"A prayer, a poet, and a parable” was the theme of Lawrence P. Ward’s first Commencement address as president of the University of Hartford. Speaking to undergraduates at the XL Center in downtown Hartford on Sunday afternoon, Ward touched on the answered prayers of those who nurtured and encouraged the Class of 2025; the poet Maya Angelou’s meditation about giving; and a “parable” about the importance of celebrating what you already have.
“You all have earned and have now formally been gifted with each of the rights, privileges, and attendant responsibilities of a UHart degree,” Ward said. “From this moment forward, may you be inspired to share your education, your talent, creativity, passion, resilience, and your humanity such that others in the world may benefit from your gifts. Since 1957, this has defined the amplifying effect of the University of Hartford.”
David Thompson, ’89 M ’91, vice president of commercial services for Boston Scientific and vice chair of the University’s Board of Regents, addressed master’s and doctoral degree recipients during the morning ceremony. He encouraged graduates to make the most of the 1,440 minutes of each day, to stay curious throughout life, and to be kind. He, too, quoted Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
More than 1,500 graduates and their invited guests attended the dual celebrations.