Commencement
Commencement Speakers
Undergraduate Student Speaker
Leslie Argueta Linares
B.S. in Human Services
Leslie Argueta Linares came to Goodwin University in 2019 through the Summer Bridge Program. Since then, she has been the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Student Life award and graduated with her associate degree in Human Services in 2022. Today, Leslie graduates with her bachelor's degree in Human Services. She has been heavily involved in the Goodwin community, working full time, and taking care of her mother and household. She has helped organize Fresh Check days, food drives, service-learning activities, and outreach for the Ann B, Clark Co-op. Of her many experiences at Goodwin, Leslie notes that her work at the Co-op was the most meaningful. Leslie has gone on to be an instructor in the Goodwin University Magnet School System, where she continues to advocate for her students, their families, and her colleagues. Leslie would like to thank her family and friends, her boyfriend, and the staff and faculty at Goodwin University who supported her throughout her journey.
Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Ben Crump
Listed amongst the Most Influential People of 2021 by TIME100, Ben Crump has established himself as one of the nation's foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice. His legal acumen has ensured that those marginalized in American society are protected by their nation's contract with its constituency.
Mr. Crump's tireless advocacy has led to legislation preventing excessive force and developing implicit bias training and policies. He has represented families in high-profile civil rights cases including Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Stephon Clark, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. He represented nine of the black women in the Holtzclaw Oklahoma City Police rape case in 2015 and worked on the precedent-setting U.S. Supreme Court case involving excessive police force against Robbie Tolan. Mr. Crump also represented the residents affected by poisoned water in Flint, Michigan, as well as the family of Henrietta Lacks in a landmark reparations case.
Mr. Crump is president of the National Civil Rights Trial Lawyers Association and past-president of the National Bar Association. He was the first African-American chair of the Florida State University College of Law Board of Directors and is the founder and director of the Benjamin Crump Social Justice Institute. In 2021, St. Thomas University College of Law announced the Benjamin L. Crump Center for Social Justice in his honor. He is a frequent contributor to MSNBC, CNN, and USA Today and author of Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People.
Valedictorian
Damaris Elizabeth Florian
B.S. in Business Administration
Through academic diligence, Damaris Florian earned the privilege of being named this year's class valedictorian, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Born in El Salvador, Damaris proudly represents the Latino community and first-generation college students and is passionate about immigrant and minority rights. She has improved the lives of Salvadorean families by collecting funds, donating clothes, and helping them access clean water. She is also devoted to the Goodwin University community. Damaris was an integral member of the Educational Opportunity Program, where she led the Adult Advisory Committee, tutored her peers, and volunteered her time at the Ann B. Clark Co-op. She expresses her gratitude to the staff of the Educational Opportunity Program and the writing tutors of the Academic Success Center. Damaris wants others to know that through determination, humility, and the grace of God, anything is possible.
Graduate Student Speaker
Margaret Guillory-Allen
M.Ed. in Education (Dual Program)
Margaret Guillory-Allan began at Goodwin University in 2012 in pursuit of an associate degree, having been homeless and overcome drug addiction, and managed to graduate with honors. With the support of her husband and her Goodwin family, she went on to earn a bachelor's in human services with honors and secured a position in housing to assist the homeless and those struggling to stay sober and stable. Becoming a regional compliance manager at Imagineers empowered her to achieve her goal of home ownership. After training new managers and other employees, she was ready to pursue new skills and returned to Goodwin to pursue her master's degree in education. Her greatest accomplishment to date was her appointment as a general manager for Barkan Compliance Solutions, doing what she loves. Margaret credits Goodwin with providing her with the support and stability that allowed her to transform her life.
Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Joann H. Price
Co-founder and managing partner
Fairview Capital Partners, Inc.
Joann H. Price is co-founder and managing partner of Fairview Capital Partners, Inc. She is a member of Fairview's investment committee and manager of all Fairview-sponsored funds. Prior to co-founding Fairview, Ms. Price served as president of the National Association of Investment Companies headquartered in Washington, D.C. Ms. Price serves on a number of national advisory committees and private equity advisory boards.
Ms. Price also currently serves on the Howard University School of Business Board of Visitors, on the YMCA of Greater Hartford Board of Trustees, on the Wilson-Gray YMCA Board of Advisors, and on the Amistad Center for Art & Culture Board of Trustees. Additionally, Ms. Price serves on the boards of the Apollo Theater Foundation in New York City, Trinity Health of New England, Blue Hills Civic Association, 4-CT, and just recently has completed her term as chairperson of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Ms. Price is a graduate of Howard University.
"My life is guided by an insatiable curiosity more powerful than any fear of failure. I'm ready to explore constantly—whether that means travel, meeting new people, or taking on challenging conversations. It was a dare to found Fairview on a belief system: that every person has something significant to contribute. Although diversity can lead to competition, working together is a more direct path to success and power. It takes faith in each other and the humility to understand that listening without ego can expand your universe to unlock our true strengths."
