Leadership, Courage, and Success: Recap of Wentworth's 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Photos by Matthew Conde

When Luciana Burdi was 28, she made the decision to leave her native Italy and come to America. Though she was comfortable at home and did not speak English, she felt a longing for something more and decided to take the leap.

The move would lead to a highly successful career at MassPort, her partner and children, and countless mentors and friends.

The director for Capital Programs and Environmental Affairs for the Massachusetts Port Authority spoke to Wentworth Institute of Technology graduates during the morning ceremony of Summer Commencement on August 17.

"I learned that courage is not about being careless, but about facing the unknown and taking risks," she said. "Not everything will go as planned, and it is OK if you see those moments not as failures but as opportunities to learn and to better yourself."

Burdi recently received the Construction Management Association of America-New England Person of the Year Award and is also the recipient of the 2024 Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers Honorary Member Award.

"Be courageous, find and embrace your superpowers, and give back," she continued. "These principles will guide you to a fulfilling and successful life. Pursue your passions and be reassured that the money will come. Don't be driven by money but be driven by purpose."

Burdi was one of two keynote speakers on the day, as Shereen Shermak-founder of startups including Dannce.ai, Nth Party, and Atlantic Quantum-was featured during the afternoon ceremony. Shermak was previously a Boston-based venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and active angel investor.

"As I was walking around campus a few weeks ago, an engineering student reminded me that a triangle is the strongest shape," she said. "Graduates, picture that shape as I speak with you about the three elements you need in moving forward-finding a path, finding people to walk with you on that path, and finding resources to help you along the way."

After grinding it out as a engineer and later tech consultant, September 11, 2001 changed Shermak's perspective on everything, and she found herself working for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration and "that role added meaning to my life."

"My path isn't one that I mapped out, but one that I formulated in response to forces around me as well as my expanding interests. Think about that when your path seems to wind or go in an unexpected direction," she said.

Both speakers were given honorary Wentworth degrees.

Student Standouts

Interior Design major Jenna Eagan had the honor of addressing her classmates as the featured student speaker during the 9:30am event. Eagan began her first year as a remote student during the height of the pandemic before transitioning into campus life as a sophomore. She gained co-op experience at two esteemed architecture firms-SMMA and Page-and became involved in Student Association of Interior Design, the Wentworth Sustainability Society, and the Dean's Student Council.

She noted that her four years at Wentworth provided unforgettable experiences.

"From the late nights and all-nighters leading up to big presentations, to dance breaks in the crit rooms, and endless trips to Dunkin," she said. "And my classmates in engineering and the arts and sciences, I am sure you have your own stories of late nights and big projects. No matter the program of study, we all had experiences that will stay with us well past this day."

Eagan talked about the heartbreak of being unable to celebrate high school graduation in person, making this moment at Wentworth that much more special.

"That moment we had anticipated for years, where we would walk across the stage, was taken from us. But today, we reclaim that moment," said Eagan. "We did not get to these seats alone. Our families, friends, and mentors have been our anchors, providing unwavering support. To them, we owe a debt of gratitude, and for some of us, maybe a little bit of money."

Danielle Topale certainly made the most of her student experience by becoming incredibly active on campus. A Computer Information Systems major with a minor in Business Management, Topale served as President of Wentworth's Student Government and led the Women@Wentworth Undergraduate Leadership Board. She was also part of the student team that competed in the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education Case Competition in Memphis, earning the highest score in the competition's history.

Topale completed three co-ops at Apple, Instron, and Lockheed Martin, respectively. She will transition at Lockheed to a full-time employee post-graduation.

The afternoon student speaker stressed five terms that she once learned in karate class and has often used as a mantra in her life: modesty, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, and self-control.

"I was never quite sure why I was saying those particular words. I didn't realize it until about two months ago when I was writing this speech that they represented our time at Wentworth," said Topale.

A Well-Deserved Honor

Longtime Wentworth supporter Jerome Casey was given an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for extraordinary achievement in management and years of service to the university. First elected to Wentworth's Board of Trustees in 2012, Casey is the former president and chief operating officer of Sekisui Diagnostics, where his responsibilities included leadership of the global cross-functional organization, development, and execution of the business strategy, and meeting the company's short and long-term financial objectives.

Prior to the acquisition of Sekisui Diagnostics (formerly Genzyme Diagnostics) by Sekisui Chemical in 2011, Casey had worked at Genzyme Diagnostics for 21 years in various roles of increasing responsibility and held the position of senior vice president of global sales and marketing since 2003. Before joining Genzyme, he worked at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods as assistant vice president in fixed income sales and trading. He began his career at Abbott Laboratories as a sales representative.

Casey is currently active in several life sciences ventures, serving as an advisor and board member.

Pulling it All Together

Wentworth President Mark A. Thompson commended graduates for their "late nights, long hours, and very hot days" this summer that led them to this moment. He also thanked the many others in the tent who helped support graduates over the years, and reiterated that the university will continue to be there for them when needed.

"Today you are leaving us to embark on your next great adventure. And while it's exciting, maybe it's also a little scary. But I know you can do it! I know because I have seen firsthand the many examples of the great work you have already done," said Thompson. "Wentworth students and alumni are second to none. Please know that there is a community here for you, ready and willing to support you in your needs going forward. Your link to Wentworth is one that you will have for your lifetime."

Institute Marshal Jenn Kosses, associate vice president and dean of students, led graduates into both ceremonies, while Assistant Professor Sylvia DeLuca was faculty marshal for the morning event and Associate Professor Payam Bakhshi was faculty marshal in the afternoon.

Following a call to order by Board of Trustee Chair Greg Janey, Executive Vice President and Provost Sophia Maggelakis welcomed those in attendance at both ceremonies and introduced the platform parties, which included:

• Yanel de Angel, Trustee Emeriti
• Iuliana Balascuta, Associate Dean, School of Management
• Noelle Benavides, Trustee
• Lloyd Carney, Trustee
• David Chang, Trustee
• Rose Conti, Trustee
• John Cribbs, Dean, School of Management
• Leonidas Deligiannidis, Interim Dean, School of Computing and Data Science
• Sedef Doganer, Dean, School of Architecture and Design
• Mehmet Ergezer, Professor, School of Computing and Data Science
• Yetunde Folajimi, Associate Professor, School of Computing and Data Science
• Susannah Gal, Associate Dean, School of Sciences and Humanities
• Casey Galante, Alumni Association President and Trustee
• Thad Guldbrandsen, Dean, School of Science and Humanities
• Rick Grundy, Trustee
• Kelly Hutzell, Associate Dean, School of Architecture and Design
• Anuja Kamat, Associate Professor, School of Engineering
• Christine Keville, Trustee Emeriti
• Ali Khabari, Dean, School of Engineering
• Karyn Thompson
• Al Spagnolo, Trustee

Student John Horan, Electromechanical Engineering, won the prestigious H. Russell Beatty Award, which recognizes the top-grade point average. Jennifer Medina and Felicity Gonzalez '25 served as student singers, and the Boston Fire Department Honor Guard conducted the presentation of colors.

Wentworth Alumni Association President Casey Galante, Architecture '12, Master of Architecture '13, led a charge to the graduates.

Wentworth's Commencement ceremonies are organized by a committee led by Executive Director of University Events Linda Werman and Assistant Director of University Events Paige Provost.

Stay tuned in the coming days for additional images.