Commencement Returns to Campus, Speakers Convey Optimism
All Photos by Joshua Touster
Wentworth becomes first Boston-area university to host in-person commencement with students walking
In a few short words, President Mark Thompson summarized much of what those gathered for Spring Commencement were also thinking.
“It has taken a lot to arrive at this day, but you all made it happen, and I could not be prouder of you right now,” he said to graduates during ceremonies held this past weekend.
It was indeed a time to celebrate, as Wentworth Institute of Technology officials were able to host three separate graduation ceremonies on campus, becoming the first university in the Boston area to host an in-person event with students walking across stage to receive diplomas in more than a year.
The Class of 2021 was recognized in two separate events on Saturday, while members of the Class of 2020 were invited back for their own commemoration on Sunday after all in-person events were halted in March of last year.
Each graduate was allowed two guests.
Thompson acknowledged how much the world had changed since the last time Commencement was officially held, alluding to the impact of the pandemic and other events on a social and economic level.
“With each new challenge, you pivoted with grace. The entire Wentworth community thanks you for your flexibility and your dedication—both as a group and individually—to making things work for everyone.
Advanced safety protocols and a dedication from students, faculty and staff to keeping campus safe allowed Wentworth to resume some in-person instruction in the fall.
Michael Martinez, Architecture ’21, also spoke of perseverance, sharing his personal story of growing up in the Dominican Republic and coming to Wentworth as a first-generation student. He evoked words from President John F. Kennedy’s famed “We choose to go to the moon” speech as a symbol of his endeavor to work toward his own challenging goal: attending college.
“To the children of immigrants, and to others who are also first-generation students, know that it is possible. Never forget what motivated you to start in the first place and remember that if you know your why, you can endure any how,” Martinez said during Saturday’s second ceremony.
The student speaker for Saturday’s first event, Sarah Williamson, Construction Management ’21, transferred to Wentworth and went on to complete five co-ops. She served on the executive board of the Construction Management Club and was also involved with the Wentworth environmental collaborative, the sustainability committee, Wentworth Alliance and the Colleges of the Fenway theater program.
“I could pursue all my interests and grow as both a person and professional at Wentworth,” she said in explaining why she transferred. “And it helped that Wentworth has one of the best construction management programs in the country.”
Williamson shares President Thompson’s optimism for the future.
“I know my time at Wentworth has prepared me,” she said, “prepared me for the career path I want to have, prepared me to be excited to take risks that I hope will pay off, prepared me to conquer anything I set my mind to. I know we all can conquer whatever we put our minds to.”
Growing up down the street in Roxbury, Gregory B. Janey, Construction Management ’82, Hon. ’17, had little inkling that he would one day chair Wentworth’s Board of Trustees and found the successful Janey Construction company. But preparation and hard work brought him to this moment, and he wanted graduates to know that they have the tools to conquer any challenges industry might throw their way.
“Wentworth has always changed with the times,” he said. “It has always prepared graduates for anything they set out to achieve. I know that you will continue to pivot and stay ahead of the curve in your careers because of what you have learned here. There is no doubt in my mind. And I can say that because I once sat where you are sitting today.”
Provost Ian Lapp served as leader of ceremonies for all three Commencement events with Dean of Students Annamaria Wenner leading the processions as Institute marshal. Color guard duties were handled by the Northeastern ROTC on Saturday and Boston College ROTC on Sunday. Wentworth Alumni Association member Eric Greene ’95 spoke to the Class of 2021 and Carole Wedge was the keynote speaker for both days.
Wedge, the CEO of design firm Shepley Bulfinch, served on the Wentworth Board of Trustees for six years and is a member of Boston’s Green Ribbon Commission. She is also a trustee emeritus for Boston Architectural College, and treasurer of the Architecture Foundation Board. She is the recipient of 2020 Edward C. Kemper Award, which is granted for continued and significant service to the American Institute of Architects and received an honorary doctorate in Engineering from Wentworth in 2004.
“Wherever you go, whatever you do, I hope you will remember to pay attention to the right here, right now,” she said. “I am here to encourage you to imagine what is possible. Imagine the impact you may have, the powerful voice that you have, the ability to take action, to follow your dreams and have an impact. I encourage you to embrace the future by being yourself.”
