A Day of Pride for 472 Graduates of Saint Joseph College

College commencements are often inspirational, hopeful, emotional and even wistful. The 76th commencement exercises at in West Hartford, on Sunday morning, were all those things and more.

It was a day full of pride for 472 students who received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Schools of Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. It was a day for beaming parents, grandparents, spouses, children and family members who displayed wide grins and spring flowers, along with colorful umbrellas to protect against rainy skies. And it was a day of recognition for honorary degree recipients Luanne Rice and Kerry Alys Robinson, each of whom was awarded a degree of doctor of humane letters.

The graduates, in black caps, gowns and tassels, seated under an enormous tent on the south lawn of the campus, were reminded they not only received an education with a high standard of academic excellence, but were imbued with the core values of compassion and mercy to guide them throughout their lives.

“Always do your best,” said Jeanne Merola, chair of the Board of Trustees, who also encouraged the graduates to “speak with integrity, don’t take anything personally, and don’t make assumptions.”

Laura Okolo, speaking on behalf of the graduate students, said Saint Joseph College motivated her to “do better than what I thought was my best.” Lessons full of caring and compassion were well taught and will be invaluable tools as she enters nursing practice.

Her message was echoed by student speaker Gianna Gurga, who received a bachelor's degree in family studies. She urged the graduates to push themselves to be “agents of change,” to push beyond their limits to succeed. She challenged her classmates to adhere to the core values of compassionate service, respect and integrity, and commitment to women that were ingrained during their years at the school.

“Never doubt yourself,” added Gurga. “We are powerful beyond measure.”

Dr. Pamela Trotman Reid, president of Saint Joseph College, recognized several students, including Ashley Nelson, as the first in her family to earn a college degree. Nelson graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in psychology, and presented her senior thesis at a national conference, on children in Bosnia traumatized by war.

Dr. Trotman Reid also recognized Stephanie Byrne, who earned a bachelor of arts in child studies and graduated with her class despite giving birth to identical triplets in 2009. She also noted the academic accomplishments of Nina Nguyen, summa cum laude, bachelor of science in chemistry, who was born in Vietnam. This fall, Nguyen will enter the first class of the Saint Joseph College School of Pharmacy, the first doctoral program in the school’s history.

Visionary addresses

Among the highlights of the event were the speeches delivered by the women receiving honorary doctorates.

Luanne Rice is a best-selling author, having penned 28 novels, many of which have been adapted for television, including “Crazy in Love” for TNT, “Blue Moon” for CBS, and “Follow the Stars Home” and “Silver Bells” for Hallmark Hall of Fame. She has lifelong ties to Connecticut: she was born in New Britain, her mother, Lucille Arrigan Rice, is a member of Saint Joseph College’s Class of 1946, and she was strongly influenced by Saint Joseph College Distinguished Alumna Laurette Laramie, Class of 1960, who was her history teacher at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.

In her humorous and visionary address, Rice shared several life lessons with the graduates: Nothing is set in stone—life is more a river than a rock, so don’t be afraid of the rapids.  Listen to yourself—trust your inner voice and your own goodness and wisdom. Make mistakes – let others make their own mistakes. Don’t compare yourself to anyone: “You are thin enough,” she said to much laughter. Make new friends – but keep your old friends. Reality TV is inane—read as much as you can, especially poetry.

Kerry Alys Robinson is the executive director of the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management and previously led a multi-million dollar fundraising drive to construct a Catholic student center on the campus at Yale. 

Robinson delivered seven simple, but inspirational messages: 1) Remembrance—remember this day and how proud people are of you; 2) Gratitude—acknowledge the sacrifices and support given to you; 3) Leadership—exercise leadership; 4) Mercy—“getting what you want is not as important as giving what you have”; 5) Joy—be joyful and cultivate a genuine delight in the good fortunes of others; 6) Family—graduates will always be welcome back at Saint Joseph College; and 7) Abundance--celebrate life with abandon.

Graduate Mackenzie Fitzgerald, of Farmington, recipient of a Founders’ Award for excellence in special education, was one of four women to receive a B.S. in Special Education. She plans to pursue graduate studies in the field of autism behavior.

“Saint Joseph College is a special place, and Mackenzie received a wonderful education here,” said her mother Nanci Fitzgerald.

Also furthering her education is Sara Thaxton of Middletown, who grew up in Plainville. She received an M.A. in Community Counseling and will be studying for a doctorate degree at Syracuse University.

“I loved it here,” said Thaxton, “the professors are very dedicated and you are really prepared in your field of study.”

Dr. Kerry Driscoll received the Rev. John J. Stack Teaching Excellence Award. Eva Peart (B.S. Mathematics) performed the “National Anthem” and “The Alma Mater.” Music was provided by the Nutmeg Brass Quintet. Special recognition was made for eight women attendees who celebrated their 50th class reunion.

Saint Joseph College was founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy with a mission to provide higher education opportunities for women, serving women (and now men) from diverse backgrounds and religious traditions.