[MUSIC]
Good morning and welcome to Boston University's commencement exercises.
It is a pleasure to welcome such a large number of advanced degree candidates who
are here in person today on Nickerson field.
And those graduates and guests who joining us via the internet.
15 months ago, no one could have imagined the path you would follow to arrive at
today's ceremony.
Through all the disruption, anxiety and sadness caused by COVID-19,
you have demonstrated strength, adaptiveness, perseverance in humanity.
These attributes tested in adversity will serve you well as you
go forward in your lives.
Again, my congratulations on your accomplishments at Boston University.
[APPLAUSE] In 1995, you assume leadership
of the Greater Boston Food Bank which at that time
distributed 7.5 million meals per year.
Today the Food Bank serves 82 million healthy meals
each year to 190 cities and towns in Massachusetts [APPLAUSE].
Catherine D'Amato for the millions of hungry people fed for
the lives changed and no doubt saved.
Boston University expresses our deep gratitude by bestowing upon you
the degree Doctor Humane Letters honest cause.
[APPLAUSE] You are co founder and
chairman of Moderna,
the company that introduced the first
MRNA 1273 COVID-19 vaccine.
[NOISE] [APPLAUSE] and however significant that breakthrough,
it is only part of why we honor you today.
Yours is one of the great American immigrant stories.
Noubar Afeyan, we are proud to share a nation with you.
You make us a stronger and better people.
In a show of that pride, Boston University confers upon you
the degree Doctor of Humane Letters honors [APPLAUSE].
>> For me, pioneering means being willing to be the first to
explore uncharted territory, seeking something unproven and
being willing to withstand the adversity that comes with it,
to walk into the unknown and
all of his challenges in pursuit of greater possibility.
You are finishing your advanced degrees admits
a pandemic that has forced you to be a pioneer and
to pioneer your way to a diploma in ways no one has ever seen before.
So, go forth pioneers,
Boston University
graduates and
good luck, thank you
[APPLAUSE] [NOISE].
>> Good afternoon and welcome to Boston University's commencement exercises.
>> If you are able,
please join me in
a centering breath.
Class of 2021, when we remember the last
four years, the hard parts, the roadblocks,
the obstacles that almost stopped our
journey short will be so easy to remember.
But I challenge us to remember the good,
the joyous, the parts that like breathing and
dreaming and smiling and waving are so
automatic and critical to who we are.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Political success seemed your destiny.
But destiny was in reality, passion, hard work and resilience.
You broke barriers becoming the first woman of color elected to
the Boston City Council >> [NOISE] [APPLAUSE]
>> And the first woman of color elected to
the United States Congress by Massachussetts
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> Ayanna Presley,
Boston University proudly confers upon you the degree of Doctor of
Laws Honoris Causa.
[APPLAUSE] >> You
need not take the world as it is as you inherited it.
In fact, you cannot.
We need each and every one of you to meet this moment to imagine a better world and
then to work for it.
You are graduating into a country in a world grappling with challenges that
are breathtaking in their scope, but at the same time each of you embodies
the potential for transformative change, person to person, community to community.
When I first ran for Congress, I said change can't wait.
It still can't.
So go now, beyond these walls take what you have learned.
Take the village that you carry, and the village that has carried you.
Take your lived experiences and
build the world you want to see the future belongs to all of us.
And Boston University class of 2021,
when I look out at all of you, I know that change is on the way.
Congratulations graduates [APPLAUSE].
>> Before you are seated I would
like to salute your parents.
Your accomplishments are built on the support of your family.
Although they could not be with us in person today, they were with us in spirit.
I ask you to acknowledge once again their role in you reaching your goal today.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> My congratulations to you all.
>> [APPLAUSE]