Jill Biden Addresses 678 Graduates at Salve Regina Commencement

The sound of bagpipes filled the air as the first of 678 graduates entered the huge white tent for the university’s 61st annual commencement. Then the sound of “Pomp and Circumstance” took over as the students, faculty, and honored guests walked by the crowd of family and well-wishers.

Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Rep. Cicilline, Mayor Stephen Waluk, and the guest speaker for the Commencement, Dr. Jill Biden, the Second Lady of the United States, followed the graduates and took their places on the podium.

After the invocation, Mayor Waluk delivered his greeting from the city, recognizing the student body for all it had done for the world and for the city during their time in Newport.

“We thank you all for selecting Newport as your second home,” he concluded.

Newport’s William Vareika received his honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the University in recognition of his outstanding achievements for “forging the link between artistic and social awareness and for his significant contributions to Salve Regina University.”

Dr.  Jill Biden, who was introduced by Salve Regina University President Dr. Jane Gerety, also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree along with delivering the commencement address. Though many recognize her as the country's Second Lady, she is also an honored professor and an advocate for literacy, breast health awareness, military families support, and community colleges. She also spoke affectionately of her respect for Newport’s Sen. Claiborne Pell during her address.

“Claiborne Pell believed in the transformative power of education. You might not realize it now, but you’ve all been transformed by education,” she said. “Your best professors have inspired you. Your peers have motivated you to be better than you ever imagined. And your favorite courses have literally altered the path you will take in life.”

She said that as dramatic as college commencements can be, it is the story of the graduates themselves that makes each celebration special.  She recognized Courtney Richards, Kelsey Fitzgibbons, Evan Gallo, Megan Welsh and Dan Royce for their outstanding service to the community and the world.

Biden then quoted William Butler Yeats, who said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

“You owe it to your selves, to your professors, to your school,” she  concluded. “You owe it to the families who are just dying to hug you right now, and to the friends all around you. . .Keep the fire lit—and lit brightly-so others can follow the trails you blaze.”