Fitchburg State grads told to be resilient.

PositionLOCAL NEWS

Byline: Paula J. Owen

FITCHBURG - The main quadrangle at Fitchburg State University was packed with friends and family waiting to congratulate the nearly 600 graduates at the school's 117th commencement and to celebrate their achievements with them.

Michael J. Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels and Resorts and a 1986 FSU graduate, delivered the address at the undergraduate ceremony under warm, sunny skies.

Mr. Deitemeyer, who studied business and accounting at FSU, said it was an internship during his college years that set him on a successful career path.

The first-generation college grad, who grew up in Lancaster, told the graduating class that he managed to graduate despite the exhaustion of studying and commuting, while balancing his course load with a full-time job during all four years of college.

FSU President Robert V. Antonucci presented Mr. Deitemeyer and acclaimed documentary filmmaker John M. Antonelli, who also attended FSU, with honorary doctorates of humane letters.

Mr. Antonucci asked everyone at the ceremony to observe a moment of silence for those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings and for one of the graduates who was missing.

FSU senior Robert E. Adriano died in recovery at Cambridge Health Alliance Hospital after a heart operation less than a month before his graduation, Mr. Antonucci said.

The accounting major from Manila, the Philippines, was an example of a "student making it in the States," Mr. Antonucci said, who made his family proud.

Though Mr. Adriano didn't make it to his graduation, Mr. Antonucci awarded him a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Area graduates are:

Pomfret Center, Conn.: Tessa F. Cooper, BS, Nursing;

Ashburnham: Jennifer A. Allen, BS, Psychological Science; Amy E. Brackett, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies; Samantha R. Comeau, BS, Psychological Science; Patrick M. Hazel, BS, Industrial Technology; Andrew J. Henderson, BS, Biology; Todd F. Lynch, MS, Counseling; David M. Mandaglio, BS, Communications Media; Lindsay Nickel, BS, Nursing, RN to BSN; Joseph D. Rollo, MBA, Business Administration;

Ashby: Frank G. Bangrazi Jr., BS, Industrial Technology; Jeremy C. Flinkstrom, BS, Psychological Science; Francis W. Grenham, BS, Biology; Walter L. Kusmirek, BS, History; Melanie R. Saari, BSE, Elementary Education 1-6; Ellen F. Tansey, BSE, Special Education;

Athol: Christopher M. Coeur, BS, Business Administration; Benjamin C. Coleman, BS, Economics; Alexis L. Dexter, BS, Psychological Science; Laurinda R. Dion, BS, Criminal Justice; Timothy E. Glover, BS, Psychological Science; Justin S. Houle, BS, Business Administration; Shawn M. Morandi, BSE, Elementary Education 1-6; Nicholas P. Roche, BS, Business Administration; Jessica L. Schavrien, BS, Business Administration; Nicole M. Tourigny, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies;

Auburn: Matthew J. Beaudet, CERG, Not for Profit Leadership; Matthew J. Beaudet, MBA, Business Administration; Kellie M. Foley-Foster, BS, English; Nicole M. Smith, BS, Industrial Technology;

Ayer: Joan M. Allard, MBA, Business Administration; Nicholas P. Forest, MED, Special Education; Heather L. Hoffman, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies; Joyce A. Jones, BS, Business Administration; Jonathan D. Minnich, BS, Criminal Justice; Robert S. Pijewski, BS, Psychological Science; David L. Zagwyn, BS, Computer Science;

Baldwinville: Heather A. Corey, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies;

Barre: Theresa L. Devine, MED, Elementary Education 1-6;

Berlin: Kyle W. Lichwell, BS, Industrial Technology;

Blackstone: Andrew N. Bianchi, BA, History; Lauren E. Cote, BA, English;

Bolton: Annelisa Addante, BS, Nursing; David T. Broomfield, BS, Business Administration; Neal Kunst, BS, Industrial Technology;

Boylston: Daniel G. Buddenhagen, BS, Business Administration; Karyn Sydow, MS, Counseling;

Brookfield: Christopher W...

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