HANOVER — Annalese Gagliardi of Whippany was awarded a BA in Psychology during Salve Regina University’s 74th commencement.
Salve Regina President Kelli Armstrong conferred 503 bachelor’s degrees, 271 master’s degrees, and 22 doctoral degrees to members of the Class of 2024. This year’s graduating class, totaling 823 students, is the largest in the University’s history.
Gagliardi graduated from the Morris County Vocational School District in the Class of 2020..
Renowned author, scholar, and policy analyst Susan Eisenhower delivered the Commencement address, emphasizing Salve’s focus on mercy, leadership, and service. She encouraged graduates to “embrace the unexpected — even the assignments that may at first disappoint you. Learn from them. Reflect on them. Don’t shortchange yourself by living so fast and ambitiously that you miss the enduring lessons that come every day, no matter what job or assignment. You will be the better for it, as will everyone who will come to depend on you.”
Eisenhower’s recent book, “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions,” has earned critical acclaim nationally and internationally. It highlights the successful leadership qualities demonstrated by her grandfather, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. She is the founder of the Eisenhower Group, Inc., a Washington D.C.-based consulting company, and Chairman Emeritus at the Eisenhower Institute. Eisenhower has been a Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and a Distinguished Fellow at the Nixon Center, now called The Center for the National Interest.
Offering his congratulations, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) said, “I am confident that all of you in the Class of 2024 will make your own mark and serve a purpose higher than yourself. Today more than ever, our world needs your combination of knowledge, talent and, most of all, mercy.”
