SALEM – Salem State University will celebrate over 1,600 graduate and undergraduate students in three commencement ceremonies on May 19 and 20. This year marks the first time the Rockett Arena will be filled to capacity for commencement since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought modifications to the traditional ceremonies.
“Proud doesn’t begin to sum it up,” said President John D. Keenan. “Students navigated the already challenging endeavor of earning an academic degree as the university pivoted to keep our community safe through changing public health guidelines. Our students excelled in their studies, at internships and as leaders in campus organizations. They are ready to take on whatever the future holds, and Salem State is lucky to call them our alumni.”
The more than 1,600 graduates come from communities across Massachusetts, as well as from 23 states outside of the Commonwealth and 22 countries outside of the U.S.
This year’s commencement speakers include Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Salem State Alumna Kimberley Driscoll ’89, JD, and a graduating student speaker for each ceremony:
Friday, May 19 at 10 am, Maguire Meservey College of Health and Human Services
- Student speaker: Dany Acosta ’21, ’23G, of Lynn, Master of Social Work
Friday, May 19 at 3 pm, Bertolon School of Business and select programs within the College of Arts and Sciences
- Honorary degree recipient and speaker: Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Salem State Alumna Kimberley Driscoll ’89, JD
- Student speaker: Michael Corley, of Salem, Bachelor of Science in Media and Communication
Saturday, May 20, at 10 am, McKeown School of Education, select programs within the College of Arts and Sciences
- Student speaker: Eunice Tabea, of Lowell, Bachelor of Science in Education
All ceremonies will be held in the O’Keefe Complex’s Rockett Arena at 225 Canal Street in Salem.
