FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY fifty-sixth commencement May 15, 2021 10 a.m. EDT Continuing a tradition . Dr. Gerald Burns, Professor of English, the most senior faculty member, continues a Franklin Pierce tradition by leading the faculty in the procession. The Academic Mace, carved by Professor Stellan Wollmar, was first carried by Dr. Clifford H. Coles at the 1969 Commencement. 2 Commencement Exercises Procession: Traditional Scottish Pipes .....................................Campbell Webster Invocation ................................................................................Ven. Derek Scala ’05 Director of Retention and Diversity National Anthem ..................................................... Sung by Michael Mottola ’21 accompanied by Vladimir Odinokikh Trustee Remarks.........................Frederick W. Pierce, IV, Chair of the Board of Trustees Welcome ............................................................. Dr. Kim Mooney ’83, President Valedictorian.............................................................................. Amalia L. Traffie ’21 Conferring of Honorary Degree ......................................... Dr. Kim Mooney ’83 Citation read by ............................................................... Dr. Gerald Burns Professor of English Conferring of The Honorable Walter R. Peterson 2021 Citizen Leader Award ........................................ Dr. Kim Mooney ’83 Citation read by ........................................................ Priscilla Marsicovetere Program Director and Associate Professor, Master of Physican Assistant Studies Program Conferring of Degrees Presentation of Diplomas ............................................. Dr. Kim Mooney ’83 Dr. David Starrett Graduates’ names read by ........................................................... Faculty Christine Betts, Assistant Professor of Accounting Dr. Jacques Veilleux, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Dr. Donna Decker, Professor of English Recognizing the Class of 2020 .......................................... Dr. Kim Mooney ’83 Dr. David Starrett Farewell ... ......................................................................... Dr. Kim Mooney ’83 Franklin Pierce University Alma Mater ................... Sung by Abigail Purches ’22 Recessional: Traditional Scottish Pipes ....................................Campbell Webster All who are able, please stand. 3 Candidate for the Honorary Degree Shanendon Eugene Cartwright ’01 Doctor of Law A member of Parliament in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Honourable Shanendon Eugene Cartwright is passionate about the well-being and future of his unique island nation. Minister Cartwright’s mantra is, “Live for something bigger than yourself,” and his total dedication to improving the social and economic life of his community lives up to that lofty standard. Born in Nassau, The Bahamas, Minister Cartwright was recruited to play basketball for Franklin Pierce University where, in 2001, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in history and received the prestigious President’s Award for Leadership and Contribution. He holds the distinction of being the first person of color to chair of the University’s Judicial Board. Also as a student at Franklin Pierce, Minister Cartwright made an impact on the basketball court and was named a New England Collegiate Conference Academic Scholar-Athlete. He later served as a Franklin Pierce University’s assistant men’s basketball coach, where his athleticism and competitive instincts inspired others to achieve their full potential, and he continues to hold multiple basketball records at the University. Returning to his homeland after graduation, Minister Cartwright has spent over 20 years as an executive with global hospitality pioneers Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Kerzner International. He also served as a senior executive for corporate development and marketing at DanBrad Limited, a leading international franchise holding company in the Commonwealth. Always one to give back to his community, Minister Cartwright is the founder and director of Vision 21, a youth empowerment and community development program. He has served as chair of the membership committee of The Bahamas’ governing political party, the Free National Movement, and currently serves as one of its national trustees. A member of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas’ Parliament in the House of Assembly for the St. Barnabas Constituency since 2017, Minister Cartwright currently serves as the executive chairperson of The Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority. He is also a Justice of the Peace, covering all 700 islands and cays of the archipelagic nation. “A visionary leader, Shanendon’s abilities are exemplified in the outstanding role he continues to play in the rehabilitation, development, and maintenance of the nation’s parks, playgrounds, and beaches,” said Sir Cornelius A. Smith, governor general of the Commonwealth. “His impressive service in the inner city has contributed to the overall improvement in the quality of lives of our citizenry. His humility, coupled with his love for people, has positioned him as a true servant of the people.” 4 The Honorable Walter R. Peterson Citizen Leader Award The Honorable Walter R. Peterson Citizen Leader Award was created to honor the late Governor Peterson’s lifelong commitment to public service and higher education in the state of New Hampshire. He served two terms as the Governor of New Hampshire and was Franklin Pierce University’s second President from 1975-1995; he was President Emeritus of the University until his death in 2011. The award, presented at the annual Commencement Exercises, is intended to acknowledge and to honor an individual for his or her extraordinary commitment to public service, selfless contributions to higher education, sense of humor, and high moral character — all characteristics of the award’s namesake. The award medallion is engraved with a likeness of Governor Peterson and is presented to the recipient along with a $2,500 cash award. Additionally, a $2,500 contribution is made in honor of the recipient to the charity of his or her choice. Previous Recipients: May 18, 2019 — Martha R. Pappas, Ed.D. May 12, 2018 — Tom Raffio May 13, 2017 — Laura Knoy May 14, 2016 — The Honorable Sylvia Larsen May 16, 2015 — The Honorable Bob Odell May 17, 2014 — J. Bonnie Newman May 18, 2013 — Paul J. Holloway May 12, 2012 — Lucille Jordan, Ed.D. May 14, 2011 — The Honorable Lou D’Allesandro 5 Former Chief Justice John T. Broderick, Jr. 2021 Citizen Leader Award Winner A former New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John T. Broderick, Jr. has dedicated his life to making justice more accessible and affordable, and has recently been on a personal crusade to promote mental health awareness. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Chief Justice Broderick also holds his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He noted that he always wanted to become a trial lawyer, and he was a successful one for many years, earning his induction as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and many other accolades. Active in politics and government, Chief Justice Broderick co-chaired two presidential primary campaigns in New Hampshire, for Joe Biden in 1988 and Bill Clinton in 1992. He was proud to be appointed by President Clinton to the board of the national Legal Services Corporation, which funds legal aid for low-income Americans, where he served for more than 10 years. Chief Justice Broderick was named the Dean of University of New Hampshire School of Law, where he founded the Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership and Public Policy after serving for 15 years on the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and as Chief Justice for seven of those years. Over the last five years, Chief Justice Broderick has done what he calls his “most important work,” speaking at over 250 middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities in northern New England and advocating for a new and non-judgmental conversation around mental health. As the senior director of external affairs for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, he has championed a campaign to educate people about recognizing mental health illness and offering help. Chief Justice Broderick’s candid and public accounts of his family’s experiences is initiating positive cultural changes to the region’s perceptions of people with mental health illnesses. Because of his efforts, New Hampshire became the first state, in 2016, to Kick-Off for the Campaign to Change Direction. The R.E.A.C.T. Awareness Campaign, established by Chief Justice Broderick and now sponsored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, demonstrates his message that (in his words), “students have the ability to change the culture and the way mental health is viewed.” “John has spoken to thousands and thousands of people, and inspired and offered hope to many,” said Ken Norton, executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness–New Hampshire. “His efforts have encouraged people to seek help for themselves or family members, and have undoubtedly saved lives.” 6 The Class of 2021 At this Commencement, degrees are conferred upon the persons who have completed requirements since the 2020 Commencement Exercises. Due to time considerations, this program is a tentative listing of candidates expecting to complete requirements for this year’s exercises. The diploma of the University, signed by its proper officers, and an official transcript