Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater State University
Undergraduate Commencement -
Friday morning, May 15th
the Louis M. Ricciardi College of Business,
the College of Education and Health Sciences,
and the
Bartlett College of Science
and Mathematics
Friday morning, May 15, 2026, in photo above President Clark and Board of Trustees Chairman Michael Taylor present honorary degree to State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues at the Friday morning Commencement Ceremonies at the XFinity Center in Mansfield.
We share in today's report a video of the presentation of an honorary degree to Senator Rodrigues and his Commencement speech to the members of the
Class of 2026,
Please click on the link below to see the full video:
The video referenced above includes the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to Mr. Harold Tavares, '05, G '07, who is an executive officer with the World Bank in Washington, D.C., in charge of its Africa Group. Previously he served as the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Cape Verde.
Joining Mr. Tavares, Mr. Taylor and President Clark in the photo is President Emeritus Dana Mohler-Faria.
Former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker
Receives Honorary Degree at Commencement of College of Humanities
and Social Sciences
Friday afternoon, May 15th, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences held its Commencement at XFinity Center in Mansfield and former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker received an honorary degree and gave the Commencement adress.
Also honored that afternoon was Mr. Davede Alexander, former long-time member of the member of the university's Board of Trustees. Photo below:
President Clark's Message to the
BSU Community
In a message to the university community, President Clark reflected on this year's Commencement Ceremonies and spoke of his mentor, the late U.S. Congressman J. Joseph Moakley:
This year, we fittingly recognized public service in all of its dimensions at our three commencement ceremonies.
Our graduates will serve others as educators, business leaders, artists, social workers, public administrators and scientists, among many other careers. They are ready for this essential role because service is an integral part of our campus culture.
Members of the Class of 2026 volunteered with the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, supported kids with disabilities through the Children’s Physical Developmental Clinic and tutored peers at the Academic Achievement Center. These are just a few of the numerous ways students live out BSU’s mmotto, “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
Our commencement speakers have also followed our motto across their distinguished careers. These respected leaders from politics and the nonprofit sector have demonstrated longstanding commitments to serving others in Massachusetts and across the world.
In preparation for the ceremonies, I reflected on my own public service.
During almost two decades in U.S. Congressman Joe Moakley’s office, I was honored to work on behalf of his constituents as an intern, district director, campaign manager, legal counsel and initiatives through to completion.
That dedication extended to major pieces of legislation and smaller issues such as a constituent struggling to receive Social Security benefits.
Congressman Moakley, who was like a second father to me, was deeply motivated to help people, especially the everyday residents he met on downtown streets. While many politicians’ interest fades after issues fall out of the spotlight, Congressman Moakley was committed to seeing initiatives through to completion. That dedication extended to major pieces of legislation and smaller issues such as a constituent struggling to receive Social Security benefits.
As the president of our great university, I aspire to emulate Congressman Moakley’s style of leadership. I know he would be incredibly proud to see us focus on helping every student – one student at a time – without exception.
Class of 2026 . . . The Places You've Been
and the Places You'll Go!
For a lively look at Commencement 2026, please click on the video below to see a production by BSU's superb video team: