The Class of 2002 gathered with family, friends, faculty, and University officials in the Carrier Dome on May 12 for the 148th Commencement of Syracuse University and the 105th Commencement of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

The graduates were led at the Commencement exercises by all-University Senior Class Marshals Sharon R. Ehm (right) and M. Bryan Legaspi (above). All told, the University awarded 2,943 bachelor’s degrees, 1,537 master’s degrees, 169 doctoral degrees, 28 certificates of advanced study, and 9 associate’s degrees. ESF awarded 268 bachelor’s degrees, 73 master’s degrees, and 20 doctoral degrees. In a separate ceremony on May 19, the SU College of Law awarded 238 juris doctor degrees.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani (below) delivered the Commencement address, and honorary degrees were presented to SU Trustee Wendy Cohen ’70 (above with Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw), who received a doctorate of humane letters, and renowned Native American recording artist Joanne Shenandoah, who was awarded a doctorate of music.

“You can be very proud of the degree you’ve earned today—it represents a great deal of hard work,” Chancellor Shaw told the Class of 2002. “But it’s really only the beginning. Many of you will choose to earn still more degrees. All of you will continue to learn whether it’s to acquire new skills, simply to satisfy a long-standing curiosity, or to change careers entirely. Those who commit to continuous learning are not only more successful than those who don’t, they’re happier and more productive as well.”