By Currier Times Staff///

In a dramatic ending to the presidential inauguration of Curry College’s newest president, Jay Gonzalez announced a new “Job Guarantee” for students, starting with this year’s freshmen class. Gonzalez, becoming Curry’s 15th president, said it will be called “The Curry Commitment,” and among the first of its kind at a college in the United States.

The announcement brought an end to a day of celebration for Gonzalez, who became president last July after the retirement of Kenneth Quigley, who served as president for 27 years at the institution.

The inauguration ceremonies highlighted Curry’s “connected” community, with videos showing how students, faculty, coaches, and staff all work together to embrace student success and enrichment, on their way to their first careers after college.

Lexi Meader, a Communication senior, served as Master of Ceremonies. Meader said she had transferred to Curry and was immediately welcomed into a caring community. She said she had entered college during Covid, but when she arrived at Curry that isolation changed.

“Curry made my worries obsolete,” said Meader. She also thanked professors and highlighted alumni in attendance.

“I express gratitude for the many ways they support us,” Meader said.

Dr. Kara Provost, Faculty Chair, spoke next, explaining the fundamental role of professors.

“We are first called to learn,” said Provost. “We are also called to teach.” Provost spoke of giving students the knowledge, skills, resiliency and “voice” to make their mark on the world.

In a moving speech from Computer Science junior, Nathan Sinclair, the Dorchester native talked about his struggles as a commuter student in his first year. Using a “chair” metaphor, he explained how “alone” he felt until a fateful day when he was asked to work with intramural sports.

“It was the first opportunity to get out of my own chair,” said Sinclair. “My seat for one turned into a couch…a seat for many people.” He said there were chairs “with your name on it” and the best person to fill it was “you.”

Provost Robert Shea said the college stood behind the new president, saying the college was united in purpose, and “inspired by possibility.”

Curry alum, Laurie Lessage, class of 2010, now Chief Financial Officer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City, spoke next, reflecting on how Curry “challenged me in ways I never thought possible.”

During her time at Curry, Lessage epitomized the “BE CURRY” motto that President Gonzalez has made a touchstone. Lessage served as a Resident Assistant, Class President, Computer Lab Supervisor, and worked for Public Safety.

Lessage said her most important connections were with faculty, particularly the late Katherine Morrison from Health and Wellness. Fighting back tears, Lessage said Morrison’s “counsel” was “invaluable.” She said Morrison taught her to “advocate for myself.”

With help from Graham, Curry’s new support puppy, David Hemenway, Chair of the Board of Trustees, presented Gonzalez with the Presidential Medallion, a symbol that Gonzalez will uphold the ideals to which this college is dedicated.

In his Inauguration Speech, Gonzalez said he was grateful for the collaborative spirit he has found at Curry, especially with the students he’s met across campus.

“You inspire me and energize me every day,” said Gonzalez.

He thanked those in attendance, including past -president Kenneth Quigley, former Maine Governor John McKernan, former Maine U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and many other digniteries from the political and university world, along with family and friends who had traveled across the country to be there.

He highlighted the historic, Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) program, the nation’s first to serve students with learning differences, and announced that the new “SAIL” initiative will be launched this fall, which will assist neurodivergent students.

He also talked about improving athletic facilities, a new men’s volleyball team, a first-ever capital fundraising campaign and a reimagined First Year experience.

But the most dramatic announcement was saved for last, a Curry Jobs Guarantee.

Starting with this current First Year class, Curry will guarantee a job for all students. If a student meets certain minimum requirements, Gonzalez said they will have a job within six months of graduation.

He said if they do not have a job, the college will guarantee the following: The student will have their student loans paid up to 12 months while they continue to work with a Career and Experiential Learning Center advisor; or the student will be provided a paid internship in an organization aligned with their field of study up to 12 months while they continue to work with a Career and Experiential Learning Center advisor; or tuition will be waived for 6 credits of graduate studies at Curry College for a program for which they have been accepted.

Gonzalez said only a handful of colleges in the country offer a job guarantee and Curry will be the first in Massachusetts.

“It’s a new day in Higher Education,” said Gonzalez.

“I believe in our students. I believe in Curry…BE CURRY!” declared Gonzalez, to a standing ovation of the nearly thousand people in attendance.