Salem State grads facing their future

SALEM – The sun finally shone on the undergraduates at Saturday?s 2011 commencement ceremony at Salem State University.Because of the large graduating class, the day was broken up into two ceremonies. At 10 a.m. was the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education and at 3 p.m. was the Bertolon School of Business and College of Health and Human Services.?It feels great,” said Tom Farese, a Lynn native. Farese majored in biology and is currently working at Lynn Classical High School and hopes to continue to do so this fall. “It was pretty fun here,” said Farese. “The faculty here is great and very supportive.”Saturday?s graduation was the school?s 201st graduation and their first as a university.President Patricia Maguire Meservey congratulated the graduating class on their accomplishment. “You have worked hard and made many sacrifices to reach this point,” said Meservey. “Education is the most powerful tonic ever created. Use your power to help the world.”?Today is a bittersweet day but I am happy,” said Lynn native Emily Jodoin. “It is a great accomplishment.” Jodoin majored in early childhood education and is already working at a daycare. Jodoin credits Salem State for helping her become the best educator she can be. “I grew as an educator here,” said Jodoin. “It helped me help the children I work with.”Commencement speaker Margaret A. McKenna inspired the class of 2011 to improve the world. “You are now in the unique three percent of the world?s population that has a four-year degree,” said McKenna. “With that comes responsibility.”With graduates worried about their impending job search, McKenna encouraged graduates to be kind. “Just do something, do something for someone else,” said McKenna. “If we all did that the world would be a much better place.”McKenna began her career as a civil rights attorney for the United States Department of Justice. She would later become president of Lesley University for 22 years and is now currently the president of the Walmart Foundation.?I have been called a troublemaker before. I love that title. If you don?t make trouble, you don?t make change,” said McKenna. “My generation did not do so well. We need you to do better.”While most of the graduates were excited to finally be done with school, most said the thing they would miss the most were their friends. “I will miss the community,” said Lynn native Michael Whelan who graduated with a degree in graphic design. “Students tend to unite against common enemies.”?I will really miss my friends,” said Lynn native Gayle McCarthy who graduated with a degree in economics. She believes that Salem State taught her the value of hard work. “Hard work and dedication do pay off,” said McCarthy.Lynn native Matt Johnson learned the value of a good first impression during his time spent at Salem State. “Everywhere you go you need to make a good first impression,” said Johnson. “You never know where you might see someone again.” Johnson earned a degree in sport and movement science and is currently an assistant coach at St. Mary?s. “It feels great to graduate,” said Johnson. “It?s a good relief.”