Northeastern’s class of 2013 gathered together for the last time at the university’s 111th annual commencement ceremony, held at TD Garden on Friday and led by a speech by World Bank leader and former Dartmouth College president Jim Yong Kim.
According to the university, 3,200 undergraduate students received their diplomas.
President Joseph E. Aoun gave a speech largely focused on acknowledging the character and dignity of the first responders to the tragedies at the Boston Marathon. He recognized several Bouve College of Health Sciences students who gave medical aid to those injured on-site.
“[These students] were stationed with their advisors at the finish line to provide routine assistance to runners after the race. But when disaster struck, there was nothing routine about their response,” Aoun said. “They immediately put their education to use and, when confronted with the worst, they brought out their best.”
Graduating international affairs major Miguel de Corral, who has conducted research and studied in 16 countries during his time at Northeastern, gave the student address. He spoke about the value of a global education, which he said helped shape him.
“I urge you to recognize the opportunities in front of you and your new journey towards a better tomorrow,” de Corral said.
Kim’s speech to the audience of 22,000 centered largely on learning to expect the unexpected. Citing a study published in the journal “Science,” he told the audience 20-somethings are worse than any other age group at predicting their futures. He used the examples of his parents, both immigrants who had to overcome an incredible amount of adversity to come to the US and meet under extraordinarily unlikely circumstances.
“You have abundant tools to lead an extraordinary life, even beyond your wildest dreams,” Kim said in his address.
Honorary degrees were awarded to chief business officer at Google Nikesh Arora, engineering pioneer Jack D. Bryant, renowned chef Barbara Lynch and Boston Police commissioner Edward F. Davis, III. The presentation of Davis’ degree was met with thunderous applause from the crowd, many of whom stood up and cheered for Davis and the other first responders who put their lives on the line to protect others in the flurry of the Boston Marathon. Governor Deval Patrick read Davis’ degree.
“During a traumatic attack on our city, you ran towards danger … without regard for your personal safety,” Patrick read.
Though many members of the class of 2013 may find the idea of an uncertain future scary, Kim said to embrace the unexpected, and to face whatever challenges life presented.
“Don’t fear that uncertainty. Embrace it. Use it,” Kim said. “Take that freedom and run with it.”
