President John Denning, C.S.C., Celebrates Class of 2024 at Commencement

What a blessed morning to celebrate the Class of 2024 as we gather together with family, friends, faculty, and staff to mark this momentous occasion.

As I reflect upon these past four years, I can’t help but marvel at the fortitude exhibited by the Class of 2024. Many of you began your Stonehill journeys under the most unusual of circumstances. As new Skyhawks, you were tasked with following strict isolation and testing protocols in the interest of “protecting the nest.” You could have chosen to wait on attending college until after the world returned to normal. But you took a chance, and our campus is better for it. I am grateful to each of you for choosing to share your gifts with our community during the most trying of times.

Our graduate students faced similar challenges during the pandemic. Many of you had to balance your studies with career and family commitments amid uncertain times. Others in your shoes may have shied away from pursuing a graduate degree. Instead, you chose not to do the easy thing, but instead to push yourself in the hopes of achieving personal and professional growth. Your resilience in the face of these odds is admirable.

This past year, you have all been part of a particularly special year as we celebrated the College’s 75th Anniversary—an opportunity to reflect upon our storied past and share our hopes for the future. 

The theme for this milestone—75 years leading with heart—was inspired by Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He set forth a vision of education ensuring that students’ minds would not be cultivated at the expense of their hearts.

This spirit has driven this institution from its humble beginnings to the transformative place it is today. 

All of us are part of Stonehill’s broader story—one that began 75 years ago and continues to be written today. As you complete this chapter of your life, I hope you reflect on how you will lead into the next. 

Whether you lead with perseverance as Crystal shared in her speech; or with justice like Gus; or perhaps you lead with dedication like Jean MacCormack; integrity like Br. Paul Bednarcyzk; or you lead with zeal like Coach Cooley. No matter how you choose to lead, I hope you do so with heart and compassion, as these are so intrinsic to Stonehill and our community. 

Today, you—our graduates— carry Stonehill’s values with you and I hope you will embody them in all that you do—personally and professionally. 

I share words from Fr. Jim Chichetto, who writes in our 75th Anniversary prayer book: 

Together, we move ahead from a large portion
of the past, from a period gone, into a new future
as if on a given endeavor and assignment
of faith, hope, and of love.
Though each of us is on a separate journey,
We are linked to the other by a common trail
That points to community—
to a community of inclusion, of diversity, 
of knowledge, of respect, and of essential goodness.

As you write your next chapter, I hope you carry with you the memories and lessons you learned at Stonehill. May you continue to be a beacon of faith, hope, and love. And may you never lose sight of the path that we share in common. 

May Mary, Queen of the Summit, show you compassion and offer guidance on your journey. Congratulations, graduates, and God bless you.