They come from throughout the Green Mountain State, around the nation, and across the globe. But the many members of the Class of 2026 all share an intellectual home, this place where scholarly interest was fostered, and friends were made: the University of Vermont. Now, as they prepare to receive their bachelor’s, graduate, or medical degrees, we present just a few of the amazing members of the class, who will receive their degrees the weekend of May 16–17. Details on UVM’s 225th Commencement can be found here.
Igniting Interest
When Alannah Fleming visited campus for an Admitted Students Day several years ago, a conversation she had that day with Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources faculty member Tony D’Amato changed the course of her life. She'd been considering a Wildlife and Fisheries Biology major and a forestry minor. "But the way he talked about forestry made me reconsider," she said. Now, as she prepares for graduation, Alannah has an exciting wildland firefighting job lined up in Montana, and four years of incredible experiences as a forestry student under her belt.
Her studies turned her toward firefighting. When she was discussing her interest in firefighting with a friend, he told her it was too much hard work and that she wouldn't like it. "I told him, ‘Now you're making me curious. Now I want to do it even more.'"
She spent two summers working in Montana on forestry and wildland fire crews, and will be returning to the Treasure State again after graduation, based in Red Lodge, Montana, just east of both the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, for more wildland firefighting work.
––Maddie Cross
Curiosity in Action
For Annika Heintz, a double-major in political science and environmental studies from Wallingford, Vt., an ever-growing passion for research has shaped her time at UVM. As a natural areas steward in the Carse Wetland and a research assistant on the American Roots Migration Project, she has spent time researching both the natural world and the humans who inhabit it—and she’s enjoyed every moment.
“I’ve developed a love for the research lifecycle, from data-cleaning to final edits,” Heintz says. That love buoyed her during long hours working on her honors thesis, which she recently—and successfully—defended. Her research focused on political migration to Vermont, looking at such questions as what drives migration to our state, to what extent politics is a motivating factor, and what political migrants look for in a relocation destination.
Heintz, who is minoring in geospatial technologies, has also embraced the opportunity to share her passion for learning with others through her work as an environmental studies teaching assistant, leading labs, chaperoning field trips, and helping students learn to analyze and problem-solve. In addition, she has worked at the Office of Accessibility Services since sophomore year. “It has been a really meaningful experience to spend three years supporting this team,” she says.
While she’s not sure yet exactly what she’ll be doing after graduation, Heintz is ready to venture out into the wider world. “I’ve always loved traveling, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and landscape, broadening my perspective, meeting new people, and seeing different geographies,” she says. “I think traveling and living in new places teaches you a lot about yourself as a person, and I’m excited to see what I learn and who I am in this next stage of my journey.”
––Su Reid-St. John
More Than Words
Writing is often a solitary pursuit, but that’s not the case for Cole Barry, an English major with minors in writing and gender and sexual identity studies. During his time at UVM, he has dedicated himself to cultivating a literary community both inside and outside the classroom.
Not only does the Braintree, Mass., native take part in reading groups and regularly read his work at a variety of campus venues, but Barry is also involved in the online literary community and spends a lot of time at the UVM Writing Center, where he’s a tutor, mentor, and outreach coordinator. “I love seeing people improve over long periods of time, not just in their writing but in their goals and how they do in class,” he says.
When asked what accomplishment he’s most proud of, Barry doesn’t hesitate. “My honors thesis, ‘The Poetics of Silence: AIDS and Sonnets,’ has been a long time coming,” he says. “I've been working on poems in the creative portion of the project since 2023, so it's really nice to see it come together.”
From all indications, Barry’s love for the written word will continue to flourish. He recently accepted a teaching fellowship at a college prep school in his home state of Massachusetts, where he will teach two English classes. He also plans to dedicate himself to maintaining the regular writing practice he began at UVM.
While he’s excited for this next step, Barry admits that he will miss the UVM community. “I love walking around campus—everyone is so friendly and willing to engage in conversation,” he says. Still, he knows his writing will carry him through. “Being a writer makes me feel more in touch with the world and myself, and having a writing practice helps me maintain attention in our fast-moving society.”
