Boston University Celebrates Resilient Graduates at 153rd Commencement
At BU commencement, graduates reflect on growth, resilience, and uncertainty
The Boston Globe
Image: The Boston Globe
Boston University held its 153rd commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field, celebrating graduates' resilience and growth amid a challenging academic year. Commencement speaker Reshma Kewalramani emphasized embracing complexity and collaboration, while student speaker Blake Hanrahan highlighted the transformative experience at BU. Graduates expressed a mix of excitement and anxiety as they prepare for the future.
- 01Reshma Kewalramani, a BU alumna and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, encouraged graduates to embrace complexity and reject 'either-or' thinking.
- 02Blake Hanrahan, the student speaker, noted that BU taught students to ask better questions rather than providing all the answers.
- 03Graduate Bo Patrick Zhang from Shanghai expressed both excitement and anxiety about entering the workforce after graduation.
- 04Violin performance student Aija Reke returned to BU to complete her doctorate, inspired by her volunteer teaching experiences.
- 05Sammuela Aboagyewaah reflected on the temporary nature of difficult moments, stating, 'The world doesn’t end; it really just shifts.'
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Boston University celebrated its 153rd commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field, where graduates donned scarlet gowns and reflected on their transformative journeys. The event was marked by a sense of resilience and growth, especially after a year filled with campus tensions and uncertainty. Commencement speaker Reshma Kewalramani, president and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, shared her personal journey, highlighting how BU shaped her life and career. She urged graduates to embrace complexity and collaboration, stating, 'People who accomplish a lot are rarely the ones who take the most; they are almost certainly the ones who build the most.' Student speaker Blake Hanrahan echoed this sentiment, noting that BU encouraged students to seek better questions rather than straightforward answers. Graduates expressed mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety about their futures, with many acknowledging the challenges they faced during their time at the university. Sammuela Aboagyewaah, a health science graduate, emphasized the importance of recognizing that difficult moments are temporary, reinforcing the idea that the journey continues beyond graduation. The ceremony not only celebrated academic achievements but also the personal growth and resilience of each student.
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The commencement ceremony highlights the transition of graduates into the workforce, impacting local job markets and communities as they seek employment.
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