U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will address graduates during morning ceremonies at Bridgewater State University’ s 175th commencement convocation on Saturday, May 14.
Approximately a thousand students from the Ricciardi College of Business, the Bartlett College of Science & Mathematics and the College of Education and Allied Studies will receive bachelor’s degrees at that ceremony.
In the afternoon, James T. Brett, president and chief executive officer of The New England Council, will deliver the commencement address before another thousand candidates receiving their bachelor’s degrees from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.
On Wednesday, May 11, Bruce Bartlett, ’68, and Patricia (Quinn) Bartlett, ’67, of Duxbury, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, will jointly deliver the commencement address at Bridgewater¹s 11th Graduate Commencement Convocation before a class of 450.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012, Sen. Warren is recognized as one of the nation¹s top experts on bankruptcy and financial pressures facing middle class families. She is widely credited for the original thinking, political courage and persistence that led to the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, she served as chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel for Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). A law professor for more than 30 years, including 20 years as the Leo Gottlieb Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, she has been twice recognized with the Sacks-Freund Award for excellence in teaching.
Mr. Brett has been a leading voice in advocating for public policy issues such as health care, education, financial services and energy throughout New England and Washington.
Before joining the The New England Council in 1996, he served for more than 15 years as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he held many leadership positions. He has served in leadership roles on many boards and is a tireless advocate for the physically and mentally challenged.
The Bartletts met at Bridgewater State College and embarked on a lifelong journey together bound by a philanthropic spirit. Mrs. Bartlett earned her bachelor¹s degree in health and physical education in 1967 and went on to teach and become certified in elementary education.
Mr. Bartlett graduated with a bachelor¹s in mathematics and began a teaching career, followed by work as a certified public accountant. Eleven years after graduation, he founded Bartlett Nuclear. Today, his company is known as BHI Energy and supplies mechanics for some of the largest windmill projects in the U.S.
In 2004, the couple launched The Bartlett Foundation, which has funded groundbreaking medical research, scholarships and other worthy programs. Included in their philanthropy has been generous support of Bridgewater State University and their alma mater honored these contributions with the naming of the Bartlett College of Science & Mathematics.
In addition to the speakers, Bridgewater will present honorary degrees to Sen. Warren, Jim Brett and, at graduate commencement, Dr. Kol Pheng, founder of Pannasatra University of Cambodia, and the Bartletts.
Distinguished Service Awards will be given to Dr. Joseph H. Huber, founder and program director of the Children¹s Physical Developmental Clinic at Bridgewater State University for more than 40 years, during the afternoon ceremony. Also, at graduate commencement, Dennis Carman, chief executive officer of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County, will receive the award.