Salve Regina graduates urged to embrace the unexpected at 74th Commencement

Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong, Salve Regina president, conferred 530 bachelor’s degrees upon the Class of 2024 during the 74th Commencement exercises May 19. A separate ceremony was held May 16 for recipients of graduate degrees – with 271 master’s degrees, 19 Doctor of Philosophy degrees and three Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. In total, this year’s graduating class was the University’s largest ever at 823.

In presenting the Commencement address, Susan Eisenhower – renowned author, scholar and policy analyst and granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower – spoke to students about Salve Regina’s focus on mercy leadership and service.

“As you begin your post-graduation journey, embrace the unexpected – even the assignments that may at first disappoint you,” she said. “Learn from them. Reflect on them. Don’t shortchange yourself by living so fast and ambitiously that you miss the enduring lessons that come every day, no matter what job or assignment. You will be the better for it, as will everyone who will come to depend on you.”

Eisenhower’s recent book, “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions,” has earned critical acclaim nationally and internationally, highlighting the qualities of successful leadership demonstrated by her grandfather. She is the founder of The Eisenhower Group, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based consulting company, and chairman emeritus at the Eisenhower Institute. Eisenhower has been a fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and a distinguished fellow at the Nixon Center, now called the Center for the National Interest.

In addition to Eisenhower, the University awarded honorary degrees to James T. Brett, president and CEO of The New England Council and a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; Christine Kavanagh, RSM, president of ReFocus, Inc. and member of Salve Regina’s Board of Trustees; and Gloria Purvis, an author, Catholic commentator, host and activist.

Honorary degree recipient Susan Eisenhower addresses students during Salve Regina’s 74th Commencement.

In her address, Armstrong also spoke to the opportunities unexpected events present, lauding this particular class – many of whom missed high school milestone ceremonies and started college during the COVID-19 pandemic – for its resilience.

“It’s amazing to see what you have accomplished and what you have experienced while you were here at Salve,” Armstrong said. “What I am most proud of is that throughout it all you never lost sight of those in need – our mercy commitment of service to the community was central to your life here. You found ways to serve others, particularly the most vulnerable of our society, even in the midst of a pandemic. At a time where simply showing up and persevering was an accomplishment in itself, you went far beyond expectations.”

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and Newport City Council Vice Chair Lynn Underwood Ceglie were also on hand to offer congratulations. In his remarks, Reed said, “I am confident that all of you in the Class of 2024 will find a way to make your own mark and serve a purpose higher than yourself. Today, more than ever, our world needs your combination of knowledge, talent and, most of all, mercy.”

Cailin Martin, one of four valedictorians in the undergraduate class, gave her speech in front of her fellow graduates. “Our class inspires me and gives me hope for the future and the world, because Salve afforded us endless opportunities as artists, athletes and scholars – but instead of focusing on personal gain, our class commits to the critical concerns of mercy for earth, immigration, anti-racism, women and nonviolence,” she said. “Our degrees prepared us for careers, while the Salve experience transformed us into local and soon-to-be-global community leaders.”

The other valedictorians were Sofia Abuin, Ashley Lefebvre and Jessica Roberts.

Closing out her address, Armstrong reminded the class that “we measure our success as an institution by the good that you do in the world” and encouraged them to hold onto what they have learned. “Use your gifts of a mercy education – of critical thinking, discernment and love for your fellow humans to be the healer and the voice of reason in places of turmoil,” she said.

Dr. Kelli Armstrong, Salve Regina president, addresses the graduates.