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Bay Path Graduates First Doctoral Students in University’s History

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Over 1,050 graduates received degrees, making this the university’s largest graduating class

Longmeadow, MA - Bay Path University graduated the largest class in its history, with over 750 of their 1,050 graduates walking across the stage to finally earn what they’ve worked so hard for – their diploma. Approximately 325 of these graduates were adult women from Bay Path’s The American Women’s College, many who returned to school after raising children and having careers, before deciding it was their time to complete their dream of becoming a college graduate.

This was a historic day for Bay Path University; 74 years ago it was a secretarial school, and today it graduated its inaugural cohort of Doctorate of Occupational Therapy students. “Our commencement this year marks a first for Bay Path, our first doctoral students,” stated Dr. Carol Leary, President of Bay Path University. “It is fitting that it is in our occupational therapy program, which when established in 1994 was the earliest of our health care majors. Today it represents the largest graduate program at Bay Path. Our dean, program chair, and faculty are to be commended for this historic achievement.”

Dr. Kimberley J. Roberts, educator and advocate for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), addressed Bay Path University’s 2019 graduating class, reminding them to redefine their success by moments of joy and happiness, and less by the standard version of achievement.

Dr. Roberts and Dr. George F. Kalf, a distinguished medical educator and scientific researcher best known for his investigative work with mitochondria, received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from the University at the ceremony.

The enormous amount of pride felt by the graduating students was palpable as the ceremony’s closing remarks urged them to go forward into the world and to make an impact. “Graduating our very first class of doctoral candidates represents a broadening and a deepening of Bay Path's educational mission and impact,” stated Dr. Melissa Morris-Olson, Bay Path’s Provost and VP for Academic Affairs. “We are now producing graduates at the highest level, professionally and educationally, and these graduates in turn are contributing to their communities and the world in significant ways.”

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About Bay Path University
Bay Path University was founded in 1897. With locations in Longmeadow (main), East Longmeadow (Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center), Springfield (MA), Sturbridge (MA), and Concord (MA), Bay Path’s innovative program offerings include traditional undergraduate degrees for women, The American Women's College on-ground and online, the first all-women, all-online accredited bachelor’s degree programs in the country; over 30 graduate programs for women and men, including doctoral degrees; and Strategic Alliances, offering professional development courses for individuals and organizations. Bay Path’s goal is to give students confidence in the fundamentals of their chosen field, the curiosity to question the ordinary, the leadership to show initiative, and the desire to make a difference.