{"id":230307,"date":"2025-05-12T12:40:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T16:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=230307"},"modified":"2025-05-12T12:51:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T16:51:59","slug":"clas-commencement-honors-3000-graduates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/05\/clas-commencement-honors-3000-graduates\/","title":{"rendered":"CLAS Commencement Honors 3,000 Graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"

UConn<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) held its commencement ceremonies on <\/span><\/span>Sunday, <\/span><\/span><\/span>May 11<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in <\/span>Harry A. <\/span>Gampel Pavilion, honoring <\/span>3,000<\/span> graduates in three separate ceremonies. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Across the weekend, UConn held 17 graduation ceremonies representing the 146th annual commencement exercises at <\/span>the University<\/span>. Students earned degrees from one or more of the College\u2019s 55 majors across the life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UConn President Radenka Maric congratulated the graduates, recognizing their hard work and honoring the support of families, especially mothers, who received a special shout-out and applause in celebration of Mother\u2019s Day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has a unique place at UConn,” said Maric. “All UConn students receive a broad, foundational education from the College, which shapes their critical thinking, pursuit of truth, and lifelong dedication to learning.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UConn awarded a total of 5,672 undergraduate and 2,136 graduates over the weekend. <\/span><\/p>\n

The graduating class included 1,862 first-generation college graduates and 4,361 Connecticut residents.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Student speaker Aish Benzy \u201925 (CLAS), a member of the CLAS Student Leadership Board who earned a dual degree in physiology and neurobiology and human rights, reflected <\/span>that <\/span>despite UConn\u2019s large size, she found herself at home. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Growth doesn\u2019t happen in straight lines. It\u2019s about learning from setbacks and persevering.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cAt UConn, I never felt alone,\u201d Benzy said. \u201cThere was always someone there to help, whether it was a professor staying late to answer my questions or a friend offering a listening ear. It made all the difference.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had moments of doubt, moments when I thought I couldn\u2019t keep going,\u201d she added. \u201cBut I realized that growth doesn\u2019t happen in straight lines. It\u2019s about learning from setbacks and persevering.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Commencement speaker Joe La Puma \u201905 (CLAS), host of the <\/span>award-winning <\/span>YouTube series Sneaker Shopping, recounted how he navigated an uncertain path to discovering his passion for journalism. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Pay attention to the moments that spark something in you, those flashes of passion,” he advised the graduates. “They\u2019re the secret ingredients that can change everything.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to have your entire career path mapped out from the start,” he emphasized, encouraging graduates to embrace uncertainty and trust their ability to adapt.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the close of the ceremony, CLAS dean Ofer Harel led students in the traditional turning of tassels on their hats\u2019 mortarboards from the right to the left side. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ever forget what side your tassel goes on, remember that you wear it on the left side, over your heart, to remind you of your alma mater,\u201d Harel said. <\/span><\/p>\n