WORCESTER — Holy Cross celebrated nearly 755 bachelor of arts degree recipients at its 176th Commencement held in person on Friday, May 27 at the DCU Center in Worcester. Acclaimed writer and infectious disease physician Abraham Verghese delivered this year’s address to the Class of 2022 and received an honorary degree.
Vincent D. Rougeau, president of the College, presided over the celebratory event, bestowing the honorary degrees and greeting each graduate as they crossed the stage. This marks Rougeau’s first commencement exercises since being installed as Holy Cross’ 33rd president – the first lay and first Black president to lead the 179-year-old institution – back in October 2021.
In his remarks, Dr. Verghese, the best-selling author of “Cutting for Stone” and the Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor and Vice Chair for the Theory and Practice of Medicine at Stanford University, asked graduates to consider how they will define success in their personal stories after graduation.
“My advice to you would be: don’t set the bar too high,” Verghese told the graduates. “Don’t live your life waiting for the one magical moment when you achieve this or that, or have this much in the bank, or particular letters behind your name You and I know too many people, often successful, famous, accomplished people, whose success was not enough to keep them joyful. I would urge you to define success for yourself simply such that on a daily basis you can feel joy.”
In addition to Verghese, Holy Cross also awarded an honorary degree to Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., the 32nd president of Holy Cross, a role he held from 2012-2021.
The following local students earned degrees:
Madison Dunn of Seabrook, Magna Cum Laude
Sydney Santosuosso of Ipswich
Christopher Herndon of Newburyport
Kilian Morrissey of Rowley
Christopher Cobino Marchese of Haverhill, (01835), Cum Laude
Michaela Halloran of Amesbury, Cum Laude
Connor Hileman of Groveland
Victoria Brady of Haverhill,
Christopher Yates of Groveland, (01834), Cum Laude
About Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Mass., is among the nation’s leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. Since its founding in 1843, Holy Cross has made a positive impact in society by graduating students who distinguish themselves as thoughtful leaders in business, professional and civic life.
