UMass Amherst Holds 138th Undergraduate Commencement as 4,000 Students Receive Degrees

May 24, 2008

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Ed Blaguszewski 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – On a sunny and windy afternoon, approximately 4,000 candidates received bachelor’s degrees in nearly 100 majors during today’s 138th undergraduate Commencement of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The ceremony was held in Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium and was attended by about 20,000 people.

UMass Amherst’s interim Chancellor Thomas W. Cole, Jr., presided at the Commencement, and UMass President Jack M. Wilson conferred the degrees. Honorary degrees were awarded to alumnus and actor Bill Pullman and Charles Feldberg, an alumnus and retired multinational food executive. Distinguished Achievement Awards were given to alumna Dorothy D. Gavin and her husband, Joseph G. Gavin, Jr., alumnus Michael R. Haley, Jr., and alumnus Edward P. Marram. Eleven seniors were recognized as 21st Century Leaders, and the two graduating Jack Welch Scholars were honored. A reception for graduates and their families hosted by the chancellor immediately followed the ceremony.

Cole congratulated the graduates on their achievements and urged them to maintain a bond with their alma mater as they embark on their lives as UMass Amherst alumni. Wilson applauded the class for their many contributions to the university, which continues to grow in reputation and stature.

Student speaker Katie Huston (in photo above) of Royal Oak, Mich., told the audience, “Today, we’re all sitting here in the same caps and gowns. But soon we’ll be police reporters and accountants, we’ll be heading off to grad school, we’ll be backpacking from Cape Town or Cairo or teaching in New Orleans. We are the privileged, the college graduates, only 28 percent of America. We are the agents of change. We’re going places. Let’s go. Congratulations, Class of 2008.”

This is the sixth year students received the 21st Century Leaders awards for seniors sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office and the UMass Amherst Alumni Association. The awards are designed to recognize students who are academically accomplished and have contributed to the university by exceptional achievements that distinguish themselves or enhance the reputation of the campus. This year’s recipients are Anna Marie BuAbbud, a psychology-neuroscience major, from Shrewsbury, Mass.; John P. Barrett, a physics and mathematics major, from Townsend, Mass.; Benjamin Clemenzi-Allen, an English major, from Newburyport, Mass.; Ryan Walter Durkin, a finance and management major, from Andover, Mass.; Dawn Eriksen, a chemical engineering and biochemistry major, from Tyngsboro, Mass.; Kate L. Fontaine, a history and legal studies major, from Wilbraham, Mass.; Katie Huston, a journalism major, from Royal Oak, Mich.; Rachel Mandel, an anthropology and Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) major, from Brewster, Mass.; Brooke E. Naylor, an operations management major, from Wakefield, Mass.; Amanda Woolley, a music education major, from Point Pleasant, N.J., and Adam P. Zinkievich, an English major, from Athol, Mass. The recipients receive a plaque and a monetary award from the UMass Amherst Alumni Association.

The two graduating Welch Scholars are Adam D. Ferrarini of Wilbraham, Mass., and Matthew Scott Antolini of Melrose, Mass. Funded by a gift from the GE Foundation in honor of alumnus Jack Welch, the scholarships provide full funding for recipients throughout their undergraduate years, including support for summer research and study abroad. Welch Scholars are chosen for their academic achievements, social responsibility and leadership potential as demonstrated throughout their high school careers.

Photos

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UMass Amherst Celebrates 138th Undergraduate Commencement

May 24, 2008 - Approximately 4,000 candidates received bachelor's degrees in nearly 100 majors during the 138th undergraduate Commencement of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The ceremony was held in Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium and was attended by about 20,000 people. View more photos »

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