For the first time in recent memory, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences joined forces with seven other University of Vermont colleges and schools for one, big, long, speech-filled commencement on Sunday, May 23 on the University Green. And a sun day it was indeed, perfect weather for the four-hour graduation of more than 3,000 who paraded before an audience of about 10,000 well wishers. It was the 206th and largest commencement ever. Dean Tom Vogelmann and faculty college marshals Deborah Neher and Todd Pritchard led the CALS portion of the procession. Graduating senior Megan Foy of Danville was the banner bearer. CALS was second, after the Honors College, to do the ceremonial walk across the stage to pick up a diploma cover from enrollment manager Rose Laba, while faculty members Jane Kolodinsky and Mark Starrett shared the duties of reading the names of each of the College’s graduating seniors. After the event, new grads picked up their diplomas at Morrill Hall on campus from a team of CALS commencement organizers led by student services specialist Heather Palow. Several CALS students earned university-wide acclaim for outstanding academic and athletic achievements. Jared Alvord of Plainfield won the F.T. Kidder Medal, honoring the senior man ranking first in character, leadership and scholarship. And he received the Wasson Athletic Prize for his combination of high academic standards and athletic accomplishment in men’s track and field. Danielle Fontaine of West Warwick, Rhode Island and Yacouba Mulu Lubula of South Burlington became McNair Scholars — an honor for first-generation and minority graduates to “enhance their competitiveness in gaining admission to graduate programs.” Courtnay Pilypaitis of Ottawa, Ontario Canada, received the Edward Donnelly Award for her performance in women’s basketball over four years. Five Honors College graduates completed their majors within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Edward Dobbin of Middletown, Rhode Island; Simmone Fuge of Mendham, New Jersey; Kacy Roeder of New City, New York; Abigail Scherer-Hook of Topsfield, Massachusetts and Elizabeth Schindler of Rutland. Graduating summa cum laude from the College were Kaitlyn Carreau of St. Johnsbury, Megan Foy and John Taylor of Jonesville. Graduating magna cum laude from CALS were Jeremiah Church of Morrisville; Katherine Coale of Weybridge; Molly Greene of Cornwall; Julia Hobson of North Middlesex; Carrie-Ann Palmeri of Burlington; Vanessa Patten of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire; Elizabeth Schindler; Anurag Shukla of South Burlington and Caroline Wain of New London, New Hampshire. Cum laude graduates from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were Sarah Davis of Warren; Edward Dobbin of Middletown, Rhode Island; Christopher Edwards of Vergennes; Caroline Grimmnitz of Readfield, Maine; Jennifer Haber of Monroe, New York; Aimee Kennedy of Monroe, New York; Aaron Lothrop of Albany, New York; Brooke Love of Massena, New York; Heather Lutton of Cambridge; Michaela Martin of Pepperell, Massachusetts; Eric Muttilainen of Richmond; April Orleans of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Carey Page of East Thetford; Abbey Peterson of Winooski; Aliza Sanborn of Hyde Park; Emily Schloff of Salisbury; Katherine Sisson of Underhill; Daniel Smith of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Brianne White of Fairfax. CAPTION: At the UVM graduation on May 23, CALS banner bearer Megan Foy is a summa cum laude graduate whose work in animal science earned her the Elmer Towne Award. Photography by Sally McCay for UVM photo. Visit the UVM Photo gallery.