Heath Brightman of Middletown awarded degree during Salve Regina University's 62nd commencement

2012 May 21

Heath Brightman of Middletown, R.I. was awarded a certificate of advanced graduate studies degree in Expressive Arts during Salve Regina University's 62nd commencement on Sunday, May 20.

Howard G. Sutton II, publisher, president and CEO of The Providence Journal Co. presented the commencement address and was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters. Sutton advised members of the Class of 2012 to slow down and fend off distractions. "It's good that we're more connected if we want and/or need to be," he said. "It's bad that we're sometimes over-connected, so much that it's tough to think straight ... Don't demand instant responsiveness all the time from yourself and others. Let them, and yourself, think calmly.

Sister Jane Gerety, Salve Regina president, conferred 671degrees in total, including 438 bachelor's degrees, 204 master's degrees, 26 certificates of advanced graduate studies, and three doctorates.

Salve Regina, a Catholic, co-educational university founded by the Sisters of Mercy, enrolls more than 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Its 80-acre oceanfront campus is in the heart of the Ochre Point-Cliffs National Historic District.