Schools
AIDS Researcher Delivers Keynote at UConn Graduate Commencement
Virologist Robert Gallo discovered that HIV was the cause of AIDS. The graduates included 37 students from Monroe.
Hundreds of graduate students, including 37 from Monroe, were presented with diplomas at the university's graduate commencement Saturday afternoon at .
The graduates, most of whom came from the university's business school or teaching program, spanned a range of ages, interests, degrees and career goals. While many of the students enrolled in their post-graduate programs right after getting their bachelor's degrees, many, including Edilia Mora, postponed their advanced degrees.
"It's just wonderful," said Mora, who got her master's degree in business administration. "I actually stopped when I had my baby, so this was a goal for me."
At the ceremony, UConn President Susan Herbst presented two influential scholars with honorary doctorate degrees from UConn. Herbst honored Thomas Pogge, a philosopher and international human rights advocate. Herbst said UConn emphasizes the importance of studying human rights, and soon will be the only public research university to have a human rights major.
The second person to receive an honorary doctorate Saturday was Robert Gallo, a virologist who discovered that HIV was the cause of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. Gallo was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
Gallo, whom Herbst introduced as someone who "tirelessly devoted [his] life and career to fighting AIDS," said in his speech that every scholar — not just those in the sciences — has the opportunity to improve the world and rid it of epidemic diseases like AIDS. His research, he said, spans all academic interests and research.
“Science does not flourish in unfairness,” Gallo said, adding that the “heaviness of life” would not be bearable without the “beauty and imagination” provided by those devoted to the arts and humanities.
Gallo, a Connecticut native, emphasized the importance of being adaptable and cooperative and told the graduates not to be afraid of failing.
"Anyone productive ... has failed many times," Gallo said.
Students graduating with a doctorate of pharmacy had a separate ceremony Saturday, as did undergraduates from UConn’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the School of Engineering and the School of Fine Arts.
Undergraduates in UConn's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate Sunday, along with graduates of the Neag School of Education and the School of Business. A full schedule of UConn’s graduation ceremonies can be found online.
Monroe Grads
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Chelsea Leigh Ashbrook, Bachelor of Arts
Chelsie Dayna Axelrod, Bachelor of Arts
Find out what's happening in Monroefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Michael Ray Barnes, Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Molly Catherine Chhiv, Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Susan Emily Clark, Bachelor of Arts
Kyle Jean Marie Cutler, Bachelor of Arts
Kenneth Albert Dancho, Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Meagan Elise DeBona, Bachelor of Science
Katherine Rose Faust, Bachelor of Science
Daniel Jordan Fernandez, Bachelor of Science
Mario Andrew Ferreira, Bachelor of Science
Elizabeth Hannah Fitzpatrick, Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Derek Flynn, Bachelor of Science
Jessica Ann Gouveia, Bachelor of Science
Nicholas Gregory Hanna, Bachelor of Science
Kyle G. Horton, Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Theodore James Hurvul, Bachelor of Science
Kelly Nicole Jahn, Bachelor of Arts
Kelly Nicole Jahn, Bachelor of Science
Jason Thomas Kling, Bachelor of Arts
Laura Nicole Koscomb, Bachelor of Science
Sarah Wilk Kuhns, Bachelor of General Studies
Rhyan Alexandra Lazar, Bachelor of Science
Courtney Michelle Lynch, Bachelor of Arts
David Allen McCollum, Bachelor of Arts
Jennifer Anne Moffett, Bachelor of Arts
Karyn Melissa Murphy, Bachelor of Science
Nicole Kristen Muthersbaugh, Bachelor of Science
Daniel Jacob Peck, Bachelor of Science
Ryan Matthew Piltz, Bachelor of Science
Allyson Jane Runko, Bachelor of Science
Erin Clare Shannon, Bachelor of Arts
Daniel Jordan Sullo, Bachelor of Arts
Georgia Tsaousis, Bachelor of Science
Caroline Elizabeth Urizar, Bachelor of Arts
Ashley Helaina Zalinger, Bachelor of Arts
Edward Allen Zerjav, Bachelor of Art
