More than 900 students received their diplomas on May 14 under clear, cool skies during the outdoor ceremony next the Arnold Bernhard Center. A highlight of the ceremony was the conferring of three Honorary Doctorate degrees bestowed upon the President of Malta, a United Nations official and a Bridgeport humanitarian.

Beylul Solomon, senior class president and a native of Eritrea helped open the ceremony with a heartfelt speech in which she recounted her journey here as a student. She expressed how much she will miss her friends and her alma mater and expressed her gratitude to the University for her experience.

University President Neil Salonen led in the conferring of the Honorary degrees. Martin D. Schwartz, President of the Kennedy Center, the largest social service agency in Connecticut, and located here in Bridgeport, was first to receive his degree. Next was His Excellency Ibrahim A. Gambari, the current Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Advisor on Africa, who gave the convocation address. The third degree was received by His Excellency Professor Guido de Marco, President of Malta, who gave the commencement address.

A luncheon for the Honorary Degree recipients and their families was hosted by President Neil Salonen in the Tower Room of the Bernhard Center following the graduation.

Laurence Wanser, '87, the newly appointed Alumni Association president, welcomed the new graduates to the Alumni Association. Several Golden Knights -- alumni who have graduated 50-plus years ago -- joined the ceremony on the main stage.

Honors Convocation

The annual Honors Convocation took place on Saturday, May 13 at the Merten's Theater on campus. High achieving students from every school and college at the University were given special recognition and an award for their results.

Dr. Gew-rae Kim, Distinguished Teacher of the Year for 1999, gave an inspired and theatrical speech to the students, beckoning them to walk through the 'door of life' as he displayed his words with imaginative props. He announced that psychology professor Dr. Kurt Frey was voted Distinguished Teacher of the Year for 2000.

College of Chiropractic

The College of Chiropractic's 11th Commencement Ceremony took place on May 13. Thirty-five students received their Doctorate of Chiropractic.

The Commencement speaker was Dr. Robert Hoffman, D.C., the current President of the International Chiropractic Association and the immediate past President of the New York Chiropractic Council. The valedictory address was given by George Sloane Russell, III.