Commencement Recap: Wisdom from the Podium

The University’s 1,700 graduates were inspired by heartfelt advice on leadership, resilience, and purpose.

Thoughtful and encouraging messages from the University’s alumni and student speakers set an uplifting tone for the thousands who gathered for Commencement on May 8. Nearly 1,700 undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and doctoral candidates from the Boston, Worcester, and Manchester campuses—as well as online programs—were celebrated at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston’s Seaport district.

At the morning ceremony, Mason “Skip” Irving III MBA, BSP ’78, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, reflected on a career shaped by unexpected twists and turns. Thanks to his embrace of new people and opportunities, and a willingness to self-reflect, he landed in rewarding roles with far-ranging impact. Skip carries on a proud tradition at MCPHS—his father, Mason Irving, was a member of the Class of 1943.

“Keep your head up. …The work is demanding, and you’ll sometimes be overwhelmed. …I made a deal with myself: every three years, I’d reevaluate my career—even if it meant interviewing elsewhere. …I left a well-paying job, took a pay cut, and moved into the world of biotech startups and venture capital. It was the best decision I ever made. You own your career. Take time to look around.”

Watch his speech.

Catherine Boyd, MBA, MPAS ’05, BS ’04, President and Chief Operating Officer of New England Life Care, delivered a message of encouragement at the afternoon ceremony. Her advice: Embrace moments of discomfort and uncertainty as opportunities to transform into a confident, authentic leader.

“Your authenticity is your superpower. In healthcare, where trust is everything, being your true self matters. Don’t stop at being technically proficient. Don’t try to be who you think the system wants. Be who your patients need. Be who your team can trust. Be the version of yourself that brings calm to chaos, that listens deeply, and that leads with heart.”

Watch her speech.

Minh Tran ’23 ’25, the featured student speaker at the afternoon ceremony, earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies; she also holds a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies. She shared her journey of arriving in the U.S. at age 15 from Vietnam, and how her time at MCPHS has shaped her approach to medicine.

“Each of us has a unique gift to offer the world that goes far beyond what is written on our diplomas. …I encourage you to practice not just the science of medicine, but also the art of it. Because it is in that balance—where knowledge meets compassion—that we truly make a difference. It is also in that space, where science and humanity come together, that true healing begins.”

Watch her speech.

Jacqueline Hua ’23 ’25, who already has a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies, earned a Master of Public Health degree this year. Speaking during the morning ceremony, she urged her fellow graduates to measure their success by the lives they impact with their talents and empathy.

“As you leave here today, I urge you to consider this: let your legacy be defined not by your accomplishments or the titles that follow your name, but by the character you embody, the hearts you uplift, and the way you make others feel long after you’ve left the room. …Let us be the kind of healers, leaders, and changemakers who uplift spirits and fulfill a purpose.”

Watch her speech.

Read the University’s full Commencement story.