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Worcester State College Press
Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Worcester State College Celebrates 131st Commencement (Worcester, MA – May 8, 2007) The 131st Commencement at Worcester State College (WSC) will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 13, 2007, at the DCU Center in Worcester. There will be 500 undergraduate students receiving either a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree and 157 students receiving graduate degrees. Master of Science (68), Master of Education (77) or Master of Occupational Therapy (12). Susan (Shanee) Stepakoff, ‘84, Ph.D., who is to receive an honorary doctor of Humane Letters, will be the Commencement speaker. Stepakoff, a psychologist, is internationally recognized for her work in the international war crimes tribunal in Sierra Leone and for her support for bereaved families here in Massachusetts. She began working with victims of politically motivated torture in 1986 in South Africa and later became the primary clinician for the September 11th Response Project at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Since May 2005, Stepakoff has been the psychologist for the United Nations-backed Special Court in Sierra Leone. There, she has worked to ensure that all witnesses receive psychosocial support before, during, and after their testimony. Gene DeFeudis will receive an honorary doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his business and community leadership, and philanthropy. DeFeudis epitomize the values of hard work, vision, drive, and compassion. Through his service on the Worcester State Foundation Board and numerous charitable organizations, he has enriched the lives of countless individuals throughout the community. Linda A. Cavaioli, executive director of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, will receive the Community Service Award. Cavaioli has devoted her entire professional life to serving others. Through her leadership at the YWCA and the United Way of Central Massachusetts, and through her volunteer efforts at numerous community organizations, she has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of citizens throughout the region. For more information on Commencement click here.
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