Deepak Chopra, Ron Insana, Noelle Lambert Headline Ceremonies
Image by Tory Wesnofske for UMass Lowell
05/13/2021
Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-758-4664 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell honored its 4,582 graduates with ceremonies this week.
Despite the pandemic, UMass Lowell was able to offer graduates the chance to safely celebrate their success through a combination of virtual ceremonies and the in-person presentation of their diploma covers with a family photo at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.
“For those of you joining us in person, we're thrilled that you are able to walk across the stage with family and friends present. As graduates, I imagine there is both a sense of tremendous pride but also a sense of relief in receiving your diploma after enduring a time when the world around you was under a siege of challenges,” said Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. “You, the Class of 2021, showed us the meaning of true grit and what it means to stay strong and to keep hope alive. I know you will join me in saying thank you to the faculty and staff who also had to dig deep to provide you with as great an experience as possible under the circumstances, and to your family and friends who were there for you when you needed them most. But I also want to thank each of you who are graduating. For just as UMass Lowell has impacted you, you have all left a powerful impact on us. In 1,000 ways, you, the Class of 2021, have enhanced and improved this university.”
The three-day Commencement celebration began on Wednesday, May 12. A ceremony for graduates who earned doctoral degrees featuring William Moylan, UMass Lowell Distinguished University Professor and architect of the university’s renowned sound recording technology program, as the keynote speaker was held.
“Through skilled listening, I believe we can make a better world,” Moylan told graduates. “Today I’m challenging you. I invite you to consciously utilize these skills in your interactions with others, with strangers and with those you love, but also with those who challenge you. Listen to others with your full attention, with the intention of understanding. Listen deeply and with curiosity. Listen without bias and expectation. Listen to understand. Listen without fear.”
UMass President Marty Meehan, who graduated from UMass Lowell and previously served as chancellor, also spoke to graduates.
“This has been a difficult year, but your achievement in the face of adversity is nothing short of heroic. The strength each of you has shown in overcoming obstacles gives me great optimism as you begin your careers. I know your UMass Lowell degree positions you to achieve great things in the years to come,” Meehan said. “I know your greatest achievements are still in front of you. Congratulations and good luck.”
Wednesday’s ceremony also featured the presentation of the Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding University Support to Larry Siegel for his more than 30 years of leadership, spanning from serving as the university’s first director of residence life up to vice chancellor for student affairs and university events, whose tireless dedication and unyielding commitment to generations of students resulted in the development of a nationally recognized student affairs division.
A series of brief, small ceremonies on Thursday, May 13 and Friday, May 14 at the Tsongas Center recognized graduates who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. At these ceremonies, graduates, accompanied by up to two guests, walked into the Tsongas Center and then crossed the stage, received their diploma covers and had an official photo taken before departing. Strict social distancing and other safety measures were in place during all in-person Commencement events.
The virtual portion of the celebration – online ceremonies viewable at www.uml.edu/commencement for the next year – featured a range of notable individuals with experience and knowledge to share with the Class of 2021.
Thursday’s ceremony included the presentation of an honorary doctoral degree to Ron Insana, senior analyst and contributor to CNBC and MSNBC networks, as well as the Chancellor’s Medal for Public Service and Civic Engagement to Market Basket, the 104-year-old supermarket chain founded in Lowell that now employs more than 25,000 people and is well known for its generous profit-sharing plan, for two charitable foundations and support for scholarships for UMass Lowell students.
“There is no good time or bad time to begin your life. There is only your time. And that’s what’s critical here, understanding that in your life you will see opportunities in front of you. You will face challenges. There will be risks and there will be rewards,” Insana told graduates during his Commencement address. “There are many opportunities in front of you and an environment in which we could see explosive economic growth that will give you the type of tailwind that you may not appreciate now… As you go and honor your successes, to bring other people along with you. Strengthen that network. Support your friends. Make sure that you share the prosperity that you will enjoy as you go through life.”
UMass Lowell alumni Alicia Bourque, Jeff Lareau and David McLean accepted the chancellor’s medal on behalf of Market Basket and its CEO, Arthur T. Demoulas.
“UMass Lowell and Market Basket share in a rich history committed to serve the public. We are proud Lowell establishments founded over 100 years ago,” said McLean. “Over this time, countless Market Basket associates have received their higher education at UMass Lowell, better preparing them for real world experiences. We are very proud of our relationship with UMass Lowell.”
Friday’s ceremony features Deepak Chopra – founder of The Chopra Foundation, a nonprofit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global receiving a doctor of humane letters – who, along with UMass Lowell graduate and founder of The Born to Run Foundation Noelle Lambert, addressed the Class of 2021. Their speeches will be viewable Friday at www.uml.edu/commencement.
“Dear friends, you are now on a new journey. This is a rite of passage. Your education has primed you now to go in search of the meaning of life, the meaning of success, and the purpose for which you're all here, you, I, and all human beings.” Chopra said. “Success is always the goal that humans seek, but more than success, they seek happiness and fulfillment…Success is the progressive realization of worthy goals. One, it is the ability to love and have compassion. Two, it is also the ability to get in touch with your inner, deeper, true self, the source of insight, intuition, imagination, creativity, higher vision and ultimately finding meaning and purpose in our existence. So with all the success you have in the world, if you're not happy, what’s the point? I think the final stage of success or measure of success always should be joy.”
“Determination and drive are the reasons why you've been able to cross this finish line and always staying strong mentally and physically and knowing that you have to keep the people and the relationships and the things that are most important to you the closest because these are the things that are going to make your journey worth it in the end. And they’re the ones that help you get through life's challenges,” said Lambert, who overcame a life-changing leg injury, later changing sports from lacrosse to track with the U.S. Paralympic National Team. Her foundation provides amputees with prosthetics that will allow them to run again and she is the L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth National Honoree.
The student Commencement address was delivered by Jamie Smorczewski of Danvers, a student-veteran graduating with a master’s degree in security studies.
“As we go forward into the next stage of our lives, it is important to remember that our actions will be our lasting legacy. As John F. Kennedy once said, ‘As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them,’” he said. “We must do better for them in deeds, not just words.”
Andrew Marshall of Boxford, a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” graduating with a degree in music business, performed the national anthem. Other Commencement participants were UMass Lowell Provost Joseph Hartman, UMass System Trustee and UMass Lowell graduate Mary Burns and Lowell Mayor John Leahy.
Commencement celebrations included top awards for academics and service.
More on UMass Lowell Commencement is available at www.uml.edu/commencement.
UMass Lowell is a national research university offering its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu