2010-2011 Academic Year Begins
September 01, 2010
In her speech, Bolasevich focused her attention on the Class of 2014.
"Some of you have been counting down to this day. Others have already begun counting to the end, but please don't count too fast. I stand before you not in envy of your new beginning, but in sheer delight and excitement for you," said the Religious Studies and Psychology multidisciplinary major.
Bolasevich spoke of her ambivalent academic journey at Stonehill, in which she spent time as a computer science major, English major, and graphic design major. Bolasevich noted it was the help she received from Director of the Counseling and Testing Center Neal Price, who passed away last December, which reassured her it was okay to be enthusiastic and unsure.
"He made me realize more than anything that I wished to know truth, to understand people, to investigate belief and how this influences action, and peoples' realities. Then he helped me discover myself, as a Religious Studies major. He taught me to trust in myself, in him, and in others; that things truly work out if you let yourself be guided," said Bolasevich.
"You should be very careful how loosely you let your imagination unfold," she warned the first-year class, "because here if you have an idea, you can count on it sprouting through the support of our community. Literally everything I have once thought, has now come true."
To read Bolasevich's speech in its entirety, visit here.
Professor Leith, the winner of last year's Hegarty Award, offered the Class of 2014 three challenges.
"I want to present you with three challenges to preconceived notions and help you see. First: that obvious ‘facts' may not always be factual. Second: that paradox is part of life and that sometimes one cannot come up with an absolute answer. And third, that honest testing and reflection can only enrich your spiritual life," said Leith.
Reading a story from the Bible about Jacob, the son of Abraham, being attacked in the dark by God after crossing the Jabbok River, Leith hoped the account gave first-year students the sense that they are "in the position to wrestle, like Jacob, with God and with the certainties of your life so far. I hope you will be as tenacious as Jacob, who wouldn't let go. And most of all, I hope that like Jacob, you will emerge from your four-year encounter transformed and blessed." To read Leith's speech, visit here.
Mark Mulligan '88, President of the Alumni Council, presented pins to the senior class in recognition of their academic achievements. The golden pins, a reproduction of the college seal, will be worn by the seniors at graduation. The Class of 2014 also received their silver first-year pins, which symbolize the expectation of scholarship.
Gorman presented his selection for the third annual Senior Class Shovel, which was chosen from over 700 shovels from the Stonehill Industrial History Center.
"This small, yet sturdy tool is a symbol of the sacrifices that many of our grandparents and relatives made serving our country sixty years ago, as nations came together to make the world safe and free for all," said Gorman about the shovel, which was made in 1942 by the Ames Company and used as a military entrenching tool.
Gorman encourages the senior class to continue their spirit of service, "this time as the leaders of the student body as we prepare to take what we have learned within these walls out into the world." To read Gorman's remarks, visit here.
In his closing remarks, Fr. Cregan reflected on the College's accomplishments over the last decade and echoed the remarks of the other speakers. He stressed three key areas the College has excelled in: engagement, focus, and success.
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