NEWPORT — Elizabeth Bruno, wearing her black graduation grown and mortarboard, elevated her bandage-wrapped ankle as she waited for her fellow Salve Regina University graduates to process into the large white tent for commencement.
"As long as I walk across the stage, that's all that matters," said Bruno, 22, a native of Branford, Conn., who graduated from Salve Regina with a double major in political science and philosophy. She had just been hired as an assistant account manager with Amica Mutual Insurance. But for a few hours during the May 18 commencement, Bruno savored the last moments of her college experience.
"I think I'm still in the denial stage right now," Bruno said. "Now that I'm under the tent, it's starting to sink in."
Salve Regina President Sister Jane Gerety, RSM, conferred 659 undergraduate and graduate degrees, including three doctorates, during the university's 64th commencement on the Oceanside lawn of McAuley Hall. The commencement began with the annual academic procession into the tent along the university's Cliff Walk.
"It's just a beautiful setting," Bruno said.
"You definitely have to love the scenery here," said Floyd Shaffer, 23, a Pennsylvania native who graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
He described the day’s commencement exercises as "surreal."
Sister Leona Misto, RSM, the vice president for mission integration at Salve Regina University, offered the invocation in which she asked Mary, Mother of Mercy, to watch over the graduates, whom she said had learned lessons of respect, compassion and service in their years at Salve Regina.
Newport City Councilor Naomi L. Neville, the city council's vice chairwoman, said Newport was fortunate to have the "vibrancy" of Salve Regina, noting that its students work as student teachers in the public schools, organize food drives and volunteer in the public library, among other community service projects.
"They are already making a difference in our community," Neville said.
This year's commencement speaker was Richard Saul Wurman, a highly distinguished pioneer of information architecture and graphic artist who founded the TED conference and has authored 83 books on topics ranging from football to healthcare to city guides.
Wurman, a Newport resident who was also awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters, opted not to stand behind the podium. Instead, walking back and forth across the stage, Wurman spoke to the graduates in a casual manner, almost as if he were leading a large lecture.
"If you think this is work, you're in for it," Wurman said in remarks peppered with humorous anecdotes and exhortations that the graduates be joyful and intellectually curious.
"I really embraced the idea that I'm not so bright, but I'm curious," said Wurman, who described learning as "remembering what you're interested in," and added: "Every piece of life is something you can learn from."
"You have an exciting time of joy, not of work," Wurman said, "Of learning, not of education. I wish you well."
Bruno, not letting her sprained ankle put a damper on an otherwise exciting and fulfilling day, said Salve Regina had been an "amazing place" during her four years in Newport.
"From the moment I first stepped on campus, I felt I was part of the greater community," Bruno said. "It's a beautiful place."
