UMass Boston honored graduating doctoral students at a Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on May 22 in the Campus Center Ballroom. An honorary degree for Judge Roberto Andres Gallardo was also conferred during the ceremony.

Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education Tracy Baynard opened the event with a welcome message to a room filled with a joyous crowd of graduating doctoral students, faculty, family, friends, and colleagues. Many others watched the event being broadcast live in viewing rooms. 

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Joseph Berger congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments, dedication, hard work, and resilience. “The knowledge, the skills, the expertise you have gained from each other, from your advisors, other faulty members and the myriad learning experiences here at UMass Boston prepare you well for a future that needs you and your scholarly expertise,” he said. 

Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco challenged students to “make your doctoral degrees matter. Graduate education is a cornerstone at UMass Boston – and it is central to our mission. Not only have each of you produced original scholarship that advances knowledge or impacts lives. You will also become trusted researchers, instructors, and mentors who enrich your fields. 

The chancellor encouraged graduates to go further by being "an ambassador of that knowledge – to be prepared to share it meaningfully with your colleagues within and outside your respective disciplines and with the world. “ 

Chancellor Suárez-Orozco conferred a doctor of humane letters degree to Judge Gallardo. The honorary degree serves to recognize Gallardo’s unwavering commitment to social justice. This commitment includes his work with the Pan-American Committee of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine, a committee of 120 magistrates who advocate for respect for human rights in courts throughout the Americas. His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Gallardo president of the committee in 2023.

During the hooding ceremony, graduating students came to the stage one by one. Once on the stage, each doctoral candidate’s faculty advisor placed a doctoral hood over the student’s regalia (academic robe) to signify the shift from student to expert in their field.

One hundred forty students earned doctoral degrees in the 2023-24 academic year, and most participated in the hooding ceremony. Doctoral degrees conferred at the event were Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). All six colleges— College of Management, Donna M. and Robert J. Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, School for the Environment, College of Education and Human Development, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Science and Mathematics—were represented at the event. 

“You are now part of a vibrant research community. Look around this room – at the colleagues, friends, and research partners you came to know, to whom you offered encouragement, and with whom you debated ideas. Together, you are the new generation of rising academic leaders and experts who will break ground on new discoveries and innovations. Well done, Beacons, well done!” Chancellor Suárez-Orozco said.