Eastern Connecticut State University Celebrates 800 Graduates
More than 800 Eastern Connecticut State University students received undergraduate and graduate-level degrees in the 2024-25 academic year, which culminated this past May with two commencement ceremonies at the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester.
Nick Saxa of Orange graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies in General Studies .
From first-generation college students to seasoned professionals pursuing advanced degrees, the graduates reflected the breadth and diversity of Eastern's public liberal arts mission. They ranged in age from 20 to 72, representing nearly all of Connecticut's 169 towns, 19 other U.S. states, and more than 30 foreign countries.
The graduates went through the University's School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and Professional Studies, and Graduate Division. Popular undergraduate majors included business administration, psychology, health sciences, sociology, and communication. At the graduate level, degrees were awarded in fields such as accounting, education (early childhood, elementary, secondary), management, applied data science, special education, and educational technology.
During her keynote speech at the May 20 undergraduate commencement ceremony, Dr. Mary Grant, president of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, applauded the graduates for their resilience, especially as the first class to attend college following the initial shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In a world that sometimes chooses fear over hope, choose hope," she said. Drawing on her own liberal arts background, she emphasized the enduring value of skills like critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning. "These aren't soft skills," she said. "They're essential skills-skills that all employers want."
President Karim Ismaili echoed that sentiment, commending graduates for transforming through their college years into effective communicators, problem solvers, and thoughtful citizens. "You've matured, you've discovered new passions, and in many ways, you've changed," he said. "These skills will serve you no matter where life takes you."
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong spoke at the graduate-level ceremony on May 17, where he was awarded Eastern's inaugural Distinguished Public Service Award. Reflecting on his upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants working in a family-owned restaurant in Wethersfield, Tong said, "There are a lot of people who feel invisible. I want to help them because I know what they're going through."
He encouraged graduates to recognize shared humanity and stand up for marginalized communities. "See the people who don't look exactly like you; they're your people too," he said.
During her graduate ceremony remarks, student speaker Shellena Pitterson '25 highlighted the personal sacrifices and late-night study sessions that defined the graduate journey: "We've navigated assignments, exams, late nights, and - let's be honest - the occasional existential crisis."
At the undergraduate ceremony, Senior Class President Felishka Ramirez '25 thanked the "Eastern village" of faculty and staff who invested in students' growth. "They didn't just teach us; they believed in us. They taught us how to think critically, how to persevere, and how to believe in the power of our own voices," she said.
Speaking on behalf of alumni, Ellen Lang '81 spoke at both ceremonies to welcome new graduates into Eastern's alumni family, now more than 40,000 strong. "You are now connected to a powerful and supportive network of leaders, changemakers, and lifelong learners," she said. "Once a Warrior, always a Warrior."
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
