View From Pine Manor College

Pine Manor College held its 107th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 20th. Pine Manor College honored two distinguished individuals with honorary degrees; former Massachusetts Governor, Michael S. Dukakis, and author and activist, Renée Watson. This weekend’s graduation ceremony marked the first cohort of male graduates from Pine Manor College, which became fully co-educational in 2014.

Approximately 84% of the graduating class are the first in their family to earn a college degree. Pine Manor College President, Thomas M. O’Reilly, recognized the students' determination and the important role that families and communities play in student success. President O'Reilly thanked the graduating class for “having the courage to come to college, the commitment and the grit to get through college, and the vision and aspiration to believe in your future after college."

A Doctor of Laws honoris causa was awarded to the honorable Michael S. Dukakis, Former Massachusetts Governor and presidential nominee. Gov. Dukakis encouraged students to become active and engaged citizens on the local, national, or international level.

A Doctor of Letters honoris causa was awarded to Renée Watson, author, activist, and educator. In her remarks, Renée Watson encouraged the graduates: I want you “to dream wild, dangerous, impossible dreams and then seek out people and spaces who will help you nurture those dreams."

The senior class speakers, Brianna Gonsalves ’18 and Jonathan Higgenbotham ’18 shared the podium in delivering a speech that reflected upon their educational journey at Pine Manor College. In their speech, Gonsalves and Higgenbotham described the challenges and triumphs throughout their College careers. They shared moments of self-doubt and self-discovery, and their resulting gained sense of empowerment. They credited the Pine Manor College professors and staff members that helped them along the way.

Student Awards were awarded to the following well-deserved graduates:

• The Pine Manor College Faculty Award was awarded to Marcelina Nidaisy for receiving the highest grade-point average upon completion of her academic work at Pine Manor College.
• The Exemplary Achievement Award was awarded to Liza Ortiz for combining outstanding values and leadership with excellence in academic achievement.
• The Pine Manor College Award was given to Siera Robinson for making outstanding contributions to the College and to her peers.
• The President's Cup was awarded for the first time to a male recipient, Jonathan Higgenbotham, for furthering understanding of leadership and social responsibility through his personal and community accomplishments.

The ceremony was concluded by the conferring of the degrees. President O’Reilly stated: "Members of the Class of 2018, having completed all requirements for these degrees, on the recommendation of the faculty and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as vested in the Board of Trustees and delegated to me, I confer on you the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Associate of Arts degree, and the Associate of Science degree, in recognition whereof we now award you these diplomas."

Congratulations to the Pine Manor College Class of 2018!

About Pine Manor College

Pine Manor College (PMC) is a small, private, four-year liberal arts college dedicated to the mission of ‘Educating with Purpose.’ The College’s student population is comprised of 85% students of color and 84% are first in their families to attend college. The College focuses on pathways to careers through internships, organizational partnerships, and academic programs. As a result, 100% of PMC’s 2016 and 2017 graduates were either employed or pursuing post-degree programs within six months of graduation.