WORCESTER—Worcester State University’s 149th Commencement ceremony is going to bring national and local voices to the stage as more than 600 undergraduates receive their degrees on Saturday, May 17, at the DCU Center.
Dr. Debra Maddox, a Worcester native and founder of the Multicultural Wellness Center, serves as the commencement speaker.
A Worcester State alumna, Maddox built a distinguished career in mental health care with a focus on providing services to historically underserved communities.
Alongside Maddox, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren addresses the graduates. The progressive senior senator from Massachusetts is now serving her third term and is widely known for her work on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. A former law professor and author of multiple bestselling books, Warren is the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts.
“Commencement is the most important day of the year for Worcester State University when we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our graduating seniors,” said Worcester State President Barry Maloney in the university’s announcement. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Debra Maddox, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Daniel Hsu as speakers as we honor the Class of 2025.”
Maddox, a licensed mental health counselor, founded the Multicultural Wellness Center in Worcester in 2005 and expanded to Las Vegas in 2017. Her work focuses on the intersection of race, culture, and mental health. Her numerous accolades include the president’s volunteer service award under President Barack Obama and recognition in the Worcester Business Journal’s 2024 Power 100.
Representing the graduating class, business administration major Daniel Hsu delivers the senior class address. Hsu, who minored in economics and concentrated in finance, has completed four internships, conducted independent research on mergers and acquisitions, and served as a career coach at the university’s Career Development Center.
The ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m. and will be livestreamed on the university’s Commencement website.
