Sonia Nieto exhorts RIC grads to use 4 L’s: ‘Love, Learn, Live & Laugh’

Posted 5/23/17

Rhode Island College celebrated its 163rd undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 13, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence.

RIC conferred 1,765 undergraduate degrees in the …

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Sonia Nieto exhorts RIC grads to use 4 L’s: ‘Love, Learn, Live & Laugh’

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Rhode Island College celebrated its 163rd undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 13, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence.

RIC conferred 1,765 undergraduate degrees in the morning ceremony, attended by R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo, R.I. Board of Education Chair Barbara Cottam, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Representative James Langevin, Ambassador of Timor-Leste Domingos Sarmento Alves, and Mayors Scott Avedisian, James Diossa, Jorge Elorza and Charles Lombardi. 

RIC President Fránk D. Sanchez presided over the ceremony for the first time, offering graduates a few words of advice. “Your learning has just begun because your degree is not a finish line; it is a door of endless possibilities and today you are walking through it,” he said. “It is up to you to see what is beyond the threshold.”

International advocate for social justice and acclaimed author and researcher Sonia Nieto delivered the remarks during the undergraduate ceremony, encouraging the Class of 2017 to change the world by employing the four L’s. “What I can offer is what I’ve learned in my own life,” she said. “As you go through life: love, learn, live and laugh.”

“Be curious, keep and open mind…and work with others, especially those whose ideas, experiences and identities may be different from yours,” she said. “This is an essential way to keep learning.”

A national voice for multicultural education, teacher education and the education of students of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Nieto has written dozens of book chapters and journal articles on these subjects. “Use your education for the uplift and benefit of others as well as yourself,” she told graduates.

Nieto also received an honorary degree in education from Rhode Island College for her life-long commitment to activism and advocacy for inclusiveness in education.

RIC Senior Class President Jeremy Boutin addressed the Class of 2017, imploring them to take their shot. “Take a chance and fight for your own happiness,” he said. He talked about stories of single mothers, marginalized students, immigrants and veterans, who overcame obstacles in order to get their degree.

“I hear stories like these every day on campus. I’m confident every graduate in this audience will face this ever-conflicting world with eagerness and strength,” said Boutin.

Representing the RIC Class of 1967, Eugene Simone presented a monetary gift to Rhode Island College from the Golden Anniversary Class.

Later in the day, Rhode Island College conferred 275 advanced degrees in a graduate commencement ceremony at which Acting Commissioner of Postsecondary Education Brenda Dann-Messier ’73 served as speaker. She applauded President Sánchez and RIC for “focusing on experiential learning and personalized instruction.”

RIC also awarded presidential medals to Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo, and Minister of Defense and Security Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, both of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Presidential medals are bestowed upon individuals of special distinction within the college community, and Dr. Araújo and Mr. Gusmão were honored for their courage and continued efforts to advance democracy in their country and around the world. Ambassador of Timor Leste Domingos Sarmento Alves accepted the medals on their behalf.

RIC graduated 690 students with honors: 104 summa cum laude, 207 magna cum laude and 379 cum laude.

A webcast of the 2017 commencement ceremonies can be viewed online at www.ric.edu.

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