“Tend Your Garden”: School of Graduate Studies Celebrates 2026 Commencement

Assumption’s School of Graduate Studies celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its commencement exercises on Wednesday, May 20, marking a significant milestone for graduates, their families, and the University community.

Assumption President Greg Weiner gave remarks inviting graduates to recognize the support of family, friends, mentors, and faculty, underscoring the collective effort required to complete their degrees, and expressed gratitude to them for choosing Assumption as a partner in their educational journey.

Weiner invoked the imagery of Adam tending the Garden of Eden in Saint John Paul II’s 1981 encyclical Laborem exercens. “[Saint John Paul II] says that just as we were made in the divine image, so too are we called to work alongside God in the act of creation,” Weiner said. “He says ‘work is one of the characteristics that distinguish man from the rest of creatures. Work bears a particular mark of man and of humanity, the mark of a person operating within a community of persons.’

“The desire to work well and meaningfully is profoundly human,” he continued. “We find joy in doing it, particularly in community, and particularly when we use our talents to serve the common good. That is the joy you embody and will embody for the rest of your careers and lives. I hope that you will find joy in tending your garden with courage, humility, and charity.”

Weiner recognized the commencement speaker, Larry Thayer ’70 G’72, as a profound example of a life spent pursuing the common good through his work at Cape Abilities, a non-profit organization supporting individuals with disabilities.

“Like so many of you today, Larry sees the person,” Weiner said. “He sees in all of us Adam in the garden, and he knew that to be denied meaningful work is to be denied that which makes us so fully human. With definitive Greyhound grit and tenacity, Larry set out to address that.”

One of Thayer’s many accomplishments leading Cape Abilities was the acquisition of several acres’ worth of land that became thriving farms. 

“I want to share with you the words of a 27-year-old man who could not find employment before Cape Abilities was able to hire him full time to tend and grow tomatoes,” Weiner said. “He said ‘this is my most favorite job. I love this place.’ May we all be so fortunate to find that joy, that sense of purpose, in our lives and our careers.” 

After Weiner’s remarks, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree was bestowed upon Micheál J. Kelly ’70, a global leader in business education and entrepreneurship. Presented by Chair of the Board of Trustees Candace Race ’78, the honor recognized Kelly’s lifelong commitment to educational excellence, ethical leadership, and the advancement of business strategy in service of society.

Kelly, who has held leadership roles at institutions including the University of Ottawa and Wilfrid Laurier University, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition. Reflecting on his own Assumption education, he credited the University with laying the foundation for his career in academia and public service. “Assumption has always been close to my heart,” he said. “This school means a lot to me, and I’m very grateful for it.”

Drawing on his professional and volunteer experiences in the commencement address, Thayer highlighted the importance of collaboration, inclusion, and lifelong commitment to service, urging graduates to stay engaged beyond their professions. “Graduate school teaches expertise, but community teaches responsibility,” he noted, encouraging graduates to volunteer and foster meaningful connections.

Thayer closed with a message of resilience and generosity: “Don’t give up… and don’t give until it hurts—give until it feels good.”

Following Thayer’s address to the class, graduate students were presented with their academic hoods by their respective program directors and received their degrees.  

In total, graduate students collectively completed more than 87,000 hours of internships across schools, healthcare settings, businesses, and community organizations—demonstrating their commitment to applied learning and professional development.

The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Fr. Roger Corriveau, A.A., ’69, blessing the graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. He called upon them to use their education in pursuit of the common good, and to “make of [the world] a better place where all can live in the peace, justice, and freedom to flourish as human beings.”