Toward the future; Assumption grads urged to give back.

Byline: Alli Knothe

WORCESTER -- Frances X. Hogan urged the Assumption College graduating class on Saturday to become a voice in the community as they continue in life and on their career paths.

"Take your seats at the table of public discourse and be heard,'' she said during the commencement address. "Bring Assumption's values to the marketplace of ideas and action.''

She encouraged them to become active in their communities, from coaching a Little League baseball team, to running for Congress.

Ms. Hogan, a long-time activist opponent of abortion, also raised that issue during her speech.

"We are living in a time when the dignity of all human life ... is so often not respected to the point where many human lives are actually destroyed and that destruction of human life, I am ashamed to say is in may instances protected by the laws of our country.''

Last year, the Boston lawyer was recognized by Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley with the People of Life Award.

A total of 715 people graduated during the college's 97th commencement on Saturday at the school's campus. Of those, received 463 bachelor's degrees.

Valedictorian Katie Leduc during her speech took a moment to remember the tragedies that struck the Assumption family this school year.

A 24-year-old graduate, Colleen Ritzer, was murdered in October at Danvers High School, where she was a math teacher.

In December, Erin Rodriques, a 23-year-old who was pursuing a master's degree at the school, died in a car crash near her home in Spencer.

Finally, senior biology student Amanda O'Malley was the victim of a hit-and-run car accident while walking her dog in late February on Belmont Street. After months of rehabilitation, she was able to graduate on Saturday.

The school also awarded honorary degrees to Janice L. Fuller, Mark W. Fuller, the Rev. Benoit Griere and Dr. Paul Carpentier.

ASSUMPTION UNDERGRADUATE DIVISION

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Auburn: Benjamin J. Bickford, Mahde Y. Khafaja, Emily E. Shiner

Blackstone: Devyn B. Oliver (c)

Bolton: Nichole K. Spilios (c)

Boylston: Kathryn M. Goyette, Vincent J. Perrone

Charlton: Alexandra Caulway (c), Rachael E. Kingston, Britney A. Smith, John M. Soloperto

Clinton: Marisa L. Anderson, Kayla E. Morrison

Fitchburg: Caitlin E. Coleman (m), Brent W. Cote, Melissa A. Guertin

Gardner: Nicole E. Boris, Michael D. Carpentier (m), Eddaliz Correa, Thomas M. Elbourn (s), Kevin M. Flanagan, Caitlin N. Reilly (c)

Holden: Andrea M. Bates, Michael R. Bates, Nicole M. Delamere, Dorian E. George (c), Nicholas C...