Assumption Announces Emma Kearney and Rebecca Jalbert as Class of 2023 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Assumption University has announced that Emma Kearney ’23, of Belchertown, and Rebecca Jalbert ‘23, of Webster, will address their classmates as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, during Assumption’s 106th Commencement on Sunday, May 7, at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester.

As salutatorian, Jalbert will introduce the Commencement speaker, Founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) Missionaries, Curtis Martin, while Kearney, as valedictorian, will reflect on the past four years of the Class of 2023 before the conferral of degrees.

“At Assumption University, these highest honors are not a matter of grades alone but awarded after a careful and deliberative process on the part of students, faculty, and administrators,” said Paul Douillard, Ph.D., interim provost and academic vice president.

Kearney is a candidate for graduation with a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a concentration in digital marketing and data analytics. During her undergraduate career, Kearney gained hands-on skills that complimented her work in the classroom through two internships. She worked in the marketing department of Twin Sisters Livingston, a subsidiary company of Living Lantern Media Inc. which is a book company that creates stories focusing on the empowerment of young girls. Her marketing efforts increased the Instagram following by over 500%. Additionally, she has interned with Worcester Public Schools as a financial analyst. 

In her extracurricular activities, Kearney has served as the captain of the Assumption dance team which placed second in the DII Team division and third in the DII Pom Division. This year she is Spirit Captain of the dance team and maintains the social media presence.

Jalbert is a candidate for graduation with a bachelor’s degree in finance and data analytics.Throughout her time at Assumption, Jalbert has been active in the Student Investment fund, the Eco Action Group, and the Pinky Swear Foundation. She is a head tutor in the Academic Support Center, where she tutors in multiple subjects. 

She was awarded the St. Augustine Scholarship, the Ray Marion Award, and the Finance Departmental Award. Following graduation, Jalbert has accepted a position as a credit analyst at Webster Five Cents Savings Bank.

Kearney and Jalbert were chosen from among the top ten students in the Class of 2023 by a committee composed of the president and vice president of the senior class, the chair of the Commencement Committee, two faculty representatives from the Commencement Committee, and the associate vice president for academic affairs.