Clarkson University Awards Degrees to More Than 650 Students at Spring 2024 Commencement

May 11, 2024

Clarkson University awarded more than 650 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to students from 28 states, 23 countries and 55 counties of New York state at its spring 2022 commencement, today, Saturday, May 14. An additional 301 students received degrees this past winter and summer.

A student in regalia processing with peers shakes hands with a faculty member in regalia on as the students passes by applauding faculty

The weekend was also marked by the commissioning of United States Army and United States Air Force officers on Friday.

Ginger Hunter, an assistant professor of biology, was awarded the John W. Graham Jr. Faculty Research Award. The $1,500 research accounts are presented to "faculty members who have shown promise in engineering, business, liberal arts or scientific research."

Alexis Maciel, an associate professor of computer science and chair of the Department of Computer Science, was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award. The $1,500 prize is given "in recognition of the importance of superior teaching." Candidates are nominated for the award by Clarkson alumni and the final selection is made by a faculty committee.

Graduating senior Miles Compani, of Perth, NY, was awarded the Levinus Clarkson Award, and graduating senior Celia Darling of Webster, N.Y.,Graduating senior Celia Darling of Webster, N.Y., received the Frederica Clarkson Award. Both are $1,000 prizes given to "a student who demonstrates the best combination of scholarship and promise of outstanding professional achievement."

In addition to the graduating students, receiving an honorary doctor of science degrees and addressing students, families and guests was P. Hunter Peckham '66, co-director of the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Peckham spoke about his time at Clarkson, the struggles he faced early on, his drive to overcome them, and his wonderment about the future as he sat where the 2024 graduates were now seated. His journey included deviations from his intended path, and his message to students was to embrace uncertainty, and pursue a path that truly excites them.

“Think back to when you first arrived at Clarkson—has every semester panned out precisely as planned? Or did you find yourself someplace entirely unexpected? Do you find yourself grateful for the experiences—good and bad—that brought you to this arena?” Peckham asked of the students. “Rest assured, you will encounter uncertainty again and again throughout your lives. As uncomfortable as they may be in the moment, I have found that surprises often lead to the greatest gifts.”