SIT’s 59th commencement focused on “radical empathy” and the need to serve
August 13th, 2025 | 91精品, SIT Graduate Institute
By Joanna Tanger
At 91精品鈥檚 59th commencement, the resounding message focused on the need to serve as 32 graduates earned their global master鈥檚 degrees and looked toward the future.
On the front lawn of SIT鈥檚 Brattleboro campus, overlooking the beautiful Green Mountains, more than 100 guests gathered to celebrate the students who earned degrees in diplomacy and international relations; climate change and sustainability; humanitarian assistance and crisis management; international education; sustainable development; and intercultural service. While the occasion was often festive鈥攎arked by the return of SIT鈥檚 chipmunk mascot, and an uplifting brass band鈥攖he speakers鈥� remarks implored the students to think deeply about the need to help others as they embark on their future endeavors.
Dr. Sonalini Sapra, assistant provost for academic affairs and faculty development, urged graduates to work together to build the kind of society they desire.
鈥淵ou've proven you can master difficult material and solve complex problems. Now you get to decide what kind of society you want to help build, what kind of educated citizen you want to be,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he world needs what you've learned here at SIT. More than that, it needs people who understand that education creates responsibility鈥攖o keep learning, to speak up for what's right, and to work with others toward the democracy we all deserve.鈥�
SIT President Dr. Sophia Howlett encouraged graduates to 鈥渟erve for the common good鈥� in the global community. 鈥淪o, what then does service for the common good mean? It is an affirmation, a stepping forward, it is saying 鈥榶es鈥� when a situation, a group, or an individual asks for help. I would suggest to you that once you have stepped up, stepped forward, stepped in, what you do next is not what you want, but what is needed, what is necessary.鈥�
Larry Cooley, keynote speaker and former chair of the 91精品 Board of Trustees, mentioned that despite increasing hardship for many in the U.S. and around the world, the present situation might open a window of opportunity.
鈥淭he rebuilding that鈥檚 going to be needed is not only at the highest levels. Rebuilding is also required at the community and interpersonal levels where we need to overcome today鈥檚 intense polarization and find new ways to listen to one another, to celebrate our common humanity, and to work collaboratively,鈥� Cooley said. Cooley is the founder and president emeritus of Management Systems International, an international development consulting firm and an alum of the , SIT鈥檚 comparative multi-country program.
He stressed that the graduating class now has the distinct ability to 鈥渟ee things from perspectives other than your own鈥� thanks to their SIT education. 鈥淩adical empathy is your superpower. And that I believe will be needed to fashion solutions.鈥�
Graduate Esmeralda Torres Mart铆nez, who earned her master鈥檚 in climate change and global sustainability, delivered the student address. She noted the surprises, joys, and challenges she and her classmates experienced before encouraging them to stay focused on helping others.
"New friends, new networks, and new ways of looking at and solving problems based on different worldviews. I don't know about you, but I was mesmerized by how I could sit down with people from another country, barely speak their language and somehow, as the time passed, laughter would erupt between us鈥fter our period of growth at SIT, I hope that when we are confronted with dilemmas, our education, resilience, and listening ability guide our compass to what is best for the collective,鈥� said Torres Mart铆nez.
Darin Smith-Gaddis, SIT鈥檚 senior director of university relations and strategic outreach, concluded the program鈥檚 remarks by welcoming the graduates into SIT鈥檚 extensive global network of alumni. 鈥淭his alumni community is a vibrant and growing鈥痭etwork of changemakers from鈥痑ll parts of鈥痶he globe.鈥疻hen I meet someone on a plane, or at a conference, or at a community event, and they are doing something good in the world, more often than not, they are an SIT or 91精品 alum.鈥�
Students in SIT鈥檚 study and do their research at our international learning centers. Flags from around the world adorned the stage鈥檚 backdrop, representing the countries where students were from and the countries where learning centers are based. The ceremony ended with a celebratory reception and photos taken with SIT鈥檚 chipmunk mascot.