Western New England University Honors Worcester Native

From Western New England University: Katie Gallagher graduated summa cum laude from Western New England University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The undergraduate ceremony was held on Saturday, May 20, in the Alumni Healthful Living Center. Approximately 600 students received degrees and several ROTC Cadets were commissioned as officers.

The top five fields of study for undergraduates in 2017 were: Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Pharmacy Studies, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. The graduating class hailed from 22 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In his remarks, President Anthony S. Caprio challenged the graduates to use their educations for positivity: "You must choose to make a difference. You have responsibility for yourself," he said as he congratulated the graduates in joining the more the 45,400 alumni of the University. "You must create light around you and not darkness. With this attitude, you will be the leader in your family, your community, your place of work, and in your country."

View and download photos of the 2017 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.

Western New England University is a private, independent, coeducational institution founded in 1919. Located on an attractive 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, Western New England serves 3,830 students, including 2,580 full-time undergraduate students. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are offered through Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy, and the School of Law.

Image via Western New England University