More than 4,400 undergraduates and graduate students dressed in black caps and gowns and multicolored hoods and cords celebrated with cheers and big waves for their family and friends seated in the stands.
“You Boston College graduates of 2026 are more needed than ever,” said Leahy, who did not mention his planned retirement in his short remarks. “I pray that you strive to be forces for good and powerful examples for those around you, and that you bear fruit that will last.”
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s foreign minister, encouraged graduates to work for justice, promote dialogue, and never forget the poor and marginalized.
“Human dignity is granted or ceded, be it by the state, or government, or even popular consensus,” said Gallagher, a native of Liverpool, noting the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. “But rather arises from truths about the human person that precede all those things.”
He referenced the writings of theologian John Henry Newman, emphasizing the importance of community and human connection in education. Gallagher said Newman believed universities were shaped not only by classrooms and lectures, but also by relationships students build with one another.
“I would like to dwell briefly on the three verbs Newman highlighted: to respect, to consult, and to aid,” he said.
Gallagher and five others received honorary degrees from BC, the nation’s seventh-largest Catholic university.
After the ceremony, students retreated to other parts of campus to receive diplomas from their individual colleges, including arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and theology.
“We’re walking with all our friends in the sunshine, and that’s what BC has felt like for me,” said Charlotte Caine, 22, who received a degree in English and classics. “I’d like to continue feeling that way.”
Zaria Carter, a 21-year-old math major, teaches third- and fourth-graders at a local school and plans to continue doing so. She said a few years ago, she would have said she wanted to be an accountant, but she discovered a different path at BC.
“I’m really excited about the thought of being a teacher, and I was never really excited about being an accountant,” she said while walking to the ceremony. “BC has taught me to follow what makes me excited and passionate.”
The pride and emotion of the day extended to faculty and family.
“Today’s our 150th commencement ceremony, and so our [Messina College] students are part of that long, proud legacy,” said Thomas Wesner, a professor of business law who taught at Messina College.
Stefano DeZerega flew from San Francisco to watch his son, Nico Tomlinson DeZerega, get his bachelor’s degree in economics.
“I’m really grateful for all the experiences he had,” DeZerega said. “It’s a moment of optimism and exploration. I am very proud.”
Nancy Beltran was a proud aunt, there to see her niece, Katy Elena Meza, graduate with a nursing degree.
“She is the first grandchild in the family who is graduating,” Beltran said as she sat with their entire family. “We are all immigrants from Honduras, and honestly, I think we’re just very proud.”
About 100 Messina College graduates were welcomed into the BC alumni ranks during a ceremony on its campus in Brookline.
“Not many people can say that they were the first for their class,” said student speaker Truns-Winslie Paul. “We created a community where there wasn’t one yet, and we made it our own.”
Family members clutched balloons and cheered as students walked across the stage to collect their degrees.
About 40 students who earned a 3.4 grade point average or better will continue at BC for bachelor’s degrees. Others will head off to one of six colleges with which Messina has enrollment agreements: Bryant University in Rhode Island, Endicott College, Regis College, the University of Massachusetts-Boston, Worcester State University, and Albertus Magnus College in Connecticut.
Students took pride in being the first graduates of a program still finding its footing.
“We were the first class,” said Jose Builes Lemus, 19, a data science major who is from Colombia. “We were building everything together.”
Lemus, who is continuing at BC, said coming to the United States three years ago and entering a brand-new program was intimidating. But students learned to advocate to address some logistical challenges, such as transportation and campus resources, he said.
“Being able to help others that are coming behind me,” he said, “that was a good part of it.”
Brianna Amado, who graduated with an associate degree in applied psychology, said that they’re “setting the tone” for the upcoming classes.
“I’m happy to move on to bigger and better things,” said Amado, who will continue her education in psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Other Messina graduates reflected on how much they had changed since they first arrived on campus.
For Hodan Ahmed, a 20-year-old who will continue her education at BC’s nursing school, balancing demanding coursework with summer classes tested her.
“This semester specifically was really difficult for me,” Ahmed, who is from Roxbury. “But I have professors who were genuinely willing to help me outside of class time.”
Families who attended the ceremony at Alumni Stadium and at Messina are excited for their students’ future educational journey.
“They’re very excited,” Ahmed said about her family sitting in the stadium. “They’re really proud of me, which I see as obviously an accomplishment.”
Family meant everything to Ryan Pina Gonzalez, who graduated with a business degree.
“Without them I’m nothing, so it’s amazing having them here,” Pina Gonzalez said as he stood surrounded by his family after graduation.
“I’m so proud of him,” added his sister, Gianna Pina Gonzalez, “because I know how hard he’s worked to get to this point.”
Correction: Due to incorrect information from BC, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the name of Bryant University. The Globe regrets the error.
Aayushi Datta can be reached at aayushi.datta@globe.com. Chloe Pisani can be reached at chloe.pisani@globe.com.
