Spring Commencement 2007

Spring Commencement 2007 video

Podcast available next week

Spring Commencement 2007 slide show

Class of 2007 offers world new energy, ideas

All about UD's 158th Commencement

Senior class raises $62,000 gift for UD

Two students recognized for academic achievement

Tearful gratitude by graduate who triumphed over disability

Lawrence Putterman awarded Medal of Distinction

Southern Delaware convocation held at Rehoboth Beach

New commencement sashes honor residence life workers

History-loving grandmother graduates at 74

First Callahan Prize awarded to Katharine Hepburn scholar

Blue Hen Stoury spins academic success

Returning mom finds focus second time around

Senior stacks diverse courses in three majors, two minors

UD Commencements past


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All about UD’s 158th Commencement

4 p.m., May 26, 2007--Interesting and fun facts about UD's 158th commencement, held Saturday, May 26, in Delaware Stadium include:

The estimated number of degrees conferred totals 4,615, including:

  • 175 doctoral degrees;
  • 750 master's degrees;
  • 3,600 bachelor's degrees; and
  • 90 associate's degrees.

Note: Final figures are determined when spring grades are fully recorded and the deans review grades for all candidates.

Fun facts

Opening the ceremony was the alumni procession, which included representatives from the Classes of the 1930s through 2006, representing all segments of alumni living in 81 countries throughout the world. With the Class of 2007, the number of living UD alumni is in excess of 130,000.

Leading the alumni procession were this year's recipients of the UD Alumni Association's Warner and Taylor awards, which recognize the outstanding senior woman and man. These graduating seniors are Joseph D'Agostino, a business major from Northport, N.Y. and Katheryn (Kate) LaPrad, a history major from Seaford.

Graduates come from 23 countries, 47 states and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. There are 1,842 graduates from Delaware, 538 from New Jersey and 424 from Pennsylvania.

There are 85 male graduates named Michael, making it the most popular name in the class of 2007. Second place goes to the 64 Christophers. The most popular name for female graduates is Jennifer (67), followed by Lauren (50).

There are 23 graduates with the last name of Smith, 19 with the last name of Jones, 17 with the last name of Johnson, 15 Browns and 14 Millers.

There are 10 sets of twins graduating as members of the class of 2007. They include Jamie and Nicole Baron, Nicole and Rachel Douglas, Robert and Ryan Kershis, Liz and Tyler Mayforth, Aaron and Emily Paolini, Richard and Ryan Phifer, Shannon and Stefani Sargent, Kerry and Kimberly Schussler, Bethany and Sara Sterling and Eric and Steven Taylor.

Fourteen students celebrated their birthday on May 26. They include: William Allen, Matthew Arbaugh, Adam Blakeley, Joseph Cioffi, Christopher Fox, Brandy Garlic, Brett Hensley, Katherine Johnson, Bridget Lydon, Stanley Okonkwo, Michael Sendlinger, Christiana Stanley, Edwin Stein, and Sadaf Zehra.

This year's oldest graduate is Joe Ann Knauss. Mrs. Knauss received a bachelor of arts degree in history. She is the wife of Donald Knauss, who graduated from UD 55 years ago as a member of the class of 1952.

The University of Delaware is celebrating its 264rd year of existence. The first class of 1743 included three signers of the Declaration of Independence among its 10 students.