Colby-Sawyer conferred 269 degrees, celebrated faculty and student excellence and presented an alumna with the college’s highest honor at its 188th Commencement on Saturday, May 9. 

College President Dean G. McCurdy said the Artemis II astronauts who traveled around the far side of the moon reminded him of the Class of 2026 and the importance of a Colby-Sawyer education.

In fact, he said, the college’s tagline — “Explore. Connect. Make a Difference.” — could also have been the tagline for NASA's mission. 

The astronauts traveled farther than any humans in history for the purpose of exploration and discovery, McCurdy said. They connected with each other and with people worldwide and they made a difference by advancing our understanding of space, paving the way for future missions and bringing hope to millions.       

“It’s not only how we saw the moon that mattered, but how it helped us see ourselves. The imagery of our moon, like a college education, fills us with wonder and inspires us to dream bigger,” said McCurdy, who then encouraged members of the Class of 2026 to take their own moonshot. 

“You’ve studied hard in your own field and learned lessons from many other fields. You will leave here prepared to take these experiences and friendships into the next chapter of your life, and I know you will use them to do things that, so far, you may only have dreamed about.” 

McCurdy presented alumna Lisa Hogarty ’81, outgoing chair of the college’s Board of Trustees, with Colby-Sawyer's highest award, the Susan Colgate Cleveland Medal for Distinguished Service.  

Hogarty earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater at Colby-Sawyer, worked on Broadway and is now senior vice president of real estate planning and development at Boston Children's Hospital.

She has made her alma mater a philanthropic priority. 

Cleveland was a longtime trustee and benefactor of the college, and granddaughter to its first teacher. The award is given to those who exemplify Cleveland’s attributes to ensure that her work, dedication and influence will be remembered by future generations. 

Brandon Arvesen, winner of the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, will be remembered by graduates for his engaging classes. 

As the Jensen Award winner, Arvesen delivered the Commencement address in accordance with college tradition. The assistant professor of creative & professional writing told graduates that they stand on the precipice of immense change and infinite potential for both good and bad. 

“What comes next and how should you face it? I don’t know,” said Arvesen. "I would contend the very essence of being an educated person isn’t knowing what is coming next but knowing how to approach new situations. Yes, the unknown is scary, but you are prepared to reason, think and create your way through that fear.”  

Jeff Larson is prepared for a career as a primary therapist at a substance use treatment facility. Larson earned a Master of Social Work and was selected to be the college’s inaugural Graduate & Professional Studies student Commencement speaker.

“Education is a transformative process where what we learn changes what we know. The MSW program went beyond this and changed the way I see the world,” he said. 

“Social work taught me organizations have the most impact when they are built in a way that honors the dignity and worth of the person. This understanding redefined what I thought success was. When the people involved in these systems feel welcomed, heard and valued, success can be fully realized.” 

First-generation college student Caitlynn McAllister has achieved considerable success at Colby-Sawyer.

Faculty chose the senior from Lyman, Maine, to receive the Colby-Sawyer Award for exemplifying the institution's ideals of personal dignity, intellectual growth, contribution to campus life and constructive influence on other students. 

The addiction studies major and psychology and sociology & human services minor will stay at Colby-Sawyer to pursue a Master of Social Work.  

JJ Davis, the David H. Winton Baccalaureate Award winner for earning the highest scholarship rank in the class, will put his degree in business administration to work at his family’s construction business. Davis finished with a 3.97 grade-point average.

He and three classmates also teamed to win the Business Administration Capstone Award for their management of a simulated athletic footwear company. 

Collaboration and making connections were themes of Sophie Pedro's undergraduate student Commencement address. 

“If we ever begin to believe that we’ve built our lives entirely by ourselves, we will have forgotten something essential about being human,” said the nursing major and captain of the women’s lacrosse team. 

“To be human is to need one another. Who is beside us will always matter just as much as what is in front of us. Because degrees open doors, but people change lives. May we never forget the people who helped us get here, and may we become the kind of people who help others get where they are meant to go.” 

The Commencement video as well as more information about award recipients are on the college's Commencement website. Additional photographs and speeches will be posted.