Quinnipiac Celebrates Commencement Ceremonies

HAMDEN, CT — (From Quinnipiac University): Go back to work on Monday with the courage to fail. That’s the advice Tyrone M. Woodyard, vice president of communications for Sikorsky, gave to Quinnipiac University students who received their graduate degrees Saturday at the first of two commencement ceremonies. Woodyard, who received an honorary degree from the university, said having the courage to fail requires three core characteristics: confidence, curiosity and commitment.

“Having courage to fail requires confidence gained through trial and error, formal and informal education, and everyday life experiences,” he said. “Confidence comes from a strong belief that I as an individual, or we as a team, can and will be successful. A high level of confidence is unshakeable, unbreakable and unmistakable.”

Quinnipiac awarded 985 graduate degrees during two ceremonies held at the TD Bank Sports Center. (To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

During the first ceremony, 570 students received degrees from the School of Business, School of Communications and School of Education. The most popular degree awarded at that ceremony was the MBA with 246 students receiving it.

At the second ceremony, 415 students received their graduate degrees from the School of Nursing, School of Health Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences. The most popular degrees awarded at the ceremony was the doctor of nursing practice and the master of occupational therapy with 75 students each. Juan Quintana, CEO of Sleepy Anesthesia Associates, addressed the students at that ceremony and received an honorary degree.

Quintana told the graduates that the U.S, population is retiring at approximately 3.3 million individuals per year. Currently, there are approximately 40 million patients enrolled in Medicare. That figure is expected to jump to 80 million by 2030, he said.

In addition, 20 million newly insured individuals and their associated health care needs have been added to the health care system.

“These folks will need more, not less, health care services,” Quintana said. “You must rise to the challenge. This education has provided a strong foundation through which you can channel your experience and strength and hope to make a difference. As highly educated leaders, you must not only learn to adapt in this dynamically changing environment, you must thrive and succeed.”

Quinnipiac held two more commencement ceremonies on Sunday. The School of Law graduated 87 students and the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine awarded medical degrees to the 58 students who are part of its first class.

Pictured: Quinnipiac University graduate McKenzie Abraham waves her diploma after receiving her master of arts in teaching elementary education degree during commencement exercises on Saturday, May 13, at the TD Bank Sports Center. Photo by Autumn Driscoll of Quinnipiac University.