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Commencement 2021

Lesley honored more than 1,200 graduates during a vibrant virtual ceremony on May 22, 2021. Enjoy highlights, photos and videos from our graduates, student speakers, special guests, honorees, and more.

A collage of the 2021 graduates in their caps and gowns.

Finding community and facing the challenges

Virtual Commencement celebrated the determination and persistence of the Lesley University Class of 2021 as relief from the prolonged pandemic appeared.

Read coverage of Commencement 2021

Graduate Search

A photo of Elizabeth Broun in her cap and gown for the 2021 virtual Commencement ceremony.

Guest speaker Elizabeth Broun, first woman to lead the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Lesley celebrated Dr. Broun with an honorary degree. She urged graduates to draw inspiration from leading young voices, including climate activist Greta Thunburg, inauguration poet Amanda Gorman and Parkland survivor and gun control advocate Emma González.

View Dr. Broun’s speech to the Class of 2021.
A photo of Santos in her cap and gown for the 2021 virtual commencement ceremony. She is standing at a podium and there is a banner behind her that says "Lesley University."

Guest speaker Laurie Santos hosts the popular podcast “The Happiness Lab”

Dr. Santos, a Yale professor, encouraged graduates to “give yourself a little grace” and fight the toxic culture to be pushed to the brink. “The post-pandemic world needs you, in particular, to get it right," she said to graduates. "And that means you’ve got to listen to the science.”

View Dr. Santos’s speech to the Class of 2021.

Virtual Commencement 2021 Highlights

President Steinmayer at the 2021 virtual commencement ceremony. She is standing in front of a podium on the quad on South Campus. There is a banner behind her that says "Lesley University."

President Steinmayer celebrates the Class of 2021

The president highlighted the achievements of many graduates who overcame daunting obstacles.
Watch President Steinmayer’s speech to graduates.
Honorary degree recepient Donald M. Perrin at the 2021 virtual commencement ceremony.

Honorary degree recipient Donald M. Perrin

Lesley awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Trustee Emeritus Donald M. Perrin.
Watch the ceremony with Donald Perrin.
Honorary degree recipients Peter and Paula Lunder at the 2021 virtual commencement ceremony.

Peter and Paula Lunder ’59

The Lunders, philanthropists and lead benefactors of Lesley's Lunder Arts Center, were awarded Doctor of Fine Arts degrees.
Watch the ceremony with Peter and Paula Lunder.
Hans Strauch, Jonathan Jefferson, Janet Steinmayer, Nathaniel Mays in graduation regalia

PhD graduates honored

University leaders held a Hooding Ceremony on South Campus for 2020 and 2021 doctoral graduates.
Watch the PhD Hooding Ceremony.
A dark green Zoom background celebrating Lesley University's Class of 2021.

Commencement 2021 Program

The program features information about virtual Commencement, awards, names of all the 2021 graduates, and more.
View the Commencement 2021 Program.

Student Speakers

Watch the speeches from 2021 student speakers Anahí Alarcón, Christine Armstrong, Maddie Da Silva, Helen Slager and Andrew Solem.

 

Launch Gallery
Commencement 2021 Student Speakers : Student speakers from our Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences (GSASS), Graduate School of Education (GSOE), College of Art and Design (LA+D), College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and the Threshold Program will address graduates.
Anahí Alarcón sits on cement steps next to a graduate cap. Anahí wears a dress and is looking up, laughing.
Slide 1 of 5
Anahí Alarcón, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Madalena smiles while wearing her cap and gown.
Slide 2 of 5
Madalena Almeida, College of Art and Design
Christine smiles while wearing a graduate cap. Christine wears glasses and a shirt that reads "Stand."
Slide 3 of 5
Christine Armstrong, Graduate School of Education
Helen smiles while sitting on a wooden bench outside. Helen wears a white sweater, blue jeans, and a blue necklace.
Slide 4 of 5
Helen Slager, Threshold Program
Selfie of Andrew and a black and brown dog. Andrew smiles while wearing a sweater and glasses.
Slide 5 of 5
Andrew Solem, Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences
Anahí Alarcón sits on cement steps next to a graduate cap. Anahí wears a dress and is looking up, laughing.
Slide 1 of 5
Anahí Alarcón, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Madalena smiles while wearing her cap and gown.
Slide 2 of 5
Madalena Almeida, College of Art and Design
Christine smiles while wearing a graduate cap. Christine wears glasses and a shirt that reads "Stand."
Slide 3 of 5
Christine Armstrong, Graduate School of Education
Helen smiles while sitting on a wooden bench outside. Helen wears a white sweater, blue jeans, and a blue necklace.
Slide 4 of 5
Helen Slager, Threshold Program
Selfie of Andrew and a black and brown dog. Andrew smiles while wearing a sweater and glasses.
Slide 5 of 5
Andrew Solem, Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences

See photos of Class of 2021 graduates

A photo of Alyssa Baumgarten in her cap and gown in front of the Lesley University sign at 1627 Massachusetts Ave. on Lesley's Doble campus.

Class of 2021 Graduates (first names A-D)

See photos and share congratulatory messages with Class of 2021 graduates.
View the album, first names A-D.
A black and white selfie of Elizabeth Areizaga in her cap and gown.

