Below is a press release from Fitchburg State University:
FITCHBURG, MA — Fitchburg State University held its 128th commencement exercises this month, awarding graduate and undergraduate degrees and honoring distinguished alumni and community leaders.
The following Wilmington students graduated:
- Olivia Almeida, BSE, Special Education
- Jake Arsenault, BS, Business Administration
- Stanley Duperval, MED, Educational Leadership/Management
- Katie Lanzi, CAGS, Educational Leadership/Management
The commencement address at the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 18 was given by alumna Yla Eason, an assistant professor of business at Rutgers University and the creator of the country’s first Black superhero toy.
Eason was also presented the President’s Medal in recognition of her lifetime of achievement.
Also honored at the undergraduate ceremony was Reinaldo Lopez, founder of Resource Management Inc., one of the country’s largest Hispanic-owned businesses. Born in Puerto Rico, he migrated to the mainland United States with his mother in 1962 and soon joined her working in the tobacco fields to help support the family. His mother’s tireless work ethic and commitment to family proved a solid foundation upon which Lopez would build for the rest of his career.
The valedictorian of the undergraduate class was Jyy Rose Liang of Lunenburg, who completed a degree in educational studies with a minor in art.
Ali Raza, a native of Pakistan, spoke at the graduate commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 16, where he was presented the Graduate Student Leadership Award. He recounted his journey to the U.S. where studied computer science.
University President Richard S. Lapidus, retiring in June, presided over the final commencement ceremonies of his tenure at Fitchburg State this month.
“Remember in the end, it’s not just about you, but your actions can have profound effects on others around you,” Lapidus said. “A good perspective might be to consider not only how you might benefit from your actions, but how others will as well. There is a saying that can be found around the world in multiple variations that says, ‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.’ Be generous, live your life with your heart wide open, extend a helping hand and provide hope and opportunity for others and go plant trees. I think you will find the reward to be far greater than you might imagine.”
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