In a first for Framingham State University, this spring’s commencement will revolve around a central theme: food, hunger and nutrition.
“It just seemed to come together and make sense,” school spokesman Dan Magazu said of the commencement planning committee’s new approach to the May 20 graduate and undergraduate ceremonies. “It’s obviously a relevant topic — a lot of food banks across the country are seeing more requests than ever.”
Catherine D’Amato, this year’s undergraduate commencement speaker, is president and CEO of one of them, the Greater Boston Food Bank. New England’s largest hunger relief organization, the food bank distributes more than 31 million pounds of food and grocery products every year.
“It’s really a pretty amazing organization,” Magazu said.
D’Amato has led the charitable business for the past 17 years. Prior to that, she headed up the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
“I’m certain our students will be inspired by her story and her long-term dedication on behalf of the hungry,” Framingham State President Timothy Flanagan said.
While Framingham State students infrequently work directly with the Boston-based food bank, many volunteer at the United Way of Tri-County’s new Pearl Street Cupboard Cafe pantry, which gets many of its food stock and supplies from the organization.
Paul Mina, president of the United Way of Tri-County, is to receive one of two Citizen Laureate Awards that Framingham State will award at the commencement. The other will be given to Katie Millett, executive director of the Office for Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs within the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The school will also confer an honorary doctor of humane letters degree to Farm Aid, a Cambridge-based nonprofit that helps farmers stay on their land. The organization’s executive director, Carolyn Mugar, will accept the degree at the ceremony.
Patricia Luoto, FSU’s food and nutrition professor and director of the school’s John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition, will serve as speaker at the graduate commencement.
“Nutrition professionals throughout Massachusetts rely on the John C. Stalker Institute for guidance on nutrition policy and best practices,” Flanagan said. “Dr. Luoto has done a tremendous job fulfilling and expanding the institute’s mission.”
(Scott O’Connell can be reached at 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com.)