Colgate’s Bicentennial class celebrated commencement along the banks of Taylor Lake — the University’s first outdoor ceremony since 2008. It was the culmination of a three-day celebration that included an all- class picnic on Friday, the senior torchlight procession, seminars by honorary degree recipients, and a renewed baccalaureate service.
“You are a class assembled at a unique moment in Colgate history,” President Brian W. Casey told them. “You are a class that saw Colgate enter its third century.”
Rep. Antonio Delgado ’99 delivered the commencement address, focusing on the power of love. “In love, you will find the courage to turn down all the outside noise in order to hear your inner voice. In love, you will find the strength to follow your heart and intuition when all around you think otherwise.”
Commencement details:
- 719 undergraduates recognized with bachelor of arts (artium baccalaureus) degrees
- 459 earned university honors
- Valedictorian: Matthew Kato, history major, from Los Angeles, Calif., graduated summa
cum laude - Salutatorian: Tianyi “Mike” He, a chemistry and philosophy major from Shenzhen, China, graduated summa cum laude with high honors in chemistry
- 39 elected to Phi Beta Kappa
- 5 awarded master of arts in teaching degrees