Gathering Together, Heading Out

By Catherine O’Neill Grace

Photography by Lisa Abitbol

Summer 2022

May 27 was a joyful day as Wellesley celebrated the class of 2022. “I am so proud of all of you for having overcome the many challenges of COVID-19 and arriving at this beautiful moment,” said President Paula A. Johnson.

May 27 was a joyful day as Wellesley celebrated the class of 2022. “I am so proud of all of you for having overcome the many challenges of COVID-19 and arriving at this beautiful moment,” said President Paula A. Johnson. Speakers offered words of wisdom to the 558 students in the tent—members of a class that has vividly demonstrated resilience in the face of hardship. Student speaker Melisa Campos ’22 said, “Continue to be vulnerable, to speak your truth, to unapologetically take up space, to show up during the storms and rainbows as your most authentic selves—your highest selves! In those ways, we will transform and change the hearts and minds of many people in beautiful ways.” Commencement speaker (and astrophysicist) Nergis Mavalvala ’90, dean of MIT’s School of Science, offered a three-part charge: “If it’s broken, fix it! If it doesn’t exist, invent it! And always, always, pay it forward, with love, and bring along outsiders and outliers!” The purple class of 2022 gave her a standing ovation. They walked across the stage to collect their diplomas. And off they went.

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Click here to read the full speeches.

College News, Student Life

Commencement 2021

Images:

A student and a faculty member speak, the faculty member with their hands over their heart

A student adjusts Harambee House and Africana studies stoles before commencement

Students in line before commencement, wearing robes and stoles and tams

A student adjusts their tam, decorated with a colorful wreath of flowers, at commencement

A student uses their cell phone to take a picture of two other students embracing and smiling for the camera

Two students in robes and tams high-five with both hands

The back of a students tam decorated with the word "sea" and a painted seascape

Faculty members in regalia joshing around

Students process to their seats, some carrying signs with the names of students attending remotely

Faculty applaud as students process during commencement

Faculty carrying the spirit stick (it's a stick wrapped in white and blue ribbons?)

A view of the stage at Commencement 2021

Kimimilasha “Kisha” James ’21 at the podium

The students sitting at commencement, wearing masks

A student with a white wreath of flowers around her tam applauds at commencement

Overview of the students at commencement 2021

President Paula Johnson congratulates Selwyn R. Cudjoe

A student celebrates after receiving their diploma

Paula Johnson hands a diploma to a graduate

A diploma cover reading Wellesley College

Students toss their tams after commencement

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A student holds a rose to her face at the student-organized graduation ceremony in March.

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Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69 and members of the class of ’17 greet each other before Commencement.

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