Salve Regina to award 704 degrees during 66th Commencement
President Jane Gerety, RSM, will confer 704 degrees Sunday, May 15 when the University celebrates its 66th Commencement on the oceanside lawn of McAuley Hall. The academic procession steps off at 9:15 a.m., with the ceremony slated to begin at 10 a.m.
Sister Jane will confer a total of 467 baccalaureate degrees, 231 master’s degrees and six doctoral degrees, in addition to presenting three honorary doctorates.
Dr. Barry Black ’89 (M), the first African American to serve as chaplain of the United States Senate, will return to his alma mater to address the graduating class and be awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters. Also receiving an honorary degree will be Claudia Fritsche, ambassador of Liechtenstein to the U.S.; and a posthumous degree will be presented to the family of philanthropist, businessman and longtime University trustee Thomas A. Rodgers III.
To learn more about the weekend’s activities, visit the Commencement website.
Dr. Barry Black
Elected in 2003 as the first African American Senate chaplain, Black had previously served for 27 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a rear admiral and as chief of Navy chaplains. He received a master’s degree in human development from Salve Regina in 1989.
In addition to opening the Senate each day in prayer, Black provides counseling and spiritual care for senators, their families and staff – a combined constituency of more than 7,000 people. He also meets with senators about spiritual and moral issues, assists with research on theological and biblical questions, and facilitates discussion and reflection. The office of the chaplain is nonpartisan, nonpolitical and nonsectarian.
Ambassador Claudia Fritsche
Fritsche assumed her duties as the ambassador of Liechtenstein to the U.S. in 2002, following 12 years of service representing the principality as ambassador to the United Nations. She has served as vice president and member of the General Committee of the U.N. General Assembly, and as president of the International Association of Permanent Representatives to the U.N.
Thomas A. Rodgers III
As trustee of the Rodgers Family Foundation, Rodgers made significant gifts to University projects, including the Antone Academic Center, Our Lady of Mercy Chapel’s La Farge windows and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. He was a generous supporter of the Governor’s Ball scholarship fundraiser and the University’s annual golf tournament. Earlier this month, University trustees named the Rodgers Family Department of Nursing in his memory.
Rodgers retired as president of Globe Manufacturing Company in Fall River, Massachusetts, which was founded by his father. Under his direction, Globe became the third largest supplier worldwide of Spandex and elastic fibers.
