UMass Amherst - Commencement 2008: News

News

21st Century Leaders and Welch Scholars

21st Century Leaders

Eleven members of the Class of 2008 have been named winners of the 21st Century Leaders Award. The awards recognize students who are academically accomplished and who have contributed to the university through exceptional achievement or have enhanced the reputation of the campus.

John Barrett, Physics and Mathematics
Townsend, MA
Anna Buabbud, Psychology and Neuroscience
Shrewsbury, MA
Benjamin Clemenzi-Allen, English
Belchertown, MA
Ryan Durkin, Finance and Management
Andover, MA
Dawn Eriksen, Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry
Tyngsboro, MA
Kate Fontaine, History and Legal Studies
Wilbraham, MA
Katie Huston, Journalism
Royal Oak, MI
Rachel Mandel, Anthropology and BDIC ("Cultural Construction of Gender and Sexuality")
Brewster, MA
Brooke Naylor, Operations Management
Wakefield, MA
Amanda Woolley, Music Education
Point Pleasant, NJ
Adam Zinkievich, English
Athol, MA

They will be recognized for high academic performance, and for the prestige and honor they bring to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, both as undergraduates and as alumni joining the larger community.

The winners will be presented during the 2008 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. Recipients will receive a plaque and a monetary award from the UMass Amherst Alumni Association.

Welch Scholars

Established in 2003 with a $5 million donation from the GE Foundation in honor of Welch, the program offers merit scholarships each year to two prospective UMass Amherst undergraduates. The students receive full scholarships, covering tuition, fees, and room and board. The selection is made entirely on the basis of their high school academic records and involvement in extracurricular activities.

Adam Ferrarini, Finance and English
Wilbraham, MA
Matthew Antolini, Industrial Engineering
Melrose, MA

Commencement Photos

Graduation Images is the official graduation photographer for your school and will be at your upcoming commencement to photograph you on this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. We would like to be able to contact you at your permanent email address with your graduation photo information. We have set up an easy registration site where you can provide us with your permanent email address as well as the email addresses of up to 6 relatives or friends who would also like to see your graduation images.

It's fast and easy - simply go to www.gradimages.com and click on the Pre-Event Registration. Completing this brief information will ensure that you and your loved ones receive emails regarding graduation photos in your permanent inbox.

That's all there is to it. Graduation Images will contact you just as soon as your photos are available for viewing. Enjoy the ceremony and Congratulations!

Graduation Images Customer Service staff is available to assist you:

Phone: 1-800-424-3686 or Outside US 1-641-472-6892
Online: http://www.gradimages.com/customer_service_contact.cfm
Mail: Graduation Images, 2280 West Tyler, Fairfield, IA 52556

Would you like to represent your country at Commencement by carrying your country's flag?

Dear Graduating Senior,

We are writing to inform you that the university will continue an exciting five-year-old tradition at this year’s Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony and we invite you to participate.

A parade of flags for the countries represented by our graduating senior international students will be a part the Undergraduate Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 24, 2008. We invite you to take part in the processional by carrying the flag of your country.

Students who participated in the processional last year were thrilled with the enthusiastic welcome they received from their classmates and guests. If you would like the honor of doing this, please send an email to Director of Commencements, Gloria Fox, by writing to her assistant Terry Sall tsall@admin.umass.edu. If you have questions, please call the Commencement Office, 545-4894. In circumstances when more than one person volunteers to do this for the same country, the first request will be accepted as the flag carrier, and others may march beside the flag carrier.

We send our most sincere congratulations to you on the successful completion of your undergraduate degree.

Frank Hugus, Associate Provost, International Programs, 467 Hills South

Gloria V. Fox, Director of Commencements, 305 Whitmore Admin Bldg.

Join the Celebration: Be a Commencement Volunteer

Share the joy of 4,000 graduating seniors with their 20,000 guests as they leave their UMass Amherst student days and launch their newly minted alumni lives.

To ensure smooth sailing on their departure date — Saturday, May 24th — we need you to marshal, usher, and aide in the success of this important event.

Marshals organize graduates by school or college for the student processional into the stadium; escort them onto the field; and serve as field monitors. We need 60 people for this task.
Aides greet guests as they enter the stadium, distribute programs, give directions, and direct guests to their seats. We need 50 people for this task.
Ushers are in the stands and aid guests with seating, directions, and program information. We need 40 people for this task.

You’ll see degrees conferred, flags unfurled, and mortarboards tossed into the air. In appreciation for your service to the university, you will receive a commemorative glass, snacks, lunch, and an opportunity to win fabulous prizes.

Have high school aged children? They can volunteer too!

First time and returning volunteers, mark your calendars:

Volunteer Orientation: Wednesday, May 14th, 10:00 a.m. Bezanson Hall
Volunteer Rehearsal: Thursday, May 22nd 10:00 am McGuirk Football Stadium
Commencement: Saturday, May 24th Ushers arrive at 10:00 a.m., Aides arrive at 10:00 a.m., Marshals arrive at 10:30 a.m.

Interested? Complete the Volunteer Registration Form.