´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ is pleased to announce our honorary degree recipients and commencement speakers for 2024. In standing with our practice, these individuals have records of leadership, advocacy and community service that align with our values as an institution. This year’s recipients are:
Patrick A. Tutwiler, PhD has served as Massachusetts Secretary of Education since January 2023 when he was appointed by Governor Maura Healey. As her top advisor on education, Tutwiler helps shape the Commonwealth’s education agenda, directing the Executive Office of Education, which oversees early education, K-12 and higher education. Previously, Tutwiler served as the senior program officer at the Boston-based Barr Foundation, a grantmaking organization focused on arts, climate and education. He specialized in developing new high school models that continue to have a positive impact across the entire school system. Tutwiler has more than 20 years of experience in public education, including as headmaster for the Boston Public Schools, as a history teacher at Brighton High School, principal of the Wayland Public Schools, and as the deputy superintendent and superintendent of the Lynn Public Schools. As superintendent, he led a collaborative, equity-centered effort that resulted in increased graduation rates, decreased push out rates, a more racially diverse faculty and staff, and the establishment of Massachusetts’ second largest early college program.
Dr. Tutwiler will be speaking at the McKeown School of Education and College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 18 at 10 am.
A business and community leader, Brian D. Kelly, who was born with an entrepreneurial spirit, worked at his father’s used car lot at the age of 13 and now owns the Kelly Automotive Group. The Kelly Group represents nine franchises in seven locations and is a Top 125 Dealer Group in North America in terms of vehicles sold. Over the course of the last 58 years, the Kelly Family has become an integral part of many local communities north of Boston. From his humble beginnings till today, his innovative spirit and love of people, cars and his community have helped him build one of the most well-respected automotive groups and family businesses around. The Kelly Group proudly supports countless schools, programs and organizations that provide food, healthcare, books, sporting equipment, and toys to children in need. The Group also supports research for ALS, Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer research. In addition to sharing his business knowledge during speaking engagements on our campus, his dealerships also organized a wardrobe drive that benefited Salem State’s Career Closet, providing hundreds of Viking students with access to new and gently used career-ready clothing.
Brian Kelly will be speaking at the Bertolon School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 17 at 3 pm.
The Maguire Meservey College of Health and Human Services Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17 at 10 am. No honorary degrees will be given at this event.
Student commencement speakers will be announced at a later date.
All commencement exercises are ticketed events and will be held in the Richard B. O’Keefe Complex at 225 Canal Street. All three ceremonies will be broadcast live at salemstate.edu/commencement.