UMass Boston Announces 2002 Commencement

(Boston, MA) On Saturday, June 1, 2002, over 2,525 baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees will be conferred at UMass Boston's 34th commencement held at the Bayside Exposition Center. The general procession begins at 10:30 a.m. and the main ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Honorary degree recipient Tim Russert, widely regarded as the dean of television news journalists, will deliver the commencement address. Russert is the managing editor and moderator of "Meet the Press," the most watched Sunday morning interview show in America. He is also chief political analyst for NBC's "Nightly News with Tom Brokaw" and "The Today Show," in addition to serving as vice president of NBC News and Washington Bureau Chief.

Other honorary degree recipients are: internationally acclaimed Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart and other works which have shaped modern African literature; famed basketball legend Bill Russell, sports hero who helped the Boston Celtics dominate the league and win eight straight NBA titles and 11 championships in 13 seasons; and healthcare entrepreneur Thomas F. Shields, the founder and chief executive officer of Shields Health Care Group, one of the nation's top health care providers.

At commencement, graduating senior Ben Day of Newton will speak on behalf of the Class of 2002. Day is the recipient of the John F. Kennedy Award, which recognizes excellence in scholarship and community service. A double major in political science and philosophy, Day is graduating summa cum laude.

Day is well-known for his academic excellence and commitment to social activism. He will travel to the United Kingdom next year on a Fulbright scholarship to study John Stuart Mills, a leader in nineteenth century British radicalism. While at UMass Boston, Day received UMass Boston's Knapp Scholarship in political science three times and an award in student leadership. He also earned recognition for his extensive involvement with the Radical Student Alliance and the campus' Human Rights Group.

Four UMass Boston faculty members will also be honored. Professors David Hunt of the History Department and A. P. Simonds of the Political Science Department both will receive the Chancellor's Award for Most Distinguished Teaching. Professor Monica McAlpine of the English Department will receive the Chancellor's Distinguished Service Award and Professor Michael Rex of the Biology Department will receive the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Scholarship.

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6.01.02
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