Class of 2020 Honored During Virtual Commencement
The Dominican University Class of 2020 was honored during a Virtual Commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2020. The Commencement premiered on the Dominican University website and Facebook with graduates, family, friends, administrators, and faculty remotely watching “together” as they reacted and commented on social media.
Alumnus Brandon Hasbrouck ’08, Assistant Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington, VA, delivered an impassioned Commencement Address to the graduates. He challenged the graduates to “do justice” in whatever career path they choose. “A kind of justice that smashes hierarchies, privileges, and entitlement. A kind of justice that requires courage – courage demonstrated by you throughout your time here at Dominican University – that even when you take a loss, and you will, you get up every single time and persist,” he said. “There is no path to justice that is only comfortable and convenient. We will not achieve or create justice until we’re willing to sometimes position ourselves in uncomfortable places and be a witness. Justice is hard work. It is unending work. It is our life’s work. You are all ready!”
Dominican University awarded Hasbrouck the honorary degree of Doctor of Law, in recognition of his accomplishments in the practice of law and of his dedication to criminal justice reform.
President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien told the graduates, “Dominican University will always measure its effectiveness by the competency and compassion, the vision and generosity of its over 15,500 graduates. So many of our alumni have served in essential, front-line positions.in the healing and containment of this worldwide scourge. You will do the same, bringing your best to a world hungry for alternatives to illness, hunger, isolation, and oppression. Good things begin with hope. You are a source of hope for many.”
In all, more than 560 students received degrees during the Virtual Commencement – 101 doctorate degrees, 130 master’s degrees, 328 bachelor’s degrees and four associate’s degrees.
Two of the graduates, Kevin Graini and Steven Malagraph, who passed away prior to the ceremony were awarded their degrees posthumously. Both men were former police officers who turned to nursing as a second career. Graini, who earned his master’s degree at Dominican University in 2018, was awarded a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Stephen was awarded a Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner).