Mitchell College Confers 200 Degrees At 69th Commencement

Under sunny skies outside the Duqués Center on Saturday, Mitchell College conferred 200 degrees to new graduates at the 69th commencement ceremony.

The campus awarded 179 bachelor’s degrees and 21 associate’s degrees to the Class of 2013. Mary Ellen Jukoski, president of Mitchell College, began the ceremony by praising the graduates for their achievements in everything from athletic achievements to capstone projects.

“Today we come together as a community to celebrate commencement, a significant chapter in the book of life for our new graduates,” said Jukoski.

Mutáwi Mutáhash [Many Hearts] Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba, chief of the Mohegan Tribe, was the ceremony’s commencement speaker. After an invocation involving a traditional burning of sage, Malerba noted how the tribe has a winding symbol interspersed with dots meant to represent life’s peaks and valleys as well as the people you meet along the way. She asked family and friends of the graduates to stand, and for the graduates to turn to acknowledge them.

“Truly it is the people in our lives who are our most valuable assets,” she said. “They give us the confidence to achieve our goals.”

Malerba also said graduates should not be discouraged by difficulties they encounter, listing rejections from publishers, schools, or jobs experienced by numerous successful people. She said people should have faith in themselves and be willing to take an opportunity if one arises, even if it is not directly related to their personal plans.

Student speaker Todd Esperance said those going into college face the misconception that one has to attend a top-rated, highly competitive school in order to be successful. He said the Class of 2013’s success will be defined more by the support of the people around them and how they use what they have learned.

“With the support of our parents and guardians, we took those first steps of our new college lives at Mitchell and refused to believe we were incapable of anything,” said Esperance. “I took a chance on Mitchell, and Mitchell took a change on me.”

Professor Jeffrey Scott Turner, who is retiring at the end of this semester after 42 years of teaching, received the Distinguished Alumni Award as well as a standing ovation from the audience. Turner was recognized for writing or contributing to 14 of the college’s majors as well as his involvement in the college’s development of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

“Thank you for putting up with a grumpy, mean, angry, sullen curmudgeon,” Turner joked. “But I’ve been happy to be by your side.”  

New London graduates

• Ryan Jeffrey Mulqueen, bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice – justice studies, magna cum laude 
  
• Caitlin Mallory Gross, bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice – programs and treatments, cum laude 
  
• Rebecca Reneé Onat, bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice – programs and treatments, cum laude 
  
• Roselyn Tryon, bachelor of arts degree in liberal and professional studies – individualized program, cum laude 
  
• Rashad Mikel Hill, bachelor of science degree in business administration – accounting 
  
• Samuel Reid Bostwick, bachelor of science degree in hospitality and tourism – hotel/resort management 
  
• Jasmyn April Bowens, bachelor of science degree in psychology – individualized, cum laude 
  
• Jaimee Leigh Topkin, bachelor of science degree in psychology – individualized, cum laude