UD Commencement 2024

Perhaps the University of Delaware’s newest graduates haven’t yet been named Super Bowl MVP, but they’ve certainly accomplished so much during their time at UD … with infinite possibilities ahead.

Blue Hen pride was overflowing at Delaware Stadium as UD celebrated its newest class of graduates at the annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 25.

With an enthusiastic crowd of about 20,000 in the stands and on the field, UD President Dennis Assanis began by lauding the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 while also acknowledging the hardships they have faced. Many in this year’s graduating class started their journeys at UD during the height of the pandemic. For most, it was also their first in-person graduation ceremony, as multiple high school graduation ceremonies were canceled in the spring of 2020.

But the Class of 2024 persevered. In the classroom, in research labs, on the athletic fields and courts, and in the community, Blue Hens are already making an impact.

“Your education here at UD is far more than the papers you wrote, the research experiments you conducted, the lectures you attended, or even the courses you completed,” Assanis said. “It’s the connections you have made with your peers, your professors, the greater UD community and, of course, the connections you have made with yourselves — connections that translate into new insights, discoveries, ambitions, values and dreams.”

Technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, continue to change the world in myriad ways, Assanis said. But he reminded graduates that no technology can replace the connections they made with others or the lessons they learned about themselves through those experiences during their time at UD.

“You are on the verge of entering an incredibly exciting world that is powered by creativity and innovation, and enabled by technology, in new ways every day, but also a world where humanity is facing grand challenges that are calling urgently for grand solutions,” Assanis said. “Our world needs you — and the human aspect of who you are — to care about justice and equity, to care about the planet, to debate respectfully and collaborate creatively, to make things better for all of us.”

After receiving an honorary doctor of humane letters degree, Commencement speaker Joe Flacco, NFL quarterback, Super Bowl MVP and 2008 UD graduate, told graduates to embrace uncertainty. Today’s world is wracked by multiple global wars and power struggles; global superpowers are increasingly at odds and democracy is in retreat, Flacco said.

“In order for you all to live up to your potential, you are each going to have to grow as individuals,” Flacco said. “Part of that growth is learning to accept uncertainty and the fear that comes with it, especially at the beginning.”

Flacco acknowledged that embracing uncertainty is a difficult task while sharing some lessons learned that helped him embrace the uncertainty in his own life. This included doubts about his capabilities first on the high school football field and then in college and the NFL.

“I began to realize that the more I put myself in difficult and hard situations, the more I could improve,” he said. “I needed to focus on preparing and getting better every day. I had to answer questions about my performance honestly. I had to accept and be OK with being wrong and being corrected. I had to be able to learn from others and each experience.”

Flacco said embracing uncertainty ultimately gave him an advantage.

“Failure is OK as long as you learn from it,” he said. “Pattern recognition is essential in any situation if you want to keep improving.”

Assanis, Provost Laura Carlson, Board of Trustees Chair Terri L. Kelly, University administrators, trustees, deans and distinguished students and faculty joined Flacco on the stage at Delaware Stadium.

Four individuals were recognized with honorary degrees. The honorary degree, the University’s highest accolade, is reserved for individuals who reflect, in their personal and professional achievements, the University’s mission and who serve as exemplars for UD’s students, alumni, the University community and the world.

The group of honorees, approved by the Board of Trustees at its spring meeting, included Flacco; the Hon. Tamika R. Montgomery-Reeves, the first African-American person from Delaware to serve as judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; UD Professor Don Sparks, the Unidel S. Hallock du Pont Chair in Plant and Soil Sciences and former director of the Delaware Environmental Institute; and KR Sridhar, founder, chairman and CEO of Bloom Energy.

Saturday’s ceremony was the largest of several festive events on campus this week, including UD college convocations and the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, all designed to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2024.

During the Commencement ceremony, Assanis recognized all graduates, including those who studied abroad, Blue Hen student-athletes, students who participated in service organizations and those who graduated with honors.

Some 6,149 graduates earned degrees. Among them were Katherine Snyder, who earned this year’s highest grade-point index; Allie Rebuck and Emilie Delaye, the recipients of the Warner and Taylor Awards for outstanding seniors; Meliha Tokay and  Hailey Kremenek, who earned Fulbright Scholarships; four Goldwater Scholars; one Truman Scholar; three Gilman Scholars; and seven National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows. Graduates spanned in age from 18 to 76 and hailed from 47 states and territories and 82 countries.

“Your college experience here in Delaware will always represent a pivotal point in your life journey,” Assanis told the graduates. “You are ready and empowered to build on your experiences, your connections and insights to shape a future that you will lead. No matter what challenges lie ahead, remember who you are, where you came from, and invest in the dreams that will carry you forward with a big heart and an open mind.”

Stephanie Lapinid, who earned a bachelor of science in medical laboratory science, said it felt surreal to finally be graduating from UD, the university she’s wanted to attend since she moved to Delaware from the Philippines when she was 6 years old.

“I’m really fortunate to have gone here. My parents said this is where they wanted me to go to college, and I kept up my end of the bargain. I worked hard to get here, to get where I am. So this is all really just for them,” she said. “I feel amazing. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m happy that I’m here to make my parents proud.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, alumnus Bill Luzier, president of the University of Delaware Alumni Association, congratulated the graduates on joining the more than 205,000 Blue Hen alumni around the world and encouraged them to wear the Blue Hen pin they received with pride. The ceremony opened with a procession that included alumni representing classes from the 1950s to 2023.

UD Faculty Senate President Jim Morrison, who is retiring this year after 55 years of service to the University, recognized the members of the Class of 2024.

“As students, you started your academic journeys from vastly different places that have led you right here, right now,” Morrison said. “We, as the faculty of the University of Delaware, have always been committed to creating an excellent academic learning environment for you, and, in turn, you, as students, have worked very hard and have done such amazing things … Your dreams are right in front of you.”

Nicole Sasso, who earned an honors bachelor of science in biology, said she was looking forward to being with her friends and classmates one last time before everyone goes their separate ways.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” she said. “I’m super excited to spend this day with everybody, but I’m also excited for what comes next. I’m definitely going to miss living here with all my friends, but I’m so excited to spend this one last day at UD.”

The 2024 Commencement and convocation ceremonies were the first in-person graduation events Wuo Korto, who earned a master’s in cybersecurity, had attended, despite previously earning associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from Delaware Technical Community College and Wilmington University.

“Coming to the United States, then earning my associate’s degree and now getting my master’s — it’s been an incredible journey,” said Korto, who is from Liberia. “There’s a lot I’ll miss. This experience will remain with me forever.”

It was also the first in-person graduation ceremony for Max Bedilion, who earned a bachelor of science in finance and business analytics. Starting college during the pandemic, the Newark native said it made sense to stay close to home, but not once did he regret his choice to attend UD.

“I think a lot of people underestimate how good of a school UD is, especially if you’re from here,” he said. “But I knew this is where I wanted to be. My experience definitely lived up to my expectations — and then some.”

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Article by Amy Wolf. Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson, Evan Krape and Maria Errico.