Academic Year 2021-22

My friends rejected all the jokes I had to start with, so I'll spare you guys with that and we'll just get it going.

Hello and a warm welcome to classmates, family, faculty and staff to our 2022 Commencement.

I'm just taking this in a little bit.

Hello Graduates!

27 years ago I was sitting on those same seats as uncertain and as hopeful about my future as some of you may be right now. What I knew for sure was that I would go on to graduate school to study public policy. But if someone had suggested that one day I'd be standing here delivering a commencement speech for a future class of Bucknell graduates, I would have said, "No way!"

Thank you. Please be seated. 

Well, good morning on this glorious day! My name is John and I am the president of this great University. 

I am pleased to welcome the families and friends of the Class of 2022 who have traveled here today to join us in celebrating the newest graduates of Bucknell University. 

Thank you President Bravman, Provost Mermann-Jozwiak and the Commencement Committee. I'm honored to say good morning to our extraordinary and dearly missed Bucknell faculty, families, friends, and the one and only, legendary, history-making, resilient, brave, and mighty Class of 2020!

Thank you, President Bravman. 

And good morning, everyone! I am thrilled to be able to spend this time with you today. 

Well, good morning on this glorious day. It finally is here! In case you've forgotten, my name is John Bravman, I am the president of this great university, and we are thrilled to welcome all of you today!

I write to share with you a summary of our annual spring Board of Trustees meeting, which took place on campus and concluded on Friday, April 29.

I am pleased to share a summary of the winter 2022 meeting of the Board of Trustees, which took place Feb. 2-4. Although originally scheduled to take place in New York City, all sessions were conducted virtually. Much of the Board's business was conducted through designated committees, as is customary, with substantive discussions held during executive sessions.

I write to share this summary report of the fall 2021 Board of Trustees meeting, which took place on campus from Wednesday, Oct. 20, through Friday, Oct. 22. The sessions were held in person for the first time since the pandemic began. I am grateful to everyone who planned and participated in these important discussions as we continue to navigate University life with COVID-19.

This is a day filled with good news for Bucknell faculty and staff, as I shared at today’s Employee Celebration event. It was a joy to gather in recognition of what we’ve accomplished together during the pandemic, and I was so glad to be able to thank so many of you in person for your outstanding commitment and dedication.

Good evening members of our distinguished faculty and staff. And welcome to Bucknell University’s Class of 2025 and our new transfer students!

This is the 12th Convocation address I have delivered as president of Bucknell, and I have never felt so grateful to stand before an incoming group of students. Never.

Dear Bucknellians,

With joy and gratitude, it is my privilege to announce that Bucknell has received an extraordinarily generous pledge of support — one that will change the lives of generations of students to come. Michael Pascucci ’58, P’81, P’87, G’21, G’22 has pledged more than $40 million to Bucknell, the largest one-time commitment in University history.