Merrimack Celebrates 58th Commencement
On Sunday, May 18, Merrimack College degrees were conferred on 448 students at the 58th Commencement Exercises. In addition, 17 graduates received their master of education degree.
Blessed by blue skies and a light breeze, the graduates were led in procession through campus by Chief Marshal Dr. Russell Mayer, associate professor of political science, into the Volpe Center where parents, family and friends awaited their arrival for a 10:30 a.m. ceremony. The commencement marked the conclusion of the 60th anniversary year of the founding of The Augustinian College of the Merrimack Valley (later to be renamed Merrimack College) in the fall of 1947.
Internationally acclaimed physician Dr. Paul Farmer, M.D., Ph.D. addressed the graduates as commencement speaker, stressing the importance of teamwork and helping others. He charged the graduates to be optimistic about the future, to fix global warming, and then make a difference in the world by leaving it a better place. After being introduced by Dr. Kathleen FitzPatrick, associate professor in the Health Sciences Department, Dr. Farmer was presented an Honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Dr. Farmer, a medical anthropologist, co-founded Partners in Health, the international charity organization that provides health care to those afflicted by poverty and disease in such places as Haiti, Peru, Guatemala, Rwanda, the United States, and other parts of the world in need of help. For a full bio on Dr. Farmer, see below.
Commencement’s special guest and honoree was Rev. James Edward Hannan, O.S.A., a former Merrimack faculty member and sole surviving member of the first Augustinian community at Merrimack. Fr. Hannan, 92, traveled from California to attend the ceremony. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Augustinian Education (Honoris Causa) which was presented by Fr. Calderone.
Rev. James Wenzel, O.S.A. had the honor of introducing Fr. Hannan. “I am humbled and honored to present him (Fr. Hannan) for this degree because he was one of my teachers during my freshman year at Merrimack in 1948, and because of his support to me and my parents when I joined him as a member of the Augustinian Order in 1950,” stated Fr. Wenzel. “I can attest to his kindness and pastoral concern for all of the students in Merrimack’s early years.”
A member of the first faculty/pioneers at Merrimack College, Fr. Hannan established the entire four-year religion program for the school. He also served as chaplain of the college, and chair of the Religion Department. For a full bio on Fr. Hannan, see below.
Among the highlights of the day was an unsolicited standing ovation by the students as the faculty proceeded down the center aisle to their seats.
A second standing ovation was given to graduate Muthoni J. Ngugi who overcame many physical hardships to earn a degree in business administration. The support of her fellow graduates was overwhelming as she lifted her head high and proudly walked back to her seat.
English major Amanda Bovill had the honor of giving the 2008 student speech followed by the conferring of degrees. Dean of Faculty for Liberal Arts Dr. Michael Rossi; Interim Dean of Faculty for Science and Engineering Dr. Gary Spring; and Dean of the Girard School of International Business Dr. Robert Cuomo presented the graduates for their degrees.
Immediately following the conferring of degrees, the Edward G. Roddy Teacher of the Year Award was presented to a surprised and delighted Dr. Inwon Jang, assistant professor of finance. The award is presented each year based on nominations submitted by students and colleagues.
After being instructed to move their tassels to the left to signify being an official graduate, the students followed the dignitaries and faculty out of Volpe Center onto the sunny campus where loved ones awaited. A light reception was held in the Sakowich Campus Center where students (now alumni) and faculty had a chance for a last goodbye.
About Dr. Paul Farmer
Dr. Farmer is associate chief of the Division of Social Medicine and Health Inequalities at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, Mass.), is the Maude and Lillian Presley Professor of Medical Anthropology in the Department of Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and is a physician-anthropologist who has worked in infectious disease control for nearly two decades. Dr. Farmer is a co-founder of Partners In Health, an international charity organization that provides direct health care services and undertakes research and advocacy activities on behalf of those who are sick and living in poverty. He has been a visiting professor at institutions throughout the U.S. as well as in France, Canada, Peru, the Netherlands, Russia, and Central Asia. Dr. Farmer received his bachelor’s degree in 1982 from Duke University, and his M.D. and Ph.D. (in Anthropology) in 1990 from Harvard University. Information from www.brighamandwomens.org/socialmedicine/farmerbio.aspx
Please watch the recent 60 Minutes profile of Dr Farmer (Video from CBS News)
About Rev. James Edward Hannan, O.S.A.
Rev. Hannan, the sole surviving member of the first Augustinian community at Merrimack, was ordained a priest by Archbishop John J. Mitty on June 17, 1944 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. He spent the next two years as religion teacher/assistant chaplain at Villanova University, and then became a member of the first faculty at Merrimack College, where he established the entire four-year religion program for the school. He also served as chaplain of the college, and chair of the Religion Department. While at Merrimack, in 1949, Fr. Hannan served in the Air Force Reserve, and was called to active duty during the Korean War in June, 1951 until 1953 (when he returned to Merrimack). He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on July 4, 1976 at the age of 60. Fr. Hannan currently resides in California, and celebrated mass at St. John the Evangelist parish (CA) weekly for thirty-eight years, stepping down only a few months ago.