William Patrick Armstrong IV, Neuroscience

Justin Jean Auguste, Management

Samantha Hope Bengiovanni, Computer Science

Olivia Ann Burke, History

Marisa Butler, Organizational Communication

Travis Herman Butler, Theology

Jeffrey David Chicca, Chemistry

Kylie Marie Chrisholm, English, Writing & Mass Communications

Renee Marie Cordio, Political Science

Cassidy Shea Dicken, Health Sciences

Adam Thomas Duval, Music

Callie Ann Dwyer, Elementary Education

Emily Rose Fernandes, Economics

Hannah Shuet Fung, Psychology with a Concentration in Neuroscience of Human Behavior

Cameron Oliver Furtado, International Business

Jordan Elizabeth Gablaski, English Literature

Colleen Frances Hall, Philosophy

Catherine Ann Harvey, Secondary Education

Rose Daly Horell, Women’s Studies

Madeleine Brennin Boivin Iassogna, Classics with a Concentration in Latin

Aleeza Susan Isaac, Biotechnology & Molecular Biology

Sarah Ellen Keohane, Mathematics

Katheryn Elizabeth Kruzick, Graphic Design

Colleen Marie Kurtz, Criminology

Sydney Lee LaQue, Studio Art

Emma Therese Maguire, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies with a Concentration in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Emma Therese Maguire, Italian

Kialeigh Orion Marston, Classics with a Concentration in Greek

Alexis Nason, Biology with a Concentration in Neuroscience and Behavior

Emily Kate Norman, Neuroscience

Kelly Nicole O’Laughlin, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies with a Concentration in Working with Children and Adolescents in Community Settings

Sean Robert O’Rourke, Accounting

Elizabeth Marie Paquette, Marketing

Brendan Alan Philippon, Biology

Lauren Elizabeth Robichaud, French

Brianna Suzann Rondeau, Psychology

Brianna Suzann Rondeau, Sociology

Gianna Rousseau, Actuarial Science

Emily Rachel Singer, Health Sciences with a Concentration in Occupational Therapy

Michaela Finnegan Smith, Data Analytics

Olivia Anneliese Thompson, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies

Jessica Lynne Wornham, Biology with a Concentration in Physical Therapy

Nicholas Jeffrey Zottoli, Environmental Science  

Presiding
Francesco C.  Cesareo, Ph.D., President

Master of Ceremonies
Gregory S. Weiner, Ph.D., Provost and Academic Vice President

Invocation
The Very Reverend Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A. ’69, Provincial Superior of North America, Augustinians of the Assumption, Vice-Chair Board of Trustees

National Anthem
William Goliger, Assumption College Class of 2020

Welcome
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., President

Valedictory Address
Lauren E. Robichaud, Valedictorian

Introduction of Speaker
Gregory S. Weiner, Ph.D., Provost and Academic Vice President

Commencement Address
Robert S. Royal, President, Faith & Reason Institute

Honorary Degree Recipients
Robert S. Royal, presented by Francis J. Bedard, Esq. ’81, Chair, Board of Trustees

James T. Brett, presented by Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A. ’69, Vice-Chair Board of Trustees

Presentation of Candidates for Degrees in Course
Gregory S. Weiner, Ph.D., Provost and Academic Vice President

Presentation of Graduates
Eloise R. Knowlton, Ph.D., Associate Vice President Academic Affairs

Jennifer K. Morrison, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President Academic Affairs

Alma Mater
William Goliger, Assumption College Class of 2020

Benediction
The Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., HD’12, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester

THE FOLLOWING HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Lily Renee Vartanian, CUM LAUDE, Senate Speaker

Lauren Elizabeth Robichaud, SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Mary Elizbeth Cote, President of the Class of 2020

Timothy Ayres Kelly, Vice President of the Class of 2020

Luke Natale Orlando, Class Treasurer of the Class of 2020

Emma Olivia Lang, MAGNA CUM LAUDE, Class Secretary of the Class of 2020

Colin Patrick McQuillan, President of SGA

John Francis Ledoux Jr., Vice President of Student Affairs

Cole Joseph Foster, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Tesia Elizabeth Burzynski, Vice President for Financial Affairs

Arshia Akhtar

Amanda Concetta Albanesi

Krystin Akemi Albano

Ahmed Alhassany

Kaitlyn Jessica Anderson

Thomas Cushman Angell, CUM LAUDE

Christina Rose Antonetti

Douglas Arcanjo Da Silva Santos 

Sarah Maria Ardolino, English, CUM LAUDE

William Patrick Armstrong IV, SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Justin William Assad

