Alumna and actress Jennifer Lafleur ’01 has agreed to serve as the University’s speaker for the 2019 Commencement. She graduated with a BA in mass communication and two minors—computer information systems and theater arts. She has a strong presence and a meaningful message about her transformative time at Westfield State University. She graduated summa cum laude from Westfield, where she was nominated three times for the Kennedy Center: ACTF Irene Ryan Best Actress award. She went on to receive her MFA in acting from Brandeis University. Upon moving to NYC after graduating, she primarily worked in classical and experimental theater. Her first film role included a small part in Baghead, which was pivotal to her beginning to build an impressive portfolio of both film and television roles in Chicago Fire, American Crime, and Big Little Lies, to name a few. She now splits her time between Los Angeles and NYC. She grew up in Brookfield, Mass., and still has family in the area.