SC Connecticut News

On Monday, Yale University held its 323rd Commencement ceremony, marking the achievements of over 4,000 students from Yale College and the graduate and professional schools. The occasion was marked by a sense of community and celebration.

Members of Yale’s Class of 2024 gathered on Old Campus for the commencement ceremony. Among them was Julia Wang, a graduate from Berkeley College who majored in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology and education studies. She reflected on her time at Yale saying, “I will miss living so close to all my best friends,” adding that she found a family in Berkeley College.

The ceremony began with an opening prayer by University Chaplain Maytal Saltiel followed by the conferring of degrees. Approximately 4,400 graduates received degrees across the university, including more than 1,675 undergraduates from Yale College.

Following the conferral of degrees, Provost Scott Strobel joined President Peter Salovey in presenting honorary degrees to eight individuals who have made pioneering achievements or exemplary contributions to society. In a surprise move, Strobel also presented an honorary degree to Salovey himself for his four decades of service to Yale.

In his closing remarks, Gregory Sterling, dean of Yale Divinity School called upon everyone present to "build bridges rather than walls."

Throughout the day families expressed pride in their graduates; and graduates offered thanks to those whose sacrifices enabled their success. Among them was Leleda Beraki, a graduating senior from Branford College and former president of the Yale College Council. Her parents are Eritrean refugees who moved to the United States 15 years ago so that she could pursue her education here. She said her graduation is “the culmination of all the sacrifices they’ve made.”

Jonathan Weiss from Pauli Murray College shared mixed feelings about leaving his college community behind but looked forward to remaining in New Haven as one of two recipients of a Chauncy Fellowship. Abigail Jones, who earned her master’s of science in nursing from the Yale School of Nursing, was looking forward to celebrating with her classmates and pursuing a critical-care fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta.