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Eastern commencement exercises scheduled for May 11 and May 14

Willimantic, CT (05/08/2024) — Upwards of 900 undergraduate students will graduate at Eastern Connecticut State University's 134th annual Commencement Exercises on May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the XL Center in Hartford. A separate graduation ceremony for 70 master's degree candidates will take place on May 11 at 11 a.m. in the Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Instructional Center on Eastern's Willimantic campus.

Undergraduate Ceremony

Undergraduates will arrive at 4 p.m. at the XL Center and seating will begin at 4:30 p.m. Guests should be seated by 5:15 p.m. for the processional to begin at 5:30 p.m. The commencement ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. and end at approximately 8:30 p.m.

This year's undergraduate commencement address will be given by Jeff Benedict '91, an Eastern graduate and #1 New York Times best-selling author and seasoned television/film producer. Benedict has written 17 nonfiction books and more than 100 articles and essays exploring a diverse range of topics, from Indian casinos to biographies on sports icons.

"His remarkable career and dedication to storytelling and social justice will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they embark on their own journeys," said William Salka, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

The processional will feature the Governor's Foot Guard Color Guard, as well as musical selections by Eastern faculty and students. Professor Yaw Nsiah will be presented with this year's Award for Exemplary Service to Eastern, and President Elsa Nunez will be honored for her retirement after 18 years leading Eastern.

Additional remarks will be given by Martin Guay of the Connecticut Board of Regents of Higher Education; Alexis Annan, senior class president; and Kathleen Regan-Pyne '79, vice president of the ECSU Foundation Board.

Graduate Ceremony

The processional for the graduate ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., followed by speeches and a hooding ceremony, with the event concluding at approximately 12:30 p.m.

The keynote address will be given by Joseph Lobe '03, who graduated from Eastern with a B.S. in accounting; his law degree is from Western New England University School of Law. Lobe has spent 16 years with The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority in various roles from manager to director to his current position as vice president and deputy general counsel, supporting Mohegan properties that include Mohegan Sun Connecticut, Mohegan Pennsylvania, Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls; and Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea.

Other speakers will include President Nunez and Ben Parent M'24, who will give the graduate student address.

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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. In addition to attracting students from 160 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 30 states and eight countries. 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 20 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2022-23 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 14 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.