Salem State Grads Told To 'Believe,' 'Give Back' During 3 Commencements

SALEM, MA — Salem State University graduated 1,561 students across three commencement ceremonies held Friday and Saturday.

The ceremonies included 272 students who became double Vikings, one double Viking who became a triple Viking, and the awarding of a Doctor of Humane Letters to David Masse, who graduated from Salem State College in 1986.

Subscribe

University President John Keenan opened the Friday morning ceremony for the Maguire Meservey College of Health and Human Services.

"Your class spans generations, from 20 to 72 years old, and includes full-time students, working parents, career changers, and those who returned to finish a dream long deferred," Keenan said. "We know that completing a college degree is an accomplishment at any age, and perhaps even more remarkable for those completing this journey later in life."

"You come from nearby communities like Salem, Peabody, Lynn, Revere, and from as far away as Brazil, Haiti, and Kenya—and 12 different states, from Vermont to California. You reflect the fabric and resiliency of our community.”

At the Friday afternoon ceremony for the Bertolon School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences, Masse received the honorary degree and addressed graduates.

"Forty years ago, I was sitting where you are today, graduating from Salem State College in May of 1986," Masse told the graduates. "If someone had told me back then that I would someday return and give a commencement speech, I would've said no way, no chance, and so would all my friends. But life has a funny way of surprising you."

Masse said success depends on relationships.

"Give back to your community whenever you can — provide counsel, guidance, or provide a referral for someone to get a raise," Masse said. "That's giving back — you're helping people. It doesn't have to be about money."

At the Saturday morning ceremony for the McKeown School of Education and College of Arts and Sciences, Olivia Pelletier centered her remarks on building confidence at the school to achieve in the classroom and then beyond.

"Today, as we celebrate earning our degrees and looking back on what we've done the past few years, that word keeps coming back to me—believe," Pelletier said. "If there's one thing this degree has taught us, it's that believing doesn’t mean you have every answer.

"It means you trust in yourself enough to take the next step anyway."