Current

Class of 2024
Commencement

Over the course of seven ceremonies earlier this spring, UNH said “hail and farewell” to the members of the class of 2024. Outgoing president James W. Dean Jr. presided over each Commencement, with family and friends of the graduates fathering in the Whittemore Center Arena to cheer on the accomplishments of those in robes and tassels.

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Grads: 368
A faculty member in a blue academic robe, with long hair, smiles broadly while speaking at a podium. The backdrop features a banner for the University of New Hampshire
Commencement speaker
Norbu Tenzing Norgay ’86 has served as vice president of the American Himalayan Foundation, a nonprofit that brings shelter, safety, health and opportunity to people across the Himalaya, since 1993. He is a son of history’s most famous Mount Everest sherpa, Tenzing Norgay. Along with Edmund Hillary in 1953, Tenzing Norgay became the first person known to have reached Everest’s summit. Last year marked the 70th anniversary of his father’s famous ascent, and Norgay traveled around the world, stopping in the UK, Switzerland, New Zealand and other locations to speak about the challenges sherpas face, most notably those related to the changing climate.

Degrees in Detail

Degrees in Detail

  • Applied Mathematics, with specialties in computation, dynamics and controls, economics or fluid dynamics

    7
  • Bioengineering

    18
  • Chemical Engineering

    19
  • Chemistry

    10
  • Civil Engineering

    46
  • Computer Engineering

    6
  • Computer Science, including specialties in algorithms, cybersecurity or systems

    61
  • Earth Sciences

    8
  • Electrical Engineering

    16
  • Engineering Physics

    2
  • Environmental Engineering

    17
  • Environmental Science: Geosystems

    1
  • Environmental Science: Hydrology

    1
  • Information Technology

    26
  • Mathematics

    16
  • Mathematics Education: Secondary Education

    1
  • Mechanical Engineering

    78
  • Ocean Engineering

    8
  • Physics

    9
  • Statistics

    11
Special award
Kash Kapadia ’99 received a Distinguished Alumni award for his successful career in technology innovation and building businesses. He is the president and CEO of Kohler Ventures. In 2021, Kapadia was also elected to the UNH Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
A faculty member in a blue academic robe and a black cap speaks at a podium. The backdrop is filled with a large audience.
Student speaker
Kathryn Carlson ’24, chemical engineering

UNH Graduate School

Grads: 920
A graduate wearing a black gown and cap, with multiple honor cords, speaks at a podium. The backdrop displays a sign for the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Commencement speaker
Roger Stephenson ’79 ’83G was most recently Northeast regional advocacy director for the Climate and Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. In his role at UCS, he worked with analysts and campaign managers to expand the program’s outreach and engage UCS supporters, Science Network members, and community leaders to promote state and federal climate and clean energy policies. Now retired, he has 25 years of experience working with business, government and nonprofit executives on stakeholder relations, coalition building, grassroots organizing and public affairs. He was also a special assistant to the Secretary of the Interior and in the White House Council on Environmental Quality. His UNH degrees are in zoology and wildlife biology.

Degrees in Detail

Degrees in Detail

  • Accounting

    6
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

    5
  • Agricultural Sciences

    6
  • Analytical Economics

    1
  • Biochemistry

    1
  • Biological Sciences: Integrative and Organismal Biology

    1
  • Biological Sciences: Marine Biology

    3
  • Biotechnology: Industrial and Biomedical Sciences

    17
  • Business Administration, with special emphasis on finance, global business, growth and innovation, information systems and business analytics or marketing

    114
  • Business Analytics

    21
  • Chemical Engineering

    1
  • Chemistry

    1
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering

    16
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders

    34
  • Community Development Policy and Practice

    6
  • Computer Science

    8
  • Cybersecurity Engineering

    6
  • Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management

    13
  • Earth Sciences, including concentrations in geochemical systems or geology

