(Courtesy photo) Undergraduate student speaker Caroline E. Prud’homme, of Goffstown, addresses her fellow graduates at Rivier University's 87th commencement on Sunday.

NASHUA — The importance of the roles of leadership, transformation and service in line with Rivier University’s mission of “transforming hearts and minds to serve the world” was the focus of the historic university’s 87th commencement exercises held Sunday at the Tsongas Arena In Lowell.

The graduates and guests heard from three key speakers — Dr. Susan Santana, a Pelham resident who received a doctor of nursing practice degree and spoke on behalf of graduate students; undergraduate student speaker Caroline E. Prud’homme of Goffstown, who earned a bachelor degree in elementary education; and commencement speaker Dianne M. Mercier, who received an honorary degree for her leadership as chairwoman of the university’s board of trustees.

The program also included a tribute to the university’s namesake, Blessed Anne Marie Rivier, who just hours before the commencement was canonized Saint Marie Rivier by Pope Francis at a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

“This day marks a milestone in the lives of these students and in the history of the university,” Rivier president Sister Paula Marie Buley said Sunday.

“Saint Anne Marie’s transcendent ministry of education and service continues to make an impact today through the contributions of our graduates to their professions and communities.”

(Courtesy photo) Joseph DeLuca is one of the hundreds of happy Rivier University graduates who took part in the school's 87th commencement exercises Sunday.

Mercier, the honorary degree recipient, is the president of People’s United Bank for New Hampshire. She was honored for leading the university “in envisioning its future through the Vision 2020 strategic plan, and ushering in a new era of innovation in the sciences with the construction of the Science and Innovation Center,” which has become the school’s flagship academic facility.

Mercier is currently a member of the Rivier University Corporation. She also serves as chairwoman of the SolutionHeath Board of Trustees, vice-chairwoman and trustee for the RiverWoods Group, and is a member of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation board of directors.

In addressing the grads and guests, Mercier stressed the importance of individual responsibility and purpose.

“I must always paddle my own canoe, which means I can’t surrender my conscience to anyone. If you want happiness in your life, learn to paddle your own canoe,” Mercier said.

“Ask the questions that will allow you to set your priorities … choose your people well, choose your things well, choose your purpose well.”

(Courtesy photo) Rivier University president Sr. Paula Buley, left, and Donna Proulx, right, director of the university's Graduate and Doctoral Nursing Education program, assist Susan Santana, the student speaker for the graduate program, during Rivier's 87th commencement exercises Sunday. Santana was presented with a doctor of nursing degree at the event.

Santana, the graduate student speaker, said she has “had the honor of achieving a masters in business administration, a master of science in nursing, and now a doctorate in nursing practice — all of them from this amazing university. “This educational path has aligned with progressive leadership roles in my career,” she said, adding that “my career and education have transformed the way I think and approach life.

“I’m encouraged to be a transformational leader and help redefine nursing and healthcare.”

Prud’homme, the undergrad student speaker, told those present that a lot has changed for her in her four years at Rivier.

“I stand here today a much different person than I was a year ago, let alone when I started this journey four years ago,” she said.

“Rivier’s holistic approach to learning encompassed mind, body, and spirit. Rivier was committed to immersing us into our chosen fields, while shaping us all into well-rounded, global-thinking individuals.

“The human experience is something that we share, and we must encourage love and compassion to lead to unity,” Prud’homme said.

“Seek good, spread good, and be the good.”

Rivier University marketing and communications director Sky Croswell contributed material for this story.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.