May 19, 2018

Elms graduates told ‘yes you can’ at 87th commencement

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Close to 500 graduates donned caps and gowns and processed in to the MassMutual Center in Springfield for the College of Our Lady of the Elms 87^th commencement exercises, Saturday, May 19.

Global health leader Dr. Louise Ivers, who received an honorary degree, delivered the commencement address. Dr. Ivers currently serves as the executive director of the Center for Global Health at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and is on the board of directors of the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation, which provides health care to the people of Southern Haiti.

In her commencement address, she told the graduates to cultivate gratitude.

“There are so many things for us to be grateful for. It is important to take stock of that,” said Dr. Ivers. She also told graduates to embrace service. “It really is possible to make a difference.”

This was the first commencement led by President Harry E. Dumay, who took the helm of Elms College July 1, 2017. He told the graduates, “You did it. You are ready and you will always have a home here.”

Dumay is the 11^th president of the college, founded in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

“The fact that they’re here, they must have thought, ‘Yes, I could. Yes, I can.’ And there will be many moments in their lives they will say ‘Is this too big for me? Is this too challenging?’” Dumay told iObserve.

“I think this is a moment where they can come back to, that if they put their mind to whatever their passion is, and say, ‘Yes, I can,’ they will be able to achieve whatever they set their minds to.”

Valedictorian Mary Iellamo graduated from the former Cathedral High School in Springfield. Iellamo, who doubled majored in English and psychology and earned a 4.0 grade point average, said faith was a big part of her college experience. She was involved in campus ministry and is a member of St. Patrick Parish in Springfield.

“My faith is absolutely an important aspect of the college experience. It has been for the past four years. It can be difficult. You face a lot of challenges, papers, exams. Everything can seem overwhelming,” said Iellamo. “So to have moments where you can just pause and practice your faith, it’s very helpful.”

The day was filled with emotion for graduates and their families.

“My grandmother is my heart and soul. She tells me to never give up and learn from my mistakes. She passed away but she was my hero and kept me on track,” said graduate Tiara Tanolla Weems, who will be working for a software company in Agawam.

Brionna Voight, of Springfield, played soccer while at Elms College.

“My mom and dad have been my biggest supporters. I always looked up to my big brother. He is in the military. He came back for my graduation,” said Voight.

Elms College also presented educator and community activist Shirley Edgerton of Pittsfield with an honorary degree. The college presented the 2018 Via Veritatis Medal to William Frain, the former vice president at UBS Paine Webber and current Elms College trustee.

For a video version of this story, tune in to an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly television newsmagazine that airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.