Dear UVM Community,

As the spring season arrives, preparations for our annual Commencement are well underway. I am happy and proud that we will send off our graduates with our traditional celebrations on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22. After the modifications of the past two years, I am looking forward to my own opportunity to be part of our main ceremony on the University Green for the first time.

I am pleased to announce that our commencement speaker, who will deliver his address at the University Commencement Main Ceremony on May 22, is Erik Weihenmayer. He is the first blind person to climb to the peak of Mount Everest, a remarkable adventurer, and a leader in service to others. We are fortunate to welcome a person of such incredible accomplishment and determination to address our graduates.

We will recognize Erik and four other distinguished individuals with honorary degrees: Meghan Walsh Cioffi ’91, Robert Cioffi ’90, Rick Dalton, and Steven Grossman ’61. Much more detail about Erik and all our honorees is available here.

You can find information about Commencement activities at www.uvm.edu/commencement.

Best wishes for a successful remainder of the spring semester.

Suresh V. Garimella
President