MA Education Secretary To Give MassBay Commencement Address

WELLESLEY HILLS, MA — Patrick Tutwiler, Massachusetts Secretary of Education, will deliver the keynote address at the MassBay Community College's 63rd Commencement later this month.

Commencement is set for May 29 on the College’s Wellesley Hills campus, 50 Oakland St.

“We are delighted and honored to welcome Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler to MassBay to deliver what we know will be an insightful keynote address to our graduates,” said MassBay President David Podell.

“Dr. Tutwiler has been a powerful voice and impactful advocate for improving accessibility and advancing equity in our higher education institutions. He has shown his values and priorities closely match those that we espouse here at MassBay, and I am certain his remarks will resonate with our graduates and their families, our faculty and staff, and our guests that evening. We look forward to hearing his inspiring words,” Podell continued.

Tutwiler directs the Executive Office of Education, which oversees early education, K-12 and higher education. In addition, he sits on each of the boards governing Massachusetts education agencies, as well as the University of Massachusetts system.

He is Governor Maura Healey’s top advisor on education and helps shape the Commonwealth’s education agenda.

Prior to being sworn in as Secretary, Tutwiler served as the senior program officer at the Boston-based Barr Foundation, a grant-making organization focused on arts, climate and education. He was also superintendent of the Lynn Public Schools and headmaster in the Boston Public Schools.

As superintendent in Lynn, he spearheaded a collaborative, equity-centered effort that translated into higher graduation rates and a more racially diverse staff while also overseeing the creation of the Commonwealth’s second-largest early college program, officials said.

MassBay will award more than 400 Associate Degrees and Certificates at the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester. For more information on the day, click here.