My degree is my badge of honor.
Katelyn Donga, G’25, took a moment to reflect on the journey that brought her to the commencement stage at Gillete Stadium where she was about to collect her master’s in social work.
“This is an accomplishment that is entirely mine and I deserve to relish in it,” Katelyn said.
There were times when she wasn’t sure she could do it.
Two weeks prior to starting graduate school at Bridgewater State University, Katelyn relapsed after seven years of sobriety.
“I couldn’t get sober again for two years, despite my best efforts,” she said.
Determined to get sober, she coordinated treatments around her learning.
“I didn’t give up and school kept me going. I had to be at school. I had to get my assignments in. I had to give it my best,” Katelyn said.
She recently celebrated her one-year sobriety anniversary and proudly graduated with the rest of the BSU graduating class on Thursday, May 15.
“My degree is my badge of honor,” Katelyn said. “I have earned it with formal education and with the wisdom that’s come from my life experiences. It means that my pain is not for nothing.”
Originally from Kenya, Ismael Michael Kibiro Kahiu, was presented with the Distinguished Graduate Research-Project award during the ceremony. He experienced his own set obstacles before receiving a master’s in public administration with a concentration in non-profit and civic leadership.
Being an international student and adapting to cultural changes was difficult at times, and that included the dramatic shift in weather that New England offers.
“Vitamin D deficiency is real,” Ismael said. “But in general, I sometimes found my stress levels to be highly elevated being in a new country.”
He credits alumni and BSU volunteers Gloria Moran, G’69, Evelyn Delitus ’63, as well as Dr. Wing-Kai To, assistant provost, Global Engagement for helping him find his way.
“I have (also) received immense support from the President’s office. Bridgewater is student centric, and I felt it. My experience at BSU has been exceptional, I do not want to leave,” Ismael said.
During the ceremony, President Frederick W. Clark Jr delivered his remarks to the 482 graduate students.
“We are exceptionally proud of you, you have all earned this moment,” Clark said. “Your journey at BSU has not been easy, but with family and friends in the thousands here cheering you on we honor that journey. You moved personal mountains to get here.”
Student-speaker Jane Meyrick also offered words of inspiration. Diagnosed with autism at 26, Jane shared her journey of retrospection and declared that obstacles are sometimes gifts.
“I’ve come to realize that these qualities are my superpowers,” Jane said. “But I also know that I’m not alone in this. Every one of us here has faced their own transformative moments, those tests of will that stretched our limits and shaped the people we are today.”
Honorary Degree recipient and keynote speaker Joel Weissman, ’72, a successful family law and matrimonial attorney, shared words of wisdom, that he too knows what it’s like to overcome obstacles.
“I appreciate those silent battles, those unspoken dreams and sacrifices,” Weissman said. “Appreciate this part of your life and know that people here are deeply concerned about your success then, now and in the future.”
Susan Joss received a Distinguished Service Award for her work as the former chief executive officer of the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center.
During the ceremony Chief of Staff and Vice President for Planning and Strategy Dr. Deniz Zeynep Leuenberger also presented The Distinguished Graduate Thesis Award to Emma Sandra Shaley who received a master’s in English.
As the graduates celebrated their moment, Double Bear Christopher Wood, ’22, G’25, a fourth-grade teacher who grew up three miles down the road from Gillette Stadium, was not only excited but also a little bit relieved to be earning a master’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in STEM.
“Crossing the stage is incredibly meaningful to me. It represents years of dedication, growth and perseverance,” he said.
Commencement removed any doubts that manifested along the way.
“There were times the journey felt overwhelming, but standing with the symbolic degree in hand, it’s a reminder that all challenges are worth it,” Christopher said.
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