Bailey Wilbur Graduates From Eastern Connecticut State University

Eastern Connecticut State University’s 125th Commencement took place at the XL Center in Hartford last month. More than 13,000 family members and friends filled the XL Center to cheer on their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, as 1,130 undergraduates and 70 graduate students received their diplomas.

Bailey Wilber of Framingham, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Economics.

Award-winning author and distinguished Eastern alumna Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ‘01 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate and offered remarks following presentation of her honorary degree. Adichie graduated summa cum laude from Eastern in 2001 with a degree in Communication. She was also awarded Eastern’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004.

Adichie is the author of a collection of short stories, “The Thing around Your Neck,” and three novels. Her latest novel, “Americanah,” was published in 2013, earning recognition as one of The New York Times Ten Best Books of the Year.

In her remarks, Adichie told the graduates that she cherished the bachelor’s degree she received at Eastern. “You are very fortunate to have received your education at Connecticut’s public liberal arts university, where professors are keen to see you succeed.”

In concluding her remarks, Adichie encouraged the graduates to “make an effort and speak the truth. It is okay to say, ‘I am wrong’ or ‘I don’t know.’ Life on Earth is short. Each moment that we are not truthful to ourselves, we are wasting our time on Earth.”

Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut’s public liberal arts university, serving more than 5,300 students annually at its Willimantic campus and satellite locations.