uconn physics phd ranking

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Office of the Registrar

Graduate Catalog

The Department of Physics offers two graduate degrees: Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The M.S. degree is aimed at students pursuing careers in industry, state or federal government or science/physics education. The M.S. in Physics may be either a completely coursework based degree or it may have a thesis component as described later. The Ph.D. in Physics prepares students for research and teaching careers in physics and engineering disciplines, including research and leadership positions with non-profit organizations, industry, universities, private foundations, and state or federal government agencies.

Master of Science in Physics

Students follow an individual plan of study arranged jointly by the student and an advisory committee, based on the student’s career goals as well as prior preparation. Candidates for the master’s degree without thesis are required to complete 30 credits of courses. Candidates for the master’s degree with thesis are required to complete 21 credits of courses and nine credits of thesis research, as stipulated in the Academic Regulations of this catalog.

Master of Science without Thesis Course Requirements: PHYS 5101 , 5201 , 5301 , 5401 , 5402 , and 5500 totaling 18 credits. The remaining 12 credits could be 5000 or higher level courses from Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or School of Engineering.

Master of Science with Thesis Research Course Requirements: PHYS 5101 , 5201 , 5301 , 5401 , 5402 , 5500 totaling 18 credits, and nine credits of thesis research GRAD 5950 . The remaining three credits could be 5000 or higher level courses from Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry or School of Engineering.

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics

Course Requirements:   PHYS 5302 and 5403 . The rest of the credits necessary for a Ph.D. (on the Plan of Study) are determined by the student’s advisory committee. These credits could be 5000 or higher level courses from Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry or School of Engineering.

General Examination. Oral examination, short (~30 minutes) oral presentation on a research topic chosen in consultation between the student and their advisory committee, followed by an oral exam probing the student’s physics knowledge underlying their presentation. Students must satisfy the core coursework requirement before taking the Ph.D. General Examination (i.e. obtain a grade of B or better in four courses from the core course list). The general examination committee consists of the student’s three-person advisory committee, plus two other faculty members from a different research field.

Dissertation Proposal. By the end of their third year, all Ph.D. students must have an Advisory Committee and must complete their Dissertation Proposal (details and form at the Graduate School website). The written proposal must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee, including an oral defense of the proposal before a committee composed of their Advisory Committee and two other faculty examiners.

Additional General Requirements. In addition, the following requirements apply to all students entering the Physics graduate program. Each year, each student must complete, in consultation with their faculty advisor, a Physics Graduate Student Progress Form. A Plan of Study must be completed by M.S. students no later than the beginning of the final semester, and for Ph.D. students no later than when 18 credits of course-work have been completed. All Physics graduate students are expected to attend the Departmental Colloquium, and to participate in the regular research seminars in the department. A Safety Examination is required of all graduate students; a Shop Course is required for use of the Physics Machine Shop, and Laser Safety Training for students using lasers. All beginning graduate students are required to attend the Computer Information Workshop and Orientation on Computer Use and Security. There is no foreign language requirement for the Physics M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

The programs are offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences .

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University of Connecticut

About university of connecticut.

The University of Connecticut (UConn) was founded as an agricultural school in 1881 by brothers Charles and Augustus Storrs.

More than 130 years later and UConn is one of the top public universities in America, which ranks within the top 20 overall, according to the US News & World Report .

UConn is organised across 14 schools and colleges that between them offer over 100 degree programmes to more than 30,000 students, around 7,000 of which are post-graduate.

The university also lays claim to five campuses throughout Connecticut. Its main one is in the town of Storrs, with others situated in both urban and coastal locations: its historic Avery Point campus, home to its marine sciences, maritime studies and oceanography programmes, is bounded on three sides by water.

UConn prides itself on having a diverse community, a culture of innovation, a tradition of coaching winning athletes and a thriving academic spirit.

It is home to five on-campus theaters, including the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, and three museums, including The William Benton Museum of Art – Connecticut’s State Art Museum.

UConn’s commitment to the fine arts is long-established. The university has an exclusive educational partnership with the Metropolitan Opera and is one of only two colleges nationwide that offer a degree in puppetry.

It also has considerable heritage, with 47 buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Among them is the golden-domed, Wilbur Cross building – a former library and one of the most iconic features on campus.

Away from campus, the university offers an extensive study abroad scheme with 250 programmes offered in 65 countries across six continents.

UConn’s award-winning athletics teams have the husky as their mascot. Jonathan the Husky, as he is named, leads university parades, travels to sporting events around the country and makes regular media appearances.

Explore these featured universities

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Master of Science in Data Science

Masters (ms) in data science graduate degree program.

A 30-credit career-focused data science master’s degree with in-person and online program options.

Labor Insight ™ :   Source: Burning Glass Technologies . Labor Insight™. 2022.

The University of Connecticut offers both on-campus and online Master of Science in Data Science degree programs designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in data analysis and its application to multiple industry sectors and fields of practice. The program places extensive focus on data ethics and equity throughout the curriculum. All students are required to complete a 3 credit hour applied industry-based capstone project that builds and showcases data science skills gained through core and elective courses.

Online MS in Data Science Program

The online MS in Data Science program at UConn provides students the flexibility to study from anywhere, anytime, and at their own pace (part-time) while still receiving access to the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Focus on courses covering foundational data science knowledge, as well as discipline-informed, industry-aligned specialty electives.

On-Campus MS in Data Science Program

The on-campus MS in Data Science program at the University of Connecticut is an 11-month, cohort-based, full-time program that provides students with a multidisciplinary, 30-credit, career-driven curriculum focused on foundational data science knowledge and skills. This program is eligible for F-1 and J-1 visa sponsorship and is a STEM OPT approved program.

UConn’s MS in Data Science does not offer graduate assistantships or scholarships at this time.

Two Great MSDS Options - Same Great Outcome

Learner and outcome focused, uconn's master's in data science develops core competencies that are aligned with workforce and industry needs..

Upon conclusion of the Master's in Data Science, graduates will be able to:

• Identify and collect appropriate data to support robust inferences and predictions to facilitate decision making.
• Gather, manage, clean, merge, transform, and summarize data from disparate sources using programming and scripting tools.
• Visualize complex data sets to support analysis and prediction and to support decision making by end-users.
• Conduct associational and causal analyses using modeling approaches, computational statistical learning techniques, and best practices across domains.
• Apply machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to large, heterogeneous, unstructured data sets to achieve optimal accuracy levels on test data.
• Perform big data analytics through the efficient use of algorithms, high-performance computing, and out-of-core computing in cloud computing environments.
• Evaluate the reliability and validity of inferences and predictions.
• Communicate analytic insights across different domains using a variety of data visualization strategies and tools. 
• Incorporate best practices for project and data management and documentation in collaborative team environments.
• Evaluate the ethical, legal, and social impacts of the data science process, including considerations of diversity, equity, inclusion, data privacy, data security, and data ownership within a broader social and international context, especially in addressing systemic biases and inequities.
• Integrate domain-specific knowledge and cross-domain collaboration to produce more accurate modeling, analysis, and predictions.

Designed to be one of the most multi-disciplinary, results driven data science master’s degrees in the US.

UConn offers one of the best-value, applied data science master’s degrees in the US. Students develop advanced knowledge and proficiency in core areas of data science and competencies in specialized domains through focused industry-aligned concentrations and practical hands-on applied learning and capstone projects. Special emphasis is placed on data ethics and equity. Courses are taught by UConn’s distinguished faculty from five Schools and Colleges including the School of Business, School of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, and the Neag School of Education.

Data Science Master's Core Courses (21 credits)

Core courses:.

• GRAD 5100* - Fundamentals of Data Science (3 credits) NEW
• STAT 5405 - Applied Statistics for Data Science (3 credits)
• STAT 5125 - Statistical Computing for Data Science (3 credits)
• CSE 5819 - Introduction to Machine Learning (3 credits)
• CSE 5713 - Data Mining and Management (3 credits)
• OPIM 5501 - Data Visualization and Communication (2 credits)
• EPSY 5641 - Research Design and Measurement for Data Science (2 credits)
• ARE 5353 - Data Ethics and Equity (2 credits)

*Subject to Graduate Executive Council Approval

Data Science Master's Core Electives (6 credits) — Choose 2 courses. In-person at the Storrs campus unless (otherwise specified)

Most popular electives:.

• STAT 5825 - Applied Time Series (3 credits)
• STAT 5845 - Applied Spatio-Temporal Statistics (3 credits)
• EPSY 5643 - Text Analytics (3 credits)
• BIST 5625 - Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credits)
• CSE 5800 - Bioinformatics (3 credits)
• CSE 5850 - Introduction to Cyber-Security (3 credits)
• OPIM 5512 - Data Science using Python (online) (3 credits)
• OPIM 5604 - Predictive Modeling (online) (3 credits)

Other Specialty Electives:

In-person at the Storrs campus unless (otherwise specified). Enrollment in specialty electives must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Many specialty elective courses require prior discipline-specific academic experience and/or academic prerequisites.

• STAT 5415 - Statistical Methods for Data Science (3 credits)
• STAT 5665 - Applied Multivariate Analysis (3 credits)
• STAT 5675 - Bayesian Data Analysis (3 credits)
• BIST 5615 - Categorical Data Analysis
• BIST 5645 - Concepts and Analysis of Survival Data (3 credits)
• BIST 5815 - Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 credits)
• OPIM 5502 - Big Data Analytics with Cloud Computing (online) (3 credits)
• OPIM 5509 - Introduction to Deep Learning (online) (3 credits)
• OPIM 5511 - Survival Analysis with SAS (online) (3 credits)
• OPIM 5512 - Data Science Using Python (online) (3 credits)
• CSE 5312 - Architecture of Internet of Things (3 credits)
• CSE 5500 - Algorithms (3 credits)
• CSE 5825 - Bayesian Machine Learning (3 credits)
• CSE 5815 - Systems Biology: Constructing Biological Knowledgebase (3 Credits)
• CSE 5840 - String Algorithms and Applications in Bioinformatics (3 Credits)
• CSE 5860 - Computational Problems in Evolutionary Genomics (3 Credits)
• CSE 5299 - Computer Networks and Data Communication (3 credits)
• CSE 5300 - Advanced Computer Networks (3 credits)
• CSE 5304 - High-Performance Parallel Computing (3 credits)
• CSE 5309 - Networked Embedded Systems (3 credits)
• CSE 5852 - Modern Cryptography: Foundations (3 credits)
• CSE 5854 - Modern Cryptography: Primitives and Protocols (3 credits)
• EPSY 6611 - Hierarchical Linear Modeling (3 credits)
• EPSY 6615 - Structural Equation Modeling (3 credits)
• NRE 5525 - Remote Sensing of the Environment (online) (3 credits)
• NRE 5585 - Python Scripting for Geospatial Analysis (online) (3 credits)
• NRE 5215 - Introduction to Geospatial Analysis with Remote Sensing (online) (3 credits)
• NRE 5545 - Quantitative Remote Sensing Methods (online) (3 credits)
• NRE 5560 - High Resolution Remote Sensing: Application of UAS & LiDAR (online) (3 credits)
• NRE 5235 - Remote Sensing Image Processing (online) (3 credits)

Culminating Capstone Project (3 credits)

• GRAD 5800 Applied Capstone in Data Science (3 credits)

Apply Today

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Information Session

UConn’s Master’s in Data Science is an 11-month cohort based full-time in-person program and is eligible for F-1 and J-1 visa sponsorship. Courses are offered on the University of Connecticut’s Storrs, CT USA Campus. This program is eligible for the STEM OPT extension that affords certain F-1 graduate students an opportunity to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). The program does not offer graduate assistantships and scholarships at this time.

An MS in Data Science From a Top-Ranked (R1) University

The University of Connecticut is ranked in the Top 25 Public Schools by US News & World Report and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Concentrations

UConn's MS in Data Science Graduate Program offers twelve concentrations for advanced students ranging from Biostatistics to Cybersecurity to Business Data Science. Many students choose not to pursue a concentration.

Advanced Data Analysis

Bioinformatics

Biostatistics

Business Data Science

Cloud Computing

Cybersecurity

Dependent Data Analysis

Geospatial Data Analysis

Healthcare Analytics

Marketing Analytics

Social and Behavioral Analysis

Talent Analytics

Interested in Creating Your Own Track?

You have options to create a track to suit your specific needs.

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University of Connecticut Graduate School Report

• Average Salary
• Online Learning
• Master’s Degree Programs
• Doctorate Degree Programs

University of Connecticut Graduate School Rankings

College Factual began publishing its yearly rankings to help students identify graduate schools that put a high emphasis on educational quality as well as helping students succeed. Factors that go into these rankings include how much money students make after graduation, the number of FTE students per instructor, and how much debt students take on to attend the school.

Best Master’s Degree Schools Ranking

Out of the 1149 colleges and universities analyzed in College Factual's 2024 Best Master's Degree Schools in the U.S. ranking, University of Connecticut took the #60 spot. This rank is quite an honor since it puts the school in the Top 10% of the country for overall quality. UCONN received this year's Best Master's Schools badge for its high ranking.

UCONN also ranked #2 for Best Master's Degree Schools in Connecticut.

Best Doctorate Degree Schools Ranking

Of the 676 institutions of higher learning that were examined in the 2024 Best Doctorate Schools in the United States ranking, UCONN came in at #206.

UCONN also ranked #3 for Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Connecticut.

University of Connecticut Graduate Student Diversity

Uconn graduate student male-female ratio.

Athough the male-female ratio may vary depending on the degree program, 54.3% of the total graduate students at UCONN are women and 45.7% are men.

UCONN Graduate Student Racial-Ethnic Diversity

Of all the graduate students at UCONN, around 23.5% belong to a racial-ethnic minority group. Americans aren't the only ones who appreciate the graduate programs at UCONN. Around 20.6% of graduate students are international. The chart below shows the breakdown of graduate student demographics at the school. You can click on it for a more detailed view.

UCONN Graduate School Cost of Attendance

The average graduate full-time tuition and fees is shown in the table below.

Average Salary of UCONN Grads with Master’s or Doctorate

Master’s degree average earnings.

After obtaining their master's degree from UCONN, graduates go on to jobs earning an average starting salary of $67,950. That's about 16% higher than the countrywide average of $58,425 for all master's degree holders.

Doctorate Degree Average Earnings

After obtaining their doctorate degree from UCONN, graduates go on to jobs earning an average starting salary of $72,623. When comparing to other doctorate degree holders, that's on the low side. It's about 4% lower than the national average of $75,260.

Location of University of Connecticut Graduate School

Get more details about the location of University of Connecticut.

Contact details for UCONN are given below.

Online Learning for UCONN Grad Students

In 2020-2021, 37.1% of the graduate students at University of Connecticut took at least one class online. For that same period, 15.9% of grad students took all of their classes online.

University of Connecticut Master’s Degree Programs

The only degree programs listed here are those in which master’s degrees were awarded in 2020-2021.

University of Connecticut Doctorate Degree Programs

Just like the master’s degree programs, only programs that had doctorate degrees awarded in 2020-2021 are shown here.

Notes and References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• National Center for Education Statistics
• College Scorecard
• Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
• Image Credit: By Daderot under License

More about our data sources and methodologies .

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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Mathematics

Uconn math grad program ranked top 40 among public universities.

UConn’s ranking climbed in U.S. News & World Report’s list of the country’s best mathematics graduate programs, a sign of the University’s growing reputation as a center of excellence in mathematics education and research.

In the 2022 list, UConn’s Mathematics Graduate Program is ranked #40 among public universities and #66 overall. The rankings are based on surveys sent to mathematicians around the country, and as such are a reflection of national reputation.

Department head, Professor Ambar Sengupta, attributes the improvement to hard work over the past several years. “Our faculty have been conducting really stellar research, publishing in top international journals, getting appointed to world renown editorial boards, and securing competitive grants . We have also worked diligently to improve our standing and visibility. We have become an institutional supporter of the MSRI. And the number of meetings and summer schools organized by our faculty and postdocs has never been greater. This excellence reflects on the quality of our graduate program and other educational offerings.”

In other good news, the department’s Actuarial Science program was ranked #1 in the country in the most recent UNL Global Research Rankings of Actuarial Science and Risk Management & Insurance.

“I want to thank every member of the department – professional staff, the entire faculty, and our graduate students – for these achievements,” added Professor Sengupta. “It really is a team effort. And it makes UConn Math an exciting place to work at.”

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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Psychological Sciences

Graduate education.

UConn’s Department of Psychological Sciences is a vibrant community where graduate students learn about the mind, brain, and behavior at all levels of analysis, from individual neurons to group relationships.

The Department of Psychological Sciences offers a Ph.D. program with eight areas of concentration, along with three interdisciplinary graduate certificates. Students in these programs use the scientific method to generate knowledge and gain professional skills through research, teaching, public engagement, and clinical experiences.  

View Admissions Requirements

Programs at a Glance

Ph.D. Concentrations

Ph.D. Program

Our Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychological Sciences offers students advanced study and training. Students can choose a concentration in one of eight specializations that align with the Department’s research strengths. The Ph.D. program is offered on the UConn Storrs campus and is open to full-time students. Students admitted into the Ph.D. program receive a graduate assistantship for research or teaching, which includes a tuition waiver, stipend, and other benefits.   Learn more about the psychological sciences Ph.D. program.

Certificate Program Options

Graduate Certificates

We offer interdisciplinary Graduate Certificates in Diversity Science, Health Psychology, Occupational Health Psychology, and Quantitative Research Methods . These programs allow students to gain specialized training that will complement their existing degrees. They are open to students currently enrolled in a UConn graduate program and to external applicants.   Learn more about the Department's graduate certificate programs.

