The UConn College of Liberal Arts and Sciences celebrated more than 2,700 graduates across three ceremonies at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on Sunday, May 5.
From an escort by Jonathan XIV and XV to a poignant speech by basketball legend-turned-social justice advocate Maya Moore Irons ’11 (CLAS), the day was extra special because, for most of the students, this was their first in-person graduation ceremony.
Most of the Class of 2024 were seniors in high school when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing schools to close and events to move online. Their walk across the floor of Gampel Pavilion on Sunday was thus the first time they’d been handed a diploma.
The three ceremonies at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. represented the 145th annual commencement exercises at UConn. Nearly all of the more 10,000 seats in Gampel Pavilion were full as families and friends gathered to celebrate their loved ones.
“The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has a unique place at UConn,” President Radenka Maric told the gathered crowd. “All UConn students receive a broad, foundational education from the College. Your professors, instructors, coaches, family, friends, and loved ones share in your pride today.”
The University awarded 8,137 total degrees across 17 ceremonies over the weekend, including 1,874 first-generation college graduates and 4,361 Connecticut residents.
Moore spoke at the third ceremony, while popular psychologist Ramani Durvasala ’88 (CLAS) addressed the class at the first and second ceremonies. Both earned an honorary doctorate from the College.
College alumni Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba ’08 MPA, Chief of the Mohegan Tribe and U.S. Treasurer, and Daniel Fata ’94 (CLAS), president of Fata Advisory LLC, received honorary degrees and spoke at the School of Nursing graduation on Saturday, May 4, and the Graduate School ceremony on Monday, May 6, respectively.
Durvasala addressed students with humor and encouragement.
“The world needs your authentic, quirky, sometimes-sleep-late-because-it’s-too-cold-to-walk-across-campus-for-an-8 a.m.-lab, I-don’t-know-what-I-want-to-do-for-a-job-yet, UConn Husky you,” Durvasala said. “The sometimes-doesn’t-get-it-right, I-just-wasted-two-hours-on-TikTok you. Your vulnerable, honest, empathetic, and compassionate you. The you that has big ideas and is willing to bet on yourself.”
Moore, who returned to the floor of Gampel Pavilion for the first time since her final UConn basketball season 13 years ago, spoke about the power of teamwork. She encouraged students to think about their own journey as being part of a team they’d be proud of.
“What type of team do you want to be on?” she asked the crowd. “And what type of teammate are you becoming? Wherever your journey takes you next, strive to bring that true winning team way to whatever community you end up committing to, and you’ll experience the joy of living out your purpose.”
Each ceremony also featured a graduating student speaker: Sophia Lemire ’24 (CLAS), who received a bachelor of arts in economics and human rights; Brett Berman ’24 (CLAS), who received a bachelor of arts in communication; and Faith Thomas ’24 (CLAS), who earned a bachelor of science in molecular and cell biology as well as physiology and neurobiology.
Berman, who spoke of his life living with cerebral palsy, described a surgery he underwent this year that allowed him to walk for the first time and was met by a standing ovation.
Like his classmates who have struggled but persevered, he said his journey has been “fueled by the power of resilience.”
“Miracles exist everywhere, and we, the graduates of 2024, are a miracle,” Berman said with a wide smile. “And remember, when you think you can’t — UConn!”
