Husson Held Its 126th Commencement on Saturday, May 10

Published on: May 10, 2025

Husson University held its 126th Commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2025, recognizing 798 students who earned a total of 851 undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

In her first commencement as president, Dr. Lynne Coy-Ogan commended graduates for their work in rigorous courses, labs and internships, as well as exploring new areas of interest and preparing for future careers.

“We were proud to call you students of Husson University and today, we will be proud to have you join over 28,000 individuals as alumni of Husson University,” said Coy-Ogan.

Commencement speaker Gregory Powell spoke about the tumultuous times that students are graduating into and offered advice for navigating a changing world where artificial intelligence and other technological advancement will reshape the job market and the world. 

“Artificial intelligence is looming and blooming and like other great transformative waves in human history, AI will bring change. According to experts, the wave of AI change will be extraordinary and will unfold at unprecedented speed, and much of that change will be good for humanity and truth, though no one can predict with certainty what that change will look like or where it will take us,” Powell said.

Powell reminded graduates that change can be good, but it’s important to hold onto humanity.

“It seems to me that real human relationships will matter even more to happiness,” Powell said.

Powell also cautioned graduates to watch out for credit card debt but also to be optimistic despite the heaviness of the current domestic and national affairs.

“How you think about the world in your life is in your control,” Powell said, referring to words from Winston Churchill: “The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.”

Honorary degrees were granted to Powell and to Kate Braestrup, bestselling author and chaplain to the Maine Warden Service.

Husson’s seven valedictorians, Ashley Blais, Erin Beane, Madison Cyr, Kelsi Sheehan, Nex Staples, Carly Verrill and Katherine Worster were also recognized, as was Salutatorian Colby Folsom.

Commencement was one of several events held for the Husson community over the last several days. 

On Friday, May 9, the university also held its nurses pinning ceremony to honor the graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. The university held its graduate hooding ceremony to honor those receiving masters and doctoral degrees on May 9 as well. During a hooding ceremony faculty members place a hood on the graduate to signify the successful completion of their degree.