Fast-Track Master's Program

Accelerated MS in Psychological Sciences

Our Accelerated Master of Science (MS) in Psychological Sciences allows qualified current UConn undergraduates to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as five years. This special program is designed for students who wish to accelerate their progress toward a research-focused career or additional graduate degree programs.   Learn more about the accelerated master's program.

The UConn Advantage

The University of Connecticut is among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Situated in beautiful New England, the Storrs campus offers recreation, museums, galleries, 24-hour study rooms, student organizations, theaters, and nationally-ranked sports teams. It is conveniently located between Boston, New York City, Providence, and Hartford, with regular express shuttles to Hartford and commercial bus service to Boston and New York.

Learn more about campus life.

Training Programs

Graduate students in the Department of Psychological Sciences can participate in the following interdisciplinary training programs, designed to provide training, support, and community around specialized topics.

Cognitive Neuroscience of Communication (CNC-CT)

The Cognitive Neuroscience of Communication (CNC-CT) training program is funded by a T32 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal of this program is to train the next generation of PhD and postdoctoral scholars to bridge basic and translational approaches to the cognitive neuroscience of communication.

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship Program

The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship Program supports graduate students enrolled in Ph.D. in psychological sciences concentration in language and cognition. Students can apply for fellowships and participate in activities designed to develop skills in research and college-level instruction. This training grant is supported by the Department of Education and administered by the UConn Department of Psychological Sciences.

Neurobiology of Language

The Neurobiology of Language (NBL) training program was launched with funding from the National Science Foundation. It fosters interdisciplinary research and graduate training across cognitive (linguistics, psychology, communication disorders) and biological (behavioral and molecular neuroscience and genetics) approaches to language. Ph.D. students can apply to enroll in the program to earn the Graduate Certificate in Neurobiology of Language.

Science of Learning and Art of Communication

The Science of Learning and Art of Communication (SLAC) training program is funded by a National Science Foundation Research Traineeship grant. It fosters interdisciplinary research and graduate training related to learning, involving many Ph.D. programs at UConn (psychological sciences; education; neuroscience; genetics and genomic sciences; linguistics; speech, language, and hearing sciences). For more information please contact [email protected] .

Transdisciplinary Convergence in Educational Neuroscience Doctoral (TRANSCEND)

The Transdisciplinary Convergence in Educational Neuroscience Doctoral (TRANSCEND) training program is funded by NSF. It prepares diverse cohorts of trainees with the technical and professional skills needed to excel in the 21st-century STEM workforce within and outside of academia. Participating Ph.D. programs in the Department of Psychological Sciences include clinical psychology; developmental psychology; and language and cognition. Applicants must be sponsored by a faculty mentor.

Resources for Prospective Graduate Students

Funding and financial support, graduate research, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Department of Psychological Sciences encourages and respects diversity in all aspects of our work. We value diversity in multiple forms (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, religious and political belief) across students, faculty members, and staff. We are committed to being a vibrant intellectual community characterized by collegiality, integrity, trust, open-mindedness, intellectual exchange, and diversity. We strive to educate the public on the power of science as a tool for the public good. Find diversity, equity, and inclusion resources for graduate students.

Mentorship Principles and Values

We are committed to mentoring and advising graduate students throughout their careers in the Department. Our Graduate Student Mentorship Value and Commitment Statement articulates our core values related to mentorship and advising. It also outlines an accountability framework to ensure that students have resources throughout their careers that promote their ability to thrive.

International Students

The Department of Psychological Sciences welcomes students from every ethnicity and geographical background. Our Ph.D. programs benefit greatly from the intellectual and cultural contributions of our international graduate students. About 10% of our applicants are international, and we strive to provide them with a supportive, open, and stimulating environment.

Learn more about International Student requirements on the Graduate School’s website.

Learn more about UConn’s International Student and Scholar Services.

Careers and Outcomes

Graduates of our programs go on to exciting careers in academia, industry, and beyond. The Department and the University offer professional development resources that are specially tailored to help graduate students find professional opportunities and land top jobs after they graduate. Learn more about graduate outcomes and career resources.

COVID-19: Vaccine Program | Testing |  Visitor Guidelines | Information for Employees MONKEYPOX: UConn Health is NOT currently offering the monkeypox vaccine. Please visit the CT DPH website for more information or contact your health provider directly. -->

The Graduate School

Ph.d. in biomedical science.

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• Neuroscience

• Skeletal Biology and Regeneration

• Genetics and Developmental Biology

• Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Introduction

The goal of the Ph.D. graduate program in Biomedical Science at UConn Health is to educate individuals dedicated to pursuing careers as scientists and scholars in biological and biomedical science in a wide variety of settings including academia, the private sector and in government service. To achieve this goal an academic environment is maintained which fosters creative thinking and supports programs leading to excellence in scholarship, research and teaching. The program is dedicated to quality education tailored to the needs of the individual student.

UConn Health is the health sciences campus of the University. It is home to a division of the Graduate School, the School of Medicine and the School of Dental Medicine. UConn Health offers a wide range of educational and research opportunities with talented faculty pursuing exciting and innovative research on contemporary problems in biology and medicine.

Program Description

1st year students enter the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program register for MEDS 6503: First Year Graduate Experience in Biomedical Science. This new year-long course encompasses the three required laboratory rotations as well as an initial exploration block during which students can learn more about all seven Areas of Concentration (AoCs):

allowing them time to consider and select rotation labs.  This course gives students the opportunity to become familiar with ongoing research at UConn Health and obtain a sound academic foundation for future study. Many laboratories representing diverse scientific areas are available for graduate student research rotations and doctoral dissertation research. After the first year, each student selects a thesis laboratory and affiliates with one of the AoCs to develop competency in their desired scientific discipline.

Prospective Students

Prospective students can find more information on our program here: https://health.uconn.edu/graduate-school/prospective/  

Questions about admissions? Please contact  [email protected]

*Important Update* The GRE General Exam is no longer required NOR considered for admission to the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program.

The application for Fall 2024 will open in mid-September. The deadline for application, application fee, and supporting materials for Fall 2024 is December 1, 2023 . For detailed application information, please visit our Admissions Process page .

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College of Engineering

Materials science and engineering, mse graduate program is among the top 25 public programs.

The interdisciplinary character of the field of study is reflected in the composition of the MSE graduate faculty. This includes researchers in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics and Orthopedic Surgery (at UCHC) in addition to the faculty members who have their primary appointments in the MSE Department. The demand for graduates with an MS or PhD in MSE is very strong and recent graduates have ben placed in industry (including local employers Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies Research Center), in national laboratories (Oak Ridge, Lawrence Livermore, Argonne, etc.) and in academia.

Published: May 24, 2013

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CT's roots are in the defense industry. Can its colleges truly divest?

On a sunny Thursday afternoon earlier this month, about 100 students gathered outside the Dodd Center for Human Rights on the University of Connecticut’s campus in Storrs for a press conference.

While most of the school’s nearly 20,000 undergraduates were clearing out dorm rooms and posing for graduation photos in their caps and gowns, the impassioned group chanted in unison for an end to the war in Gaza. Days earlier, UConn leaders had cleared a cluster of tents where the protesters were camped out, and university police arrested two dozen students .

One by one, several students stepped up to a microphone and denounced the arrests as well as Israel’s campaign in Gaza, calling again on their university leaders to divest from the military manufacturers supplying Israeli Defense Forces with weapons.

“Recent actions taken by the university have unfortunately shown that the administration cares more about appeasing big dollar donors and multinational corporations than the students, staff and faculty of this university,” said Adam Opin, the only undergraduate speaker that day who publicly shared his name.

This spring, as anti-war protesters pitched tents and occupied buildings on college campuses across the United States, the groups coalesced around a similar set of “demands” — conditions they said their institutions would have to meet in order for the students to vacate common spaces. Prominent among those demands was the insistence that college and university administrators disclose details about their endowment investments and divest funds from companies supporting Israel’s military operations.

Student groups have deployed the strategy in Connecticut before, and it’s worked. In 1986, the UConn board of trustees sold stock in companies conducting business in South Africa in response to student protests of apartheid. In 2006, Yale University pledged to divest from the Sudanese government and in several oil companies operating there, citing the genocide in Darfur . More recently, Yale has set conditions fossil fuel companies must meet in order to maintain the university’s endowment investments, and it has canceled investments in private prison operators and assault weapons retailers .

But divesting from military manufacturers is a line Connecticut’s prominent institutions of higher education don’t seem inclined to cross.

Last month, the Yale Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility said the military weapons industry didn’t meet the board of trustees’ criteria for divestment — causing “grave social injury” — because the manufacturers offer “socially necessary” products that support national security and policing.

A representative of the UConn Foundation, which administers the university’s endowment, said in an emailed statement that its investments “are made through broadly diversified co-mingled funds managed by third-party investment managers. A survey of those holdings for the broad array of companies that may have defense, security, or aerospace divisions has not been undertaken.”

In reality, it’s even more complicated than that. For the flagship university in a state where defense manufacturers account for a significant portion of the economy and employ tens of thousands of highly skilled workers — many of whom were trained in Connecticut’s public post-secondary institutions — divestment would mean more than selling a few shares of stock.

