Framingham, MA — Framingham State University has announced that Nelson Peña, President of Nestlé USA’s Global Culinary Kitchen division, which includes the beloved Nestlé Toll House brand, will deliver the keynote address at the University’s upcoming undergraduate commencement ceremony.
For Framingham State graduates, the connection is especially sweet.
The Nestlé Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe – now a staple in kitchens across America – was created by Ruth Graves Wakefield, a 1924 Framingham State alumna who operated the famed Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. Wakefield’s famous recipe, reportedly the result of a creative baking experiment, went on to become one of the most iconic desserts in American history and the foundation of the Nestlé Toll House brand.
Today, Peña helps guide the future of that brand as part of the world’s largest food and beverage company, connecting new generations of bakers and families to Wakefield’s original spirit of creativity and innovation.
“Ruth Wakefield’s chocolate chip cookie began as a simple idea in a kitchen not far from here and went on to become the definitive chocolate chip cookie recipe in America,” said Nancy Niemi, president of Framingham State University. “Nelson Peña carries forward that legacy of creativity and innovation in his work at Nestlé. We’re delighted to welcome him to campus to celebrate our graduates and to remind them that sometimes the ideas that start small can have the biggest impact.”
Peña’s work focuses on growing and evolving some of Nestlé’s most recognizable brands while honoring the stories and traditions behind them. Under his leadership, he has helped guide how iconic brands like Nestlé Toll House remain relevant to new audiences – demonstrating how innovation and heritage can go hand in hand.
For graduating students, the message resonates. Wakefield’s original chocolate chip cookie serves as a reminder that big ideas often start in everyday places, sparked by curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try something new.
“Nearly a century ago, a Framingham State graduate followed her curiosity in the kitchen and created something that would become a beloved staple in households across the country,” said Peña. “That story reminds us that innovation often begins with the courage to share an idea or take a chance. I’m honored to celebrate the next generation of Framingham State graduates, and I look forward to seeing how they bring their own ideas into the world.”
Framingham State’s undergraduate commencement scheduled for Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.
Christa McAuliffe Center