Kate Santini ‘27
News Editor
Former Massachusetts governor and current president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Charlie Baker, will serve as the commencement speaker for Holy Cross’ 180th graduating class. As NCAA president, Baker oversees intercollegiate athletic competitions for over 1,100 colleges and universities and over 500,000 student athletes. In addition to setting regulations for sporting events, the NCAA hosts an array of annual tournaments across athletic divisions including March Madness. As president of the NCAA, a position he has occupied for two years now, Baker aims to increase benefits for student-athletes, implement protections against sports betting, and encourage fan engagement.
Aiden Konold ‘26, who serves as The Spire’s Chief Sports Editor and will be reporting on Holy Cross’ upcoming basketball game against the University of Michigan, expressed that he is excited “to see what Charlie Baker has to say. He is serving as NCAA president in a strange era, and I’ll be interested to hear how he can relate his unique experience to us seniors preparing to enter the workforce.”
Prior to entering the world of collegiate athletics, Baker graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and served as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for ten years. He then went on to be elected the 72nd governor of Massachusetts in 2015 and was later reelected for a second term. While technically a member of the Republican party, Baker is generally admired for his bipartisan politics. During his time in office, he was repeatedly ranked among United States governors with the highest approval ratings. His objectives as governor included improving fiscal and economic policy, upgrading education and infrastructure, supporting clean energy initiatives, and navigating the Covid19 pandemic.
The Spire’s Chief Features Editor and graduating senior, Viveca Stucke, voiced her excitement for Baker commencement speech, sharing that, “as someone who grew up in Massachusetts, it was especially exciting to learn that Charlie Baker will be our commencement speaker. Governor Baker was a well-known political figure throughout my adolescence, so knowing that he will be speaking at my graduation makes the moment more meaningful!” Stucke added that, “as a political science major, the chance to hear from someone who played such a key role in my state’s politics makes graduation more exciting!”
The Spire’s editor-in-chief, Ashwin Prabaharan ‘26, echoed this sentiment, stating that, “Governor Baker is a terrific choice for commencement speaker. He brings a wealth of experience not only as an executive of a state government, but also of a student organization, the NCAA. He can directly speak to the experiences of students both on and off campus, and could impart a greater deal of advice and tips than others could.”
In addition to Baker, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, Tim Garvin, will receive an honorary degree at the commencement ceremony. Based in Worcester, the United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM) is a non-profit organization that funds initiatives for educational development, financial stability, and accessible healthcare. A graduate of Clark University, Garvin is a longtime Massachusetts resident dedicated to serving his community. Throughout his past twenty years in this position, Garvin has raised funds for programs including Working for Worcester, YouthConnect, and the United Response Fund. One of the UWCM’s biggest aims is to help address crises during a time in which federal funding is growing scarce due to program and budget cuts.
College President Vincent Rougeau is “thrilled to honor Charlie Baker and Tim Garvin at our commencement ceremonies this year” and feels that “their commitment to public service and strengthening communities reflects the values at the heart of a Holy Cross education.” It is his hope that after departing Holy Cross, 2026 graduates emulate these Jesuit values and “carry that [same] spirit of leadership and service into the world.”
Featured image courtesy of NCAA
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