Needham residents Catherine Lopes and Vanessa Myette graduated May 12 from Assumption College with Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Assumption College's 95th Commencement ceremony was held on the campus's H.L. Rocheleau Field, where 430 Bachelor of Arts degrees, 201 graduate studies degrees (Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration) and certificates and 22 Continuing and Career Education degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and associates) were awarded.

Thousands of students, their families and friends, trustees, and other special guests were on hand to experience the inspirational messages delivered by keynote speaker Brian Kelly '83, head football coach of the University of Notre Dame, and Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo.

Also during the ceremony, honorary degrees were conferred upon Kelly as well as three other distinguished individuals: the Most Rev. Robert McManus, bishop of Worcester; Maurice "Moe" Boisvert '66, president of Youth Opportunities Upheld Inc. (YOU Inc.); and James Welu, director emeritus of Worcester Art Museum.

Assumption College is a liberal arts institution in Worcester, Mass., that was founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption. With 40 majors and 45 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, and professional studies, Assumption College offers an educational experience grounded in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition. 

For more information, visit www.assumption.edu.