Commencement
Congratulations Class of 2025!
Thursday, May 22, 2025
12:30pm
Leader Bank Pavilion 290 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Livestream
Watch MassArt’s 2025 Commencement, recorded on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Honoring Creative Visionaries
Top Row L-R: 2025 MassArt Commencement Speaker, Brian Collins and Honorary Degree Recipient, Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. Bottom Row L-R: Honorary Degree Recipient, Hank Willis Thomas and Godine Award Recipient, Peter Nessen.
This year’s ceremony featured an inspiring address from Brian Collins (MassArt alumnus and co-founder of the globally acclaimed design firm COLLINS), who also received an honorary degree. A trailblazer in branding and innovation, Collins has led creative work for Spotify, Disney, Nike, and more, and has been a driving force in making design a catalyst for business and social transformation.
We were also honored to award honorary degrees to:
Hank Willis Thomas, internationally renowned conceptual artist and creator of The Embrace monument on Boston Common, whose work centers themes of identity, history, and civic engagement.
Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, cultural policy leader and former Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, recognized for her decades of work advancing the arts as essential to community health and equity.
The Morton R. Godine Medal was presented to Peter Nessen, a longtime public servant and MassArt Trustee whose career reflects an enduring commitment to education, the arts, and public service.
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