Commencement 2016

On May 13, 2016, faculty, staff, students, friends, and family gathered in the Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center for the School of Social Work Convocation. Five doctor of philosophy degrees, 21 dual dual-degree master’s, and 228 master’s degrees in social work were awarded.

“This year’s graduation included our largest graduating class ever,” Dean Gail Steketee said. ͞It was a true pleasure to shake the hand of each graduate who has worked so hard and made such sacrifices to complete our rigorous programs.

Professor Gary Eager received this year’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Aida Manduley (’16) of the Charles River Campus served as the student speaker for the class of 2016. Manduley’s message to friends and family centered on the importance of self-care. “At its core, militant self-care isn’t a race, but if it is a priority then we must act like it,” Manduley reminded the audience. ͞We [social workers] have inherent worth and dignity.”

Paolo del Vecchio, director of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, delivered the convocation address. As a self-identified mental health consumer, trauma survivor, and person in recovery from addictions, del Vecchio’s message to the graduating class was informed by personal experience. “My diagnosis did not have to become my destiny,” he said. “As social workers, when we help others, we also help ourselves.”

“It is unacceptable that we have politicians today more interested in building walls to separate us than bridges to bring us together,” del Vecchio continued. “As social workers, we will not go silent. We must turn our outrage into action. We will continue to speak up and speak out and start those brushfires of freedom for all.”

The celebration continued all weekend. On Sunday, May 15, 2016, the all-university Commencement commencement took place on Nickerson Field.


Congratulations, class of 2016!