“Class of 2025, are you ready?”
This enthusiastic question from Hashim Sarkis, dean of the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, set the tone for the Advanced Degree Ceremony held at Kresge Auditorium on May 29. The response was a resounding cheer from the 224 graduates representing diverse fields such as Architecture, Urban Studies and Planning, Media Arts and Sciences, and Real Estate.
After warmly welcoming families and friends of the graduates, Sarkis introduced the distinguished guest speaker, highlighting her as the ideal choice for the occasion. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and current head of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, took the stage. Known for her impactful career in human rights and climate advocacy, Robinson’s background as a lawyer informed her insights and experiences.
Her speech was enriched with poignant stories from her vast career. She reminisced about earning her master’s in law at Harvard University in 1968—a pivotal year marked by significant political turmoil in the U.S.—and the founding of The Elders in 2007 alongside global leaders like Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Jimmy Carter.
Robinson shared an early lesson learned while advocating for legal reforms in contraception access in Ireland. At that time, women could only obtain birth control if they were married and had certified medical conditions. As she fought for wider access, she received thousands of letters filled with harsh criticisms, including threats that she would ruin Ireland. Despite the backlash, she persevered and successfully passed the legislation, teaching her the importance of standing firm in one’s convictions.
“If you truly believe in something, be ready to face challenges,” she advised the graduates.
In her concluding remarks, Robinson inspired the class to utilize their “skills and talent to tackle the climate crisis,” a cause she recognized she had embraced later in her career.
“You are fortunate to have attended the MIT School of Architecture and Planning,” Robinson concluded. “As you step into the world, seek ways to lead.”
Environment, Education, Leadership
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
