Commencement MAY 2020 WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends: This is an occasion of profoundly mixed emotions for all of us. On one hand, there is the pride, excitement, and immeasurable hope that come with the culmination of years of effort and success at the University of Connecticut. But on the other hand, there is the recognition that this year is different. For the first time since 1914, the University of Connecticut is conferring its graduate and undergraduate degrees without our traditional ceremonies. It is my sincere hope that you see this moment as an opportunity rather than a misfortune. As the Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus observed, “Difficulties show us who we are.” This year our University, our state, our nation, and indeed our world have faced unprecedented difficulties. And now, as you go onward to the next stage of your journey, you have the opportunity to show what you have become in your time at UConn. Remember that the purpose of higher education is not confined to academic achievement; it is also intended to draw from within those essential qualities that make each of us an engaged, fully-formed individual – and a good citizen. There is no higher title that can be conferred in this world, and I know each of you will exemplify it, every day. This is truly a special class that will go on to achieve great things. Among your classmates are the University’s first Rhodes Scholar, the largest number of Goldwater scholars in our history, and outstanding student leaders on issues from climate action to racial justice to mental health. I fully expect to read about you being just as transformational in your post-collegiate endeavors, and maybe if I’m lucky enough to stay in touch, to hear about those achievements in person. I am truly sorry to not have the opportunity to celebrate with you in person in your final year and my first year at UConn, but the fact that you are moving on and I am not is, I trust, a sign of success for us both. Today is not an ending: it is a beginning. And as you begin to apply your knowledge and passion to the world’s challenges, I hope you will always carry with you the fondest memories of your days here at the University of Connecticut. Remember: you are students today, but Huskies forever. Congratulations and very best wishes, Thomas Katsouleas President University of Connecticut UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Honorable Ned Lamont Governor of the State of Connecticut, President, Ex Officio Daniel D. Toscano Chairman Sanford Cloud, Jr. Chair, UConn Health Board of Directors, Member, Ex Officio Bryan P. Hurlburt Commissioner of Agriculture, Member, Ex Officio David Lehman Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, Member, Ex Officio Miguel A. Cardona Commissioner of Education, Member, Ex Officio Andy F. Bessette Justin Fang Bryan K. Pollard Mark L. Boxer Marilda L. Gandara Thomas D. Ritter Charles F. Bunnell Jeanine A. Gouin Philip E. Rubin Shari G. Cantor Rebecca Lobo Renukanandan Tumu Andrea Dennis-LaVigne Kevin J. O’Connor OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY Thomas Katsouleas President John A. Elliott Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew Agwunobi, M.D. Tysen Kendig Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Vice President for Communications Nathan Fuerst Radenka Maric Vice President for Enrollment Planning and Management Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Michael A. Gilbert Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel Weiner Vice President for Global Affairs Scott A. Jordan Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer 2 COMMENCEMENT NOTES ommencement Day at the University of Connecticut is a with increased enrollment. Today, the University has an Ctime of ceremony and pageantry, embracing traditions enrollment of over 32,333 students. At Storrs, there are over dating back to medieval times. 23,900 undergraduates and more than 8,433 graduate students, representing some 103 nations. The University of Connecticut was founded as the Storrs Agricultural School in 1881 when the General Assembly This May, the University will award over 8,912 degrees. Of accepted a gift of money and land from Charles and Augustus these, approximately 6,335 will be Bachelor’s degrees, 1,877 Storrs, natives of Mansfield. In 1893 when it became a land- Master’s degrees, 2 Doctor of Juridical Science, 146 Juris Doctor grant college and officially opened to women, the name was degrees, 83 Master of Laws degrees, 75 Doctor of Pharmacy changed to Storrs Agricultural College. As the mission of the degrees, 52 Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees, 102 Doctor of institution grew, its name was changed in 1899 to Connecticut Medicine degrees, 4 Doctor of Musical Arts degrees, 11 Doctor Agricultural College, and in 1933 to the Connecticut State of Audiology, 4 Doctor of Education degrees, 11 Doctor of College. At first a small but vigorous college with limited Nursing Practice degrees, 32 Doctor of Physical Therapy undergraduate offerings in agriculture, home economics and degrees, and 468 Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Also to be mechanical arts, with the development of a university program awarded are 61 diplomas in Professional Education and 34 it became The University of Connecticut in 1939. The Graduate Associate’s degrees in the two-year Ratcliffe Hicks School of program began in 1935, and in 1949 the University awarded its Agriculture. first doctoral degrees. The regional campuses were established in 1946 to accommodate the influx of veteran students. Today, The Commencement Ceremony, because of the large number of the University is made up of fourteen different schools and graduates, is divided into separate exercises, by college or colleges. Through its administrative Divisions, Institutes, and school. The Schools of Dental Medicine and Medicine, located Centers, the University is a Land Grant and Sea Grant College in Farmington, and the School of Law, located in Hartford, hold and a Space Grant Consortium Institution, privileged to serve their own exercises. The Commencement procession in each of the citizens of the State of Connecticut, and beyond. the exercises at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs is heralded by the ceremonial trumpets, acquired especially for the University’s Enormous expansion has taken place over the years together commencement. THE PROCESSIONAL BANNERS he Academic Procession is led by the Bearer of the Mace, College and School of Agriculture................... Brown and Maize Tfollowed by the faculty. The University Marshal, identified School of Business....................................................Drab Green by her Baton, follows the President, together with the speaker, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning the Board of Trustees, vice-presidents, deans, and other Bachelor of General Studies......................... Brown and Blue University officials. The Mace is presented at the center of the School of Dental Medicine...................................Lilac and Gold stage while members of the platform party enter and take their Neag School of Education.......................................... Light Blue places. Once the Mace is placed on the stand, it signals the School of Engineering.....................................................Orange beginning of the ceremony. School of Fine Arts............................................Brown and Pink The Graduate School Masters Candidates.............................Blue, White and Gold Doctor of Philosophy....................................................Gold School of Law.................................................................. Purple College of Liberal Arts and Sciences................. Navy and Yellow School of Medicine............................................Green and Gold School of Nursing...........................................................Apricot School of Pharmacy.......................................................... Green School of Social Work...................................................... Citron 3 he Academic Gowns, Hoods and Regalia represent more Bearer as she leads the academic procession into and out of the Tthan elegance or colorful attire. Academic caps and gowns place of ceremony. continue a tradition which reaches far back into the early days of the oldest universities of the Middle Ages. The early The Silver Collar/Medallion, worn by Thomas Katsouleas, European universities were founded by the church; the President, was first used in 1964, at the time of the University’s students, being clerics, were obliged to wear prescribed gowns Silver Anniversary. Each link on the collar represents one of the and caps at all times. Caps and gowns were once common University’s Schools or Colleges and consists of a cloisonné forms of clothing and were retained by the clergy when the laity circle engraved with an appropriate design for the particular adopted more modern dress. Hoods are lined with the official school and enameled with its traditional school or college color of the college or university which conferred the degree. colors. Hanging from the chain is a large silver medallion The velvet edging of the hood varies in length for bachelors, containing the University’s early seal. masters, and doctoral degrees. The color represents the appropriate degree. The tassel for the Bachelor’s and Master’s The Awarding of Degrees at the University of Connecticut is degree may be of color distinctive to the degree, and the tassel accomplished by a threefold process. First, the candidates for