Deval Patrick To Speak At Bentley Graduation In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will deliver the keynote address at Bentley University’s 99th undergraduate commencement ceremony this May. Yep. It's almost time for graduation.

Patrick, who spoke at the inauguration of Bentley President Gloria Cordes Larson in 2008, will return to campus for what will be one of Larson’s final events at the university before she steps down in June.

Diane Hessan, founder and chairman of the market research company C Space (formerly Communispace), will deliver the address to graduate students at the 43rd annual commencement ceremony for Bentley’s McCallum Graduate School of Business.

Bentley University’s undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

Approximately 1,470 students will receive diplomas and will be joined by more than 7,000 members of the university community, family members and friends. During the respective ceremonies, Patrick and Hessan will receive honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degrees.
Undergraduate students will receive bachelor’s degrees from a variety of business and liberal arts programs that prepare them for career and life success in today’s innovation economy. Graduate students will receive advanced degrees that include a Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Business Analytics and Master’s in Accounting.
“It’s fitting that on this momentous day in their lives, our graduates will have the opportunity to hear from accomplished individuals who reflect the kind of life and career we hope our students will pursue,” said President Larson. “Deval Patrick and Diane Hessan have both exhibited a lifetime of commitment to service and leadership, values we strive to encourage in all our students at Bentley. It will be an honor to welcome these two inspiring individuals for this year’s commencement ceremonies.”

Patrick served two terms as governor of Massachusetts (2007-2015), during which time the state became a national leader in education, innovation, entrepreneurial activity and sustainability, all areas that reflect Bentley’s forward-thinking educational mission. President Larson co-chaired his transition team in 2006 and later advised the administration as a member of the business advisory cabinet. In 2014, Patrick unveiled the Corporate Challenge at the Bentley Center for Women and Business, which was founded by President Larson in 2011. Patrick now serves as a managing director of Bain Capital Double Impact, seeking to invest in companies focused on three core themes: sustainability, health and wellness, and community building.

Hessan is a renowned entrepreneur, researcher and author who created C Space, one of the hottest companies in Boston’s innovation economy. C Space disrupted the market research industry with its online communities, used by major brands to gain insight and inspiration from their consumers. Hessan embodies what a Bentley graduate education is all about, a combination of business, creativity and critical thinking skills, with an understanding that innovation is a must, no matter where you go next. She is currently CEO of Salient Ventures, an investment and advisory company with a portfolio of angel investments focused on Boston technology companies.

Bentley’s 2018 commencement will take place on the university’s south campus. The undergraduate ceremony will start at 10 a.m. and the graduate ceremony will start at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held under the tent on the football field. Indoor viewing on a large monitor will be available in the Dana Athletic Center and the ceremonies will be held rain or shine. Buses will run from the parking lots on the main campus to the south campus.

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch