Students News

Joy enveloped the Nest as more than 1,000 Gulls graduated at Endicott’s 84th Commencement on May 18, and Commencement speaker Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey, encouraged graduates to get off their phones and start living face-to-face.

Commencement is marked by family, fanfare, and, often, a hard-fought journey to the finish line. But for most graduates, the journey is only beginning. Here’s a look at where a handful of Gulls are headed next.

It’s not just students that fly the Nest—it’s staff and faculty that retire and leave Endicott for exciting next chapters. Before their retirement at the end of the spring 2024 semester, we sat down with four faculty and staff members to reflect upon their careers at the College.

For graduating senior Taylor Yates ’24, playing sports while double majoring in sport management and accounting has all added up to help achieve his ultimate goal—to be the CFO of a sports organization.

As a corporate partnership intern for the Boston Celtics, Celia Mastromattei ’24 realized a passion for the communications and marketing side of sport management—but as she carves her professional path, it’s advocating for women in sports that calls her.

At Endicott, graduating senior Noah Macallister ’24 experienced some ups and downs, but found his calling—Esports—and got a boost during the tough times through music.

At Endicott, education major Carissa Szabo ’24 flourished as a future teacher—and a traveler. After pursuing several international experiences at the Nest, she’s now off to Turkey to launch her classroom career.

A lifelong performer, Madison Durfee ’24 fell in love with Endicott College on a campus tour for her sister—and stayed for the photography program. Now, she hopes to be a star photographer on Broadway.

Experiences as diverse as soccer and volunteering to studying abroad and interning with Windover Construction have all led Tiago Frazao ’24 to realize a passion for real estate development and international travel.

In a 2022 honors-level Student Advocacy Seminar taught by Michael Kilburn and Semahagn Abebe, three students drew attention to imprisoned conservationist Niloufar Bayani, accused of espionage by the Iranian government. Now, she’s freed, thanks in part to the awareness efforts of these Gulls.