Bay Path Celebrates Historic 120th Commencement!
Commencement 2017
Graduates from the American Women's College Online gather before the ceremony
Graduates show off their creative caps
Dr. Kathryn Hayward '76, commencement speaker, poses with student speaker Dawa Drolma '17
Bay Path faculty
The procession begins
Rachel Yates G'17 sings the National Anthem
Student speakers
Excited graduates
Hayward '76 teaches graduates power poses
Congratulations graduates!
It was not only a milestone, but it was the largest Bay Path graduation in the University’s history.
“Don’t be afraid to fail!” Those words were the main message from Commencement speaker Dr. Kathryn Hayward, Class of 1976, at Bay Path’s 120th Commencement held on May 21, 2017 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.
The 8,000 seat arena was packed with family and friends—joining in celebration with the 721 graduates who walked and received bachelor and master degrees. In all, there were 935 graduates who earned degrees from the University, making this the largest class ever.
Dr. Kathryn Hayward, along with retiring Bay Path trustee Dr. Susanne Churchill, were granted honorary degrees. It was an emotional moment with Professor Chuck Hayward strode onto the main stage to help hood his daughter during the granting of the honorary degree.
Other firsts for the 120th Bay Path graduation were:
1.) A total of 22 graduates comprised the first graduating class from the RN to BSN program at the American Women’s College Online;
2.) The Master of Science in Leadership and Negotiation had 16 students who completed their degree requirements;
3.) And Dawa Drolma, an international student from Tibet, could claim to have come the farthest to attend Bay Path.
Click here to view the Commencement Ceremony and read Dr. Kathryn Hayward's speech.