––Su Reid-St. John
Finding Community
At the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ian Gregory Lee won the Lawrence K. Forcier Outstanding Senior Award, given annually to a top graduating senior who exemplifies academic excellence and outstanding service. The award recognizes students who make a meaningful impact on the college community.Originally from Minneapolis, Lee had never lived outside his home state before coming to UVM. While attending an International Baccalaureate high school, he developed a strong interest in biology, though he had no prior research experience. At UVM, he began as a molecular genetics major before switching to microbiology and completing the pre-med track. Lee worked in two research labs during his undergraduate career.
In his first two years, he contributed to a biomedical lab focused on an assay used to identify antibodies and vaccination histories. After switching majors, he joined the Etter Lab, where he completed his thesis and distinguished undergraduate research project studying Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation in cheese-processing environments. Using Vermont-based strains, Lee investigated environmental influences on biofilms and explored a novel organic acid produced by lactic acid bacteria that showed promise in inhibiting biofilm growth.
Outside the lab, Lee served as president of the Beekeeping Club, working closely with CALS faculty. The Beekeeping Club faculty advisor, Dr. Mark Sterrett, recommended him for the Forcier Award. Lee minored in Spanish and he volunteers weekly with a community organization translating healthcare forms for Spanish-speaking community members.
After graduation, Lee will return to Minnesota to work as a medical scribe while applying to medical school. His advice to incoming students: “Be curious, ask questions, build relationships, and don’t forget to take care of yourself and find your community.”
––Ren Dillon
From Trail to Triage
The strength of the nursing program, combined with the UVM’s deep connection to nature and wilderness, initially drew Olive Brown to UVM. While applying to colleges in high school, Olive was planning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and UVM’s setting and values felt like a natural fit, both academically and personally.
“In nursing, we really hit the ground running with in-hospital clinical experience once junior year rolls around,” says Olive. “That kind of hands-on practice is the best education you can get. It builds confidence and gives you a real glimpse of what your work will look like in the field.”
The approach builds a strong foundation while offering an authentic view of nursing in practice. One of the most impactful nursing courses for Olive was Public Health Nursing, which explores upstream factors that shape health and the critical role nurses play beyond hospital walls. Olive says she was inspired by Professor Teresa Graziano’s passion, expertise, and ability to connect course material to current events, and the course sparked an interest in public health that led them to become a CPR instructor for their clinical practicum.
“Being a CPR instructor was a big development opportunity for me,” Olive says. “Up to that point, my clinical practice had mostly been in the hospital, interacting with patients one-on-one. Suddenly, I was standing in front of a class of strangers, teaching CPR. It was definitely a fresh experience—but one I loved and wanted more of.”
Ultimately, Olive’s time at UVM refined an already strong sense of purpose. The program reinforced their commitment to nursing while encouraging exploration of new interests. After graduation, they plan to pursue a nursing position, ideally in oncology.
––Sara White
A Straight Path to a Medical Profession
A career in health care has long been a goal for Emily Wang, but the exact form it would take was not always obvious. Now, after completing a Master of Medical Science degree at the Larner College of Medicine, her path is clear: Wang is on track to become a dentist.
Wang worked as a dental intern during high school and fell in love with the profession, she says. “I was drawn to the ability to make a difference in someone’s life, not only through dental procedures and educating them on oral health, but also the ability to build a relationship with them,” says Wang, who lives in Orange County, California.
After graduating from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in 2024 and working as a dental assistant, she enrolled in UVM’s Master of Medical Science as a fully remote, online student to strengthen her academic foundation in the sciences before applying to dental school. The program stood out to Wang for its flexibility.
“Being able to complete the program remotely allowed me to continue working full-time while pursuing my academic goal. The courses are rigorous and challenging, and they are also cohesive and build a strong foundation across the biomedical disciplines,” she says.
After receiving her UVM diploma this May, Wang will continue to work as a dental assistant throughout the dental school application cycle. Her success feels certain.
––Janet Essman Franz
Acting for the Environment
Henry Motes is an Environmental Sciences major with a minor in Musical Theatre–so he’s always, he says, down for karaoke. Originally from Denver, Henry moved 2,600 miles to study Vermont’s waters, and is glad he made the journey.
