Commencement: Ready for the Real World

Threatening storms held off until 855 graduates had received their degrees at Keene State’s commencement on Saturday, May 9. “Did anyone really think it would rain on your parade?” President Giles-Gee asked as she closed the ceremony.

Honorary doctorate recipient Lewis M. Feldstein, president of the N.H. Charitable Foundation, encouraged the graduates to get involved in the world, to seek out mentors and the unknown. “Find your passion and follow it,” he urged them.

Former Keene mayor Michael E. J. Blastos received the Granite State Award for his service to the community. And Class President Ian Lord noted that he and his classmates have already started serving their communities: “You are beyond ready for the real world, because you have been living in and succeeding in it for the last four years already.”

Check out the photo gallery of Commencement to view, download, share, and/or purchase.