University of Hartford Celebrates the Class of 2025

"A Prayer, a Poet, and a Parable" is the Theme of Lawrence P. Ward's First Commencement Address as UHart's President

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West Hartford, CT (05/18/2025) — "A prayer, a poet, and a parable" was the theme of Lawrence P. Ward's first Commencement address as president of the University of Hartford. Speaking to undergraduates at the XL Center in downtown Hartford Sunday afternoon, Ward touched on the answered prayers of those who nurtured and encouraged the Class of 2025; the poet Maya Angelou's meditation about giving; and a "parable" about the importance of celebrating what you already have.

"You all have earned and have now formally been gifted with each of the rights, privileges, and attendant responsibilities of a UHart degree," Ward said. "From this moment forward, may you be inspired to share your education, your talent, creativity, passion, resilience, and your humanity such that others in the world may benefit from your gifts. Since 1957, this has defined the amplifying effect of the University of Hartford."

Ward assumed leadership of UHart on July 1, 2024. During his initial year at UHart, Ward has furthered the University's deep commitment to student success, including investments into career and professional development, support services, and campus facilities. He has also focused on positioning the University as a strategic partner and leader in the economic and educational vitality of the Greater Hartford region and the state of Connecticut.

David Thompson, '89 M '91, vice president of commercial services for Boston Scientific and vice chair of the University's Board of Regents, addressed master's and doctoral degree recipients during the morning ceremony. He encouraged the graduates to make the most of the 1,440 minutes of each day, to stay curious throughout life, and to be kind. He, too, quoted Maya Angelou: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

More than 1,500 graduates and their invited guests packed the arena for the dual celebrations.

Kindness, caring, and compassion were themes throughout the day. "Our country-and our world-are facing deep divisions, uncertainty, and challenges that can often feel overwhelming," said Katelyn Birdsey '25 in her charge to her fellow undergraduates. "But I truly believe that our generation has something powerful to offer in response: empathy, resilience, and the courage to question the status quo. We've grown up witnessing both hardship and hope. And because of that, we know that change doesn't happen overnight-it happens through people who care, who show up, who listen, and who lead with compassion."

Ward also referred to the challenging world the Class of 2025 is facing, including "a global pandemic, war, political tribalism, and a coarsening of civil discourse, particularly on social media."

But, Ward said, UHart's faculty and staff have helped to guide the graduates through it all. "As a result, what you now have is an extraordinary education from the University of Hartford. What you now have is this special group of friends and classmates to share a lifetime of memories. What you now have is the benefit of 80,000 other alumni who have your back."

"Regardless of the path you choose-artist, scientist, engineer, clinician, educator, problem solver, thought leader, difference maker-know that you already have all that you need to find success."

Class of 2025, by the Numbers:

Among the 1,504 members of the graduating class

743 are receiving bachelor's degrees
541 are receiving master's degrees
103 are receiving doctoral degrees
805 are from Connecticut
957 are from New England
96 are international students

For more information about the University of Hartford, visit www.hartford.edu.

Spread across seven dynamic schools and colleges, the University of Hartford has been guiding the purpose and passion of students for over six decades. On our 350-acre campus alongside Connecticut's capital city, approximately 4,100 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students representing 48 states and 51 countries come together for a common purpose: to collaborate across different disciplines, diversify perspectives, and broaden worldviews. We're a four-year private university focused on advancing the public good through meaningful connections within our communities. Our unique approach to comprehensive education gives us the critical perspectives that lead to impact change, regionally and beyond. With degree programs spanning the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and health professions, we focus on doing the work that matters.