Justin Jean Auguste, CUM LAUDE

Egan Kieffer Bachtell

Sean Patrick Bannon

Katherine Megan Barber

Jamie Alexis Barth

Benjamin Thomas Barton

Liam Burke Bashista

Heather Laurel Bates, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Tighe Daniel Beck

Samantha Hope Bengiovanni, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

William Gabriel Bennett

Kayli Marie Berardinelli, CUM LAUDE 

Kyle Lucas Bermani, CUM LAUDE

Alexa Simone Berry, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Rachel Margaret Berthiaume

William Jackson Blair Jr., CUM LAUDE

Thomas Matthew Bohane

Isabella Sophia Mei Lu Bolognese, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Portia Mensah Bonsu, CUM LAUDE

Amelia Sui Botelho, CUM LAUDE

Sydney Marie Brosseau

Leilah France Bruno

Nicole Marie Bruno, CUM LAUDE 

Colin Christopher Buck

Olivia Ann Burke, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Alicia Ray Burrows, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Hayden Matthew Butler

Marisa Butler, SUMMA CUM LAUDE 

Travis Herman Butler, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Alexandra Jean Cabral, CUM LAUDE

Jessica Lynne Caless, CUM LAUDE

Sean Michael Callahan

Robert Joseph Campbell

Kristen Ashley Carbone

Brendan Michael Carter

Emily Katherine Casella

Jeffrey David Chicca

Kylie Marie Chisholm, SUMMA CUM LAUDE 

Brenna Karen Chrisom

Alyssa Marie Cicconi

Christopher James Clark

Bridget Theresa Coakley

Timothy Kevin Cody

Domenico R. Colace

Madeline Louise Collins

Sarah Adele Cook

Renee Marie Cordio, SUMMA CUM LAUDE 

Sarah Rae Cordio, CUM LAUDE 

Meghan Catherine Costa

Andrew John Crawford III

Christine Marie Cutting

Hunter Christian Davidson

Amy Aracely DeFilippo

Shannon Elisabeth Delaney

Kyle William Delorey

Joseph Anthony Del Rossi Jr.

Daniel Owen DeLuca, CUM LAUDE

Ashley Marie DeLucia, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Olivia Rae DeMonico, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Francesca Elizabeth Depergola

Cecilia Diaz Acosta

Nicholas James DiDato

Samantha Lynne Dindo

Madison Patricia Doyle

Matthew James Drake

Trentin D. DuBois

Nicole Marie Duquette, CUM LAUDE  

Adam Thomas Duval

Callie Ann Dwyer, SUMMA CUM LAUDE 

Stephanie Dana Edick, CUM LAUDE

Ashley Marie Ehlen

Rachel Ann Elliott

Khaleed Hasanni-Dejohn Exum-Strong

Delaney Ann Fenton

Emily Rose Fernandes, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Samantha Michelle Ferrera

Emily Rita Field

Christopher James Finn Jr.

Meghan Elizabeth Fitzgibbons

Kashmir Amira Flood

Brian Terence Flynn

Feldano Franky Francois

Emily Margaret Fraser, CUM LAUDE  

Catherine Nash French, CUM LAUDE 

Hannah Shuet Fung, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Hayley Nicole Galib

Abigail Kathleen Gatanti

Jillian Marie Geyster

Sara Adil Ghumman

Ryan Patrick Gill

Ashley Grace Gioioso

Katherine Rose Golden, CUM LAUDE 

William Robert Goliger

Ashley Mikala Goodacre, CUM LAUDE 

Gina Marie Goodrich, CUM LAUDE

Kyra Paige Goucher

Blake Tommas Greenslade

Aidan Thomas Griffin

Emily Marie Grillo

Amanda Lee Guerette

Kevin Jarvis Hack

Trevor Patrick Haley

Teresa Lyn Haller, CUM LAUDE

Catherine Ann Harvey, CUM LAUDE

Theofilos Hatzopoulos

Lauren Elizabeth Healey, CUM LAUDE

Skyler Katelyn Hesch, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Ally Hinojosa

Lillie Claire Hodgkins

Laura Rose Holland

Valerie Jeanne Howard

Jason Richard Hughes

Sanna Hussain

Madeleine Brennin Boivin Iassogna, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Aleeza Susan Isaac, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Caroline Rachel James, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Sara Kinsey Jenkins

