On Sunday, May 18, President Jay Gonzalez conferred over 400 degrees during the 145th Curry College Commencement ceremony held at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass.
As he presided over an excited and eager crowd, President Gonzalez emphasized the importance of living in the moment—as the achievement of obtaining a college degree did not come without great perseverance, confidence, and strength.
And even though our graduates might be physically departing our campus, President Gonzalez assured them that Curry will always be a place to call home.
“Today, you will receive your diplomas and officially graduate from Curry College. But you are not leaving Curry, and Curry is not leaving you. You. Are. Curry.”
Quincy Miller, Vice Chair, President, and COO of Eastern Bank, and Taylor Nault ’25 addressed the crowd with powerful and heartfelt speeches that emphasized the value in hard work, leadership, and determination.
Miller, alongside Jane Steinmetz, Office Managing Principal at EY, and Thomas Aicardi ‘87, Executive Vice President at Triumvirate Environmental, received Honorary Degrees from the College.
“Grinding is a way of life. Embrace the grind, nurture the grind and it will repay you in ways you can only imagine,” said Miller in his Commencement address, reflecting on a life built on the power of resilience and purpose-driven hard work. Miller shared his personal journey from humble beginnings, including being raised by a single mother who instilled the value of grit in him, to professional success as one of the few Black bank presidents in America.
“College for me changed my life, and I know it will change yours.”
Nault addressed her classmates with a powerful speech, noting how her experience at Curry shaped her not just academically, but personally and socially. As a standout student leader, she showed that growth comes from embracing community, overcoming adversity, and carrying those lessons into the future with purpose.
“Curry College taught us more than just academics. It taught us resilience. How to keep going when the workload is heavy. How to speak up for what we believe in. How to care deeply—for our communities, for our peers, and for the world we’re stepping into.”
Before the conferring of degrees, Maizie Hill ’25 was announced as the 2025 New Era Award winner. A standout double major in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Transformative Justice, Hill maintained a remarkable 3.98 GPA while participating in prestigious national research programs and policy initiatives. She is an active member of the Curry community as a Lead Resident Assistant, Programming Assistant for the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and Co-President of Curry Cares, and has demonstrated unmatched dedication to supporting her peers, building inclusive communities, and addressing food insecurity.
“In every role—whether she’s mentoring fellow students, analyzing criminal justice data, or coordinating campus-wide programming—Maizie leads with thoughtfulness, courage, and purpose. Her ability to bridge policy, advocacy, and community impact is a model of transformative leadership,” -Jeannette Buntin, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs
Credits:
Kelly Davidson, Gil Talbot