UConn’s Neag School of Education held its commencement ceremony at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday morning, celebrating 165 Bachelor of Science graduates from its Sports Management and Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s Teacher Education programs.
The joyous day began with a beloved Neag School tradition: the procession of graduates down Glenbrook Road from the Gentry Building to Jorgensen, led by UConn mascots Jonathan XIV and Jonathan XV. Once inside the auditorium, the Class of 2024 was greeted by cheers and applause from hundreds of family, friends and other guests. The Neag School of Education banner was presented and placed on stage by Carter Newman, the class representative. Marshal Megan Staples, associate professor of mathematics education, opened the commencement ceremony before welcoming Dean Jason G. Irizarry to the podium.
“What a journey it has been for all of you,” Irizarry told the Class of 2024. “None of us could have imagined in the fall of 2020 what your graduating years would entail. You have persevered through a global pandemic, through online and hybrid learning, and emerged as stronger, more compassionate individuals. Despite everything, you continued to pursue your dreams with enthusiasm and vigor and never lost hope for a better future. I am in awe of your resilience and could not be more proud of each and every one of you.”
This year’s commencement speaker was Kiana Foster-Mauro ’20 (ED), ’21 MA, 2024 Connecticut Teacher of the Year and fourth-grade teacher at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London. Foster-Mauro has presented at national and local conferences. She has been a member of the National Association for Multicultural Education since 2018 and was recently accepted to present talks on facilitating critical conversations about current events, identity, human rights, and mental health.
“As you prepare to take the next steps on your journey, I hope you hold tight to the things that make you come alive,” Foster-Mauro told the graduates. “I hope you keep chasing your wildest dreams. I hope you light your soul on fire with what you love and that you are brave enough to share that light with the rest of us. I hope you have the boldness to speak your truth and stand up for what you know is right. I hope you are unapologetically yourself.
While a student at UConn, Foster-Mauro served on the executive board of Leadership in Diversity, a student-led organization dedicated to diversifying education. She is passionate about community and empowering others. She enjoys teaching her students reading, writing, and social studies daily and connecting with alumni down the hall and at her annual family reunion in her classroom. Outside of the classroom, Foster-Mauro expands her commitment to education, diversity and community as a dance teacher at The Dance Extension and company advisor for the Community Dance Ensemble.
“Kiana is an educator, activist and lifelong learner… [she] is committed to empowering its students through culturally sustainable and human rights-centered learning,” said Irizarry.
Another Neag School graduation tradition is a performance by music education majors. This year, 18 graduates performed an arrangement of Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway,” getting nearly the entire room on their feet and dancing.
President Radenka Maric was present to congratulate the graduates and confer their Bachelor of Science degrees.
“I charge you now to assume fully the responsibilities of your new status, to enlarge the foundations of knowledge you have acquired, to take upon yourself the obligations of an enlarged vision, and to seek to do your fair share in the work of this world,” said Maric .
The UConn Neag School of Education’s graduation ceremony was also live-streamed and is still available to view.
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