Brett Ryan Jennings

Michael Patrick Jensen

Keithlaire Sam Jonassaint

Iva Juka

Natalia Anna Kaczor

Jessica Elizabeth Kane

Jacob M. Kelleher

Sarah Ann Kenton, CUM LAUDE

Katheryn Elizabeth Kruzick

Colleen Marie Kurtz, CUM LAUDE 

Abbe Elizabeth LaCroix

Naheer Chkro Lahdo, CUM LADUE

Erin Elizabeth Lane

Deven John Langenfeld

Alexandra Rose Lapierre

Sydney Lee LaQue

Conor Joseph Lavallee

Madeline Elizabeth Lawlor

Renee Danielle Leavitt

Brittani Grace Lee LeBlanc

Jayson Charles LeBranti

Caroline Jae Leonard, CUM LAUDE 

Shelby Nichole Lindsay

Nathaniel John Livernois

Theresa Anne Lizotte

Sean Patrick Lockhart

Abigail Kate Lopes

Ericson Pierre Lopez

Emily Morgan MacDonald

Zachary Andrew Magarian

Emma Nicole Magna, CUM LAUDE 

Emma Therese Maguire, CUM LAUDE

William P. Mardo

Spencer Andrew Marocchini, CUM LAUDE

Kialeigh Orion Marston

Tariq Aquil Massenburg

Matthew Robert Mayotte

Julia Nicole Mazzola, CUM LAUDE 

John Joseph McDonagh

Matthew Martin McDonough

Curran Cleary McKenzie

Nicole Janai McMorrow

Conor Patrick Meehan

Jordan Findlay Mello

Dana Alexis Mendes, CUM LAUDE

Joseph Carmine Michael

Calvin Ernest Milliner

Julia Lynne Misto

Haidar Mohammed, CUM LAUDE

Kathryn MacKenzie Morgan

Gabrielle Marie Morris

Michael David Murley, CUM LAUDE 

Alexis Nason, CUM LAUDE

Sean Robert Naughton

Hannah Louise Nitso

Mac-Brian Nkongchu

Emily Kate Norman, SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Emma B. O'Malley

Gabriela Cristina O'Neil

Orsolina E. O'Neill, CUM LAUDE 

Haley Elizabeth Orkins

Sheila Rose Orlando, CUM LAUDE 

David A. Ortiz

Mary Katherine O'Shaughnessy

Andrew Albert Palacios

Elizabeth Marie Paquette, SUMMA CUM LAUDE 

Kayla Rose Peabody

David Zepherin Pepin

Arianna Nicole Pereschino

Owen Joseph Peterson III

Jill Elise Petkewich

Yen Hai Thi Pham II

William Jackson Phaneuf

Madison Elizabeth Piel, CUM LAUDE

Alicia Kerry Polak, MAGNA CUM LAUDE 

Hanna M. Polyak, CUM LAUDE 

Timothy James Power

Brianna Marie Puccia, CUM LAUDE  

Matthew William Pugliese, MAGNA CUM LAUDE 

Steven James Quigley

Emily Ramos

Mia Elizabeth Rapoza

Lily Raso

Therese Frances Rembetsy-Brown, MAGNA CUM LAUDE 

Pamela S. Rios

Elyse Marie Robichaud

Robert Anthony Roche

Anya Kate Rochussen, CUM LAUDE

Brianna Suzann Rondeau, SUMMA CUM LAUDE  

Joshua Charles Ryan

Madison Alyssa Ryan, MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Lauren Mary Salerno, CUM LAUDE 

Djordje Samardzic

Taylor Nora Santry

Adriana E. Savage, CUM LAUDE 

Matthew James Schneider

Alie Margaret-Liu Schreck

Christopher James Schultz

Katlyn Patricia Sehring

William Richard Shaw, CUM LAUDE

Lily Marie Sheahan

Jillian Mary Shenian

Daniel Frederick Sikand

Emily Rachel Singer

Jaclyn Nicole Smith

Jenna Lee Smith, SUMMA CUM LAUDE 

Olivia Anne Solitro

Corey David Soper, MAGNA CUM LAUDE 

Emily Mary Spath

Mason Mitchell Spence

Alexis Kay Stowell

Victoria Diane Stowell, SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Adam James Suda

Ian Scott Sullivan

Michael James Tascione Jr.

