On Friday, May 16, 2025, Simmons University celebrated the 120th Commencement Ceremonies at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. These events honored the many accomplishments of the Class of 2025. Simmons awarded over 500 baccalaureate degrees and nearly 1,500 graduate degrees during these ceremonies.
Donning ceremonial attire, Simmons graduates processed into MGM Music Hall with smiles, waves, and jubilant dance moves. Decorated mortar boards displayed floral garlands, Pride emblems, whimsical cartoon characters, and inspirational phrases (e.g., “I’m a Master’s Mind”).
Simmons faculty, staff, family, and friends congregated to celebrate the graduates’ many accomplishments during this 120th commencement ceremony in Simmons’ history. They were followed by Simmons faculty in robes of black, gray, blue, and maroon, including President Lynn Perry Wooten, the deans of the six schools, and Commencement speakers.
Regina Pisa, Chair of the Simmons University Board of Trustees, welcomed everyone to MGM at Fenway, initiated the ceremony, and recognized Simmons students' achievements. “The way you’ve led yourselves, supported one another, and upheld the values of Simmons has brought us to this meaningful day. Your strength and commitment have made a lasting impact, and for that, we are deeply grateful.”
Pisa introduced the 9th Simmons University President, Lynn Wooten, who shared her remarks. “At Simmons, you have elevated your voices and formed lifelong friendships and connections. Simmons has also challenged you to think critically, take academic risks, and to pursue your passions and interests. I have witnessed your commitment to scholarship and service, and your drive to make a difference — for yourselves, our communities, and our world.“
Addressing the graduates as the “next generation of everyday leaders,” Wooten invoked the words of award-winning science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler: “All that you touch you change. All that you change, changes you. The only lasting truth is change.”
Professor of Practice and Master of Social Work Program Director Gary Bailey delivered a poetic Invocation, giving thanks and offering prayers. “Let these soon-to-be Simmons graduates become the bridge between the world as it is … and the world as it can … and should be.” Bailey drew on the words of poet Rabindranath Tagore, as well as artist and poet Judy Chicago’s 1979 poem “The Merger,” to depict the world that Simmons graduates will help create.
Student Speakers: Embrace the Journey, Lead with Compassion
Vice President of Student Engagement and Dean of Students Rae Ann Butera introduced the Class of 2025 graduate student speaker, Jena Saul ’25MS, candidate for Master of Science in Library and Information Science, with a concentration in archives management. Saul thanked the Simmons community — faculty, classmates, and alumnae/i — who have “shown me what it means to be part of a curious, passionate, and deeply intelligent group of people who care about truth, equity, and access.”
“Now, more than ever, free speech, libraries, and access to information are lifelines, not luxuries,” Saul said, extolling the indispensable work of librarians.
“We may not be able to change the entire world overnight,” Saul continued. “But we can change our communities, our workplaces, our families — and most importantly, ourselves. Because while things aren’t quite as planned, the good news is that we just spent years learning, growing, pushing ourselves and each other to be the next leaders to lead our society forward.”
Butera introduced undergraduate student speaker Helena Saldivar-Mieres ’25, a candidate for Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, civic engagement enthusiast, and dancer-choreographer.
Saldivar-Mieres offered words of hope to her fellow graduates looking ahead to an uncertain future. “Instead of focusing on the end goal and the pursuit of a career, I want to encourage you to step into the unknown, do what feels right, embrace your journey as it comes to you, and fall in love with the in-between.” She also paid homage to iconic Simmons alumna Gwen Ifill ’77, ‘93HD.
Provost Stephanie Cosner awarded the honorary Doctor of Public Service to Senator Harriette L. Chandler ’83MBA, the first person from Worcester to serve as President of the Massachusetts State Senate. “Simmons is proud this morning to honor one of our very own,” remarked President Wooten, introducing Chandler as “a pioneering political leader who fearlessly championed women’s rights, reproductive justice, and equity in health care and housing access throughout her ground-breaking career in the Massachusetts legislature.”
In her Commencement address, Chandler remarked that “Simmons has always held a special place in my heart, from my time on campus, through my time in the state senate, and of course, up to the present day. And that’s because Simmons has always been a place that stands up for raising up those on the edges and the margins, for giving opportunity to everyone, including those from nontraditional or unexpected paths, and preparing everyone, regardless of background, for what comes next.”
Chandler focused on the virtue of responsibility. She assured graduates that, when faced with injustice in the world and problems that need addressing, they should look not to external sources, but to themselves to enact change. “I want you to … hear the profound opportunities in these words: it’s you. There is no one else. Never forget that.”
Chandler grew up with the Hebrew principle of Tikkun olam (literally, “world repair”), the responsibility to improve the world. She noted, “At every moment, at every juncture, I've learned that change happens not through grand gestures by mythical heroes, but through persistent, principled action by ordinary people who refuse to look away from problems that others ignore.” Accordingly, she challenged graduates to “to repair the world in whatever way aligns with your talents and your passions.”
During the afternoon ceremony, Vice Provost Leanne Doherty welcomed the student speaker, Master of Social Work candidate, mother of two teenage daughters, and advocate for social justice Esha S. Boyd ’25MSW. In her speech, Boyd shared her personal struggles with mental health and incarceration while underscoring Simmons’ longstanding commitment to equity: “Simmons never wavered in its commitment to equity and [social] justice.”
Though the graduates Boyd addressed represented diverse backgrounds, “what binds us together,” she said, “is this: we chose to heal, to serve, to lead, and to advocate.” Boyd concluded with a call to action: “Whatever brought you here, we must remain committed to equity. We must practice cultural humility. And we must lead with compassion. As we go out in the world, we have to make sure it’s not just about making a living, but making a difference.”
Fenwick Urges Graduates to Find Their Passion and Purpose
Provost Cosner bestowed an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree onto Sandra L. Fenwick ‘72, former CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital and a tireless advocate for pediatric health care. President Wooten described the honorary recipient as “a dedicated health care leader whose transformational tenure as the first female CEO of Boston Children's Hospital strengthened pediatric medicine, research, and community health while demonstrating the lasting impact of her visionary and effective leadership.”
At the start of her Commencement address, Fenwick recalled her 1972 undergraduate ceremony, when Coretta Scott King served as Simmons’ Commencement speaker.
“As Coretta Scott King left her mark on us to take adversity, tragedy, and uncertainty and make a better world,” Fenwick said, “so, too, did we [e.g., Simmons graduates] take on roles and responsibilities to trailblaze as women, to fight for diverse populations, to improve health care and education, to advance science and technology, and to lead with moral and ethical standards. Simmons gave me so much.”
Reflecting on her leadership within a male-dominated industry, Fenwick highlighted the necessity of courage and resilience. She also privileged the moral constitution of leadership — punctuated by authenticity, humility, and respect — above conventional skill sets.
Ultimately, Fenwick urged graduates to find their passion and purpose, and to “take advantage of what Simmons has prepared you for and seize the opportunities to impact lives today and tomorrow, and please do so with moral courage.”
President Wooten concluded the event by conveying warm wishes to the graduates, encouraging them and their loved ones to soak up every moment and celebrate this important milestone.