    7
  • Economics

    3
  • Educational Administration and Supervision

    5
  • Educational Studies

    24
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

    2
  • Elementary Education

    17
  • English

    2
  • English Studies

    1
  • English: Language and Linguistics

    1
  • Finance

    11
  • Genetics

    4
  • Global Conflict and Human Security

    4
  • Healthcare Management

    5
  • Heath Data Science

    3
  • History

    5
  • History: Museum Studies

    5
  • Human Development and Family Studies: Marriage and Family Therapy

    7
  • Human Services Administration

    11
  • Information Technology

    6
  • Instruction and Leadership

    10
  • Justice Studies

    14
  • Kinesiology

    5
  • Leadership

    19
  • Liberal Studies

    1
  • Marine Biology

    1
  • Materials Science

    2
  • Mathematics

    4
  • Mathematics: Applied Mathematics

    1
  • Mathematics: Statistics

    1
  • Mechanical Engineering

    4
  • Microbiology

    1
  • Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology

    10
  • Music: Music Conducting

    1
  • National Security Intelligence Analysis

    8
  • Natural Resources and the Environment

    4
  • Natural Resources: Ecosystem Science

    3
  • Natural Resources: Environmental Conservation and Sustainability

    1
  • Natural Resources: Environmental Economics

    1
  • Natural Resources: Forestry

    2
  • Natural Resources: Wildlife and Conservation Biology

    4
  • Nonprofit Leadership

    7
  • Nursing, including adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, primary care family nurse practitioner, evidence-based practice or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

    69
  • Nursing Health Care Education

    6
  • Nutrition

    4
  • Nutritional Sciences

    14
  • Occupational Therapy

    45
  • Ocean Engineering

    4
  • Ocean Engineering: Ocean Mapping

    1
  • Oceanography

    6
  • Physics

    7
  • Political Science

    1
  • Project Management

    14
  • Psychology

    2
  • Public Administration

    16
  • Public Health

    6
  • Public Policy

    5
  • Recreation Management and Policy, including concentrations in Adaptive Sports, recreation administration or therapeutic recreation administration

    8
  • Secondary Education

    17
  • Social Work

    82
  • Sociology

    2
  • Special Education

    1
  • Statistics

    3
  • Writing

    13
A graduate wearing a black gown, cap, and a blue honor cord speaks at a podium. The backdrop shows a banner for the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Student speaker
Hannah Lightcap ’21G, 2024 PhD, candidate in psychology

College of Health and Human Services

Grads: 532
A faculty member with curly hair, wearing glasses and blue academic robes, speaks at a podium with a smile. The backdrop features a banner for the University of New Hampshire.
CEPS Commencement speaker
Christine McMahon ’94G, president and CEO, The Fedcap Group, holds a master’s in health administration from UNH. Nationally recognized for her ability to build innovative and impactful organizations, McMahon’s career has been dedicated to breaking down barriers to underserved communities across a wide range of areas, including human services and healthcare programming. Fedcap Group serves more than 230,000 clients in more than 20 states with a global presence in the UK and Canada. The organization is dedicated to creating opportunities and enhancing the lives of those facing barriers to economic well-being.

Degrees in Detail

Degrees in Detail

  • Communication Sciences and Disorders

    35
  • Exercise Science

    44
  • Family Studies

    1
  • Health and Physical Education

    12
  • Health Management and Policy

    20
  • Health Sciences

    39
  • Human Development and Family Studies

    70
  • Nursing

    88
  • Occupational Therapy

    51
  • Recreation Management and Policy, including specialties in outdoor leadership and management, program administration, program and event management, or therapeutic recreation

    74
  • Social Work

    49
  • Sport Management and Leadership

    48
  • Student Designed Major (interdisciplinary)

    1
A graduate wearing a black gown and cap with a blue honor cord stands at a podium labeled "University of New Hampshire," smiling. The backdrop features a sign for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
Student speaker
Natalia Vega ’24, human development and family studies
A faculty member in blue academic robes and a black cap speaks at a podium. The backdrop displays a sign for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
Student speaker
Emma Schleck ’24, health management and policy

