Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Fireworks fill the sky over the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts during the Senior Barbecue for the Classes of 2016.

President Mark D. Gearan speaks to the graduating Classes of 2016 during rehearsal for Commencement.

Trustee Edward R. Cooper ’86, P’16, P’19 and Robin Savits Cooper '87, P'16, P'19 address attendees of Friday’s Commencement rehearsal.

Jeff Rizza '16, a member of the Druid Honor Society and winner of the annual Pitch Contest, leads the Statesmen down to the Bozzuto Boathouse for the Hobart Launch.

Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Jared Weeden '91 welcomes the graduating class to the Hobart Launch. The members of the Hobart Class of 2016 were each presented with replicas of the paddle used by the Seneca warrior Agayentah.

During his address, Dr. Jeremy Cushman '96, president of the Hobart Alumni Association, assures seniors that as they graduate and begin the next phases of their lives, You will not forget your time here.

Student speaker Dennis O'Connell '16 reflects on traditions that honor the memory of all those who have laid the groundwork for aspirations of high achievement, and they commemorate the lesson of giving back.

Tim Griffin '16 and Walker Ward '16 sing the Hobart alma mater Hip Hobart.

Oneal Perez '16 dips his oar in Seneca Lake, a celebrated tradition of Hobart's heritage expressing the promise of a reciprocal lifelong bond between graduates and their alma mater.

Kyle Wiatrowski '16, T.J. Kaszubski '16 and Tyler Serafine '16, members of the Statesmen soccer team, pose with their recently received oars during the Hobart Launch.

Senior members of the Hobart rowing team gather for a group photo with their paddles.

Members of The William Smith Class of 2016 pose for a photo in the lobby of the recently opened Gearan Center for the Performing Arts during the Senior Welcome and Toast.

Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Alumnae Relations Kathy Killius Regan '82, P'13 opens the Senior Welcome and Toast held in the L. Thomas Melly ’52 Lobby of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts.

William Smith students raise their glasses and toast in celebration of their accomplishments at the Colleges.

Dana Williams '16 receives a hug from Kathy Killius Regan '82, P'13 as she receives the Judith Haslam Cross '52 Award. Williams was named class correspondent.

Karly Wagner ’16 receives the Elizabeth Herendeen Odell Book Award.

Mimi Scott ’16 participates in the traditional tree planting at the William Smith Senior Welcome and Toast.

Bree Von Bradsky ’16, Danielle Mueller ’16, Ingrid Dehler-Seter ’16 and Jessica Bishop’16 participated in a decades-old custom, touching a tree on the Hill for good luck. The tradition was recalled by 101-year-old Alta Boyer '36 as part of her well-wishes to the graduating Herons.

At the ceremony, seniors receive a bracelet and the senior pine tree charm. The pine tree is in recognition of the College’s nurseryman founder, William Smith.

Professor of Music Robert Cowles leads the Colleges' Choir during the Baccalaureate ceremony held at Trinity Church.

Baccalaureate 2016 is held at Trinity Church.

You are graduating into a worldwide force of over 18,000 alumni and alumnae that you will be discovering for the rest of your lives, almost no matter where you live or travel, says Board Chair Maureen Collins Zupan ’72, P’09, L.H.D.’16 in the keynote address at Baccalaureate.

Trustee Emeritus L. Thomas Melly ’52, L.H.D. ’02 and Trustee Katherine D. Elliott ’66, L.H.D. ’08 process during Baccalaureate.

President Mark D. Gearan congratulates Chatham Anastasi ’16, the recipient of the Robert M. Finlayson, Jr. Class of 1972 Endowed Scholarship, on graduating magna cum laude in English and theatre. More than 150 students received Latin praise during the annual Academic Achievement Ceremony on Saturday.

Ben Carr '16 receives an academic achievement award during the ceremony. He graduated magna cum laude in history on Sunday.

Siyan Tao '16, who graduated magna cum laude in economics, is recognized at the Academic Achievement Awards ceremony in the Robert A. Bristol Field House.

President Mark D. Gearan congratulates Max Piersol’16, who graduated summa cum laude in architectural studies. Piersol also completed Honors in philosophy.

The platform party including honorary degree recipients Dr. Cheryl L. Dorsey L.H.D.’16, Judith Hershey Melly L.H.D.’16, Board Chair Maureen Collins Zupan '72, P'09, L.H.D.’16, Joan Hinde Stewart L.H.D.’16, and John F. Collins P'72, P'74, P'84, P'90, GP'09, GP'12, GP'18, L.H.D.’16 gather for a photo.

