Eastern names 2025 commencement speakers

William Tong and Dr. Mary Grant to be honored for service and leadership

by Michael Rouleau

Willimantic, CT (03/27/2025) — Eastern Connecticut State University is proud to announce the keynote speakers for its 2025 commencement ceremonies. At the University's 135th Undergraduate Commencement on May 20 at the XL Center in Hartford, renowned higher education leader Dr. Mary K. Grant will receive an honorary degree and deliver the keynote address. At the Graduate Commencement on May 17 on Eastern's campus, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong will be honored with the University's inaugural Distinguished Public Service Award.

"Commencement is one of the most meaningful moments in the life of a university - a time to celebrate our students' achievements and reflect on the values we hope they carry with them into the world," said Eastern President Dr. Karim Ismaili, who will preside over his first commencement ceremonies this May. "This year, I'm especially proud to welcome two individuals whose lives of service and leadership embody those values."

Dr. Mary K. Grant

Dr. Grant is a nationally recognized leader in public higher education and currently serves as president of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. A passionate advocate for access, equity, and the transformative power of public colleges and universities, she has previously served as chancellor of the University of North Carolina Asheville and as president of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). She also chaired the board of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), among numerous other leadership roles in the community.

Throughout her career, Dr. Grant has championed education as a path to purpose and public engagement, emphasizing civic dialogue and the role of education in developing thoughtful, engaged citizens.

"It is a true honor to join the Eastern Connecticut State University Class of 2025 for this momentous occasion," said Grant. "Commencement is a time to reflect on all that has been achieved and to look ahead to the promise of the future. In a rapidly changing world, the power of a liberal arts education remains essential - equipping graduates to think critically, act with purpose, and drive the innovation and social progress our communities need."

"Dr. Grant's passion for public higher education and her unwavering commitment to access, equity, and civic engagement have had a profound impact on the institutions she's led and the lives she's touched," said Ismaili. "We are honored to recognize her with an honorary degree and to have her share her insights with our graduates."

Attorney General William Tong

At the Graduate Commencement on May 17, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong will receive the University's first Distinguished Public Service Award.

"I'm equally proud to honor Attorney General William Tong with this inaugural award," said Ismaili. "His tireless advocacy for Connecticut's citizens and leadership on issues of justice and equity have made a meaningful difference across our state and beyond. He sets a powerful example for our graduate students as they prepare to take on leadership and service roles in their communities and careers."

Now in his second term, Attorney General Tong has led impactful multistate efforts to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, restore fair competition in the generic drug industry, address the harms of social media on youth, combat robocall scams, and protect consumer data privacy.

"I am deeply grateful and humbled to be the inaugural recipient of Eastern Connecticut State University's Distinguished Public Service Award," said Tong. "By its very definition, public service is not a selfish pursuit. It's about what you can do to improve the quality of every person's life you've been elected to represent. As the Class of 2025 prepares to enter the world, I would encourage all graduates to reflect on how they can use their talents and skills to serve the public good through whatever their chosen field might be."

Prior to becoming attorney general in 2019, Tong practiced as a litigator in both state and federal courts for 18 years and served for 12 years in the Connecticut General Assembly. A Hartford-area native, he is the first Asian American elected to statewide office in Connecticut and the first Chinese American to be elected attorney general in the United States.

"Dr. Grant and Attorney General Tong remind us of the extraordinary good that can come from lives led with purpose," said Ismaili. "I can't imagine a more inspiring pair of honorees to send our graduates into the world."

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.