Class of 2021 Graduates (first names E-J)

See photos and share congratulatory messages with Class of 2021 graduates.
View the album, first names E-J.
A photo of Karen Yatsko in her cap and gown.

Class of 2021 Graduates (first names K-M)

See photos and share congratulatory messages with Class of 2021 graduates.
View the album, first names K-M.
A photo of Natasha Gonzalez in a green cap in gown in front of the Lesley University sign on the South Campus.

Class of 2021 Graduates (first names N-Q)

See photos and share congratulatory messages with Class of 2021 graduates.
View the album, first names N-Q.
A photo of Rachelle Laine with her graduation cap. She is wearing a light blue floral long sleeve dress.

Class of 2021 Graduates (first names R-Z)

See photos and share congratulatory messages with Class of 2021 graduates.
View the album, first names R-Z.

News & stories about our inspiring graduates

Read about our graduates who are going on to blaze trails as teachers, counselors, expressive arts therapists, and more.

Katie Walsh '21 in graduation cap

A science graduate pursues a PhD

Katie Walsh '21 is Lesley's first graduate to pursue a doctorate in chemistry
Read more about Katie Walsh
David Andrade sitting in class

David Andrade: Overcoming the Past Through Therapy

David Andrade ’21 shares his victory over childhood trauma and his plans to help others.
Read more about David Andrade.
Eileen Powers in a striped shirt and one of the "heads" she and her collaborators designed.

A graduate’s cancer treatment inspires her MFA thesis

Eileen Powers ’21 turns self-portraits into the collaborative art series "can you make hair for me?"
Read more about Eileen's series
Pamela Kelly in cap and gown

73-year-old graduate completes degree

Holistic Psychology major Pamela Kelly is proud to be our eldest 2021 bachelor's degree recipient. Originally from Honduras, she was a nanny and banker before becoming a minister.
Read Pamela Kelly's story.
Composite of Luke Baldwin Award and Chrislene Francois

Persisting and making it happen

2021 Luke Baldwin Award winner Chrislene Francois overcame naysayers and self-doubt on her path to a bachelor’s degree.
Read more about Chrislene Francois.
Gihanah Seb-Di Dio headshot

Gihanah Seb-Di Dio ’21 receives Wolfard Award

Secondary Education and English major demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning.
Read more about Gihanah.
Zandra Matthews amid flowers

Instilling hope, healing and dignity

Zandra Matthews '21 has been bringing her Expressive Arts Therapy and her own holistic wellness knowledge to Boston jails.
Read more about Zandra Matthews
Alice Smith in graduation gown outside in front of blooming tree.

Pandemic pushes former Lesley student to complete degree

Alice Smith ’21 returned to Lesley with only two credits left to finish the degree she began 20 years ago.
Read about 2021 graduate Alice Smith.
Photo of AJ White-feather

Holistic psychology grad explores Native American trauma, healing

A.J. White-feather ’21 addresses the cultural roots of mindfulness.
Read A.J. White-feather's story.
Aleer Deng smiling at camera while in procession at Commencement

‘Lost Boy’ finds path to success

After war forced him from his home, Sudanese refugee Aleer Deng ’21 found community and calling in Lesley's International Higher Education program.
Read Aleer's story.
Jasper Sanchez at a podium

Bringing art history to life

Transfer student Jasper Sanchez '21 discovers his passion for art history and curating arts experiences.
Read more about Jasper Sanchez.
compilation of first Urban College cohort to graduate from Lesley

Looking to Lesley for a bright future

Lesley University and Urban College of Boston partnership celebrates first graduates.
Read more about this cohort.
kimberly cherry outside

Resisting oppression in the healing fields

Kimberly Cherry '21 researched the barriers facing transgender therapists, which reflect challenges trans people face in society at large.
Read more about Kimberly Cherry.
Debe Hale at desk

Mustering resilience and finding a purpose

Debe Hale '21, a master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate, overcame numerous health challenges and is ready to help others with her art.
Read more about Debe Hale's journey
Myisha Rodrigues in an office talking with colleagues at a conference table

Myisha Rodrigues ’21

Through her Lesley doctoral research in Counseling & Psychology, Myisha brings the experiences of Black educators to the forefront.
Read more about Myisha Rodrigues
Asiya Shaikh '21

Asiya Shaikh ’21

Future teacher Asiya Shaikh advocates for the humanities as a vital means of teaching children critical thinking skills
Read more about Asiya Shaikh
"School Day" by Mary Lesse — Painting, red background, children that are actually coronaviruses run around with red school in the background

Making room for art

A prosecutor by day and artist by night, Mary Lesser ’21 spent much of her adulthood balancing her profession and her passion to create. Then she retired and earned her MFA at Lesley.
Read more about Mary.

Watch Virtual Commencement 2021

Enjoy remarks from university leaders, honorary degree recipients, guest speakers, student speakers, deans and the Alumni Association president, and view the PHD Hooding Ceremony.

View the Commencement 2021 playlist on YouTube.

Commencement Office
29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
617.868.9600