Governor Healey delivers commencement speech at Mount Holyoke College graduation
Over 500 students received their Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Mount Holyoke College, making May 25 the 188th Commencement ceremony for the oldest historic Seven Sisters college. The graduates were proud to become alumni and enter the working world.
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'I remember being like a freshman who was super scared, no idea, new country,' said Peehu Chhabra, who received a Bachelor of Arts. 'I had no idea what I am going to do, what's a target, no idea of anything. But now I feel prepared.'
While some graduates are pursuing their careers right after graduation, others plan to further their education. International students said that Mount Holyoke became a safe and welcoming space for them to call home.
'It's such a community-oriented college,' Chhabra said. 'The faculty is brilliant, and they really care for their students, and so does the administration. They're for the students entirely, and I knew that because I had some seniors who came to Mount Holyoke, and they cheered it on.'
Now, family and friends were cheering for them on campus. MHC President Danielle Holley led the ceremony, and honorary degrees were given to two alumni, as well as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. The moment was extra special for the graduates because Governor Healey was one of many speakers addressing them.
In 2022, Governor Healey became the first woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to lead the Commonwealth. Mount Holyoke is the first of the Seven Sisters to have inclusive admissions. The university admits cisgender and transgender women, as well as transgender men and those who identify as non-binary and gender non-conforming.
The graduates were excited to hear Governor Healey's words of encouragement before turning their tassels to the left side.
'For us as graduates is very nerve-wracking,' said Hanuel Skycho, who received a Bachelor's of Neuroscience and Computer Science. 'First of all, to go out there into the world, even though we are very prepared through Mount Holyoke, and just hearing someone who has been out in the world and about her experience will really help us.'
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