NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Amsler Campus Center gym erupted in cheers on Saturday as 193 members of class of 2026 turned their tassels.

 

The graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' 127th commencement were sent off with the charge of "don't stop now" to make the world a better place.  

 

You are Trailblazers, keynote speaker Michael Bobbitt reminded them, and a "trailblazer is not simply someone who walks a path. A trailblazer makes one, but blazing a trail does not happen alone. Every trailblazer is carrying tools made by somebody else. Every trailblazer is guided by stars they did not create. Every trailblazer stands on grounds shaped by ancestors, teachers, workers, neighbors, friends, and strangers."

 

Trailblazing takes communal courage, he said, and they needed to love people, build with people, argue with people, and find the people who make them braver and kinder at the same time.

 

"The future will not be saved by isolated geniuses, it will be saved by networks of people willing to practice courage together. The future belongs not to the loudest, not to the richest, not to the most certain, but to the most adaptive, the most creative, the most courageous, the most willing to learn."

 

Bobbitt was recently named CEO of Opera American after nearly five years leading the Massachusetts Cultural Council. He stressed the importance of art to the graduates, and noted that opera is not the only art form facing challenges in this world. 

 

"Every field is asking, who are we for now? What do we, what value do we create?" he said. "What do we stop pretending is fine. This is not just an arts question, that is a healthcare question, a climate question, a technology question, a community question, a higher education question, a democracy question, a life question. ...

 

"Number one, don't just find your place in the world, make the world worthy of your place in it. And No. 2, don't wait to be ready before you begin."

 

Bobbitt's address was both serious and humerous, and ended with him having the graduates stand and make a pledge to their parents to use their hard-earned education "to make a living and make a life that gives life to others" — and visit often. 

 

The artist and arts leader and producer was honored with an honorary doctor of fine arts and former MCLA notables Mary Grant, now president of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Mohan Boodram, former chair of the trustees and a member of the Foundation board, were presented honorary doctors of public service. 

 

The "don't stop" theme was picked up from the performance of Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" sung by Naomi Blake, Matthew Boulware McKnight, Howard Brown, Rory diVenuto, Helen Kahn, Alexia Moses, Kathleen Najarian, Jaden Nesmith and Dylan Schenck to thunderous applause. 

 

Golden Graduates, including a reunion of the class of 1976, were recognized and faculty, staff and families were thanked for their work in bringing the graduates to this day. President James Birge and Provost Richard Glejzer presented the diplomas.

 

Eva Bassallo, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, gave the greetings of the class of 2026, speaking of her journey at MCLA, and Peter Fekete, receiving his master of education, spoke for the postgraduates.

 

"I've learned that growth cannot happen all at once, and it took time to find my place and find my people, such as my best friend Cinderella [Khoury], a future bridesmaid," said Bassallo, who will be attending the master's program for social work at State University of New York at Albany.

 

"I found my place by allowing myself to be seen and to be heard, and a huge part of that came from one person in particular that I must recognize today, and that's Dr. April Wright."

 

Wright, director of civic programs, got her join student government, volunteer and participate in travel courses that opened new perspectives for her, particularly a Civil Rights tour in the South. 

 

"I learned that the younger generations are powerful, creating historical change when they use their voice," she said. "People will tell you that you are now entering the real world, but the truth is every stage of life prepares you for the next, and if there's anyone prepared to handle inhumane stress and workload, it's freshly graduated college students."

 

Fekete said he hadn't been sure what to do with the degree he earned 14 years ago other than he wanted to work with children. 

 

 "I've always dreamed of becoming a mentor to young people and helping students chase their dreams," he said. "I explored all different types of jobs, most of them involving kids. Over time, it felt like teaching kept calling to me. No matter what path I tried, I realized that teaching was the path meant for me."

 

It wasn't until he moved to the Berkshires that he found the opportunity to work and attend classes, despite some anxiety having been "solid C student" as an undergrad.

 

"It was my dream, and I needed to take the steps to make it a reality. For the next three and a half years, I took classes that challenged me and pushed me to think about the endless possibilities and supporting all types of learners," Fekete said. "I know I could not have done it without my incredible support of my wife and my family, who stood by me and encouraged me every step of the way. Congratulations again to all of you. Cheers."

 

For Birge, the 127th commencement will be his last at MCLA. Birge is retiring at the end of the June after 10 years as president and 42 years of working in higher education. His replacement, Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson will step in as the college's 13th president in July. 

 

"Students, you are graduating into a divided world, and you're exactly what it needs," he told the graduates. "You've already done the hard work on your campus, listening, debating, compromising, and reaching across difference carry these skills with you. Higher education is essential to a healthy democracy ...

 

"It is where we prepare local citizens, not just for careers, but for life, to think critically, to engage across differences, and to contribute to the communities we share the world, and our communities are calling for more MCLA graduates to ameliorate the conditions that have become so oppressive and so dangerous for so many."

 

MCLA educates people to advance society, Birge said, and could there be a more noble mission? The college's motto is "in light there is truth," he reminded them, charging them to use the light of truth within them to improve the world. 

 

"As graduates of MCLA, you are a promise we make to the world to honor the centuries old purpose of American higher education, which is to respond to the needs and demands of society," he told them. "You are the best hope and strategy we have to improve this broken world."