(Boston, Ma.) – Fisher College proudly announces today that major league baseball Hall of Famer and Boston Red Sox icon, Pedro Martinez, and his wife Carolina Cruz Martinez, President of the Pedro Martinez Foundation, will both serve as Distinguished Speakers for its 121st Undergraduate Commencement ceremony on May 10, 2025 at the Back Bay Events Center. Fisher College will also award Pedro Martinez and Carolina Cruz Martinez with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters. Fisher College will also establish a $5,000 scholarship to the Pedro Martinez Foundation.
After completing his legendary career as a World Series champion and the most dominant starting pitching of his era, Pedro Martinez and his wife Carolina Cruz Martinez, embarked on their life mission, to grow the Pedro Martinez Foundation, founded in 1998, into the renowned and impactful philanthropic organization that it is today. From building a community center, which has served more than 100,000 children in the Dominican Republic, to creating education and sports programs throughout the Dominican Republic as well as Boston, Lawrence and Bronx, New York, The Pedro Martinez Foundation has strived to provide educational opportunities and other essential resources, such as food and clothing, to underserved communities.
“Pedro and Carolina Cruz Martinez are showing the world what great things can be accomplished through hard work and selfless dedication to others,” said Fisher College President Steve Rich. “Our college graduates, many of them first generation college students from diverse backgrounds, will no doubt be inspired by Pedro and Carolina’s mission to give back to those who need it most. We are truly honored to have two such distinguished people address our students on one of the most important days of their lives.”
“It is an honor to be part of this commencement ceremony at Fisher College. We are excited to be able to encourage and celebrate these young adults that are graduating. What an historic moment for each and every graduate! We have dedicated most of our lives to helping the next generation and we are thankful for this special opportunity!” Pedro and Carolina Martinez
Previous Fisher College Commencement Speakers include former Boston Marathon Executive Director Tom Grilk, film producer Kris Meyer, ALS advocate Julie Frates, Boston Marathon heroes Carlos Arrendondo and Jeff Bauman, Paris Subway hero Alek Skarlatos, New England Patriots co-captain and Super Bowl Champion Matthew Slater, the Reverend Liz Walker, former Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, Sal’s Pizza founder Sal Lupoli, and former Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.
About Fisher College
For more than a century, Fisher has been changing lives by providing students with the tools they need to compete successfully in today’s challenging economy. Though built around the liberal arts, our on campus and online programs reflect our expertise in practical fields like accounting, biology, criminal justice, cybersecurity, information technology, and management, to name a few. We believe in educating students through close intellectual engagement with our faculty, meeting together in small-group classroom settings, or with industry and business leaders through internships, guest lectures, and site visits. We take full advantage of the educational resources of Boston, a city both rich in history and culture, and a center of intellectual ferment, entrepreneurship, and scientific advancement. For more information, please visit www.fisher.edu
