Southern Connecticut State University celebrated the graduation of 1,200 students during its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport.
In her address to her fellow graduates, class president Britny Gildersleeve remarked, “This is our first graduation since kindergarten.” She highlighted how many graduates from the class of 2024 missed out on traditional high school graduation ceremonies due to the pandemic and that it was their time to savor the moment.
Interim President Dwayne Smith commended the graduates for their perseverance during the challenging times of the pandemic. He noted that the song “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” aptly represented the graduates’ journey.
Corbin Bleu, an accomplished screen and stage actor, perhaps best known for his role in High School Musical, delivered the keynote address. He encouraged graduates to chase their dreams regardless of others’ opinions, stating, “All the world is a stage, but also all the world is a school. Each of you has had years of training and molding, but now is the time to realize how much agency you have over your own life. Break that mold, forge your path.” Bleu concluded with the famous line from High School Musical, “We’re all in this together.”
The ceremony also featured the presentation of an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Robin Kanarek, president of the Kanarek Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization she founded with her husband.
Later that day in the same venue, Ted Yang, a member of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR), the governing body for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system, addressed the Graduate Commencement ceremony. About 1,000 students were eligible to receive graduate degrees or certificates. Other speakers included Julia Irwin, interim dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, and Interim President Smith.
In his charge to the graduates, Smith urged them “not to look away from the world’s challenges, or those that are closer to home. Stay informed, be mindful, be intentionally kind, and work every day to embody the principles of dignity, respect, kindness, compassion, and civility. Go out and do good.”
View the photo galleries from the commencement ceremonies below. Please note that photos will be added to both galleries over the next few days, so keep checking back!
Undergraduate Commencement Photo Gallery
Graduate Commencement Photo Gallery
See the Senior Yearbook, a full video of the ceremony, and the event program
Watch the Commencement 2024 Highlights Video
See news coverage of Commencement 2024:
New Haven Register: “In photos: Corbin Bleu addresses Southern Connecticut State University’s graduates“ (May 17, 2024)
WTNH: “Southern Connecticut State University celebrates class of 2024″ (Kent Pierce, May 17, 2024)
NBC CT: “‘High School Musical’ star Corbin Bleu to speak at SCSU graduation” (May 8, 2024)
