Elizabeth (Linehan) Cotter, M.Ed. '26, Addresses Student Body at Commencement

Good morning, everyone. My name is Elizabeth Cotter, a name I’m still getting used to because just 14 days ago, I had the joy of getting married. It’s an exciting new chapter in my life, much like the one we are all celebrating today. I am a proud member of Stonehill College’s Brighton Marine Cohort, through which I earned my Master’s in Special Education. I want to begin by thanking President John Denning, our professors, administrators, undergraduates, master’s students, distinguished guests and all of the family and friends who are here celebrating the Class of 2026. 

Today feels a little surreal. 

If you told me at the beginning of this journey that we would all be standing here...stronger, wiser and more grounded in who we are and why we chose this path, I’m not sure I would have fully believed you. Not because I doubted us, but because I didn’t yet understand just how much this experience would shape us. 

Earning a master’s isn’t just about coursework, lesson plans, or passing classes. It’s about heart. And if you know me, you know that the “passing” part definitely came with its fair share of panicked texts, phone calls and maybe a little overthinking about my grades.  

But truly, it’s about patience on the days that test you. It’s about showing up, even when things feel uncertain. It’s about learning to listen more deeply, to see more fully and to advocate more fiercely for others and for ourselves. 

Each of us came into this experience with our own stories, our own reasons and our own hopes. And somewhere along the way, those individual journeys became something shared. And when I say we all came from different paths, I really mean it. 

In my own cohort, we had a young grandfather who somehow had more energy than the rest of  us, especially if it involved the gym. He showed up every single time with a heart of gold and donuts. 

An educator who taught for years in Jamaica, who reminded us what it truly means to be a lifelong learner, and who always gives her all to her students and to us. 

Someone who returned to school after exploring different career paths, who is sassy, determined and always ready with a “question of the weekend” that kept us on our toes and gave us some of our best laughs during lunch breaks. 

And a strategic science teacher who never failed to teach us something new, whether it was a creative approach, a collaborative strategy, or just a completely different way of thinking. 

There was something special about spending our weekends together. We supported each other through assignments, through life and through the moments when everything felt overwhelming. Not only is what we’ve accomplished so special, but who we’ve become in the process is just as meaningful.  

We are more compassionate. More reflective. More resilient. And most importantly, more ready. 

Ready to step into the next chapter of our lives. Ready to contribute to our communities. Ready to continue to create spaces, whether in classrooms, workplaces, or beyond...where everyone feels seen, valued and capable. 

For me, this program healed parts of me I didn’t even realize needed healing. It challenged me, shaped me and continually brought me back to my “why.” The professors didn’t just teach us content, they modeled the kind of teaching they hope we bring into our own classrooms, and that made all the difference. Every time I left those long weekends at Brighton Marine, I felt more confident. And if there was doubt, Professor Rebekah Louis never failed to give me some encouragement to get my mind back on track and I will never forget it. 

To our families, friends and support systems, thank you. Thank you for your patience, your encouragement and your belief in us, even when we doubted ourselves. Thank you for the sacrifices, the late-night phone calls and the constant love that carried us through. We would not be here without you. 

To my cohort, and to all of you graduating today, thank you. Thank you for your kindness, your support, your humor and your honesty. It is truly an honor to stand among you. 

As we move forward, I hope we carry this with us: the understanding that the paths we are stepping into may not always be easy, but they are meaningful. And the impact we will have, even in the smallest moments, is something truly powerful. 

This is not just an ending. 

It’s a beginning. 

And I cannot wait to see the incredible things each of us will do. 

Congratulations, we did it!