The state’s top three military manufacturers — General Dynamics Electric Boat, RTX’s Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky — drew more than $20 billion in federal defense spending in 2022. Connecticut ranked seventh among states for total military spending and third in spending as a percentage of GDP (behind Virginia and Hawaii).

State and Congressional leaders regularly tout Electric Boat’s gargantuan nuclear submarines; Sikorsky’s iconic “Black Hawk” attack helicopters; and Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engines, which power the F-35 strike fighter jet. All are made in Connecticut, all for the U.S. military and its allies.

“Defense manufacturers form the backbone of the Connecticut state economy,” U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, whose district encompasses major operations of Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney, said in response to emailed questions. “The good paying union jobs that the defense sector provides are key to the economic security of thousands of individuals and families in Connecticut and across the United States.”

In remarks at an event last year celebrating Sikorsky’s 100th anniversary, Gov. Ned Lamont commended the company’s engineers.

“The precision of manufacturing in the 21st century by Sikorsky is second-to-none,” he said. “My obligation is to make sure we continue to train those people right here, to make sure you remain part of this great ecosystem.”

Pro-Palestinian student demonstrators would like to see that sense of “obligation” come to an end.

At the press conference, one young woman — representing a leftist student group known as UNCHAIN, which has pushed UConn to cut its ties with the defense industry — shared pointed comments (but declined to share her name). “War makers must hunt for well-trained industrial foot soldiers, and they look at us, the students of UConn, as their prey,” the woman said. “We implore the UConn administration: Do not further sell education to arms dealers.”

Moments later, as the final speaker wrapped up his comments — and as if on cue — what appeared to be a military helicopter fluttered over the Dodd Center plaza. The students laughed in disbelief, “booed” the aircraft then launched into an impromptu chant: “Shame on Sikorsky, shame on Sikorsky.”

In an emailed statement, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson wrote, "We will continue to support organizations and initiatives that help educate and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and mathematicians. We respect the right to peaceful protest and are committed to advancing STEM education and career readiness, including through partnerships with colleges and universities.”

'The Provisions State'

From its earliest days, Connecticut has proudly claimed its role as a key weapons supplier to America’s armed conflicts: First as the “Provisions State,” when it delivered arms to George Washington’s Army during the Revolutionary War, and later as the “Arsenal of Democracy,” providing weaponry to U.S. military campaigns during the first and second World Wars.

That arsenal has included operations of prominent gunmakers like Smith & Wesson Brands, Remington Arms Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons and the iconic Colt’s Manufacturing Co., which maintains its headquarters in West Hartford and recently was awarded a $57 million contract by the U.S. Army for assault rifles. (Most of the others have moved production to other states in recent years.)

More than 130,000 Connecticut residents work in the aerospace and defense sector. Military and defense operations in the state, which include both defense contractors and active-duty military personnel, account for as much as 12.5% of the state’s GDP , according to a report from defense sector association SENEDIA.

At UConn, the names of military manufacturing companies adorn buildings, laboratories and endowed professorships. Last month, UConn unveiled the Pratt & Whitney Engineering Building on its Storrs campus . Pratt also sponsors five endowed chairs and professorships in the College of Engineering. During its annual “Lockheed Martin Day,” Sikorsky lands helicopters on the Student Union Mall and offers students rides over the campus .

Both Yale and UConn receive millions of dollars through federal contracts and grants to conduct specialized research for the Department of Defense on projects ranging from advanced communications systems to environmental science and biomedical applications. One of the largest recent contracts awarded to UConn was a four-year, $10 million project to test welding materials and processes for RTX hypersonic missiles. UConn also collaborates closely with Electric Boat in research and development through the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology .

“The University proudly partners with these and other companies, business organizations, and federal agencies in the shared pursuit of technological advancement related to the well-being of our society,” UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said in an emailed response to questions. “Their work is wide-ranging and highly valuable to society, including the development of many consumer products and best practices that advance critical areas such as transportation safety, sustainable building, resource conservation, protection against cyberattacks, and myriad other areas too numerous to count.”

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat from the Congressional district that encompasses the campuses of both UConn and Electric Boat, said in an emailed statement: “Our state’s ability to support our national security here and abroad would not be possible without the talented workforce that is trained-up through successful partnerships between employers and our institutions of higher education.”

Connecticut has also directed millions of taxpayer dollars toward the “Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative,” housed at the state’s community colleges and technical high schools; the workforce development program is assisting Electric Boat in its efforts onboarding thousands of workers to fulfill tens of billions of dollars in new ballistic missile submarine contracts for the U.S. Navy.

Tens of millions more in state dollars have supported military manufacturing operations through direct financial assistance and tax credit programs .

'Heightened demand'

On Oct. 7, militant Palestinian group Hamas attacked several communities in southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 civilians — including many young people at an outdoor concert — and taking more than 200 hostages.

In the months since, in response to the attack, Israel’s military has killed more than 35,000 people in the densely populated Gaza Strip, a Palestinian enclave bordering southwest Israel and Egypt, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Much of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million has been displaced, many relocating to refugee camps where bombing has continued. Humanitarian aid organizations have had difficulty delivering food, and many Palestinians are starving , the Associated Press has reported.

The conflict has spurred vigils and protests in Connecticut and around the world, triggering tensions between and within Israeli and Palestinian diasporas.

The United States, a close ally of Israel, has beefed up shipments of American-made weapons and equipment to support the Israeli Defense Forces. Last week, the Biden Administration made plans to sell an additional $1 billion in weapons to Israel, several outlets reported .

Each year, the U.S. provides a baseline $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, which includes contracts with large Connecticut operators. Sikorsky supplies CH-53K heavy lift helicopters , known as the King Stallion, to the Israeli Air Force and other U.S. allies. Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engines power Israel’s fleet of stealth fighter jets.

One of General Dynamics' other businesses outside of Connecticut, Ordnance and Tactical Systems, builds the highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs that Israel has been deploying in its campaign to destroy Hamas. The New York Times reported that Israel has dropped potentially hundreds of these bombs, which are rarely used by U.S. forces, in densely populated areas in Gaza.

As is to be expected, the escalations in the military conflict have boosted the fortunes of America’s defense contractors. RTX, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have all seen their stock prices rise by double-digit percentages since Oct. 7.

A spokeswoman for RTX declined to answer questions for this story, citing a lack of adequate time to respond. But during a conference call discussing the company’s first quarter earnings, Chief Executive Christopher Calio said he was “pleased” with Congress’ recent passage of the annual federal spending bill, which increased the defense budget by 3% to $886 billion.

“Internationally, we continue to see heightened demand from U.S. allies,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Electric Boat didn’t respond to multiple emails and phone calls requesting comment. Phebe Novakovic, CEO of parent company General Dynamics, said during a 2023 year-end earnings call in January that the company’s combat divisions — which include Ordnance and Tactical Systems — “had a wonderful quarter and a year with strong revenue growth, strong margin performance, good order activity and a strong pipeline of opportunity as we go forward.”

Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said on his company’s most recent quarterly call, “The increasingly unstable geopolitical environment in the world today makes it essential for industry and government to strengthen our nation’s capabilities to deter and defend against further aggressive behavior against the U.S. and our allies.” Citing investments the company has made to respond to that need, Taiclet added, “As a result, we delivered robust revenue growth across the company.”

None of that sits well with people who oppose Israel’s response to the Hamas attack — and the United States’ support. In recent months, the companies have faced protest demonstrations outside several of their manufacturing facilities, including Pratt & Whitney’s plant in Middletown .

“I think there is a true culture shift that has to happen, and that starts at places that are focused on education,” said Taran Samarth, a graduate student at Yale and a member of the Endowment Justice Coalition, an activist student organization that pushes the university’s endowment to divest from fossil fuels and other industries. At Yale this week, a group of protestors staged a walkout during commencement.

In response to emailed questions, a spokesperson for Yale said the school doesn’t publicly discuss its investments.

“If the headline tomorrow is that the second-largest endowment will fully divest in weapons manufacturing, that’s a shock to the sector that says, 'This is no longer a place for investment.' It removes incentives,” Samarth said. “For educational institutions, if we can pull away our funding sources from defense and military agencies and industries, and instead re-center on the communities we work in — what does New Haven need, not Lockheed Martin — that can push us toward this peace economy in a more meaningful way.”

(Earlier this week, student protestors at Wesleyan University agreed to take down their tents after negotiating an agreement with administrators to disclose details about the school's investments in the aerospace and defense sector. )

Members of Connecticut's Congressional delegation see it differently.

"Connecticut schools divesting from defense manufacturers would not change the incentives of Israel or Hamas in this conflict, nor would it limit the weapons available to them," DeLauro said in an email. "But it would weaken our national security, discourage investments in our economy that create jobs for Connecticut graduates, and embolden our adversaries around the world."

Courtney added: “As someone who supports President Biden’s decision to pause delivery of 2,000-pound bombs in order to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza, I agree that the deployment of armaments is always a legitimate area of debate. That debate should focus on public officials like the president and Congress who have the legal discretion to export such items, as opposed to a blanket boycott of an industrial base that our own national defense and our allies in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific rely on," he said.