Across four years, Henry has worked as an undergraduate research assistant with the UVM Watershed Lab, UVM Watershed Education, Science, and Policy Lab, and the Gund Institute for Environment’s Climate Measurement Center of Excellence, co-authoring peer-reviewed papers on flood communications and the Water Resources chapter of the 2025 Vermont Climate Assessment. Recently, Henry defended his Patrick Leahy Honors College thesis — Evaluating Motivations and Barriers to Volunteer Retention in a Vermont Water Monitoring Program — a social analysis of a local water quality program supported by a Sustainability Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Last year, Henry was awarded the 2025 Alan W. McIntosh Scholarship Award and the Rubenstein Dean’s Junior Book Award in Environmental Sciences. A dedicated thespian, Henry has performed in five mainstage productions with UVM’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
After graduation, Henry will intern with a Philadelphia-based environmental consulting firm while preparing applications for graduate studies. Ultimately, he hopes to advance research in global water security while expanding opportunities access for LGBTQ+-identifying scientists.
––Maddie Cross
Planning Life as an Educator
Jes Bennett chose computer science as their major “Because of a CS class I took my freshman year, and I really enjoyed the problem-solving! I've really found a home in the CS department, as the professors and TAs have been really welcoming and uplifting.” Bennett is also pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) through UVM’s College of Education and Social Sciences. “I realized, as I got to know my professors and appreciated the work they do, that I want to be an educator,” Bennet says.
Bennett has been an assistant for UVM’s Girls Who Code Club, a club for middle school and high school-aged students, for the last several semesters. “We do a coding/outreach lesson every Saturday, and it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my college career,” Bennett says. I have really enjoyed getting to know the students and working to create a space where young girls see themselves represented in CS.
Bennett credits Senior Lecturer Lisa Dion as a major impact on both their academic growth and career direction. “In a class Lisa taught my sophomore year, she gave a short presentation on the master's program I'm currently in and the Noyce Scholars program (a scholarship program for STEM educators),” Bennett says. “Noyce has provided countless opportunities for me to learn and grow as a future teacher. If Lisa had never told me about these programs, I don't know that I would have found my path. I now feel so excited and ready for the years to come.”
––Chris Dissinger
Math Notes
Alli Cooper-Ellis has always enjoyed solving math problems in school, and wanted a major that supported other areas of focus and opened doors to cross-disciplinary collaboration. She chose a major in statistics based on her interest in how statistics can be used, in conjunction with other methods, to elevate and support all kinds of different disciplines with foundations in math.
In addition, Cooper-Ellis has a minor in music, which, she says, “Complements my studies in math. I've played violin/viola since I was in elementary school, so incorporating a music minor into my degree was a natural way for me to allocate time in my academic schedule and keep music in my life.”
She was also president this year of the UVM Philharmonic club, a student-led string orchestra that meets every Friday afternoon. “I love this club because it’s a totally fun and relaxing way to end your week,” she says.
After graduation, Cooper-Ellis will be attending the University of Michigan as a biostatistics master's student.
––Chris Dissinger
A “Swiss Army Knife of Medicine”
A graduate of Stowe High School and Middlebury College, Tucker Angier’s Vermont roots run deep. An avid downhill skier, he worked as a ski patroller at Middlebury Snow Bowl after college and lived briefly in in Idaho and Chicago before returning to Vermont for medical school. Angier’s family lives in Stowe, and his mother is a practicing psychiatrist in Morrisville.
As a Vermonter, Angier understands small town residents’ need for longitudinal, place-based care. During medical school, he joined the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Scholars, a nationally recognized program that provides students in health care majors with opportunities to work on projects and engage with medical providers, patients, and community leaders in rural communities. Through AHEC he became a “Med Mentor,” mentoring pre-health students exploring careers in the medical field.
Angier applied for and received the AHEC Scholars Medical Student Incentive/Loan Forgiveness scholarship, which will pay back his medical school tuition in exchange for his promise work in Vermont outside of Chittenden County after completing residency. He won’t have to go far: He will do his residency training in family medicine at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Angier’s wife, Hannah Gelderman, will graduate from the UVM Family Medicine Residency this June and will join Gifford Health in Randolph.
Angier’s ambition is clear: “My goal is to become a rural family medicine physician, a ‘Swiss army knife,’ a one-stop-shop for my community,” Angier says. “The AHEC scholarship generously allows for this to be possible.”
