UConn’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) held its commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 11 in Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, honoring 3,000 graduates in three separate ceremonies.

Across the weekend, UConn held 17 graduation ceremonies representing the 146th annual commencement exercises at the University. Students earned degrees from one or more of the College’s 55 majors across the life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities.  

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’s Day. 

“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.” 

UConn awarded a total of 5,672 undergraduate and 2,136 graduates over the weekend.

The graduating class included 1,862 first-generation college graduates and 4,361 Connecticut residents.   

Student speaker Aish Benzy ’25 (CLAS), a member of the CLAS Student Leadership Board who earned a dual degree in physiology and neurobiology and human rights, reflected that despite UConn’s large size, she found herself at home.  

Growth doesn’t happen in straight lines. It’s about learning from setbacks and persevering.

“At UConn, I never felt alone,” Benzy said. “There 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.” 

“I had moments of doubt, moments when I thought I couldn’t keep going,” she added. “But I realized that growth doesn’t happen in straight lines. It’s about learning from setbacks and persevering.” 

Commencement speaker Joe La Puma ’05 (CLAS), host of the award-winning YouTube series Sneaker Shopping, recounted how he navigated an uncertain path to discovering his passion for journalism.  

“Pay attention to the moments that spark something in you, those flashes of passion,” he advised the graduates. “They’re the secret ingredients that can change everything.”

“You don’t 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.

At the close of the ceremony, CLAS dean Ofer Harel led students in the traditional turning of tassels on their hats’ mortarboards from the right to the left side.  

“If 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,” Harel said.