Student organizers, many of whom have personal ties to Gaza, have formed the nucleus of the pro-Palestinian movement. But their calls for ceasefire, and demands of their schools to disclose endowment details and divest from the military machine, have given voice to concerns shared by many Connecticut residents.

“They've led the way to bring attention to what's gone on in the Middle East that involves us, if not completely directly, somewhat directly through the military production that takes place in Connecticut,” said Clark Peters, a retired health care worker who recently attended a press conference held by UConn students to show his support for protesters who were arrested.

Some Connecticut residents have participated in student protests on campuses. Some have organized their own as the movement grows beyond colleges and universities.

Members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation have encountered protesters at community events in their districts. Local pacifist groups have called on Connecticut to divest public employee pension funds from companies supporting Israel’s war effort. And this month, Veterans for Peace is marching from Maine to Washington, D.C., making several stops in Connecticut .

“I think a lot of people recognize the problem of the United States supplying Israel with the weaponry, sophisticated military weaponry, to bomb and kill and destroy an entire people in Gaza,” Peters said. “But, as many people say, 'What can you do? I need a job, I go to work. I try not to worry too much about what I'm doing.'”

Connecticut’s big three defense manufacturers, Electric Boat, RTX and Lockheed Martin, consistently rank among the top 20 employers for UConn graduates. For those who earned engineering degrees, the companies rank 1, 2 and 3.

At this year’s commencement ceremonies, UConn graduate students heard from Daniel Fata, a 1994 graduate of UConn’s public policy school. Fata worked as a staffer in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, then went on to the Defense Department, where he served as a deputy assistant secretary for Europe and NATO. Fata later worked as a vice president at Lockheed Martin, and he now consults on national security, government relations, strategic risk, foreign policy, aerospace and defense, the industrial base supply chain and other issues.

“All of what I've learned and have been able to witness is because of what started here at UConn 34 years ago,” he said. Among the advice Fata dispensed to the graduating class gathered that morning at Gampel Pavilion: “Be engaged. Don't just settle, don't just watch. Use your voice. Try and make a difference.”

Fata’s four years at UConn in the early 1990s were marked by the first Gulf War, the fall of the Soviet Union and the expansion of the NATO alliance. “Historic differences were once again being allowed to fester and boil over. It was a world I wanted to be part of, and try my best to make it as safe, peaceful, fair and democratic as possible."

Today, he said, he sees parallels.

“There is once again a call to action to try to establish some form of order. It requires us to come together rather than be distant and isolated from each other.”

This story was originally published by the Connecticut Mirror.

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Home / News / Students & Campus Life / FSU awards 339 honors medallions to Spring 2024 graduates

FSU awards 339 honors medallions to Spring 2024 graduates

Florida State University awarded honors medallions to 339 high-achieving graduates during the April 29 ceremony in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.

The FSU Honors Program supports the efforts and talents of some of the university’s most intellectually curious students who have the potential, dedication and drive for creating change.

The ceremony included remarks by D. Craig Filar, associate dean of Honors, Scholars, and Fellows; Joe O’Shea, associate provost, dean of Undergraduate Studies; Neissa Philemon, dual honors graduate; and Julie Decker, president and CEO of the FSU Alumni Association.

The breakdown of the honors awardees is as follows:

233 graduates, University Honors Program Completed the University Honors Program, earning at least 18 honors points in fulfillment of the FSU Honors Program requirements.

81 graduates, Honors in the Major Program Completed an honors thesis in fulfillment of the requirement for the distinction “with honors” in their major department.

17 graduates, Outstanding Senior Scholar Completed both the University Honors Program and the Honors in the Major Program, with a 3.9 cumulative GPA or higher.

8 graduates, Dual Honors Completed both the University Honors Program and the Honors in the Major Program.

The honors medallion recipients, along with their hometowns, academic majors and award designations are listed by state and city below:

Vestavia Hills

Robert Laughlin, Physics, Dual Honors

Martha Cooper, Psychology; Philosophy, Honors in the Major

Alexa Brunkow, Accounting, University Honors

Addison Mitchell, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions; Psychology, University Honors

CONNECTICUT

Vanessa Polidoro, Actuarial Science; Economics, University Honors

Katherine Rolph, Dance, University Honors

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Louisa Spector, History; International Affairs, University Honors

Emilie Widarsson, English (Editing, Writing, & Media); Advertising, University Honors

Beverly Hills

Giovanna Cross, Political Science, University Honors

Eva Rucinski, Behavioral Neuroscience, University Honors

Eli McKown-Dawson, Political Science, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Emma Drac, Biological Science, University Honors

Jordan Rose, Finance; Biological Science, University Honors

Rose Walters, Commercial Entrepreneurship; International Affairs, University Honors

Bonita Springs

Justin Nightshade, English (Creative Writing); Anthropology, University Honors

Boynton Beach

Aidan Carley, Biological Science; Sociology, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Mia Crossen, Political Science, Honors in the Major

Reuven Lurie, Biological Science, University Honors

Danielle Maresca, Criminology, University Honors

Neissa Philemon, Public Health, Dual Honors

Sydney Richner, English (Literature, Media, & Culture), Honors in the Major

Scott Baker, Physics; Mathematics, Honors in the Major

Taylor Ferber – Nursing, University Honors

Gabriel Pfeuffer-Ferguson, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, University Honors

Samantha Strickland, Psychology, Honors in the Major

Celebration

Elizabeth Orraca, Biology; Statistics, University Honors

Citrus Springs

Grace Mason, Behavioral Neuroscience, Honors in the Major

Savannah McGregor, Public Health; Sociology, Honors in the Major

Cocoa Beach

Kara Ahr, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Coral Gables

Catherine Rodriguez Barreda, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Honors in the Major

Coral Springs

Tiana Cates, Public Health, University Honors

Lauren Greenbaum, Media Communication Studies; Marketing, University Honors

Gillian Hightower, Biology, University Honors

Crystal River

Morgan Knipp, Biochemistry, University Honors

Carolyn Emerson, Meteorology, Honors in the Major

Pierce Thomas, Motion Picture Arts, University Honors

Chloe Wain, Political Science; English (Editing, Writing, & Media); Economics, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Joshua Weltmann, Biochemistry, University Honors

Daytona Beach

Joshua Zuckerman, Actuarial Science; Statistics, University Honors

Gavin Krueger, Political Science; Psychology, University Honors

Genevieve Reynolds, Criminology; Biological Science, University Honors

Fernandina Beach

John Sorensen, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Fleming Island

Jaden Hamid, Finance, University Honors

Jack Lyons, Music Performance; Physics, University Honors

Leilanis Cancel-Lopez, Human Development and Family Science, University Honors

Jamie Guterman, Information, Communication, and Technology, University Honors

McKenzie Miller, Exercise Physiology, University Honors

Jason Puwalski, Political Science; Public Relations, University Honors

Erin Reeves, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Fort Myers Beach

Richard Hilpert, Psychology, Honors in the Major

Diego Mendoza-Jacobo, Exercise Physiology, University Honors

Gainesville

Katherine Buchanan, Criminology; Psychology, University Honors

Rebecca Gilland, Economics; Statistics, Dual Honors

Samantha Santelices, Human Development and Family Sciences, University Honors

Rosalyn Wadsworth, Anthropology, Honors in the Major

Gulf Breeze

Bailey Bouk, Political Science; English (Literature, Media, & Culture), University Honors

Michelle Snyder, Psychology, University Honors

Nicole Kidd, Criminology, University Honors

Indialantic

Marlee Krause, Computer Science, University Honors

Indian Rocks Beach

Haley McPherson, Environmental Science & Policy, University Honors

Jacksonville

Justin Aho, History, University Honors

Jasen Belenko, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professionals, Honors in the Major

Emily Citrano, Psychology, Honors in the Major

Caroline Giddens, Public Relations; Political Science, University Honors

Bianca Hamm, Communication Science and Disorders, Honors in the Major

Lindsey Loheac, Biological Science, University Honors

Caroline Owen, Linguistics and Languages, University Honors

Hannah Raisner, Political Science; English (Creative Writing), University Honors

Caroline Robbins, International Affairs; Political Science, University Honors

Illeana Sanders, Classical Archaeology; Political Science, Honors in the Major

Jaidyn Smith, Communication Science and Disorders; University Honors

Joshua Soffler, Political Science; Communication, Honors in the Major

Julia Wallace, Marketing; Sport Management, University Honors

Ethan Wood, Chemical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Julia Earnest, Exercise Physiology, University Honors

Kyle Rutter, International Affairs; Economics, University Honors

Breanna Heflin, Nursing, University Honors

Marielise Torres, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, Honors in the Major

Delaney Williams, Political Science; International Affairs, University Honors

Madison Finley, History; Russian, University Honors

Shanaya Jaitly, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences; Environment and Society, University Honors

