“Let your life be a lighthouse for this university that treasures you; Let your life be a lighthouse for the community that raised you; Let your life be a lighthouse for a world that summons you.” – Steve Pemberton
On Sunday, October 17, Boston College’s Class of 2020, who lost their original graduation due to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, returned to campus for their chance to be officially sent forth from the Heights into the world.
The morning began with the Baccalaureate Mass at 10 AM in Conte Forum, immediately followed by the main Commencement ceremony in the same location. After the conclusion of the main ceremony, five individual ceremonies were held at locations including the MAC courts in the Connell Recreation Center, Power Gym in Conte Forum, and under a tent on Lower Campus to recognize individually the graduates of each of BC’s academic schools.
University President Fr. William P. Leahy, S.J., presided at the Baccalaureate Mass, and BC’s Liturgy Arts Group (LAG), directed by Meyer Chambers along with members of the University Chorale under the direction of John Finney provided the worship music. Chorale and LAG alumni who are part of the Class of 2020 joined the combined group and added their voices to the liturgy. Haub Vice President for Mission and Ministry Jack Butler, S.J., preached the homily.
“When you were leaving,” Fr. Butler directed to the Class of 2020, “your heart was breaking, and you were angry, and you were frustrated, and it didn’t seem right nor … fair.”
“It’s in the disappointments, it’s in the adversity, it’s in the failures that you come to find out who you are, what you’re made out of, what’s important to you, how to adapt, how to be resilient, how to go after what you really want in life and do it earnestly,” continued Fr. Butler.
“You learned to change wanting to be important to rather … seek out what is important.”
“Really the desire is … to be God-like. It’s to be great,” said Fr. Butler. “To get to be God-like and to actualize your greatness, you have to take the path of adversity, disappointment, struggle, and pain.”
“What the world needs now more than ever is people that have gone through a little adversity and understand love and empathy, for that might be the best vaccination of all.”
The graduation ceremony began with a welcome from Fr. Leahy, who said of the Class of 2020, “These class members brought new life to Boston College with their talents, energy, and generosity.”
Fr. Leahy continued with a description of the Boston College experience. He said, “Jesuit education and spirituality stress the importance of reflection, action, and honest personal conversations with others. Doing so helps us grow in maturity, sense of God in our lives, and awareness of current realities and opportunities.”
“Our world very much needs you, graduates of the Class of 2020 … May you always strive to be beacons of light for those around you, much as the tower of Gasson Hall does on our campus.”
Fr. Leahy’s words were followed by the Commencement Address delivered by BC alumnus Steve Pemberton, Class of 1989, who also currently serves as one of the university’s trustees. After growing up in an abusive foster family, Steve was given a chance by a neighbor and a teacher who saw his potential. BC became his first real home, and he is now the chief human resources officer at Workhuman and father of three children with his wife Tonya.
Before arriving at BC in the fall of 2016, the Class of 2020 read Steve’s memoir, a bestseller titled A Chance in the World, and he addressed the class then in Conte Forum as their convocation speaker. Pemberton returned to the podium at Conte Forum on October 17 to offer these same young people, now alumni, some words of commencement to take back out into the world, completing his journey with this remarkable class.
Pemberton centered his address on the metaphor of the lighthouse.
“Lighthouses are perhaps the most selfless structure that humankind has ever created. It serves no purpose other than to be of service to another, to simply be a beacon especially in times of uncertainty and chaos. It is faithful, steadfast, resilient, and humble. It seeks neither reward nor recognition. It is not concerned about one’s race, gender, or faith expression. It neither qualifies your distress nor renders judgement on your uncertainty.”
Pemberton also described the unique insights the Class of 2020 brings to the world in their shared journey as a class through the pandemic.
“We better understand that God’s greatest gifts to us, whether that be the miracle that is life, the sanctuary that is this planet, or the national treasure that is democracy, those gifts will only be as strong as our willingness to protect them.”
Pemberton closed by calling the Class of 2020 to be lighthouses for others, formed by their experiences at the Heights and in the world.
“You’ve reminded us that each day offers us an opportunity to be a lighthouse for another and to find one for ourselves.”
“The most powerful lighthouses in the world are the human ones … Let your life be a lighthouse.”
Thomas is a student in BC’s Carroll School of Management, who fittingly serves as the current Business Manager of The Torch in addition to his position as Campus News Editor. Thomas can be found around campus singing at Masses with the Liturgy Arts Group, tabling for the BC Pro-Life Club, deep in conversation while enjoying BC Dining cuisine, or gazing in awe at Gasson Hall and its Collegiate Gothic style architectural neighbors.
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