Schools

UConn's CLAS Graduation Marks End of a Journey for 2,700 Students [VIDEO]

Seventeen residents of Suffield took part in one of two commencement ceremonies Sunday for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the largest college at UConn, held at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

Thousands of family and friends watched on Sunday afternoon as nearly 2,700 students from the ’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) became UConn graduates during commencement ceremonies at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs.

Representing 55 different majors from 23 departments, students received their diplomas in dual ceremonies Sunday in disciplines ranging from journalism, psychology and political science to communications, human development and family studies. Seventeen of the new graduates call Suffield home.

Students were addressed by Cindy Luo, a graduating senior from Madison, a dual-degree student with majors in linguistics and philosophy, classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and English. UConn President Susan Herbst delivered the keynote address.

Find out what's happening in Suffieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"College is only the first step, a place where our budding interests are nurtured and developed," Luo said. "Keep on learning. Be flexible. Try something new. But remember yourselves: remember what makes you happy – keeps you going," she said.

Herbst praised students for their hard work, and urged them to define their own lives.

Find out what's happening in Suffieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"I hope you will be able to look back at this brief, precious time spent here at the University of Connecticut as among the best and most rewarding years of your life," Herbst said. "Don’t forget no matter how old you are, you will always be Huskies."

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Here's the students who live in Suffield who received degrees this weekend:

  • Kirstie Nicole Albert, Bachelor of Science
  • Luke Scavotto Anderson, Bachelor of Arts
  • Liliane Salwa Elawar, Bachelor of Science
  • Robert Edgar Emery, Bachelor of Arts
  • Jacquelyn Leigh Fairey, Bachelor of Arts
  • Meghan Louise Fletcher, Bachelor of Science
  • Jordan Brian Mazur, Bachelor of Science
  • Emily Nicole Merrick, Doctor of Pharmacy
  • Jessica Ann Nadeau, Bachelor of Science
  • Katelyn Elizabeth Pellin, Bachelor of Arts
  • Michael Aldo Pellin, Bachelor of Arts
  • Laura Catherine Sauter, Bachelor of Arts
  • Jillian Paige Sipperly, Bachelor of Science
  • Kathryn Lorna Spencer, Bachelor of Science in Engineering
  • Danielle Marie Sullivan, Bachelor of Science
  • Rachael Michelle Sullivan, Bachelor of Science

Did you have a loved one who graduated from UConn Sunday? Give them a shout-out in the comments, and upload your photos to add them to this gallery!

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.