Paige Murray, Political Science; Criminology, University Honors

Prerna Ravinder, Interdisciplinary Social Science; Computer Programming, University Honors

Skylar Klein, Biomaterials and Polymers, University Honors

Jake Langevin, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Lake Placid

Franco Angeles, Finance, University Honors

Lakewood Ranch

Samantha van der Sommen, English; History, University Honors

Samantha Mensching, Art History, University Honors

Kristina Robinette, History; Philosophy, University Honors

Cayley Williams, Anthropology, University Honors

Caysey Williams, Criminology, University Honors

Elena Villamagna, Public Health, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Roneesha Peltier, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, Honors in the Major

Kamryn Reynolds, Behavioral Neuroscience, University Honors

Alicia Southworth, English Education, University Honors

Cameron Valenti, Economics, Honors in the Major

William Pledger, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Honors in the Major

Anne Sullivan, Biological Science, University Honors

Brandon Kazmierczak, Computer Science, University Honors

Kayla Reeves, History, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Elissa Bell, Biological Science; Computational Science, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Julian Kinnaird, Psychology, Honors in the Major

Melbourne Beach

Cassandra Fetkowitz, Behavioral Neuroscience, University Honors

Marco Island

Sarah Nemeth, International Affairs; Economics, University Honors

Lauren Blackwell, Biological Science, University Honors

Fernando Carrillo, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Victoria D’Amico, English (Creative Writing), University Honors

Jacqueline Emmerich, Psychology; Criminology, Honors in the Major

Viviana C. Gutierrez Caimary, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, University Honors

Gabrielle Hagenlocker, Music Theatre, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Samantha Leon, Finance; Marketing, University Honors

Andrea Lopez, Linguistics and Languages; English (Editing, Writing, & Media), University Honors

Katherine Martinez, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Keilly Miranda Torres, Political Science, University Honors

Chloe Patterson, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Natalie Rubio, Behavioral Neuroscience, University Honors

Yuliet Sanchez, Nursing, University Honors

Thomas Suarez, Chemistry, Honors in the Major

Marissa Tellam, Psychology; Criminology, Dual Honors

Fatima Verona, Economics; Public Health, University Honors

Sara Boles, Political Science, University Honors

James Fair, Biological Science, University Honors

Alexis Amoyo, Computer Science, University Honors

Emma Everding, Computer Science; Environment and Society, University Honors

Grace Larson, English (Literature, Media, & Culture), University Honors

Kayla Mathai, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Honors in the Major

Jonathan Oliva-Infante, Political Science, University Honors

Emilie Parry, International Affairs, Theatre, University Honors

New Port Richey

Sarah Evans, Studio Arts, Honors in the Major

Marija Travoric, Computer Science, University Honors

Colby Nobis, Applied/Computational Mathematics, University Honors

Sara Friedmeyer, Classical Civilizations, University Honors

Orange Park

James Woolard, International Affairs; Economics, University Honors

Delaney Brown, English (Creative Writing), Honors in the Major

Lena Firlotte, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Honors in the Major

Nikole Galeano, Biological Science, University Honors

Nye’Dra Holmes, Psychology; Criminology, University Honors

Zoie Iglesias, Communication Science & Disorders, Honors in the Major

Michelle Leibman, Exercise Physiology, University Honors

Carson Long, French, University Honors

Isabella Lyewski, Biological Science, University Honors

Luke Meunier, Studio Art, Honors in the Major

Ashlynn Pope, Music Therapy; Psychology, University Honors

Katelyn Remboldt, Communication Science and Disorders, Honors in the Major

Finn Wright, Computer Science; English (Editing, Writing, & Media), University Honors

Courtney Harrigan, Behavioral Neuroscience, University Honors

Abby Scott, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Marbelis Lugo, Anthropology; Political Science, Honors in the Major

Palm Beach Gardens

Kayla Rodriguez, Communication Science and Disorders, Honors in the Major

Grace Alford, Actuarial Science; Pure Mathematics, University Honors

Palm Harbor

Marie Chmara, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Emily Hale, Media Communication Studies, University Honors

Danielle Rittman, Accounting, University Honors

Fallon Trachtman, Public Health, University Honors

Pembroke Pines

Camila Aponte, Political Science; International Affairs, Honors in the Major

Lily Drasutis, Finance, University Honors

Sydney Englehart, Meteorology, University Honors

Sami Humeda, Health Management, Policy, and Information, University Honors

Yasmine Khabou, Behavioral Neuroscience, University Honors

Elizabeth Manning, Finance, University Honors

Allyson Sullivan, Marketing, University Honors

Pine Island

Madison Tilton, English (Editing, Writing, & Media); History, University Honors

Thomas Windisch, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Trinity Iwicki, Environment and Society; Media Communication Studies, University Honors

Ponte Vedra

Samuel Airheart, Finance; Real Estate, University Honors

Sophie Barley, Asian Studies (Emphasis in Business); International Affairs, Honors in the Major

Kathryn Woodford, Biological Science, University Honors

Ponte Vedra Beach

Taylor Kaminsky, Psychology, Honors in the Major

Noura Shaya, English (Literature, Media, & Culture), Honors in the Major

Alyssa Stern, Hospitality and Tourism Management, University Honors

Port St. Joe

Lee Maestri, Classical Archaeology, Honors in the Major

Port St. Lucie

Pearl Ray, Psychology; English (Creative Writing), Outstanding Senior Scholar

Aliyah Blake, Communication Science and Disorders, Honors in the Major

Santa Rosa Beach

Santiago Botero-Echavarria, International Affairs, University Honors

Allison Kukanza, Economics, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Emilio Palombo, International Affairs; Marketing, University Honors

Nicholas Schwab, Media Communication Studies, University Honors

Spring Hill

Ellianna Holcomb, History; International Affairs, University Honors

Andrew Louis, Political Science, University Honors

St. Augustine

Natalie Watson, French; Linguistics, Honors in the Major

Emma Feeks, Nursing, University Honors

St. Petersburg

Samuel Appel, Political Science, University Honors

Harrison Betz, International Affairs; Spanish, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Melody Geiger, Meteorology, Honors in the Major

Meredith Grimm, Sport Management, University Honors

Steven LaBarbera, Finance; Risk Management/Insurance, University Honors

Mia McSheffrey, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Andrew Reilly, Biological Science, University Honors

Mallory Mei, Biological Science, University Honors

Tallahassee

Grace Bouloy, Political Science; Sociology, University Honors

Anya Byrne, Economics, University Honors

Connor Couch, Public Health, University Honors

Katrin Frederickson, Human Development and Family Sciences, University Honors

Dominic Garrett, Chemical Engineering, University Honors

Ansley Garrison, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Griffin Hanson, Accounting, University Honors

Katherine Henning, Environmental Science, University Honors

Somya Joshi, Actuarial Science, University Honors

Peninah Kimelman, Communication Science and Disorders; Linguistics, Honors in the Major

Saleha Mahboob, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Mary McGrane, Communication Science and Disorders, Honors in the Major

Kathryn Merritt, Computational Biology; Statistics, University Honors

Andy Mills, Studio Art; English (Creative Writing), Honors in the Major

Chloe Molinaro, Communication Science and Disorders, Honors in the Major

Aya Najjar, Biological Science, University Honors

Hanna Neustadter, Health Management, Policy, and Information, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Ahna Peace, Human Development and Family Sciences, Honors in the Major

Oliver Schoonover, Music Composition, Honors in the Major

Emily Southwell, Public Health, University Honors

Madeleine Stults, Psychology, Honors in the Major

Makenzie Wiggins, Mechanical Engineering, University Honors

Jake Albrighton, Finance, University Honors

Natalie Bardin, Behavioral Neuroscience, Honors in the Major

Aedan Bennett, Religion, University Honors

Julia Caterson, English (Editing, Writing, & Media), University Honors

Cristina Dabrowski, Biological Science; Music, Honors in the Major

Jordyn Dees, Information Technology; English (Editing, Writing, & Media), University Honors

Arthur Egan, Biological Science, University Honors

Elise Frierson, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, University Honors

Alexandria Fuertes, English (Creative Writing), Honors in the Major

Ethan Hernandez, Digital Media Production; English (Creative Writing), Honors in the Major

Eve Larkin, Advertising, University Honors

Jaden McCray, Biological Science, University Honors

Kayla McLoone, International Affairs; Middle Eastern Studies, University Honors

Emma Pollard, Chemical Engineering, University Honors

Arthi Solayappan, Political Science, Honors in the Major

Audrey Steadman, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Tarpon Springs

Sydney Mullen, International Affairs; Psychology, University Honors

Alana Jakee, Economics, University Honors

Fiona Giardino, Public Health, Outstanding Senior Scholar

West Melbourne

Gia Rivers, Biochemistry, Honors in the Major

Sarah Gibson, Political Science; Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, University Honors

Danielle Marie Velez, Public Health, Honors in the Major

Natalie Medina, Finance; Commercial Entrepreneurship, University Honors

Renzo Nucci, International Affairs, University Honors

Nicolas Sanchez, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Taylor Tieder, English (Creative Writing), Honors in the Major