Samantha Josselyn Tepper

Timothy James Tierney

Timothy Van Tran

Bridget Rose Tully

Jackson Joseph Vail

Christopher Timothy Van Camp

Darren Michael Van Dzura, CUM LAUDE  

Jared William Vargus

Katherine Anne Ventola

Branislav Vujadinovic

Catherine Anne Waclawik, SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Katherine L. Waligura

Seamus William Wallace

Trevor Brian Wilcox, MAGNA CUM LAUDE 

Victoria Lee Williamson

Paul James Windheuser

Roxann Nadine Wint

Kathryn Casey Witherwax

Jessica Lynne Wornham, SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Trenton Beres Wright

Robert Joseph Yirigian

Megan Young

Crystal Zaimi

Katherine Marie Zeliff

The Assumption University mace, and its role at the front of the academic procession, symbolizes the shared goals of the academic institution. In medieval times, the mace was recognized as a symbol of authority, and in the context of an academic community, it has often signified teaching authority.

At Assumption University, education promotes self-discovery, but the true discovery of self must first take into account one’s own nature and purpose. The symbolism of the mace reflects the simple but essential elements that make for a full and responsible consideration of self, within the broader context in which there can be a full blossoming of the individual.

An education at Assumption nurtures the growth of several key virtues. These include: the Intellectual Virtues, which guide students to the truth; the Moral Virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude and moderation) which enable a person to lead a good life; and, most important of all, the Theological Virtues (faith, hope and charity), which lead the Christian to ultimate happiness. The Latin lettering on the three bands of the sterling node states the thrust of these essential virtues: Intelligentia Adducitur Veritatem; Voluntas Adducitur Bonum; Cor Adducitur Amorem. The staff of the mace could be considered a lignum vitae (tree of life), from which the virtues spring. The three upper branches of ebony and gold represent the virtues and their impact upon everyone at the University, symbolized by the multifaceted fluorite stone.

At Assumption, it is the community’s shared vision that fosters a full flowering of the individual. The three blossoms of gold from the blue fluorite represent the individual coming to full maturity in Christ, in accord with the University’s motto: “Until Christ be formed in you.”

The Assumption University Mace was conceived, designed, created and given as a gift to the University by Paul A. Cavanagh of Greenville, Rhode Island.  Due to its historical significance the Mace remains unchanged despite the transition to Assumption University in 2020.

 

The academic garb worn at today’s ceremony takes its inspiration from the 12th and 13th centuries when most students and teachers were clerics and had taken at least minor holy orders. The assignment of colors to certain faculties, a much later development, was standardized in the United States in the late 19th century. White was assigned to arts and letters; red, a traditional color of the Church, was assigned to theology; green, for herbs, went to medicine; purple, the color of emperors, went to law; and golden yellow, standing for wealth and alchemy, went to the sciences. Because philosophy means the love and pursuit of wisdom, in the case of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), dark blue represents the mastery of the discipline of learning and scholarship in any field for which the degree is conferred rather than in the discipline of philosophy alone.

Gowns vary by degree. The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves and the master’s gown has oblong sleeves, the rear of which are cut square and the front of which are cut in arcs. Both the bachelor’s and master’s gowns are untrimmed. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves and is faced down the front with black velvet. Three bars of velvet cross each sleeve. Often the bars are black, but they may also be in the color distinctive to the discipline in which the degree has been conferred.

In all cases, the exterior of the academic hood is black, and the interior is lined with the official color or colors of the institution that conferred the degree, in Assumption’s case, blue. The bachelor’s hood is three feet in length; the master’s is three and one-half feet; and the doctor’s is four feet. The doctor’s hood alone has panels at the sides. The edges of the hoods are velvet, and are two inches, three inches and five inches for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degrees, respectively. The color of this trim is indicative of the subject to which the degree pertains.

The mortar board cap may be made of soft or hard material and, as its name suggests, symbolizes the role of learning in building individual and shared futures. The tassel is either black or the color appropriate to the subject, with the exception of the doctor’s tassel, which may be gold.

For all academic purposes, including trimmings of doctors’ gowns, edging of hoods and tassels of caps, the colors associated with different disciplines are as follows: 

Agriculture, maize

Arts, Letters and Humanities, white

Commerce, Accountancy and Business, drab

Economics, copper

Education, light blue

Fine Arts, brown

Law, purple

Library Science, lemon

Medicine, green

Music, pink

Oratory, silver gray

Philosophy, dark blue

Physical Education, sage green

Science, golden

Theology, scarlet

The above text is adapted from American University and Colleges, 16th ed. (New York, 2001), pp. 1859-61.