UMass Amherst Graduate School Holds Commencement

May 23, 2008

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Daniel J. Fitzgibbons 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – The Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts Amherst held its Commencement ceremony this afternoon in the William D. Mullins Memorial Center. Degrees were conferred on approximately 1,000 master’s and doctoral candidates. More than 900 of those eligible to receive degrees attended the ceremony, accepting their diplomas to the cheers of about 3,000 family members and friends.

“We are here to respect, honor and celebrate the hard-working people before us,” said John Mullin, dean of the Graduate School, who told the degree recipients that they “are joining 54,571 graduates who have gone before you and done great things” in the 100 years since the Graduate School was established.

Mullin also noted that the first graduates of the master’s in architecture program were receiving their degrees. The program was created in 2004 and admitted its first students the following year.

Interim Chancellor Thomas W. Cole, Jr. and President Jack M. Wilson each briefly addressed the candidates.

In his remarks, Cole addressed the families and friends of the graduates. “Thank you for your support that has nurtured their dreams and allowed them to achieve this milestone in their lives.”

“Continue to dream dreams and reach new milestones after you leave,” Cole told the graduates. “You’ll always be part of us and we’ll always be part of you. It is a bond that may sometimes be neglected, but it will never be broken.”

“You have to earn your degrees and you’ve truly earned yours,” Wilson told the graduates. “I wish you the very best success — you’re well equipped for it.”

Wilson also presented four honorary degrees during the ceremony.

UMass Amherst alumnus David Pimental, emeritus professor of insect ecology and agricultural sciences at Cornell University, was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree.

Peter Tolan, actor, film writer, producer, director and television writer, received an honorary doctor of fine arts degree.

Honorary doctor of fine arts degrees were also given to songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

Distinguished professors and the recipients of the Samuel F. Conti Faculty Fellowships, Distinguished Teaching Awards, Distinguished Academic Outreach Awards and the Armstrong Professional Development Professorship were also recognized during the ceremony.

A reception for the graduate degree recipients and their guests followed.

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