WORCESTER—Worcester State University celebrated its 149th commencement over the weekend, honoring 887 graduates in a high-energy ceremony at the DCU Center that featured keynote addresses from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and alumna Dr. Debra Maddox.
More than 9,000 friends and family members packed the arena for the occasion, cheering loudly as graduates crossed the stage and shook hands with university leaders and speakers.
In remarks attributed to the university’s official coverage of the event, Worcester State President Barry Maloney praised the Class of 2025 for joining a long tradition of civic-minded leadership.
“From our first graduating class in 1876 to today, Worcester State has a proud history of producing leaders who make a difference in their communities,” Maloney said. “The Class of 2025 now joins that distinguished legacy.”
Commencement speaker Dr. Maddox, a 1982 graduate of Worcester State, shared a deeply personal message about her path from a single-parent household to founding two mental health organizations serving diverse communities in Massachusetts and Nevada. She credited Worcester State with shaping her journey, saying it provided lifelong relationships and life skills such as self-advocacy and leadership.
“Attending Worcester State University shaped my life in the most positive and meaningful way,” Maddox said. She urged graduates to seek mentors, think big, and remain grounded in humility and respect. “Be humble. Humility in you is appreciated by others and leads to self-appreciation,” she added.
Sen. Warren, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, offered a call to embrace flexibility in a world of constant change. Drawing on her own life story — including being fired from a teaching job for becoming pregnant — Warren described how unexpected setbacks can lead to new, fulfilling paths.
“Sometimes [change] comes as a wonderful opportunity already wrapped up with bells and ribbons, and sometimes it comes as a punch in the face,” Warren told graduates. “Either way, you’ve got to change. If you work hard, if you persevere, if you leave yourself open to unexpected change, you’ll not only find your way through this world, you will help make this world a better place for all of us.”
Student speaker Daniel Hsu delivered an emotional speech reflecting on his own setbacks, including a serious injury that sidelined his soccer career. He encouraged classmates to view uncertainty as an invitation to define their own values and identity.
“Our world is full of uncertainties… but that’s okay because one thing is certain: when we walk out this room today, we might not know what we want to do, but we all can choose who we can be,” Hsu said.
The university awarded honorary doctorates to both Maddox and Warren. Appreciation plaques were also presented to outgoing trustees Kyram Pou, Dina Nichols, Marina Taylor, and Karen Lafond (in absentia).
Provost Lois Wims served as emcee, and Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Lisa Colombo addressed the graduates, applauding their perseverance. “As Trustees, we share the pride that you and your loved ones feel today and are privileged to share with you on this, your special day,” Colombo said.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
