‘Once a Warrior, always a Warrior’
ABy Michael Rouleau ’11
pproximately 1,000 Eastern Connecticut State University students received undergraduate and graduate degrees in the 2024-25 academic year, which culminated in two commencement ceremonies at the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester.
Dr. Mary K. Grant
“You are the future. The future is bright.”
MARY GRANT
From rst-generation college students to seasoned professionals pursuing advanced degrees, the graduates re ected the breadth and diversity of Eastern’s public liberal arts mission. ey ranged in age from 20 to 72, representing nearly all of Connecticut’s 169 towns, 22 U.S. states, and 35 countries.
During her keynote speech at the May 20 undergraduate commencement ceremony, Dr. Mary K. Grant, president of
President Karim Ismaili and Senior Class President Felishka Ramirez ’25
the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, applauded the graduates for their resilience, pointing out that they were the rst class to attend college following the initial shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In a world that sometimes chooses fear over hope, choose hope,” Grant said. Drawing on her own liberal arts background, she emphasized the enduring value of skills like critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning. “ ese aren’t soft skills,” she said. “ ey’re essential skills — skills that all employers want.”
Eastern President Karim Ismaili echoed Grant’s sentiments, commending graduates for transforming through their college years into
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong
Wethers eld, Tong said, “ ere are a lot of people who feel invis ible. I want to help them because I know what they’re going through.”
Tong encouraged graduates to recognize shared humanity and stand up for marginalized communities. “See the people who don’t look exactly like you; they’re your people, too,” he said.
During her graduate commencement remarks, student speaker Shellena Pitterson ’25 highlighted the personal sacri ces and late-night study sessions that de ned the graduate journey: “We’ve navigated assignments, exams, late nights, and — let’s be honest — the occasional existential crisis.”
At the undergraduate ceremony, Senior Class President Felishka Ramirez ’25 thanked the “Eastern village” of faculty and sta who invested in students’ growth. “ ey didn’t just teach us; they believed in us. ey taught us how to think critically, how to persevere, and how to believe in the power of our own voices,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of alumni, Ellen Lang ’81 spoke at both ceremonies to welcome new graduates into Eastern’s alumni family, now more than 40,000 strong. “You are now connected to a powerful and supportive network of leaders, changemakers, and lifelong learners,” she said. “Once a Warrior, always a Warrior.” E
Shellena Pitterson ’25
BRAYDEN ALEXIS will pursue a master’s degree in public health promotion at George Washington University. “As a psychology student at Eastern, I knew I wanted to spend my career helping to better the lives of those around me. ... I plan to work for a few years as a public health data analyst, then seek out a position with the World Health Organization.”
EMMA MCCORMACK will pursue a master’s degree in Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies at Columbia University. “I’m still exploring where my professional path will lead, but I’m excited for graduate school to open new doors and expand my opportunities. I’m sincerely grateful to Eastern not only for the support and academic foundation it provided, but also for the truly meaningful experiences I had here.”
MEGHAN MCAULIFFE will soon begin her first year as a second-grade teacher at Lake Street School in Vernon. “My time at Eastern allowed me to grow both as a learner and as an educator. I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned into my own classroom this fall, where I hope to inspire the same joy and curiosity that Eastern inspired in me.”
RYAN TOOMEY will pursue a master’s degree in secondary education at Eastern, complementing his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. “I cherish everything I have learned and the people I’ve met at Eastern. I look forward to using my tools from Eastern to make a difference in my career as an educator.”
JOSEPH HINES transitioned from an undergraduate internship at The Hartford to a professional position within the company as a process analyst. Additionally, he will pursue a master’s degree in data science at Eastern this fall. “I’m looking to expand my professional connections in industry while further developing key skills. I’m looking forward to where the road takes me and I’m thankful for everyone who’s helped me along the way.”
AIDAN REISS will pursue a Ph.D. in musicology at Duke University. “Eastern has been an incredible experience the last four years ... making it possible for me to flourish as a young scholar. I hope to chase research and scholarship opportunities to their fullest extent, with my eventual goal of becoming a professor at a U.S. or international university. Armed with my foundation at Eastern, I am positive I will be able to make an impact on music and the humanities.”
DANIELLE KUWORNU will pursue a master’s degree in social work at the University of Connecticut while completing an internship at the Department of Children and Families. “My time at Eastern allowed me to learn how to overcome challenging obstacles and grow both personally and intellectually. Ultimately, I plan to get my law degree to become a family lawyer.”
KATHERINE ESCALANTE will pursue a master’s degree in environmental management at Yale University. “I hope to build a career focused on environmental justice, global migration, and climate finance. Eastern gave me the intellectual foundation and hands-on experiences that made this next step possible. Most importantly, Eastern nurtured my confidence and voice as a first-generation college student, preparing me to thrive in spaces like Yale and beyond.”
