Mount Ida College’s 113th Commencement
May 18, 2012
U.S. Senator John Kerry Addresses the Class of 2012
Newton, MA—On Friday, May 18, Mount Ida College held its 113th commencement exercises, granting 14 Master’s degrees, 223 Baccalaureate degrees and 63 Associate degrees, before an audience filled with family, friends, and members of the Mount Ida community.
Commencement speaker U.S. Senator for Massachusetts John Kerry delivered his address to the Class of 2012 combining lighthearted and humorous “advice” with one important challenge: to be active and engaged citizens to make our country’s democracy work better.
With Privilege Comes Responsibility
“We all sit here in Newton on this beautiful Friday—but on Monday we’ll go back to work against a backdrop of growing debt and a gridlocked Washington. There isn’t a problem we face today that doesn’t have a fairly simple and achievable solution. Not one. The deficit, energy, education, Medicare, social security. We can fix each of them. It’s a matter of willpower, not capacity. But politicians won’t find the willpower to make those tough choices until and unless more Americans are holding them accountable,” said Senator Kerry.
“It may sound corny, but that’s why we need you to be public citizens who make the public sector make better decisions. I know a lot of you want to someday invest in a company of your own, but we need you to invest in being a citizen too, because the privilege of an education comes with the responsibility of building a community.”
A Lasting Gift
The audience also heard from Mount Ida College President Lance Carluccio, who recognized the Class of 2012 as a very accomplished class of students. He thanked them for their lasting gift to the College, a welcoming patio to be located next to the new artificial turf field. Carluccio, who will be retiring at the end of June, also took a brief moment to thank the Mount Ida Community.
“In my 44 years in higher education, I consider Mount Ida College as the best in reaching out and supporting its students so that each student can move from potential to achievement. I am proud to have led an institution that I know has it right—providing opportunity for students to achieve, to get jobs, build careers and become better citizens of this world,” stated Dr. Lance Carluccio.
Honored Guests
Other honored guests and speakers included Burt Winnick, Vice Chair, Mount Ida College Board of Trustees, the Honorable Setti Warren, Mayor of Newton, Amanda Nacci ’12, President of the Class of 2012, and Reverend Erin Splaine, First Universalist Society of Newton.
In addition to Senator Kerry, our honorary degree recipients on the platform today were Gerald Chertavian, CEO, Year Up, and the Honorable Barbara Lenk, Associate Justice, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The Board of Trustees also recognized Dr. Lance Carluccio for his service to Mount Ida College by surprising him with an honorary degree.
Since 1999, in memory of beloved faculty member, Ronald J. Lettieri, who was taken from us too soon, the College recognizes one faculty member and one student for excellence in teaching and learning, respectively. Dr. James Martin, Professor of English and Humanities, was awarded the Ronald Lettieri Award for Excellence in Teaching and Evelyne Edourd ’12, business administration major, was awarded the Ronald J. Lettieri Award for Excellence in Learning.
Congratulations graduates of the Class of 2012.
To watch U.S. Senator Kerry's Commencement Address, click here.