Local Students Graduate from Nichols College
Nichols Celebrates Class of 2018 at Commencement
DUDLEY, Mass. (05/23/2018) — At their May 5, 2018, graduation from Nichols College, 499 students in the Class of 2018 were advised by one of their own (who just happened to be a famous Hollywood movie producer) to never let fear stand in their way of pursuing their dreams.
"You are all about to start new journeys into the real world, and although it sure is exciting, it can also be quite daunting," Louis A. Stroller -- a 1963 Nichols graduate whose movie credits include "Scarface" and "Carlito's Way" -- told the students in his Commencement address. "I want all of you to remember this saying -- 'Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.'-when you're going for your first job interview, or when you're about to take a risk, or when you're scared to reach for your dream. I hope, if years from now you don't remember a single word from my speech today, you just remember that phrase and let that serve as your reminder to chase whatever dreams you have. I would not be standing here in front of all of you today if I didn't take this same advice."
Undergraduate and graduate students, their families and friends, faculty and staff, trustees, and other special guests were on hand at the Commencement ceremony, held at the DCU Center in Worcester, to experience the inspirational messages delivered by keynote speaker Stroller, Nichols College President Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D.; undergraduate valedictorian Haroutiun C. Sarkisian'18, senior class speaker Isabella Sansone '18, and graduate student speaker Jaquelene Kelly MBA '18. (This was the first year that a graduate student was invited to deliver an address at a Nichols College Commencement.)
During the ceremony, 304 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees; 27 Bachelor of Arts degrees; four Associate in Business Administration degrees; two Dual BA/BSBA; and 162 graduate degrees (Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership; and, for the first time, Master of Science in Counterterrorism) were awarded.
President Engelkemeyer offered the graduates a piece of advice: "Waste no time in carving out those moments to do the things that make you truly happy. That may or may not be related to your job. If it's not, it's even more important because that's how you will find additional strength to deal with the ups and downs and disappointments that will inevitably come your way. And it will help you grow your leadership skills. I call it 'leadership lessons from the other side of life.'
"Your Nichols education has equipped you with the tools you need to be a leader," she added. "Now you need to add some inspiration, perspiration, and determination that comes from your other side to be successful throughout life's journey."
AN ALUM'S WORDS OF WISDOM
Since graduating from Nichols, Stroller became a successful Hollywood film producer. He has been an assistant director, production manager, and producer on more than 40 films, working with some of Hollywood's most renowned actors, including Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Al Pacino, Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Sissy Spacek. His notable list of film credits also includes "The Bone Collector,""Snake Eyes,""The Rock," "Carrie," and "Sea of Love."
Before he got into TV and movies, Stroller first graduated from Nichols College. He told the audience how instrumental Nichols was in providing him with the tools he needed to achieve his goals.
"Nichols was a dream come true for me," said Stroller. "Nichols prepared me for what life had to offer. Never when I was attending Nichols did I think that I would have to put my knowledge to work in different parts of the world. Nichols College gave me a foundation to build upon. It gave me the wherewithal to make movies with budgets from $350,000 to $200 million, and bring these pictures home, for the most part, on schedule and on budget. Not only that, Nichols also gave me the knowledge and confidence to deal with whatever life threw at me. This was due in part to the small, intimate atmosphere. It was also due to the professors who would give me that extra special attention and help that I needed to succeed."
During the ceremony, honorary degrees were conferred upon Stroller (Doctorate of Communications and Media) as well as two other distinguished individuals: recently retired CEO of W.E. Aubuchon Co. Inc. M. Marcus Moran Jr. '66 (Doctorate of Business Administration) of Westminster, Mass.; and local humanitarian and philanthropist Marilyn Fels (Doctorate of Humane Letters) of Webster, Mass.
2018 GRADUATES OF NICHOLS COLLEGE
ABA: Associate of Business Administration
BA: Bachelor of Arts
BSBA: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
MBA: Master of Business Administration
MSA: Master of Science in Accounting
MSC: Master of Science in Counterterrorism
MSOL: Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
FLORIDA
APOPKA, FLA.: Tyler Brenner graduated with a BSBA.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.: Ryan T. Jacques graduated with a BSBA.
JUPITER, FLA.: Drew A. Benjamin graduated with an MBA.
NAPLES, FLA.: Rachel Catherine Birmingham graduated with a BSBA, cum laude.
VERO BEACH, FLA.: Steve R. Williams graduated with an MBA.
KENTUCKY
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: Sawyer M. Thull graduated with a BSBA.
MAINE
TOPSHAM, MAINE: Nicole E. Ross graduated with a BSBA, summa cum laude.
MICHIGAN
SAINT JOSEPH, Mich.: Tyler C. Hussey graduated with a BSBA, summa cum laude.
WATERFORD, Mich.: Scott A. Cuthrell graduated with a BSBA, magna cum laude.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
KEENE, N.H.: Jason Frost graduated with a BSBA, cum laude.
LACONIA, N.H.: Kolby T. Fournier graduated with a BSBA.
LEBANON, N.H.: Megan A. Mason graduated with a BSBA, cum laude.
MASON, N.H.: Martin F. Fletcher graduated with an MBA.
MERRIMACK, N.H.: Mackenzie S. Martin graduated with a BSBA, magna cum laude. Ryan R. Patev of graduated with a BSBA, cum laude.
MONT VERNON, N.H.: Tyler C. Trottier graduated with a BSBA.
NASHUA, N.H.: Brendan Scott Martin graduated with a BA, cum laude. Kelley Gwen Barrett graduated with a BSBA, cum laude. Spencer Austin Madden graduated with a BSBA, summa cum laude.
PELHAM, N.H.: Joseph J. Slattery IV graduated with a BSBA.
SALEM, N.H.: Jarred T. Lozowski graduated with a BSBA.
WINDHAM, N.H.: Allison Chase Bench graduated with a BSBA.
NEW JERSEY
FAIR HAVEN, N.J.: Kaitlyn R. Feeny graduated with a BA, cum laude.
HOPATCONG, N.J.: Colin Brennan graduated with a BSBA, summa cum laude.
WASHINGTON, N.J.: Gregory Quentin E. Terhune graduated with an MSOL.
WEST CALDWELL, N.J.: Cooper J. Milano graduated with a BSBA, cum laude.
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