Being a leader means being honest, determined, and accountable.
These were qualities honed by Student Government Association President Jordan LaValley ’25 and qualities she found—and lauded—within the Endicott community.
“What makes Endicott so special is the way each of you has demonstrated those traits in your own unique way,” LaValley noted in her Baccalaureate Ceremony address on May 16. “Beside you, you see scholars, athletes, individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping others, friends, roommates, peers, and loved ones. All of these people encompass the values of the Endicott community and have made your time here all the more worthwhile.”
Held the day before Commencement, the College’s Baccalaureate Ceremony offers a meaningful pause from the whirlwind to come. Unlike Saturday’s formalities, Friday is more personal—a time for heartfelt recognition and shared reflection.
“Everyone’s running on iced coffee, vibes, and Sodexo,” quipped Acting President Dr. Bryan Cain, capturing the mood as the campus gathered to honor each graduate’s journey.
Along with Baccalaureate, two other meaningful traditions took place: the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, honoring those who completed the highest level of academic achievement, and the Nurse Pinning Ceremony, celebrating graduates of Endicott’s nursing programs as they officially joined the profession.
“Today is also about more than awards—it’s about the stories behind them,” continued Dr. Cain. “It’s about the moments when you thought you couldn’t push through—but you did. The times you stayed true to your values when it would’ve been easier not to.”
Honoring excellence across the Endicott community
Both the breeze and the Endicott spirit soared throughout the midday ceremony, with cheers filling the Ayune Michel ’72 Academic Quad as the Campus Leadership Awards, the Dean’s Awards, and the Thesis & Capstone Awards were announced by each school.
Provost Sara Quay awarded Kelly Colon, an adjunct professor and academic advisor in the Gerrish School of Business, the Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes commitment to excellence in education.
Quay next delivered the Academic Excellence Award, which recognizes an exemplary faculty member for outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service, to Associate Professor of Security Studies Dr. Ashlie Perry.
The faculty nominates the recipient, who the school deans then select.
“Dr. Perry is a dedicated teacher and an unwavering advocate for student success, institutional equity, and transformative learning,” said Quay. “In her dynamic and inclusive classrooms, she challenges students to engage deeply with pressing contemporary issues, always fostering critical thinking, empathy, and civic responsibility.”
Retiring Professor of English Daniel Sklar was honored with the honorary title of Faculty Emeritus. Candidates considered for this prestigious award must have at least 20 years of employment at Endicott as a professor.
“Legend has it that, in 1987, while riding his bike down Hale Street, Professor of English Dr. Dan Sklar got a flat tire,” said Quay. “Most of us would call it bad luck. But in Professor Sklar’s case, it was a turning point.”
So the story goes: With his ride interrupted, Sklar walked onto the Endicott campus, wandered into College Hall, and asked if the College happened to be hiring English instructors.
“We were—and the rest, as they say, is history,” said Quay.
The Staff of the Year Award, voted on by the graduating class, went to Director of Student Engagement Lauri Rawls.
“For more than 25 years, this individual has been a driving force behind Endicott College’s commitment to community engagement,” said Lexi Cushman ’25. “Thanks to her efforts, thousands of students complete meaningful service work each year, living out Endicott’s values of civic responsibility and positive change.”
The Faculty of the Year Award—also voted on by the senior class—was presented by Zoe Cassidy ’25 to Assistant Professor of Nursing Josie Dawes, who delivered the afternoon’s Baccalaureate Address.
Dawes reflected on the profound impact of mentorship, character, and community in her remarks.
“You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room,” she said. “What matters more is that you keep showing up. And when life throws you a curveball—and it will—you say, ‘Okay … let’s figure this out.’ Because that’s what life is. One big, beautiful, messy process of figuring it out.”
Drawing inspiration from this year’s Commencement speaker, Ambassador “Sully” Sullenberger, Dawes said, “When life asks you to rise to the moment—and it will—it won’t be your resume that gets you through. It’ll be your character. Your relationships. And your ability to stay calm when the turbulence hits.”
Endicott’s 85th Commencement featuring Ambassador “Sully” Sullenberger will be held rain or shine on May 17, 2025, at Hempstead Stadium. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the College’s YouTube.