West Palm Beach

Madison Berresford, Classical Civilizations, University Honors

Tre Hands, English (Creative Writing), Honors in the Major

Landon Heller, Psychology, University Honors

Ian Mutschler, Meteorology, Dual Honors

Sophia Saadati, Biological Science, University Honors

Sasha Smith, Hospitality and Tourism Management, University Honors

Ty Kenoyer, Finance; Real Estate, University Honors

Winter Garden

Andrea Emmanuelli, Geology, Honors in the Major

Winter Park

Thomas Beamish, Finance; Management Information Systems, University Honors

Elizabeth Ferguson, Accounting; Criminology, University Honors

Hanna McDaniel, Meteorology, University Honors

Sydney Neibert – Cell & Molecular Neuroscience, University Honors

Alexandra Early, Biological Science, University Honors

Lucia Villanustre, Retail Entrepreneurship, University Honors

Noah Strong, Religion; Philosophy, Honors in the Major

Anna Mitchell, Public Health; Statistics, University Honors

Kiersten Schweizer, Biological Science, University Honors

Ava Terry, Media Communication Studies, University Honors

Andrew Glennon, Finance, University Honors

Will Jackson, Chemistry, University Honors

Ian Haas, English Education, University Honors

Rheanne Walton, Theatre; Marketing, Dual Honors

Baton Rouge

Anna Blanchard, Political Science; Media Communication Studies, University Honors

Sofia Lavidalie, English (Editing, Writing, & Media), University Honors

Cordelia Keeley, Production, Honors in the Major

Crownsville

Emily Shay, Accounting, University Honors

Ellicott City

Kara Sloper, Nursing; Public Health, University Honors

MASSACHUSETTS

Jason Stelman, Finance, University Honors

Payton Nestor, Public Health, Honors in the Major

East Lansing

Anisley Coty, Political Science; History, University Honors

Ryan Ollar, Accounting; Management Information Systems, University Honors

Jessica Bellaire, Mathematics; Music, Honors in the Major

Sydney Putnam, Hospitality and Tourism Management, University Honors

Victor Achard, Marketing, University Honors

Sydney Cole, Sociology; English (Editing, Writing, & Media), Outstanding Senior Scholar

Zoe Krassos, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Julia Oliveira, Biological Science; Public Health, University Honors

Green Brook

Jacqueline Mills, Finance, University Honors

Sophie Breeze, Marketing, University Honors

Dalton Britner, Actuarial Science; Statistics, University Honors

Tinton Fall

Jack Huisman, Finance; Chinese Language (Business Concentration), University Honors

Brooke Engler, Accounting, University Honors

Matthew Danise, Finance; Real Estate, University Honors

East Quogue

Rachel Frank, English (Editing, Writing, & Media); Humanities, University Honors

New Rochelle

Jamie Cantone, Commercial Entrepreneurship, University Honors

Ethan Forberg, Management Information Systems, University Honors

Pearl River

Catherine McDermott, Sociology, University Honors

Katherine Velardo, Psychology, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Haleigh Gahan, Computer Science, University Honors

Olivia Csernecky, Behavioral Neuroscience, University Honors

NORTH CAROLINA

Moriah House, Anthropology, University Honors

Gabe Herschelman, Biological Science, University Honors

Chandler Pruett, Meteorology; Statistics, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Winston-Salem

Catherine Wondra, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professionals, University Honors

Minh Tran, Finance; Management Information Systems, University Honors

Elizabeth Schutte, Public Relations; Spanish, University Honors

Emma Roush, Media Communication Studies, Marketing

Mia Mantei, Behavioral Neuroscience, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Kate Lohrey, Biochemistry, University Honors

North Olmsted

Albert Oleksy, Statistics, University Honors

Clayton Powell, Athletic Training, University Honors

PENNSYLVANIA

Monroeville.

Tadeusz Horomanski, Actuarial Science; Statistics, University Honors

Philadelphia

Anthony Psulkowski, Industrial Engineering, Dual Honors

Rebecca Anestad, Computer Science, University Honors

SOUTH CAROLINA

Michael Kopelman, Meteorology, Honors in the Major

Mary Katherine Gelasco, Biochemistry; Music, Outstanding Senior Scholar

Brayden Poorvin, Information, Communication, and Technology, University Honors

Chattanooga

Hannah Carter, Political Science, University Honors

Sofia McDonough, Biological Science; Biomathematics, University Honors

Clarksville

Nina Chong, Chemical Engineering, University Honors

Jacob Dell, Music; Economics, University Honors

Matteo Gisellu, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions, University Honors

Flower Mound

Jared Dasher, Political Science, University Honors

Andrew Zoch, Digital Media Production, University Honors

Robert Szot, Meteorology, Dual Honors

Jasmine Burelsmith, Dance, University Honors

San Antonio

Ethan Aguilar, Neuroscience, University Honors

Salt Lake City

Natalie Griffiths, Biological Science, University Honors

Ava Kazerani, Biological Science, University Honors

Lauren Amparo, Social Science Education, University Honors

Nicholas Vantre, Finance; Real Estate, University Honors

Melisa Sencer, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Honors in the Major

Benjamin Richter, Accounting, University Honors

David Quirie, Chemical Engineering, University Honors

Huiying (Amy) Ni, Media Communication Studies; Psychology, Honors in the Major

Andres Felipe Gil Arana, Neuroscience, Honors in the Major

Christiana Michael, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Honors in the Major

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Vivian Bernard, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Isabella Coddington, Statistics, University Honors

Lydia Coddington, Political Science; Psychology, University Honors

Port-au-Prince

Thamengie Richard, Psychology, Honors in the Major

Diya Choudhary, Physics, Honors in the Major

Maria Aleman Martinez, Political Science; Economics, University Honors

Freydell Espinoza, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Panama city.

Astrid Daugherty, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

Santiago Lazarte, Biomedical Engineering, Honors in the Major

SOUTH KOREA

Yeonsu Kim, Nursing, University Honors

Ho Chi Minh City

Khoa Dao, Computer Science, University Honors

Linh Hoang, English Education, University Honors

University of Connecticut

4 year • Storrs, CT

University of Connecticut is a public institution that was founded in 1881. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,983 (fall 2022), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 4,076 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Connecticut's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #58. Its in-state tuition and fees are $20,366; out-of-state tuition and fees are $43,034.

The University of Connecticut, located in Storrs, was originally known as the Storrs Agricultural School ­— a fitting name for an institution surrounded by farmland. Storrs is a sleepy town about a 30-minute drive from Hartford; 60 minutes from Providence, R.I.; and 90 minutes from Boston. Without many activities off campus, students can get involved in the more than 450 clubs and organizations on campus, including more than 30 fraternities and sororities. They can also catch a film in the on-campus movie theater and skate for free in the school’s ice rink. Sports are a major focus for students; the UConn Huskies compete in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference, in which UConn’s basketball teams are especially ferocious competitors. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, though more than 70 percent of all undergraduates choose to do so. Each year before final exams, students gather for Spring Weekend, a fun-filled, multi-day celebration that began as the school’s Campus Community Carnival in the 1940s.

The University of Connecticut has many graduate offerings, including the highly ranked Neag School of Education . UConn is the state of Connecticut’s sea grant institution and receives funds for research and outreach to the region’s waterways. Notable alumni of the University of Connecticut include WNBA star Sue Bird; George Harrison, former senior vice president at Nintendo; and David Lee, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

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• #58 in National Universities  (tie)
• #26 in Top Public Schools  (tie)
• #155 in Best Value Schools

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$13,996 (2023-24)

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Psychology, General

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NSF Awards Graduate Research Fellowships and Honors to Natural Sciences Students

Dozens of College of Natural Science students received recognition through the National Science Foundation program.

The National Science Foundation recently announced Graduate Research Fellowships (NSF GRFP) and honorable mentions for dozens of College of Natural Sciences graduate students and graduating undergraduates at The University of Texas at Austin. 

The NSF GRFP is a prestigious and competitive fellowship that supports outstanding graduate research across the country. Fellows are anticipated to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching and innovations in science and engineering. These individuals are crucial to maintaining and advancing the nation’s technological infrastructure and national security as well as contributing to the economic well-being of society at large. 

Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 as well as a cost-of-education allowance of $16,000 to conduct research at any accredited U.S. graduate school. 

This spring, six Texas Science undergraduates and nine graduate students learned they had won fellowships. Additionally, two undergraduate students and 12 graduate students were awarded honorable mentions. Below are the recipients, their fields of study and their research focuses.

