Shown at UMass Lowell commencement, are from left, Chancellor Marty Meehan; honorary degree recipients Gerald Martone, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Gururaj “Desh” Deshpande and Edward O. Wilson; and UMass President Jack Wilson.

Chancellor Marty Meehan presided over his first Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 31 when 2,040 graduates received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

“Today, the University is saying to the public that you are prepared to take responsibility for the essential work that must be done. We look to you to contribute and lead,” Meehan told the graduates. “Every one of you has a story to tell. You aspired to advance yourself. You dreamed of acquiring knowledge that would allow you to contribute to society.”

The graduates, clad in robes with colorful hoods representing their school or college, filled the floor of the Tsongas Arena as they took in what was undoubtedly one of the biggest occasions of their lives.

Setting the stage was the music of the UMass Lowell Brass Choir, which echoed through the arena, followed by the strains of the bagpipes played by the Kevin Barry Irish American Pipes and Drums. The truncheon, banged down three times on the stage by Middlesex County Sheriff James DiPaola, brought the crowd to attention and signaled the beginning of the pomp and circumstance ahead. The national anthem, introduced by Interim Provost Donald Pierson, was performed by vocal soloist Patrick Drumm and the brass choir, which was followed by the greetings to graduates from state Rep. Thomas Golden and Lowell City Manager Bernard Lynch.

Before the ceremony for the Class of 2008 would go forward, however, it was time to recognize the Class of 1958. Executive Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney noted the presence of the 50th reunion classes from Lowell State Teachers College and Lowell Technological Institute, 40 of whom walked in the commencement procession. Members of the 40th reunion classes were seated as special guests.

In congratulating this year’s graduates during his remarks at the ceremony, UMass President Jack Wilson said, “We’re not giving you a degree here today; you’ve earned it. … It’s your UMass; carry it with you.”

Representing his fellow graduates was student speaker Stephen Holstrom, president of the Student Government Association and a political science major from Gardner.

“Today, we are leaving as students, but we should never lose our connection to this University. This University has given us so much – it has given us our friendships. We learned skills here. This University has given us the tools to not only succeed, but do to great things – and we will do great things,” Holstrom said.

U.S. Sen. John Kerry served as the commencement speaker.

“Simply put, you and this school are the economic engine of the area. What happens at UMass Lowell is changing this region, this Commonwealth, this nation and this world. And the research that is conducted here and the knowledge you take with you when you leave are what will drive this economy in the years to come,” Kerry said.

Kerry’s presence also brought on a moment of levity during the ceremony. As Kerry was about to begin his remarks, a voice rang out in the otherwise silent arena, “Don’t Tase me, bro.”

The remark – in reference to an incident at the University of Florida when a man confronted Kerry during a speaking engagement and called out the now-famous phrase as police used a Taser to subdue him – was greeted with humor by Kerry. “FDR was remembered for ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’ John F. Kennedy had ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’ I’ll be remembered for ‘Don’t Tase me, bro.’”

In a more serious moment, Kerry called upon students to be involved in writing the next chapter of American history. “You have to carve out time to be a citizen,” he said. “You have a fundamental responsibility to help us take what you see is wrong and fix it.”

The University also recognized outstanding individuals in a variety of fields with honorary degrees: Gururaj “Desh” Deshpande, co-founder and chairman of Sycamore Networks Inc.; Charlayne Hunter-Gault, an award-winning journalist with more than 40 years experience, including with CNN, National Public Radio and PBS; Mary Jo Leahey ’37, the founding benefactor and inspiration for the Mary Jo Leahey High School Summer Band Camp, a one-week program for talented students who have a passion for music; Gerald Martone’ 79, director of Humanitarian Affairs at the International Rescue Committee; Edward O. Wilson, professor emeritus at Harvard University, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and National Medal of Science recipient.

Thomas O’Connor ’77, ’80 was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. He is president and CEO of DCP Midstream, LLP, one of the nation’s largest natural gas gatherers and processors.

Co-valedictorians were Amanda Jenkins of Methuen and Barbara Warren of Littleton, whom Meehan recognized during the ceremony.

In addition, Meehan noted the ceremony represented the symbolic handing off of the provost’s responsibilities from Pierson to Ahmed Abdelal, who comes to UMass Lowell from Northeastern University.

In a new practice this year, the names of all graduates were called during the ceremony.  Each graduate was congratulated on-stage as their name was read, their face flashed on large TV screens positioned around the arena.

Following the reading of the graduates’ names, the ceremony was closed by DiPaola with the symbolic tapping of the truncheon, and the 2,040 students began their lives as UMass Lowell alumni.