Record-Breaking Celebration: Alumni Co-Presenters and Graduates Share Their Commencement Day Excitement
Commencement is a day filled with celebration and accomplishment. For some graduates, the moment is made even more memorable when a loved one helps hand them their hard-earned diploma.
GSDM allows alumni who are immediate family members (parent, grandparent, sibling, or spouse) of a graduate to co-present the diploma alongside the dean or program chair. This tradition started in 2012, and this year’s commencement ceremony has the largest number of co-presenters in the school’s history, with 23 alumni co-presenters.
Three of these alumni and their related graduates shared more about what this one-of-a-kind experience meant to them.
Graduate: Grecia Sucre AEGD 17 DMD AS 25
Co-presenter: Parsia Koleini CAS 05 DMD 13 AEGD 14
When Grecia Sucre AEGD 17 DMD AS 25 first met her husband, Parsia Koleini CAS 05 DMD 13 AEGD 14, they connected over the fact that they both completed the AEGD program at GSDM. Now, Sucre said having her husband share the stage with her as she receives her DMD makes the already special day even more emotional.
“Now, years later and married, it feels like a full-circle moment to be graduating from the same school where he earned his DMD,” Sucre said. “He’s been by my side throughout this journey and having him present my diploma represents not just my achievement, but everything we’ve gone through together.”
She added that she is also forever grateful for the love, support, and sacrifices from both Koleini and her parents.
This isn’t the first time Koleini has co-presented a Boston University diploma. His sister, Pardis Koleini CAS 10 CAMED 13 DMD 17, is also a BU alumna, and he co-presented at two of her graduations. In fact, he said a member of the Koleini family has been enrolled at BU since 1991 without interruption.
Koleini said he is proud of Sucre’s extensive GSDM journey, going from being a resident to a faculty member to advanced standing student.
“The fact that she can transition from faculty to an advanced standing and finishing by being inducted in [Omicron Kappa Upsilon] honor society is pretty remarkable,” Koleini said. “It’s a good way to kind of recognize her and celebrate.”
Koleini said he appreciates BU for allowing him to co-present not just one, but two of his loved one’s diplomas. He can’t wait for Sucre’s big day.
“For people that are lucky enough to have other family members in the same field, it’s just a very prestigious honor that not everybody gets to do so, I’m glad to be able to do it,” Koleini said.
Graduate: Lyn Hajjar ORTHO 23 DMD AS 25
Co-presenter: Dr. Lea Hajjar PROS 22
Sisters Lyn Hajjar ORTHO 23 DMD AS 25 and Dr. Lea Hajjar PROS 22 both said their shared profession creates a special bond between them. Now, they are graduating one week apart from each other from different advanced standing dental programs.
Lyn said she has followed closely in Lea’s footsteps throughout their respective dental education journeys. The sisters each completed initial dental degrees in Lebanon before moving to the United States. Lyn and Lea then decided to complete residency programs at GSDM, with Lyn doing orthodontics and Lea doing prosthodontics.
During their residencies, Lyn and Lea lived together, supporting each other every step of the way. They enrolled in different advanced standing programs—Lea is in Michigan—and the physical distance has been hard. However, Lyn said her sister’s loving guidance has never once wavered despite the distance.
“Having her hand me my diploma at commencement is such a nice way to conclude this whole dental journey we’ve had together,” Lyn said. “I’m really excited for it. I couldn’t be more grateful to celebrate this with her.”
Lea said she was eager to be a part of her sister’s commencement day–and was even willing to miss her own ceremony in Michigan, if needed.
“It’s a really big moment for my sister,” Lea said. “The fact that we’re able to finally get through this journey together and finally reach that point of achievement [makes it] an honor for me to be able to stand on stage with her and be able to give her that diploma on [Commencement] day. She’s achieved so much. I’m really proud of her for everything.”
The sisters will soon be reunited more permanently as Lea is returning to Massachusetts following her program. They can’t wait.
“This whole journey is ending and we’re both ending it together,” Lyn said.
Graduate: Charles Badaoui DMD 89
Co-presenter: Michael Badaoui DMD 25
Michael Badaoui DMD 25 said his father has been a constant mentor and inspiration throughout his dental school experience. Having his father co-present his diploma is a personal and professional milestone.
“He sparked my interest in dentistry and has always been there to guide me by offering advice, answering questions, and supporting me through challenges,” Michael said. “Nonetheless, my passion for dentistry is still my own, and I feel incredibly proud to have discovered a specialty that excites me and drives me to further my education.”
Both Michael’s father and grandfather are dental professionals. Charles Badaoui DMD 89 said it’s been touching watching his son join the family’s dental legacy.
“I am very proud and honored to be co-presenting Michael’s diploma,” Charles said. “It’s a special moment to share the stage with him at my alma mater. It’s been rewarding to watch him grow into a driven and skilled professional.”
Michael said he is deeply grateful for all the family, mentors, classmates, and friends who supported him throughout his dental education. He sees commencement as the beginning of a new chapter, and it’s a story he wouldn’t be able to write without his father. Having his father as his co-presenter simply makes the day even more meaningful.
“As a GSDM graduate himself, I feel a sense of shared purpose,” Michael said. “This is a full-circle moment, and I’m deeply honored to share the stage with him.”
Note: Michael Badaoui DMD 25 and Lyn Hajjar ORTHO 23 DMD AS 25 were named one of two DMD and DMD Advanced Standing Class of 2025 valedictorians, respectively.
To read our full commencement coverage, please visit our commencement 2025 page.