2024 Graduate Research Fellowship Recipients 

• Luisa Marie Velasco, Mathematics graduate student — Analysis
• Audrick Moses Pyronneau, Mathematics graduate student — Topology
• Shankar Padmanabhan, Mathematics undergraduate — Natural Language Processing
• Leo Orshansky, Computer Science undergraduate student — Unconventional Computing, Quantum Computing
• Sara Nixon, Chemistry graduate student — Chemistry of Life Processes
• Lacie Larschan Levy, Biology undergraduate student — Geosciences, Chemical Oceanography
• Alexandra Lee, Physics graduate student — Condensed Matter Physics
• Mathea Kurtz-Shaw, Marine Science graduate student — Geosciences, Arctic-Antarctic
• Stephane Hatgis-Kessell, Computer Science undergraduate student — Artificial Intelligence
• Jennie Elizabeth DeVore, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior graduate student — Animal Behavior 
• Hailey A. Currie, Physics undergraduate student — Physics of Living Systems
• Jason R. Boynewicz, Physics graduate student — Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
• Duaa N. Ansari, Chemistry undergraduate student — Chemistry of Life Processes
• Scott A. Wicker - Chemistry graduate student — Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanism
• Hollis B. Akins, Astronomy graduate student — Astronomy and Astrophysics

2024 Honorable Mentions 

• Alexandra Boville, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior graduate student — Evolutionary Biology
• Tynan Gardner, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student — Systems and Molecular Biology
• Ravi K. Koka, Physics undergraduate student — Nuclear Physics
• Zachary Lee, Mathematics graduate student — Mathematical Sciences
• Crystal B. Li, Human Development and Family Sciences graduate student — Human Development and Family Sciences
• Connor A. Painter, Astronomy graduate student — Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Livia Raulinaitis, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior graduate student — Ecology
• Abhishek Shivkumar, Mathematics graduate student — Topology
• Michael H. Updike, Physics undergraduate student — Theoretical Physics
• Arthur King Zhang, Computer Science graduate student — Robotics
• Elijah S. Garcia, Chemistry graduate student — Chemistry of Life Processes
• Jason Ho, Computer Sciences graduate student — Computer Architecture 
• Jacob L. Block, Computer Sciences graduate student — Machine Learning
• Tamara M. Rivera, Marine Science graduate student — Marine Biology

Adapted from a post by the Graduate School .

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Celebrating the 2024 College of Natural Sciences Dean’s Honored Graduates

May 3, 2024 • by Esther Robards-Forbes

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U.S. News Ranks UT Austin Computer Science Among Best in Graduate Program Rankings

April 9, 2024 • by Staff Writer

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UT Astronomy Graduate Student Receives Fellowship to Study Exoplanets

March 28, 2024 • by Emily Howard

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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Physics

Atomic, molecular and optical physics.

Welcome to the Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics Group, where research covers many areas of current focus in the AMO community. They can be broadly grouped into:

Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy ( N. Berrah , R. Cote , G. Gibson , P. Gould , V. Kharchenko , A.-T. Le , D. McCarron , C. Trallero ):

• Theory: We compute photoassociation spectra, analyze experimental spectra and compare them to adjust interaction potentials accurately reproducing measured features. We compute lifetime of molecular states, and how spectral features are affected by the environment (e.g., line shift and broadening, Stark shift of Rydberg states, E2 excitation to high Rydberg levels, etc.).
• Experiment:
• We carry out ultrafast experiments with femtosecond and attosecond pulses using either table top lasers at UConn (in three different labs ; Berrah, Gibson, Trallero) and using XUV, VUV and X-ray Free Electron Lasers (FELs) in the US, Japan and Europe. We investigate and measure, with great details, molecular dynamics, occurring in ultrafast timescale.  Our goal is to make a “Molecular Movie” by measuring, as a function of time, all of the physical and chemical processes that are at play, subsequent to photo-induced excitation and ionization of various systems. The different lasers we use allow us to probe valence and inner-shell electrons in matter (atoms, molecules, nanosystems, liquids, solids). Attosecond lasers allow us to probe and aim to understand electronic dynamics while femtosecond laser allow us to probe and aim to understand nuclear dynamics in the systems we study.  Our research has crucial impact to other fields of science such as nanophysics, chemistry and biology.
• We produces ultracold Rydberg atomic samples and ultracold molecule gases and probe their properties via their spectra. For example, we detected the van de Waals blockade mechanism in ultracold Rydberg gases by studying strong saturation of excitation of specific atomic lines. The strong Rydberg-Rydberg interaction also lead to molecular resonances between Rydberg states that were detected and analyzed; these could allow for the formation of macrodimers, i.e. micron size molecules made of two Rydberg atoms. We also investigate in detail the spectra of Rb 2 and KRb in both ground and excited electronic states, to construct precise molecular potentials from which we can find the best path to produce ultracold molecules in their ground ro-vibrational state.

Quantum Optics ( R. Cote , N. Dutta , P. Gould , J. Javanainen , C. Roychoudhuri ):

• Theory : Interference effects in ultracold atom-molecule samples, in electromagnetically- induced-transparency (EIT), many-body effects in cold samples (e.g., super-radiance in Rydberg gases, Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices, etc.), and meta-materials (e.g., with negative index of refraction).

Ultracold Atoms and Molecules ( R. Cote , P. Gould , J. Javanainen , D. McCarron ):

• Theory: We study the interaction of atoms with atoms or molecules and their scattering properties (e.g., their scattering lengths or their inelastic collisions), ultracold atoms in optical lattices (e.g., the superfluid-Mott insulator transition in bosonic samples), non-linear effects (e.g., in slow-light and EIT processes), the formation of ultracold molecules (e.g., using photoassociation near Feshbach resonances).
• Experiment: We probe ultracold atomic samples of Rb atoms to control their scattering properties, and to for ultracold molecules (Rb 2 and KRb). We investigate ultracold molecules by obtaining precise spectra that reveal their inner structure. We also study their interaction with external field and among themselves. These will lead to exploring degenerate molecular gases.

Ultrafast laser science ( N. Berrah , G. Gibson , A.-T. Le , C. Trallero ):

• Quantum dynamics: We make use of femtosecond (10 -15 s) laser and attosecond pulses to study the structure and dynamics of molecules, atoms and solids using table-top lasers or accelerator based-lasers such as Free Electron Lasers (FELs) in the US and abroad. These studies are done by following the formation of atomic or molecular ions and electrons using sophisticated detectors such as Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectrometer (COLTRIMS) and a Velocity Map Imaging (VMI). These techniques allow us to measure electrons and ions in coincidences with each other, enabling detail information. We also perform similar studies by looking at the extreme non-linear response of the atoms, molecules and media. By using short pulses of light we can track in “real time” how quantum systems evolve after a sudden interaction
• Optics development: We are interested in developing new optical approaches and methods in ultrafast optics ranging from extreme ultraviolet (XUV) to the infrared. In particular we have interest in the generation and control of few-cycle pulses in the infrared, ranging from 800 nm to 8000 nm and the generation and control of XUV pulses. These XUV pulses have attoseconds (10 -18 s) in duration and represent the shortest time events to be measured to date. We are currently working in going even beyond the attosecond barrier.

Ion-atom collisions ( R. Cote ):

• Theory: Robin Côté’s group calculates molecular-ion ground and excited-state potential curves and techniques for creating ground state molecular ions in hybrid traps. Starting from these calculations, one can obtain elastic scattering and reaction rates for cold and ultracold ion-atom collisions. Some of these are important for the physics of the solar system and the interstellar medium.

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You are here, rossin college alums deliver commencement addresses to lehigh's class of 2024.

Members of Lehigh's Class of 2024 and their families and guests heard keynote addresses from two prominent Lehigh Engineering alums during the university's 156th Commencement.

At the undergraduate ceremony, electrical engineering alum and  National Academy of Engineering  member  Scott Willoughby ’89 , who is senior vice president of performance excellence at Northrop Grumman and program manager for NASA’s James Webb telescope, said in the lead up to the telescope's launch, he was often asked if the effort would be successful. 

“I said, ‘We have done all we could do to ensure success on the ground and it was time to send it a million miles away and witness the outcome,’” Willoughby recalled. “It’s how your parents and professors feel today, confident you are leaving here with the best they could give you to go and make your mark on the world.”

Read more about Willoughby's speech on the Lehigh News website. 

During the 2024 Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, chemical engineering alum and entrepreneur  Stephen S. Tang ’85G ’88 PhD ’22P , who is principal at Tangent2Cogent, board chairman of NowDiagnostics Inc., and former chairman, president and CEO of Orasure Technologies, told graduates that an unconventional path can lead to success and stressed the importantce of making an impact on society. 

“Life is more than numbers,” Tang said. “It’s more than the number of working years, the amount of wealth, the accolades of career accomplishments. It’s about leaving a legacy of kindness, compassion, empathy and service to higher causes.”

Read more about Tang's speech on the Lehigh News website. 

Video: Lehigh Commencement 2024 Highlights

Scott Willoughby ’89 delivered the Commencement address at the May 19 undergraduate ceremony for the Class of 2024.

Stephen S. Tang ’85G ’88 Ph.D. ’22P delivered the Commencement address at the Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on May 18.

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Zhao ’95 phd named dean of uconn’s college of engineering, rossin college alums to speak at lehigh’s 2024 commencement ceremonies, bioe 2024 industry & alumni mixer, willoughby ’89 elected to national academy of engineering.