“Graduate education is a cornerstone at UMass Boston – and it is central to our mission,” said Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco during opening remarks at the ceremony. “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 breadth of your academic preparation may define your experience as doctoral students at UMass Boston, though I am also confident that, in the future, you will collaborate with people outside your areas of expertise and that a range of perspectives will illuminate your scholarship in novel ways.”

The Hooding Ceremony conferred degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) on graduates of six colleges in the university. Each graduate’s faculty advisor placed a doctoral hood around their neck and shoulders to signify the new degree as part of their academic robe and attire.

“In academia, there are few relationships as meaningful as the one between a doctoral candidate and a doctoral advisor,” said Provost Joseph Berger, on the tradition of doctoral hooding.

Tracy Baynard, associate vice provost for graduate education, reflected on the significance of students’ achievements, saying that they have likely learned a lot more than what is in their respective dissertations.

“You’ve learned to juggle more than you ever thought possible. You’ve learned you have more patience than you thought you were capable of demonstrating. You’ve learned grace may show up in unexpected places, and you’ve also learned, maybe most importantly, what grit and perseverance mean to you and how taking risks at the right time can shape someone,” she said. 

The Hooding Ceremony also included the presentation of honorary degrees for the 57^th Commencement ceremonies. Cathleen Douglas Stone received an honorary degree in recognition of her unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and the promotion of equality, and The Honorable Martin J. Walsh, former mayor of Boston, received a degree in recognition of his lifelong advocacy for working people, equity, and community empowerment in Boston and communities across the country. 

“As president of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation, an institution dedicated to promoting a more knowledgeable and inclusive society, you have long been a champion for promoting environmental sustainability and mitigating wealth inequality,” Chancellor Suárez-Orozco said while presenting the award. “That all may know of your unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and the promotion of equality, UMass Boston is proud to bestow upon you, Cathleen Douglas Stone, the honorary doctor of humane letters.”

Walsh, a two-term Boston mayor, U.S. secretary of labor, and now executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association, also received an honorary doctor of humane letters.

“A proud Dorchester native … guided by a commitment to creating better opportunities for others, you brought a straightforward, results-driven approach to every stage of your career,” Chancellor Suárez-Orozco said. “You advanced policies on environmental, social, and governance considerations [in] your lifelong dedication to improving not only our community but communities across the nation, promoting equity, and giving people a voice.”