U.S. Congressman Luis V. Guti茅rrez addresses the graduates from the podium during Commencement at UIC Pavilion on May 7, 2018.

Monday, May 7, 2018

encouraged students to honor the trailblazers who made their education possible and to in turn open doors for future generations during 天天吃瓜鈥檚 on May 7, 2018, at UIC Pavilion.

Northeastern awarded Guti茅rrez an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his achievements. Among his many accomplishments, Guti茅rrez played an instrumental role in advocating for executive action by President Barack Obama to provide deportation relief to certain long-term undocumented immigrants and their families. Guti茅rrez鈥檚 advocacy helped lead to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protects some immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.

Guti茅rrez, a Northeastern alumnus who earned his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1976, is in his 12th term serving Illinois鈥 Fourth District and in November announced he will not seek a 13th term. His career is one Guti茅rrez said he could never have imagined when the graduated from Northeastern.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e sitting there with a clear path for yourself, congratulations. You鈥檙e a lot further along than I was at that point,鈥 . 鈥淔or those of you who don鈥檛 have a plan for what鈥檚 next, I say don鈥檛 worry. You will figure it out because you have a degree from 天天吃瓜, and that I can assure you from my experience is a great foundation to build upon.鈥

Guti茅rrez was born and raised in Chicago, the son of parents who migrated to Chicago from Puerto Rico in the early 1950s. He previously served as an alderman in the City of Chicago and has been a teacher, a social worker and a cab driver, among other diverse experiences.

He talked about the African-Americans, women, Native Americans and Latinos who fought for access to education and the right to vote in decades past.

鈥淭hey were finally heard because you are graduating today. They opened the door to education and advancement to all,鈥 Guti茅rrez said. 鈥淚 would not be in Congress鈥擨 would not be here talking to you鈥攊f people had not fought and died for voting rights during the Civil Rights movement in the United States of America.

鈥淧eople I never met sacrificed so much so the doors could open for me and others.

We need to keep that in mind and honor those who went before us by opening the door a little wider for the next person, and the next person, and the next person.鈥

Guti茅rrez reflected on his father and mother, who were 20 and 18, respectively, when they arrived from Puerto Rico. Through their example, Guti茅rrez said he developed a sense of social justice in which a struggle for one is a struggle for all.

鈥淢y mom and dad didn鈥檛 have a college degree, but they raised their son to never allow bigotry and discrimination to exist without raising his voice,鈥 he said.

To the DACA recipients among the graduates, he said: 鈥淲e stand with you, and I will not rest until the job is done and you have your citizenship in the United States of America.鈥

Honor and appreciation was a recurring theme among the Commencement speakers. Board of Trustees Chair Carlos Azcoitia invited the graduates to reflect on what he called their 鈥渕asterpiece鈥濃攖heir degree.

鈥淭here are multiple narratives and stories with you and your families, and now we are all bound and connected by Northeastern鈥檚 experience,鈥 he said. 鈥淎lways remember, 鈥業 am who I am because we are.鈥 We must recognize your families, your professors, your advisers and everyone who鈥檚 had a positive influence in your life. The world is your new classroom. Go out there. Own it.鈥

Acting President Wamucii Njogu reminded the graduates that they have earned their degrees during the University鈥檚 sesquicentennial celebration year.

鈥淔or 150 years, Northeastern has graduated dedicated and hard-working individuals like you,鈥 she said. 鈥淲elcome to the club. Now that you鈥檝e completed the requirements for the degrees you are about to receive today, you shouldn鈥檛 think of our Commencement ceremony as a time when something ends; it鈥檚 really a beginning, as well as an opportunity for celebration and appreciation.鈥

Njogu ended her address by congratulating the graduating class of students.

鈥淵ou worked hard, you succeeded, and now you can celebrate!鈥 she said. 鈥淥n behalf of the entire 天天吃瓜 community鈥攆aculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, alumni, our many friends and supporters, and those who for generations have worked to sustain this special place鈥擨 extend to each of you our heartfelt congratulations and very best wishes. You did it, Class of 2018. 天天吃瓜 is very, very proud of you.鈥

Student speaker and University Honors Scholar , who earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting, encouraged the graduates to draw from the strength of Northeastern鈥檚 diversity.

鈥淣ortheastern has made an impact on all of us by leading us to be good people, and we have professors and staff who support us, understand us and care about our success,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hey taught us to keep working hard and opportunities will follow. As we move on from here and start a new journey, I hope we can remember the most important lesson Northeastern taught us as we move on to the diverse and exciting world: Never stop, keep moving forward, and keep on following your passions.鈥

Also DURING the Commencement ceremony

  • Professor of Physics Paulo Acioli was presented with the .
  • Northeastern honored six faculty members who : Professor Emerita of Psychology Saba Ayman-Nolley, Associate Professor Emeritus of Accounting, Business Law and Finance Andy Chen, Professor Emerita of Linguistics Judith Kaplan-Weinger, Professor Emerita of Linguistics Shahrzad Mahootian, Associate Professor Emerita of Literacy, Leadership and Development JoAnne Vazzano, and Associate Professor Emerita of Teacher Education Judith Yturriago.
  • Social Work graduate Juan David Molina Cortes announced that the Class Gift scholarship fund collection has raised more than $2,800 so far this year.
  • The processional and recessional were performed by the University Wind Ensemble and conducted by Associate Professor of Music Travis Heath. The national anthem was performed by Emma Oberdick.