March 29, 2024

Bright Skies, Bright Futures: UMW Graduates Class of 2023

Megan Sullivan (left) received a master’s degree in elementary education and Sara Roberts received a bachelor’s degree in psychology during the University of Mary Washington’s 112th Commencement ceremony. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Megan Sullivan (left) received a master’s degree in elementary education and Sara Roberts received a bachelor’s degree in psychology during the University of Mary Washington’s 112th Commencement ceremony. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

From the fourth-floor balcony of the Cedric Rucker University Center to the Lee Hall Terrace and around the rim of Ball Circle, proud family and friends cheered their hearts out Saturday morning for the University of Mary Washington’s 2023 graduates.

More than 1,000 students from UMW’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education received bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University’s 112th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6. Bright sunshine sifted through patches of clouds and temperatures hovered near 70 degrees as the celebration, which began at 9 a.m., unfolded all morning long.

The culminating moment of years’ worth of work was bittersweet, said Sara Roberts, a first-generation student who received a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Megan Sullivan, who earned a master’s degree in elementary education, said she felt similarly. “I’m overwhelmed and overjoyed, and a little bit saddened that I have to leave all my amazing professors behind.”

Business administration major Joseph Lewis said his four years of college went by way too fast. “If I could start back on day one, I would do it,” he said, “just to experience it all over again.” Read more.