2 Natick Students Graduate Cum Laude at College of the Holy Cross

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WORCESTER – Holy Cross celebrated nearly 755 bachelor of arts degree recipients at its 176th Commencement held in person on Friday, May 27 at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Acclaimed writer and infectious disease physician Abraham Verghese delivered this year’s address to the Class of 2022 and received an honorary degree.

Vincent D. Rougeau, president of the College, presided over the celebratory event, bestowing the honorary degrees and greeting each graduate as they crossed the stage. This marks Rougeau’s first commencement exercises since being installed as Holy Cross’ 33rd president – the first lay and first Black president to lead the 179-year-old institution – back in October 2021.

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In his remarks, Dr. Verghese, the best-selling author of “Cutting for Stone” and the Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor and Vice Chair for the Theory and Practice of Medicine at Stanford University, asked graduates to consider how they will define success in their personal stories after graduation.

“My advice to you would be: don’t set the bar too high,” Verghese told the graduates. “Don’t live your life waiting for the one magical moment when you achieve this or that, or have this much in the bank, or particular letters behind your name You and I know too many people, often successful, famous, accomplished people, whose success was not enough to keep them joyful. I would urge you to define success for yourself simply such that on a daily basis you can feel joy.”

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In addition to Verghese, Holy Cross also awarded an honorary degree to Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., the 32nd president of Holy Cross, a role he held from 2012-2021.

Two Natick students were among the graduates. They were:

David Schneider – Cum Laude

Michaela Faris – Cum Laude

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The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, is among the nation’s leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.

Since its founding in 1843, Holy Cross has made a positive impact in society by graduating students who distinguish themselves as thoughtful leaders in business, professional and civic life.

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