Respected journalist Gwen Ifill encouraged Simmons College graduates to choose something meaningful in which to participate. "Do not shrink from life and do not shrink from choices," Ifill said. "The stakes are too high. And you are, after all, Simmons women."
The moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week," Ifill was the morning commencement speaker for the 104th Simmons Commencement held Friday, May 15 at the Bank of America Pavilion. The college conferred 500 degrees to undergraduate women.
A journalist for more than 30 years, Ifill's career includes both print and broadcast media. She is the first woman and the first African American to host a prominent political talk show on national television, and is the senior correspondent for PBS's "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer." This year, Ifill - a 1977 Simmons alumna - released her first book, "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," which looks at the new generation of African-American politicians in the U.S.
During the afternoon ceremony, humanitarian and author Greg Mortenson ("Three Cups of Tea") was the speaker, encouraging graduates to listen to their conscience, take care of themselves emotionally and physically, and use their newfound skills to improve the world. Simmons awarded 1,500 degrees to graduate school students during the afternoon.
The college awarded Ifill an Alumnae Lifetime Achievement Award and awarded honorary degrees to Mortenson; Dr. Bereket Habte Selassie, human rights activist; Dr. Rosa Elena Bello, a healthcare and women's issues advocate; Erma Brooks, a lifetime educator; and Mitsuye Yamada, a poet.
Commencement Videos
Gwen Ifill, '77, '93HD
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Greg Mortenson
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Interview with Greg Mortenson
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Purchase Photos of Graduates and Their Families
Photos of graduates and their families will be available for purchase from Commencement Photos, Inc. about six weeks after graduation. You may contact Commencement Photos, Inc. at 978-851-5924 to place your order.
View and Purchase Candid Shots
Our photographer also took a variety of candid shots, which you can view and purchase directly from the photographer's website. Samples appear below:
Order a 2009 Commencement DVD
As Simmons College's video production partner, D2 Productions is proud to offer DVD copies of the 2009 Commencement ceremony, held on May 15, 2009 at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston. Thank you for your interest!
Copies of the morning Undergraduate Ceremony or afternoon Graduate Ceremony are available for $30 each, and include domestic shipping. For DVDs shipped internationally, the price is $40 USD.
Diplomas
If you are not able to attend the ceremony on May 15, you will be able to pick up your diploma with photo identification in the Office of the Registrar (room C210 of the Main College Building) starting on Tuesday, May 19.
You can also have your diploma mailed to you by sending a check or money order for $10, made payable to
Simmons College (to cover the cost of Certified Mail), to the following address: Office of the Registrar
Simmons College 300 The Fenway Boston, MA 02115.