Hobart students examine the Commencement program as they wait for the ceremony to begin. This year, 236 Hobart students and 260 William Smith students earned bachelor's degrees.

Randy Palacios '16 waits for Commencement to begin.

Prior to the Commencement ceremony, many family members took photos of their soon-to-be graduates.

Jaelyn Britton '16, Yeseswi Basnet '16 and Kiara Toscano '16 gather for a group photo after donning their academic regalia.

Ashton Mahoney, Lacey Jackson, Darrius Lauster and Gavin Collmer, who completed the ARC College Experience Program, pose for a photo before the Commencement ceremony.

Maureen Collins Zupan '72, 'P09, L.H.D.’16, the first William Smith alumna to serve as the chair of the Board of Trustees, receives flowers from family members.

Commencement 2016 opens with the graduates processing through the crowd in the Robert A. Bristol ’31 Field House on Sunday.

During his valedictory address, President Mark D. Gearan asks the graduates to reflect on the ways in which they've experienced lives of consequence.

William Smith students reflect during the Commencement ceremony that marked the 191th graduation for Hobart College and the 105th for William Smith College.

Andrew Needham-Wood’16 listens during Commencement 2016.

Civic leader Judith Hershey Melly L.H.D. ’16 receives her honorary degree from President Mark D. Gearan during Commencement. She was one of five recipients who were each conferred a Doctorate of Humane Letters for their enduring spirit of service which has enhanced local, national and global communities.

With Professor of Anthropology and Sociology Jeffrey Anderson assisting, President of Hamilton College Joan Hinde Stewart L.H.D. ’16 receives her honorary degree on Sunday. Stewart has served as president of Hamilton since 2003 and will retire in 2016.

World War II veteran and retired New York City Police Officer John F. Collins P’72, P’74, P’84, P’90, GP’09, GP’12, GP’18, L.H.D. ’16 receives his honorary degree.

Professor of Anthropology and Sociology Jeffrey Anderson places an academic sash on financial planner and Board Chair Maureen Collins Zupan ’72, P’09, L.H.D. ’16. Zupan has served as a trustee of the Colleges since 1994.

After receiving her honorary degree, Dr. Cheryl L. Dorsey, a physician who leads Echoing Green, the global social impact organization, offers the 2016 Commencement Address.

I think we'll find that these four years have provided us with invaluable experiences that we will never forget, says Connor May ’16, offering the Hobart student address.

After teaching me to look inward, HWS taught me to look out, to stand at the top of a hill and see what I could contribute to the world,” says Kelly Craig ’16 during her student address.

New Vision Medical Careers Program Instructor Laura Van Niel and Victor High School social studies teacher Michael Myers receive the Touching the Future Award. They were nominated by Courtney Franceschi ’16 and Samuel Menchel ’16.

Ian Forsell’16 raises his diploma after crossing the stage on Sunday.

Student Trustee Max Gorton '16 gives a thumbs up after receiving his degree in architectural studies.

Shaakir Samuel '16 holds his diploma during the 2016 Commencement ceremony.

Jessica Bishop '16 shows off her diploma. She graduated cum laude as an individual major in contextual significance in leadership.

Talia Azour ’16 receives her degree cum laude in sociology and international relations.

The Classes of 2016 toss their caps in the air, marking the close of Sunday’s ceremony.

The Classes of 2016, surrounded by faculty, staff and family, process through Robert A. Bristol ’31 Field House.

Ashley Harling '16 takes a picture with her family, including her father, Sergeant Maurice Harling P'16 of Campus Safety.

Shelby Chase '16 and family pose on the Quad following the 2016 Commencement ceremony.

A special HWS Commencement ceremony took place on Monday following an impressive postseason for the Heron lacrosse team. Emily Stratton ’16, Alexandra O'Hara ’16, Hannah Connolly ’16 and Geneva Calder ’16 received their diplomas.

Emily Stratton ’16, Alexandra O'Hara’ 16, Hannah Connolly ’16 and Geneva Calder ’16 graduated with Latin praise during a special HWS Commencement ceremony on Monday in St. John’s Chapel.

The Herons receive their diplomas following an impressive postseason in lacrosse, which included capturing the Liberty League title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA DIII Women's Lacrosse Championship.