College of Liberal Arts

Grads: 862
A faculty member in blue and black academic robes and a black cap speaks at a podium labeled "University of New Hampshire." The backdrop displays a sign for the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Commencement speaker
Katie Bouton ’96 was an English and women’s studies major at UNH. She is a thought leader in human resource development and nonprofit leadership, and a member of the UNH Foundation Board of Directors, and is founder and co-chair of the advisory board to UNH’s Sustainability Institute. She is currently the entrepreneur in residence at The Boston Foundation.

Degrees in Detail

Degrees in Detail

  • Communication Sciences and Disorders

    35
  • Exercise Science

    44
  • Family Studies

    1
  • Health and Physical Education

    12
  • Health Management and Policy

    20
  • Health Sciences

    39
  • Human Development and Family Studies

    70
  • Nursing

    88
  • Occupational Therapy

    51
  • Recreation Management and Policy, including specialties in outdoor leadership and management, program administration, program and event management, or therapeutic recreation

    74
  • Social Work

    49
  • Sport Management and Leadership

    48
  • Student Designed Major (interdisciplinary)

    1
Student speaker
Adam Dapolite ’24, dual major in political science and academic affairs

College of Life Sciences and Agriculture

Grads: 527
A faculty member in blue academic robes and a black cap, smiling broadly, speaks at a podium. The backdrop displays a sign for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
Commencement speaker
Michael Paglia ’02G received his master’s in biochemistry, and has spent two decades in the biotechnology field. He led the early process development and manufacturing of four approved autologous cell therapies.  He is currently chief technology officer at ElevateBio, Basecamp, a technology-driven company commercializing its enabling technologies, manufacturing capabilities and industry-leading expertise through partnerships in order to accelerate the development of genetic medicines to treat human diseases.

Degrees in Detail

Degrees in Detail

  • Animal Science, including concentrations in dairy management

    46
  • Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology

    24
  • Biology

    45
  • Biology: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

    1
  • Biomedical Science, including concentrations in Medical and Veterinary Sciences, medical laboratory science or medical microbiology

    89
  • Community and Environmental Planning

    7
  • Environmental and Resource Economics

    7
  • Environmental Conservation and Sustainability

    47
  • Environmental Sciences, including concentrations in ecosystems or soil and watershed management

    18
  • Equine Studies, including concentrations in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, equine science or industry and management

    14
  • Forestry

    9
  • Genetics, including a concentration in genomics

    20
  • Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology

    26
  • Neuroscience and Behavior

    19
  • Nutrition, including concentrations in Dietetics, nutrition and wellness or nutritional sciences

    35
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

    15
  • Tourism Planning and Development

    1
  • Wildlife and Conservation Biology

    36
  • Zoology

    37
A faculty member in a blue and black academic robe, wearing red glasses and a black cap, speaks at a podium. The background is filled with spectators.
Special Award
The Granite State Award was given to Pauline Ikawa ’77, UNH Foundation Board member, COLSA development board member. Her family established the Miyoshi and Norma Ikawa Scholarship Fund at UNH, named after her mother and father.
A graduate wearing a black gown and cap with a colorful honor cord speaks at a podium. The backdrop shows a sign for the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Student speaker
Christian Zepeda-Lipovsky ’24, dual major in community and environmental planning and political science

Paul College of Business and Economics

Grads: 579
A faculty member in blue academic robes and a black cap speaks at a podium. The backdrop displays banners for various academic programs.
Commencement speaker
Ryan Day ’02 built his success as a football player at UNH into a meteoric rise in the college coaching world, and has been the head coach at the Ohio State University since 2019. Day and his wife, Christina (Spirou) Day ’00, have lent their support and voices to causes that support mental health and wellbeing of young children; Ryan has been praised for making mental health among the players on his team a priority.

