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WELLESLEY HILLS (May 14, 2013) – MassBay President John O’Donnell has announced that R. Nicholas Burns will serve as Commencement Speaker for the 2013 Commencement Exercises at MassBay Community College on Thursday May 23rd at 6:00 pm on the Wellesley Hills campus, 50 Oakland Street. Tickets are required to attend.
R. Nicholas Burns is the Sultan of Oman Professor of International Relations at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to entering academe, Mr. Burns was a distinguished diplomat for 27 years. He served as the third ranked officer in the United States Department of State, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2005 to 2008. As the Under Secretary, he led negotiations on the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement; a long-term military assistance agreement with Israel; and was the lead U.S. negotiator on Iran's nuclear program. Prior to that, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005), Ambassador to Greece (1997-2001) and State Department Spokesman (1995-1997). He also worked for five years (1990-1995) on the National Security Council at the White House.
Approximately 500 Associate Degrees in Arts and in Science and Certificates will be awarded, and awards for Distinguished Service, Distinguished Alumni and for academic achievement will be presented. The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra will provide musical accompaniment.
Now in its 51st year, MassBay’s uplifting Commencement Exercises unites graduates, faculty and staff with family, friends and alumni to celebrate the achievements of our remarkable graduating students. Ticketed guests and participants are asked to leave backpacks, large bags and containers at home or in their vehicles, and to leave extra time for entering the Commencement area to allow for bag checks.
MassBay awards associate degrees and certificates in over 70 academic programs in a wide range of career-driven subjects ranging from accounting and automotive technology to forensic DNA science and early childhood education. The College’s facilities in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland house day, evening and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career minded life-long learners. Many courses are also offered online. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and strives to meet the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. Registration is now underway for summer and fall semesters. More information about MassBay, the upcoming academic semesters, and the 2013 Commencement Exercises can be found at www.massbay.edu, or by calling (781) 239-3000.