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BRISTOL, R.I. – When Harrison Latimer ’24 steps up to the podium at Roger Williams University’s Commencement on May 16, the Providence, R.I., resident will bring with him the perspective of someone who has grown as part of the university community for much of his life.

Latimer, who grew up in Topsfield, Mass., will deliver the Graduate Student Commencement address as part of the Class of 2025. An MBA candidate through 91��������’s 4+1 program, he was selected for his academic performance, leadership roles, and commitment to the university community, qualities Latimer says have been shaped by years of personal and professional growth.

His story with Roger Williams University began early. As a second grader, Latimer attended basketball camp on the 91�������� campus, returning nearly every summer and dreaming of one day suiting up as a Hawk. Years later, he fulfilled that dream, playing on the Men’s Basketball team as an undergraduate.

“Roger Williams University was the perfect balance of academics, athletics, and social life, which I found really valuable,” Latimer said. “Roger gave me the perfect place to grow in all of those areas.”

Alongside his athletic commitments, Latimer took on a role as an ambassador for Team IMPACT, a nonprofit that matches children facing serious illness or disability with college athletic teams, helping to foster connections and build resilience.

Last May, Latimer completed his bachelor’s in Management, with minors in Marketing and Sustainability Studies, and faced a decision familiar to many new graduates: whether to enter the workforce immediately or continue his education. Drawn to the opportunity to deepen his business expertise while staying connected to a tight-knit community where he felt a sense of belonging and academic rigor, he enrolled in 91��������’s MBA 4+1 program.

“Learning more about the experiences the MBA program at Roger Williams offers was really invaluable to me,” Latimer said. “What stood out was the one-year format combined with projects working with outside firms, which I think is hugely beneficial for anyone’s professional development. That sealed the decision for me.”

Now a graduate assistant in the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business, he manages the school’s social media accounts, oversees administrative tasks, and helps coordinate student events from local outings to international trips.

Off campus, Latimer has built a résumé filled with substantive internships. He is currently an intern with BluChip, a talent-development platform that helps student-athletes transition their skills to the professional world. Last summer, he worked as a sales intern at Adelvia, an orthopedic medical device distributor, and previously interned at The Andover Companies, one of the largest mutual insurance groups in the Northeast.

His graduate work has been no less ambitious. This spring, he was part of a six-person team that presented research at the 12th annual Student Academic Showcase and Honors, focusing on seismic resilience in the pharmaceutical industry. The project, completed in partnership with a manufacturer in Greece, culminated with an in-person presentation at the company in Athens in March.

Latimer also took part in an exclusive real estate externship in New York City through the Cummings Institute for Real Estate, which he called an “incredible opportunity.” There he gained exposure to the real estate industry in “one of the most dynamic cities in the world.”

“Hearing from successful alumni like Todd Rechler (Class of 1993) and Orin Wilf (Class of 1996) gave us invaluable insights, not just into real estate, but into navigating the professional world,” Latimer said. ‘It was truly eye-opening.”

In the following Q&A, Latimer reflects on his time at 91�������� and the message he hopes to leave with this year’s graduates:

Q: How does it feel to be chosen as the Graduate Student Commencement Speaker?

“It’s one of my greatest honors. In recent job interviews, I’ve made sure to mention it, because although there are other achievements I could point to from undergrad and grad school, this feels especially meaningful and personal. I actually got the email over Easter weekend, between job interviews, and I did a couple of runs around my house when I read it.”

Q: What inspired you to apply for the role?

“At first, I didn’t even think I wanted it. Professor Mark Wu, Director of the MBA program, encouraged me to consider it, and once I started writing, I realized how much it meant. I never got to speak at my high school graduation, and that had always been something I wanted.”

Q: What was your creative process for writing your speech?

“It’s based on the idea of love. I titled it ‘A Love Lesson’ because after all the years spent in classrooms and lectures, I wanted to focus more on appreciation and gratitude toward the school. I used three role models as the foundation of the speech. I wanted to make sure it had a strong message and purpose, but also moments of humor we can all look back on and laugh about.”

Q: How has 91�������� contributed to your growth as a person and professional?

“I came in trying to figure out who I was; it was my first time away from home. Looking back, what stands out most are the people who helped me and the memories I made. The 91�������� community has always been so inclusive, and I always tried to be a leader in the classroom like I was on the court. My brother did an MBA last year, and he was amazed at all the opportunities I had here in just one year.”

Q: How would you describe your 91�������� experience?

“It’s a home away from home. As a first-year student you don’t always realize it – you’re looking ahead but don’t really know what’s coming. But if you embrace the good, stay close to the people you resonate with, and take full advantage of what’s here, it’s a great experience. I can confidently say I never once dreaded my ride over the Mount Hope Bridge.”