Senator Markey Addresses Graduating UMass Dartmouth Students

It's commencement weekend at UMass Dartmouth. Nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students will receive degrees this weekend.

U.S. Senator Edward Markey was one of the speakers, and drew applause when he talked about his plan to reduce the high cost of getting an education.

"I will fight for legislation to allow you to renegotiate your student loans to get a lower rate after college. In the same way that people can refinance their loans for homes and cars, students should be in the same category."

Also honored Friday were Armand Marchand and George Charbanneau, two retired educators and founders of New Bedford Festival Theatre. Both received the Chancellor's Medal for their efforts to spread the arts on the Southcoast.

The Class of 2015 at UMass Dartmouth is made up of 1,923 graduates, representing 235 communities in Massachusetts, 28 states and 30 countries.