Valedictorian
Damaris Elizabeth Florian
B.S. in Business Administration
Valedictorian
Damaris Elizabeth Florian
B.S. in Business Administration
Through academic diligence, Damaris Florian earned the privilege of being named this year's class valedictorian, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Born in El Salvador, Damaris proudly represents the Latino community and first-generation college students and is passionate about immigrant and minority rights. She has improved the lives of Salvadorean families by collecting funds, donating clothes, and helping them access clean water. She is also devoted to the Goodwin University community. Damaris was an integral member of the Educational Opportunity Program, where she led the Adult Advisory Committee, tutored her peers, and volunteered her time at the Ann B. Clark Co-op. She expresses her gratitude to the staff of the Educational Opportunity Program and the writing tutors of the Academic Success Center. Damaris wants others to know that through determination, humility, and the grace of God, anything is possible.
Undergraduate Student Speaker
Leslie Argueta Linares
B.S. in Human Services
Leslie Argueta Linares came to Goodwin University in 2019 through the Summer Bridge Program. Since then, she has been the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Student Life award and graduated with her associate degree in Human Services in 2022. Today, Leslie graduates with her bachelor's degree in Human Services. She has been heavily involved in the Goodwin community, working full time, and taking care of her mother and household. She has helped organize Fresh Check days, food drives, service-learning activities, and outreach for the Ann B, Clark Co-op. Of her many experiences at Goodwin, Leslie notes that her work at the Co-op was the most meaningful. Leslie has gone on to be an instructor in the Goodwin University Magnet School System, where she continues to advocate for her students, their families, and her colleagues. Leslie would like to thank her family and friends, her boyfriend, and the staff and faculty at Goodwin University who supported her throughout her journey.
Graduate Student Speaker
Margaret Guillory-Allen
M.Ed. in Education (Dual Program)
Margaret Guillory-Allan began at Goodwin University in 2012 in pursuit of an associate degree, having been homeless and overcome drug addiction, and managed to graduate with honors. With the support of her husband and her Goodwin family, she went on to earn a bachelor's in human services with honors and secured a position in housing to assist the homeless and those struggling to stay sober and stable. Becoming a regional compliance manager at Imagineers empowered her to achieve her goal of home ownership. After training new managers and other employees, she was ready to pursue new skills and returned to Goodwin to pursue her master's degree in education. Her greatest accomplishment to date was her appointment as a general manager for Barkan Compliance Solutions, doing what she loves. Margaret credits Goodwin with providing her with the support and stability that allowed her to transform her life.
Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Ben Crump
Listed amongst the Most Influential People of 2021 by TIME100, Ben Crump has established himself as one of the nation's foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice. His legal acumen has ensured that those marginalized in American society are protected by their nation's contract with its constituency.
Mr. Crump's tireless advocacy has led to legislation preventing excessive force and developing implicit bias training and policies. He has represented families in high-profile civil rights cases including Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Stephon Clark, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. He represented nine of the black women in the Holtzclaw Oklahoma City Police rape case in 2015 and worked on the precedent-setting U.S. Supreme Court case involving excessive police force against Robbie Tolan. Mr. Crump also represented the residents affected by poisoned water in Flint, Michigan, as well as the family of Henrietta Lacks in a landmark reparations case.
Mr. Crump is president of the National Civil Rights Trial Lawyers Association and past-president of the National Bar Association. He was the first African-American chair of the Florida State University College of Law Board of Directors and is the founder and director of the Benjamin Crump Social Justice Institute. In 2021, St. Thomas University College of Law announced the Benjamin L. Crump Center for Social Justice in his honor. He is a frequent contributor to MSNBC, CNN, and USA Today and author of Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People.
Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Joann H. Price
Co-founder and managing partner
Fairview Capital Partners, Inc.
Joann H. Price is co-founder and managing partner of Fairview Capital Partners, Inc. She is a member of Fairview's investment committee and manager of all Fairview-sponsored funds. Prior to co-founding Fairview, Ms. Price served as president of the National Association of Investment Companies headquartered in Washington, D.C. Ms. Price serves on a number of national advisory committees and private equity advisory boards.
Ms. Price also currently serves on the Howard University School of Business Board of Visitors, on the YMCA of Greater Hartford Board of Trustees, on the Wilson-Gray YMCA Board of Advisors, and on the Amistad Center for Art & Culture Board of Trustees. Additionally, Ms. Price serves on the boards of the Apollo Theater Foundation in New York City, Trinity Health of New England, Blue Hills Civic Association, 4-CT, and just recently has completed her term as chairperson of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Ms. Price is a graduate of Howard University.
"My life is guided by an insatiable curiosity more powerful than any fear of failure. I'm ready to explore constantly—whether that means travel, meeting new people, or taking on challenging conversations. It was a dare to found Fairview on a belief system: that every person has something significant to contribute. Although diversity can lead to competition, working together is a more direct path to success and power. It takes faith in each other and the humility to understand that listening without ego can expand your universe to unlock our true strengths."
