UMass Amherst Celebrating Students at Commencement Ceremonies on Friday

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst will award more than 7,000 degrees at the Undergraduate and Graduate commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 13.

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Massachusetts Congressman Jim McGovern will be the featured speaker at the 152nd Undergraduate Commencement on May 13 at 4:30 p.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. McGovern will address an anticipated crowd of about 20,000 family members, friends and other guests as approximately 7,000 undergraduates receive their bachelor’s degrees at the Commonwealth’s flagship campus.

Three individuals will be bestowed honorary degrees. Alumnus Jerome Paros ’60, an internationally recognized innovator and leader in the field of geophysical measurements, will receive an honorary doctor of science degree; Albie Sachs, a South African human rights activist will receive an honorary doctor of law degree; and Marcellette G. Williams, the first woman to lead UMass Amherst as chancellor, will receive an honorary doctor of public service degree.

The student speaker will be Emily Przybyla, a biology major from Ellicott City, Md. Przybyla plans to move to Boston and apply to physician assistant programs following graduation.

Earlier in the day, approximately 2,000 doctoral and master’s students will be awarded their degrees in ceremonies beginning at 9 a.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, where Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy will lead the speakers.

Also, 10 members of the graduating class will be honored as 21st Century Leaders at the Undergraduate Commencement:

• Jasmine Bogle of Queen Creek, Ariz., with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering.
   
• Elodie Carel of Wayland, a Commonwealth Honors College student who earned a degree in psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration in disability studies.
   
• Julia Stone Fox of Southwick, a Commonwealth Honors College student, with dual degrees in political science and environmental science. 
   
• Zachary James Glanz of Sharon with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies with a secondary major in Chinese Language and Literature.
   
• Jacqueline Victoria Grundfast of Warwick, N.Y., a Commonwealth Honors College student, receiving dual degrees: a Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration in biomedical ethics and policy and a degree in psychology, in addition to a minor in business.
   
• Alanna Joachim of Groveland, a Commonwealth Honors College student, with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a minor in engineering management through the Isenberg School of Management.
   
• Sarah Kaunfer of Wrentham, a Commonwealth Honors College student, with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology.
   
• Kanon Kobata of Saitama, Japan, with a bachelor’s degree in food science with a second Bachelor’s Degree in Individual Concentration in sustainable food business. 
   
• Adam Maciej Lechowicz of Bridgewater, a Commonwealth Honors College student, earned dual degrees in computer science and political science.
   
• Obinnaya Okereke of Marblehead with a bachelor’s degree in public health.

Two graduating seniors will be recognized during the commencement ceremony for their leadership and executive ability as Jack Welch Scholars. They are:

• Zachary Evan Carter from Northborough graduates with a major in operations and information management, who plans a career in global supply chain management while pursuing an MBA.
   
• Raveena Dookhan, a Commonwealth Honors College student from Franklin, who graduates with a degree in biomedical engineering and minors in engineering management and math. She plans to work in biomedical engineering upon graduation and eventually pursue a master’s degree.

To ensure that commencement day is a memorable and enjoyable experience for graduating students and for their guests, the campus will close for regular business operations on May 13. Regular building access will resume on Monday, May 16.