Southampton College's  37th annual commencement took place on a beautiful Sunday afternoon on the lawn in front of Chancellors Hall. President David Steinberg conferred degrees upon 293 undergraduates and 59 graduate students. Katie Luxa and Daniela Gregory were co-valedictorians; both women achieved a perfect 4.0.

Keynote speaker Alan Alda spoke about the two vitally important things he learned in college - thinking clearly and how to use language - and how all the rest of his life has been built on those two things. He received an honorary doctorate along with his wife children's book author Arlene Alda, marine researcher Carl Safina and Congressman Tim Bishop.

The ground was broken on the new Bishop Burke Learning Center. The $10 million, 29,600-square-foot building will be an "environmentally friendly" facility that will feature a geothermal energy system. Chancellor Robert F.X. Sillerman and his wife, Laura Baudo Sillerman, pledged $20 million through their Tomorrow Foundation to ensure the success of this venture, over $15 million of additional pledges have already been made.

More than 90 graduates signed the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility, promising to evaluate the broader consequences of any job they take.

Commencement Press Releases.