––Janet Essman Franz
Lifting Up
Marley St. Pierre believes that the university experience is not only about achieving academic success, but about lifting others up along the way. During her time at the Grossman School of Business, St. Pierre turned excellence into lasting impact through leadership, mentorship, and genuine community building. Alongside honors such as selection to the Wall Street Seminar, induction into Beta Gamma Sigma, and securing a full-time role at UBS, she devoted herself to creating opportunities for others through positions including Vice President of GSAC, Grossman Student Ambassador, Senior Lead Coordinator for SG-FECC, Head Teaching Assistant for Business Communication, and one of the youngest TAs in the Professional Development Series.
Her most meaningful accomplishment was co-founding the Grossman Case Competition Association, which she helped grow from just five founding members into a thriving organization of more than forty students, creating a space where students could strengthen their analytical thinking, presentation abilities, leadership skills, and, most importantly, their confidence to step onto bigger stages.
More than any individual recognition, St Pierre’s legacy at Grossman is the culture of excellence, mentorship, and empowerment she built—one that will continue to shape future generations of students.
This year, St Pierre has expanded that same mission of service beyond UVM by stepping deeper into the nonprofit space to create an even broader impact through GiftDrive, a free online platform that helps nonprofits run digital donation drives through customized wishlists, track donations, collect donor information, and automate tax receipts. St. Pierre’s impact is defined not simply by what she has achieved for herself, but by the lasting difference she continues to make for others—at UVM, across Vermont, and far beyond.
––Heather Winther
Elevating Stories
Joshua Wallace first came to Vermont in 2022 during a gap year, when he began working with the Vermont Green FC soccer club. In that role, he developed his skills behind the camera, capturing trainings, matches, community events, and the club’s USL2 national championship run. “That experience showed me how powerful visual storytelling can be in bringing people and communities together,” Wallace said.
When he arrived at the Grossman School of Business, that interest quickly found support. A conversation with advisor Angela Erdmann led to a connection with the Center for Student Success, opening the door to new opportunities to grow his craft. Wallace began working with the Grossman School of Business communications team, photographing speaker panels, alumni features, and employer engagement programs, and he expanded his professional experience with Hula Lakeside. At Hula, he produced photo and video content for conferences and speaker panels, supporting Hula’s mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship and helping elevate the stories of Vermont small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Alongside his creative work, Wallace has held leadership roles with UVM’s Entrepreneurship Club and the Grossman Student Advisory Committee, strengthening connections between students and Burlington’s business community. Whether on campus or beyond, he approaches storytelling to build connection and highlight the people shaping Vermont’s future.
––Heather Winther
Compatible Passions
Since high school, Lindsay Aldrich and Luke Briccetti knew both that they wanted careers immersed in science and that their lives should be spent with each other. Now, after a decade of commitment and focus, their shared vision has come to fruition. Aldrich is graduating with an M.D. from the Larner College of Medicine, and this summer begins residency training in psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. Briccetti will be at her side in Wisconsin while completing his Ph.D. in watershed planning and socioecology from the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and beginning work toward a postdoctoral fellowship. At the same time, they are planning their 2027 wedding in Vermont.
They first met in a high school science research class where the connection was immediate. In 2016, they headed to different colleges—Briccetti to Tufts and Aldrich to UVM. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down both universities in 2020, they found themselves together on spring break in Vermont and have been together ever since.
Aldrich completed a B.A. in health and society in 2020 and a master’s in public health through the accelerated online program at UVM before applying to medical school. Briccetti graduated from Tufts and worked at the Northwest Planning Commission in St. Albans, Vt., while earning an M.S. from the State University of New York-Plattsburgh, followed by a doctoral program at UVM.
“We are both passionate about our own work, and it brings us joy to see each other’s passion,” said Aldrich, noting that her path to medicine began in high school. “Both of my parents are scientists, and our dinner talks were about biology, so I always had a ‘science calling,’ and working with people directly was important to me. All my public health classes in undergrad affirmed that I really want to work with people and communities.”
As they prepare for their new life in Wisconsin, the couple holds a special place in their hearts for Vermont, the place where they solidified their careers and their relationship, and where they will exchange wedding vows next spring. “We’re excited for a new place, and seeing new things, but we love Vermont and ultimately we both hope to stay in Vermont,” said Briccetti.
––Janet Essman Franz