Degrees in Detail

Degrees in Detail

  • Analytical Economics

    17
  • Business Administration, with concentrations in accounting, entrepreneurial studies, finance, information systems and business analytics, international business and economics, management or marketing

    512
  • Economics, including concentrations in global trade and finance, money and financial markets, or public policy and sustainability

    28
  • Hotel and Hospitality Management

    22
A graduate, smiling, wearing a black gown and cap with a blue honor cord, stands at a podium labeled "University of New Hampshire." The backdrop features a flag and signage for the university.
Student Speaker
Olivia (OJ) Surdam ’24, business administration: information systems and business analytics

UNH College of Professional Studies

Grads: 304
A faculty member in a blue and black academic robe and cap gestures with one hand while speaking at the podium labeled "University of New Hampshire." The backdrop shows a sign for the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Commencement speaker
Michael D. Smith is the chief executive officer of AmeriCorps — the federal agency for service and volunteering. Smith has dedicated his career to social justice by reducing barriers and expanding opportunities for children and families in underserved communities, like those where he grew up. Previously, he served in President Barack Obama’s White House as special assistant to the president and senior director of cabinet affairs, overseeing the My Brother’s Keeper initiative and interagency task force. Smith has lent his expertise to print, online and broadcast news channels including CNN, NPR, The Hill, C-Span, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Grio and numerous local and regional outlets.

Degrees in Detail

Degrees in Detail

Associate’s Degrees

  • Behavioral Science

    18
  • Business

    11
  • Communication Sciences & Disorders

    7
  • Early Childhood Education

    15
  • General Studies

    7

Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Accounting and Finance

    4
  • Allied Health Leadership

    2
  • Analytics and Data Science: Analytics

    1
  • Applied Psychology: Counseling Foundations

    2
  • Applied Studies

    28
  • ASL/English Interpreting

    11
  • Biological Sciences

    14
  • Biotechnology

    21
  • Business, including a concentration in accounting

    26
  • Business Management, including a concentration in global business

    36
  • Communication Arts, with specialties in advertising and public relations, cinema and media arts or human relations

    12
  • Computer Information Systems

    8
  • Computer Science

    13
  • Criminal Justice

    6
  • Digital Communication Design

    2
  • Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education

    23
  • Electrical Engineering Technology

    15
  • English Language Arts, including specialties in elementary education, general special education or arts and general special education

    8
  • English Studies: Literary Studies

    3
  • English Studies: Professional and Technical Communication

    2
  • English Teaching

    5
  • Fire Service Administration

    2
  • Health and Wellness

    4
  • Health Care Management

    5
  • History

    4
  • Homeland Security

    7
  • Human Resource Administration

    1
  • Human Resource Management

    2
  • Human Services

    16
  • Humanities

    1
  • Individualized Studies, including concentrations in behavioral and social sciences, health and human services or humanities

    5
  • Information Technology

    4
  • Marketing

    2
  • Math Studies / Elementary Education / Special Education

    1
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology

    19
  • Neuropsychology

    12
  • Nursing

    34
  • Operations Management

    4
  • Operations, Supply Chain and Logistics Management

    2
  • Professional Communication

    1
  • Psychology

    39
  • Public Administration

    1
  • Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership

    5
  • Public Service Management

    2
  • Social Studies, including specialties in general special education or elementary education

    5
  • Technology Management

    4
A graduate wearing glasses, a black gown, and cap speaks at a podium with the backdrop showing banners for various colleges, including the College of Liberal Arts.
Student Speaker
Ellen Gagnon ’24, associate’s degree, behavioral science
A graduate wearing a black gown, cap adorned with flowers, and multiple honor cords speaks at the podium labeled "University of New Hampshire." The backdrop displays a sign for the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Student Speaker
Jordan White ’24, bachelor’s degree, ASL/English Interpreting