Roommates, friends, and now graduation speakers

Ever since they received an email requesting applications for commencement speakers, Northeastern students Gwen Friedman and Victoria Napolitano knew they were interested.

“What if we spoke at Fenway together? That would be so much fun,” Friedman recalled.

Khoury College commencement speaker Gwen Friedman (left) and College of Engineering commencement speaker Victoria Napolitano. Photo by Kelly Chan.

While spending time in New Hampshire over winter break, the roommates of two years brainstormed ideas and crafted a preliminary draft focused on imposter syndrome, the feeling of doubting one’s abilities and accomplishments that women in STEM often experience.

Throughout the spring semester, Friedman and Napolitano workshopped their speech with family and friends, collaborating and gathering inspiration from one another. Hesitant about its direction and content, they ultimately did not submit their draft, and the deadline passed.

But the pair’s interest in sharing their stories remained. During spring break, the roommates found a second chance as the speech submission deadlines for their individual colleges quickly approached.

“While hiking in the Grand Canyon, Victoria and I made a pact.” said Friedman, who will graduate with a bachelor’s in computer science and design. “Why not? I’ll do it if you do it.”

In just a couple of days, the two students pulled ideas from their original work and finalized two new speeches. Both wanted to share stories and lessons that connected to their particular college. Friedman’s, for instance, discusses the importance of a support network during her time at Khoury College and how that network will factor in as the students become alumni.

“We were sitting in our living room when we got separate emails from Khoury College and the College of Engineering that our speeches were chosen. We screamed out loud,” laughed Napolitano, who will graduate with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a master’s in engineering management.

Photo by Kelly Chan.

For Napolitano, public speaking comes naturally after years of theater performances and pitch presentations. For Friedman, it’s more of a stretch.

“I have zero public speaking experience,” Friedman explained. “I would not have done this when I first came to Northeastern. I’m definitely pushing myself.”

Napolitano will deliver her speech first at the College of Engineering’s ceremony on May 10, and Friedman will share her remarks the following day. They plan to cheer each other on from the audience.

“We will have each other’s speech memorized by the time we deliver them,” Friedman laughed.

Napolitano added: “Being a graduation speaker is amazing, but the cherry on top is sharing this journey together.”

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