Bridgewater has been great for me. Not only did it help me develop my purpose, but it also supported my purpose.
In second grade, Morgan Ranucci, ’26, was at her pediatrician’s office for an annual physical when something unusual emerged during the eye exam.
The doctor told her that she had uveitis, an inflammation in the eye often linked to autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks healthy eye tissue.
“I had no symptoms, so was surprised,” Morgan said. “I really didn’t understand what was being said to me, I only understood that sometimes my vision would blur without warning…When you grow up with that kind of uncertainty, you learn early on that clarity is never guaranteed.”
Out of that uncertainty, she found her purpose to become a pediatric ophthalmology physician assistant. The first step toward that dream brought her to Bridgewater State University, where Morgan majored in biology, with a concentration in pre-medicine and biomedical sciences.
“I fell in love with Bridgewater the very first time I stepped on campus,” she said. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. BSU has helped me grow as a person.”
Morgan will get the chance to share her story and Bridgewater experiences as a student speaker during the morning commencement ceremony on May 15, held at the Xfinity Center in Norton.
“I’m really excited because each of us [graduating] has a story. We all arrived on campus with different backgrounds, different challenges, and different doubts,” she said. “But we kept moving forward, even when we couldn’t fully see where we were going.”
For Morgan, that idea has taken on a literal meaning.
Last year, during the fall semester, her vision suddenly disappeared for a month. She stepped away from classes and shifted to part-time status while doctors worked to stabilize her condition.
“For a moment, the path forward felt uncertain again, but it also reminded me why I started this journey,” Morgan said.
It was her first flare-up in college, and the encouragement she received kept her on track. She met with her professors, who guided her through difficult stretch with understanding and flexibility.
At BSU, she was also a member of the women’s basketball team.
“I learned how to be part of something, and work towards a common goal; to show up on days I didn’t want to…My coaches really mentored me through my first year,” Morgan said.
When she tore her MCL and her athletic career was over, instead of letting it get her down, she found a new way to get involved by working as a resident advisor. That pivot opened her up to a new social circle and responsibilities.
“I think I’ve learned that, in life, there are always going to be things that knock you down, but the reality is, you don’t have to stay down—you just shift your direction,” Morgan said.
With graduation on the horizon, she feels proud and excited knowing she made it.
“The hard moments? In some ways, they make life better, because it shows you that you are capable of getting through anything and that you can thrive,” Morgan said.
She admits graduating is also bittersweet; it’s difficult to leave a place she’s come to love.
“Bridgewater has been great for me. Not only did it help me develop my purpose, but it also supported my purpose,” Morgan said. “If I were talking to an incoming freshman, I’d tell them that Bridgewater is great because there are so many things here that you can do. And on those days you get kicked down, redirect…in the end it will make you well-rounded.”
Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu