearts, we said goodbye to Christopher Burnham, a fellow student of the class of 2011.  We remember him now with a moment of silence.

God, we continue to ask for your blessing upon the graduates as they bring their knowledge and experience to the world.

God of Wisdom,

Teach us all to listen and trust in our dreams. Help us to be vigilant and responsive to the world in which we live. Show us how to elevate our work to be sacred.  Remind us to be humble and to simplify. Strengthen us in our resolve to help others. We gather strength and peace in your promises, Oh God. Stay with us during our life's transitions and journeys.

Amen.

From the Board of Trustees

Linda K. C. Mansfield '77, Chair, Board of Trustees

Graduates, parents, family members, honorary guests, and faculty, staff, and friends, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the College of Our Lady of the Elms and as a graduate of the class of 1977, it is my distinct privilege and joy to welcome, congratulate, and thank each of you.

To the graduates: we congratulate you on your individual achievements and thank you for what u contributed to the traditions and culture of the college during your time here. And I personally welcome you to the fellowship of Elms College alumni.

To the parents, families, friends, faculty, and staff who are gathered here: we share your pride in the accomplishment of these scholars and we join them in thanking you for your unwavering support, which helped bring them to this memorable day.

The board of trustees assembled here this morning is a group of distinguished individuals who graciously volunteer their time, treasure, and talent to ensure the college delivers an excellent education for both life and career in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

The same was true 83 years ago when the college was founded, and 34 years ago when I graduated from this special place, which is why I am particularly honored to have the chance to tell you that from this day forward, your Elms College diploma, along with your earnest and deliberate efforts will lead to many life changing opportunities and challenges.

Seek them with gratitude, for the quality of the education and with the confidence your professors and your loved ones have inspired in you. I also urge you to be mindful of the motto of the college: via veritatis elegi - I have chosen the way of truth.

From this day onward, the way of truth goes beyond the obvious. It reaches deep into your moral fiber, empowering you to exercise sound judgment and act justly, while fairly achieving good ends every day. This speaks to the very mission and core values of our college, and believe me, the board of trustees and the entire college community are gratified to know that 343 more men and women will graduate from the Elms and live this truth among your loved ones, workplaces, and communities.

As you go forward and seek your next place in the world, keep the Elms close. We're part of your family now, and we invite you to return home, to your beloved college, often.

You will always be welcome here, and any place graduates and Elms College Blazers gather. Godspeed. 

From the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield

Mary T. Quinn, SSJ, D.Min., President of the Congregation

Good morning. Distinguished members of the platform party, our distinguished faculty and staff, distinguished family and friends, and most of all, distinguished graduates of the class of 2011:

It's an honor for me this morning to express the prayers and the good wishes of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The religious congregation that founded the College of Our Lady of the Elms in 1928. In a most difficult financial time, our sisters who founded the Elms responded to their faith and to their dream. They believed at that point, that a college education should be available then to women, often of limited financial means, in order to pursue an education that would change their lives and help change our world.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, dreams have led prophets like Jeremiah to accomplish what he thought was impossible. Dreams like Joseph, to take Mary as his wife, and ultimately their son, Jesus, has changed our world.

Following a dream has led all of you to this day, a day to celebrate all you have accomplished and to celebrate all those who have helped bring you to this day.

Our world today needs dreamers and believers more than ever before. In the name of all the Sisters of St. Joseph, past and present, I pray that you will learn all that you've learned here at Elms through expanding developing, and opening your mind and hearts to make our world a more faith-filled, just, and peaceful place.

Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most influential women of the 20^th century has told us that the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of dreams.

God bless each of you, as you live out the beauty and challenge of God's dream for you.

Thank you.

From the City of Chicopee

The Honorable Michael D. Bissonnette, Mayor

Thank you very much Dr. Breau. Good morning Bishop McDonnell, Sr. Mary Reap, president of Our Lady, President Mansfield and the trustees, faculty, staff, parents of the graduates, and members of the class of 2011.

I thank you for the kind invitation you've extended to join with you on the platform today on behalf of the City of Chicopee, and to thank you for all you've done to make the city a better place. Of course, I am very happy to be here in what we fondly refer to as "South Chicopee," and I'm very happy to see the college so ably represented in that wonderful mural behind us.

The coming of age  of any generation is often a daunting challenge, you come at a time when our  nation needs you. Needs your special gifts. Your knowledge and your integrity. Your knowledge and your compassion. And your understanding of the issues and dilemmas that divide us. It's often been said that character is who you are when no one's looking.

Graduates of the Elms share a special bond in unquestioned character and integrity and I urge you to use that special talent to heal some of the divisions that have wounded this nation. So please, don't just talk the talk, but walk your talk, after you walk out of this graduation ceremony.

We've been very fortunate and proud to have you as members of the Chicopee community, and we thank you, and we thank the Elms for what it brings to the town gown relationship.

As you go forward, I say on behalf of the great City of Chicopee, thank you again, and God bless the class of 2011. And in the words of one your very own whom we remember to this day, Chris Burnham, who taught me that it's always OK to say "Go Blazers!"

Presentation from Alumni Association

Jason Ostrander '04, M.S.W., President, Alumni Association

Bishop McDonnell, President Sr. Mary Reap, members of the Board of Trustees, honored guests, members of the faculty, family, friends, and members of the class of 2011.

On behalf of all of the alumni of the college of our Lady of the Elms, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to congratulate the members of the class of 2011 on receiving your degrees here today.

It doesn't seem that long ago that I, too, was sitting where you are: looking forward to venturing forth into the world after an excellent education at Elms College.

Some of you have jobs in place, others are pursuing further education, and for those of you still looking, know that it is not a bad place to be!

Elms College has prepared you well as a principled learner with knowledge, creativity, compassion, and the ability to respond exceptionally to the demands of your chosen career. This makes you supremely prepared for the next steps in your life.

I ask you know the always remember what you've learned at Elms:

• To be responsive to civic and social obligations - this will help you professionally and personally
• To be capable of change without compromising principles-this will keep you on the right path and inspire others to walk that path with you
• To continue to be active in mind and spirit, learning, growing, and sharing with others

As you crossed the stage and received her diploma, you became members of the Alumni Association of the college.

As alumni, you will always represent the college of our Lady of the Elms. As alumni, you will always represent that College of Our Lady of the Elms. You know the Elms reputation that precedes you. You have experienced firsthand the quality of the Elms program in teaching, in nursing, in accounting and business, and in my program-social work as well as other majors. It is up to you, as alumni, to maintain that reputation and strength of character for the students who will follow you.

I, personally, have been honored to serve the college, literally since the day I graduated. As a result of this involvement, my education has continued. Whether I was serving on the board of the alumni Association, acting as a guest speaker in social work and other courses, or serving as a trustee, I have had the opportunity to witness some of the inner workings that lead to the quality of education that Elms provides. My involvement has also solidified my belief that attending the Elms was the best decision for me personally and for my career path.

I encourage you to stay involved in whatever way you are able-be it small or large. As a guest speaker. As a mentor. As the trustee... and hopefully, as a donor. Your continued involvement will serve as the foundation for the continued success of this institution and for the quality of education that it provides. You owe this to your fellow classmates, your professors, Elms staff, and future graduates.

Congratulations to you on your graduation. And welcome, on behalf of all alumni of the college, as the most recent Alumni Association members.