Jump to the afternoon ceremony

Nationally recognized author urges graduates to write their own story

College of Arts and Sciences, School of Health Sciences, School of Nursing Ceremony

Nationally recognized novelist Crystal Maldonado urged Quinnipiac graduates to boldly embrace the role of author of their own lives during Saturday morning's Commencement ceremony honoring the Class of 2022. After sharing her story of finding professional fulfillment by creating the type of role models she looked for as a child in books, Maldonado urged the audience to embrace their own story in a keynote address that was both heartfelt and authentic.

“Writing taught me that we can each be the main character in our own stories and create our own narrative. I hope you’ll remember this as you go out into the world as Quinnipiac University graduates,” said Maldonado. “I hope you let go of the fear that you may secretly be a powerless, unnamed background character in someone else’s story. I hope you put your shoulders back, hold your head up high, and remind yourself that you are the main character, and it’s up to you to write your own story.”

“You’re the ones who dedicate your lives to envisioning connection and building empathy and creating a world for the next generation that feels a little kinder than it did before,” Maldonado advised the graduates. “I’m here to remind you that, regardless of what you go on to do next, you have the power to make a significant difference in the lives of those around you.”

In total, degrees were conferred on 1,125 candidates — including 434 from the College of Arts and Sciences, 416 from the School of Health Sciences and 275 graduates from the School of Nursing. The event marked the first of five Commencement ceremonies celebrating the Class of 2022 on the Mount Carmel Campus Quad.

Provost Debra Liebowitz opened the ceremony and welcomed the graduates and their guests, while acknowledging the support and contributions of the faculty, staff, family members and the entire Bobcat community who made this day a reality.

“I am honored to be here with you today and to be celebrating a traditional Commencement ceremony outdoors on our beautiful quad. Graduates, this is your day. You are on your way,” said Liebowitz. “We couldn’t have made it to sitting on this quad here today without our faculty and our families. Class of 2022, I invite you to rise and acknowledge the faculty seated in front of you and your families and friends seated behind and around you.”

For President Judy Olian, the Class of 2022 will always hold a special place in her heart.

In 2018, when she joined the university as president, this year’s graduates were beginning the first year of their college experience. She reflected on their journey together, navigating a set of unique experiences without precedent that tested the world’s resiliency and resolve, including a global pandemic, issues of social justice and the war in Ukraine.

“As I look out on the Quad today, I see future political scientists and sociologists…award-winning authors and biologists…nurses and rehabilitative specialists…a group of graduates who will achieve change for the better, helping bring new discoveries to life, making them broadly accessible, and improving the quality of life of every individual you touch,” said Olian. “All of us at Quinnipiac will follow your path with great interest, we’ll unabashedly brag about your successes and beam with pride about the great impact you’re having in your chosen career, and in the life you lead.”

College of Arts and Sciences graduate Gabriella R. Colello ’22, School of Health Sciences graduate Alec James Williams ’22, MHS ’24 and School of Nursing graduate Chase Daniel Molinari ’22 delivered the Response of the Class of 2022. Sarah Cowden ’22 sang the national anthem.

“Our mentors, advisers and leaders have created a university where ambitions are unleashed, dreams become reality, and social change manifests,” said Colello. “Now, it is our turn. Our turn to surpass the boundaries of our imagination, to radically envision new possibilities for change, to be the producers and curators of knowledge, to be the storytellers, the caretakers, the world builders, the architects of the future.”

Williams spoke about the collective experience that has shaped the Class of 2022 and the moments, big and small, that have marked the milestones along the way.

“Today, we stand on a quad that we once stood alone, now we stand on it together. And all the anxiety, vulnerability and fear of failure has turned into strength. Each picture in our camera roll, each memory in our life, represents a snapshot of a time we were present and together,” said Williams. “So today, I want to offer you all a challenge. Let us not be on the outside of the frame looking in, nor on the inside looking out, instead let us be in the dead center, looking around. Congrats, my fellow graduates. And let us embrace this bigger picture.”

Molinari reflected on the legacy of his late mother and noted how she dedicated her life to being a light for those around her through her kindness and compassion. He urged his fellow graduates to be the light for others as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives.

“As we are here today, ready to take on the world, my message to you, Class of 2022, is to be that lighthouse,” said Molinari. “Be someone’s way to safety in a dark time. Whether it be as a nurse helping a patient through their illness or a research scientist finding ways to treat what were once thought untreatable diseases. One lighthouse may be able to light a singular path to shore, but multiple can illuminate the whole sea.”

