Former Gov. Baker Urges Northern Essex Grads to Learn from Mistakes

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Former Gov. Baker Urges Northern Essex Grads to Learn from Mistakes as He Did

Former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker drew on his own experiences after he lost his first bid to be governor in 2009 to encourage new Northern Essex Community College grads to embrace failure, move out of their comfort zones and learn from their mistakes.

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t ever be afraid to stretch yourselves. Growth often comes from failure and adversity. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is one of the best gifts you can give yourself, your family, your friends and your colleagues. Be humble and honest enough to learn from your mistakes. Suck it up and put what you’ve learned to work,” Baker urged.

Baker, who gave the commencement address to the more than 400 graduates who attended the ceremony with their family and friends, said if had he not lost the 2009 campaign for governor and not done the work afterwards to understand why, he would not have won the election in 2015. He added introspection also made him a better governor.

Northern Essex Community College conferred associate degrees and certificates on 807 graduates Saturday under a big tent on a sunny morning Saturday.

Student speaker, Maria Cubias Realegeno, said her own journey to the college’s commencement podium had not been easy. In introducing her, Northern Essex President Lane A. Glenn said Realegeno emigrated to the United States from her native El Salvador at 15 with her parents. After losing both, she found her way to Northern Essex where she studied for an associate degree in criminal justice. Recognizing her story was not unusual for other students at the college, she encouraged her fellow graduates to tell their own story and celebrate it.

“In standing here today I realize something powerful. Every graduate here has a story. Behind those caps and gowns are full time jobs, financial struggles, children raised while studying and battles with anxiety, fear and loss. But today we are all here and that deserves to be celebrated,” she said.

Rebecca Heathman was given the outstanding graduating student award. The college’s social justice award went to Stephen Russell, a professor in the history department. The award carries a $1,961 grant, with the amount recognizing the year of the college’s founding, for him to apply to his favorite charity. The designation of emerita professors was conferred on three educators who are retiring, Judith Ciampi, Pamela Donahue and Patricia Willet.

The name of each graduate was announced as they walked across the stage to clapping, hoots and hollers to receive their degrees and a handshake from Glenn. Glenn traded his commencement tam for a baseball cap and asked everyone to cheer on the college’s baseball team which was challenging Monroe University—Bronx in game 2 of the Northeast District tournament game at that hour. The team subsequently won 4-2.

The Stuart Highland Pipe Band then ushered the graduates and their professors out from the tent to a reception on the college’s lawn with lively bagpipe music.