糖心vlog graduates a record number at Commencement 2025
Rivier celebrated its 90th Commencement on Sunday, May 11 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass.
Rivier awarded 1,092 degrees to associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral degree graduates, setting another record with the largest class in the University鈥檚 history. The University honored transformational philanthropist and Nashua native Mr. William E. Conway, Jr. as its Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient.
A person of global vision, Mr. Conway is the distinguished Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world鈥檚 largest and most successful private equity firms. His dedication to excellence and innovation has earned him a reputation as a leader in global finance and investment.
Mr. Conway has generously supported numerous educational and medical institutions, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins Medicine and as a trustee of The Catholic University of America. The Bedford Falls Foundation, established by Mr. Conway and his late wife, Mrs. Joanne Barkett Conway, recently awarded Rivier a $2 million grant to launch the Joanne and William Conway Nursing Scholarship.
鈥淚t is our privilege to recognize Mr. Conway鈥檚 extraordinary contributions to education and healthcare and his unwavering commitment to the nursing profession,鈥� says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. 鈥淗is generosity of spirit and visionary leadership has profoundly impacted our nursing students and enriched the region鈥檚 workforce.鈥�
In his address to the graduates, Mr. Conway emphasized that life is filled with difficult decisions and that we often face moral choices in small, everyday moments. He shared personal stories of recognizing and acting on the needs of others during his time in Washington, D.C., moments that changed his perspective on compassion and responsibility.
鈥淪uppose a small act of kindness, without any anticipation of getting any reward, made someone else鈥檚 day one percent better,鈥� says Mr. Conway. 鈥淥r suppose somebody helped to make your day one percent better. Maybe it would make all the difference.鈥�
Rivier graduates Mary Festa (B.S. in Nursing) and Natalie Zacpal (Doctor of Psychology in Counseling and School Psychology) spoke on behalf of undergraduate and graduate students. Festa recognized the diverse journeys of Rivier鈥檚 undergraduate students and how their shared experience at Rivier will positively impact communities worldwide.
Zacpal, a Doctoral student, represented the University鈥檚 graduate students and reminded those in attendance that their advanced degrees at Rivier have provided 鈥渁 foundation of expertise and leadership that鈥檚 already making an impact鈥揳nd will continue to shape the world.鈥