Cloudy, with a Chance of Commencement
Endicott College’s 83rd Commencement is more than a degree-conferring ceremony; it welcomes parents and family members from near and far, notable speakers who impart wisdom for a complex world, as well as alumni. Commencement is a meaningful and festive day meant to be cherished by all who attend, especially the Class of 2023. But among the fanfare are the smaller, personal moments of joy and connection—here’s just a sampling of those moments.
From Bermuda to Beverly
It’s common to make friends at college—but coming to college with your friends? From Bermuda, no less?
That’s exactly what happened with Charla Gibbons ’21 M’23 (bottom, right).
After Gibbons came to Endicott, Elicia Albuoy ’23, and Letasha Tucker ’22 M’23 soon followed.
The friends and colleagues, who are all educators back home, traded the island’s crystalline waters for New England’s craggy coastline to pursue an education in, well, education. The trio plans to return to Bermuda, where they work as paraeducators helping students with learning disabilities.
Too bad they didn’t bring a bit of island weather to Commencement, which turned from cloudy to rainy later in the day.
Sister, sister
Meanwhile, twin sisters Jackie and Chrissy Hurley didn’t plan on coming to Endicott together, but it just worked out that way.
After both enrolling at the University of Alabama, Chrissy transferred to Endicott. Then Jackie, home from college, came to campus to help Chrissy move out of her residence hall. That’s where she saw a poster for a teaching fellowship at Endicott and decided to apply to the education program.
Jackie, who graduates with a master’s in special education, plans to return to Endicott for a certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis. “I want to be a board-certified applied behavioral analyst,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chrissy, an entrepreneurship major, plans to “open an allergy-friendly café down the Cape,” she said.
‘Enjoy the ride’
Carl Cadet M’23 is graduating from Endicott with a master’s in sport leadership and plans to find an athletic director role with a university. The best part of his time at Endicott?
“The relationships I was able to make, the friends I made in the major,” said the Boston native.
As for advice for incoming Gulls?
“Networking is key, and just enjoy the ride.”
Odds and endings
Parents Tim and Diane Butts were joined by daughter Rachel to support their other daughter, Class of 2023 liberal studies major Danielle Butts.
Her mother noted that Danielle was a determined student, “and we want to thank Dean [Mark] Herlihy for being a good support system and for the kindness he showed her.”
Business management major JP Miranda ’23 already has a job lined up at Moderna, thanks to the Endicott internship program. His advice for prospective students exploring Endicott?
“Just do it! You’ll come out of here with the most robust resumé and experience,” Miranda sad.
That was echoed by Zach Bowman ’22 M’23, who plans to leverage his MBA in a marketing or operations management role.
“Endicott has a really good community feel,” he said, “and they do a good job of preparing you for the real world.”
Business management major Cam Homsey plans to hold off the real world for one more year—he's returning in the fall to start the 5th-year MBA program. What does he plan to do with that MBA though?
“That’s a good question,” he said.
He’s considering a career in commercial real estate, but time will tell. His favorite memory from Endicott was playing on the men’s basketball team.
“Spending every day with them was so fun,” he said. “They’re my brothers for life.”