Alumni Association Board President Jeanna Doherty ’94 concluded the ceremony by officially welcoming the Class of 2022 into the Bobcat alumni community of more than 60,000, reminding each graduate that a Bobcat education lasts beyond their undergraduate years.

“I invite you to move your tassel to the left of your cap,” said Doherty. “This simple act signifies your transition from student to alumnus, and the continuation of your unique, meaningful and lifelong relationship with Quinnipiac. I’m especially pleased to have you all as fellow alumni. You are a Bobcat for Life. Congratulations!” 

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Undergraduate Morning Ceremony

Manufacturing chief encourages graduates to put their unlimited potential to work

School of Business, School of Communications, School of Computing and Engineering Ceremony

Paul Lavoie, the chief manufacturing officer for the state of Connecticut, was a 13 year old when his mother dispensed the advice that changed his life.

“She taught me that I had unlimited potential and I could achieve anything I set my mind to,” Lavoie told the Class of 2022 Saturday at undergraduate Commencement exercises for the School of Business, the School of Communications and the School of Computing & Engineering.

“She taught me to never give up, and that setbacks are just speedbumps and you need to keep moving,” Lavoie told the graduates. “So, I'll ask you to reflect on the lessons your parents have taught you and to think about the person you are today. Think about how their lessons have shaped your lives, shaped your values, shaped your beliefs and helped you get where you are today.”

In all, 811 degree candidates — 477 from the School of Business, 239 from the School of Communications and 95 from the School of Computing & Engineering — attended the ceremony on the Mount Carmel Campus Quad.

Provost Debra Liebowitz opened the ceremony with an enthusiastic welcome and a friendly word of caution.

“Sitting doesn’t mean this is a sedentary activity,” Liebowitz said with a grin. “Graduates, this is your day. I want you to stand up and take a moment to thank everyone who helped you get here today."

The day’s gratitude didn’t end with family, friends, faculty and staff.

President Judy Olian said the Class of 2022 supported each other and uplifted each other during the last four years.

"You learned that you had the capacity to persevere, to adapt, to be creative in finding new sources of joy and opportunity,” Olian said. “You got even closer to your friends who lived with you. You showed compassion in the face of painful losses, and you also came to cherish what we had when things were normal.”

“And now, you’ll embark upon new ambitions and lead the way in defining what can be, as you shape the world. ... If we ever doubted it, we’ve come to understand that we have to care about the world — about communities that do have and communities that don’t have. Ultimately, we are indeed one connected world.”

For the Class of 2022, these connections come with friendships, mentorships and career lessons, Lavoie said.

“These are some of the lessons I've learned through my career journey,” Lavoie said. “First off, you don't always get to choose your career path. Step outside your comfort zone. You need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and you need to trust the process.”

Giovanni Colatruglio ’22, of the School of Business, Lachlan Peter Harvey ’22, of the School of Communications, and Lauren Alexis Atkinson ’22, of the School of Computing & Engineering, delivered the Response of the Class of 2022. McKayla R. Norris ’22 sang the national anthem.

“Do you have the guts to fail?” Colatruglio asked his classmates. “Growth isn’t found by staying in the confines of where we feel safe, but rather, in places we’re uncomfortable. When we fail forward, impossible becomes possible, and when we fail forward, heroes we once imagined become reality.”

Although their paths may differ, the newly minted graduates will always share the same starting line, the same bold future.

“College really gave me a run for my money, but I made it. So did every single one of you sitting in front of me,” Harvey said. “But what now? The world is a scary place. People succeed, people fail and everything in between. ... No matter how big or how small, just keep moving forward. I promise you will achieve wonderful things — just like you did today.”

For Atkinson, the tools to succeed were polished and sharpened at Quinnipiac.

“When things go differently than you had planned, surround yourself with people who will love and accept you through the failure and imperfections,” Atkinson said. “We’ve been equipped to be successful wherever we go, so if we can make it here at Quinnipiac, we will make it anywhere.”

Alumni Association Board President Jeanna Doherty ’94 concluded the ceremony by officially welcoming the Class of 2022 into the Bobcat alumni community of more than 60,000, reminding each graduate that a Bobcat education lasts beyond their undergraduate years.

“I invite you to move your tassel to the left of your cap,” said Doherty. “This simple act signifies your transition from student to alumnus, and the continuation of your unique, meaningful and lifelong relationship with Quinnipiac. I’m especially pleased to have you all as fellow alumni. You are a Bobcat for Life. Congratulations!”

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Undergraduate Afternoon Ceremony

The university conferred 3,347 degrees during five Commencement ceremonies May 14-16.

A Quinnipiac Minute