Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Registrar Peter Sarratori speaks to the graduating Classes of 2017 during rehearsal for Commencement.

Gabrielle Grimmett ’17 shakes hands with President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17 during rehearsal for Commencement on the Quad.

Members of the Classes of 2017 cheer during rehearsal for Commencement.

Members of the Druid Honor Society lead the Hobart College Class of 2017 procession down the hill to Bozzuto Boathouse for the Hobart Launch.

Members of the Hobart College Class of 2017 are welcomed by Hobart alumni during the Hobart Launch at Bozzuto Boathouse.

Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Jared Weeden '91 welcomes the graduating class to the Hobart Launch. The members of the Hobart Class of 2017 were each presented with replicas of the paddle used by the Seneca warrior Agayentah.

HWS Trustee Craig R. Stine ’81, P’17 speaks to the Hobart Class of 2017 during the annual Hobart Launch on Friday.

James Mandart '17 (left) and Eric Hall Anderson '59 (right center) welcome Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. '17 and Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D. '17 into the Hobart College Class of 2017 with the presentation of a class paddle.

As a symbol of their time at HWS, members of the graduating class are presented with replicas of the paddle used by legendary Seneca warrior, Agayentah.

Riggs Alosa '17 dips his oar in Seneca Lake, a celebrated tradition of Hobart's heritage expressing the promise of a reciprocal lifelong bond between graduates and their alma mater.

As honorary members of the Hobart College Class of 2017, Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. '17 and Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D. '17 dip their oar in Seneca Lake.

Mark Skip Darden '87, P'17 presents his son Mark Darden '17 with a class paddle during the Hobart Launch.

Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Jared Weeden '91 joins graduating members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity for a group photo on the docks of Bozzuto Boathouse.

Emily Nason '17 and Stefani Schmitz '17 receive a bracelet and the senior pine tree charm before the William Smith Senior Welcome and Toast in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. The pine tree is in recognition of the College’s nurseryman founder, William Smith.

Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Alumnae Relations Kathy Killius Regan '82, P'13 opens the Senior Welcome and Toast held in the L. Thomas Melly ’52 Lobby of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts.

As honorary members of this year's graduating class, President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. '17 and Mary Herlihy L.H.D. '17 Gearan thank members of the William Smith Class of 2017 after receiving the complete set of charms during the William Smith Senior Welcome and Toast.

William Smith seniors raise their glasses during the William Smith Senior Welcome and Toast in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts.

Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Alumnae Relations Kathy Killius Regan ’82, P’13 congratulates Brett Danziger ’17 on being named class correspondent for the William Smith Class of 2017.

Members of the William Smith Class of 2017 pose for a photo in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts during the annual Senior Welcome and Toast.

At 102 years old, centenarian Alta Boyer ’36 speaks to the William Smith Class of 2017 about the history and traditions of William Smith College during the annual tree planting following the William Smith Senior Welcome and Toast.

Seniors sing the William Smith alma mater during the traditional tree planting on William Smith Hill.

Sarah Eichhorn '17, Ameena Makhdoomi ’17 and Katie Hastings '17 break ground during the tree planting on William Smith Hill.

Provost and Dean of Faculty Titi Ufomata welcomes students and their families to the annual Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony in the Robert A. Bristol ’31 Field House on Saturday.

Christopher Demas ’17 accepts a bound copy of his Honors thesis from President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17 during the Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony in the Field House on Saturday.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17 presents Caroline Carr ’17 with a bound copy of her Honors thesis during the Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony in the Field House.

On Saturday, members of the Classes of 2017, their families and friends celebrate Baccalaureate in Trinity Church. A tradition dating to eighth-century England, Baccalaureate has been celebrated by the HWS community for more than 180 years.

Professor of Music Robert Cowles leads the Colleges' Choir during the Baccalaureate ceremony in Trinity Church.

Associate Professor of Asian Studies James-Henry Holland leads the procession during Baccalaureate.

The Rt. Rev. Prince G. Singh, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and HWS Trustee, makes the keynote address during the 2017 Baccalaureate celebration in Trinity Church.

The Rt. Rev. Prince G. Singh, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and HWS Trustee, blesses President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. '17 and Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D. '17 during the 2017 Baccalaureate celebration in Trinity Church.

Education strategist and the founder of the Posse Foundation Deborah Bial L.H.D.’17 speaks to students and their families during the Posse Recognition Ceremony in Froelich Hall of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday. This year marked the first Posse cohort to graduate from HWS.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17 presents Kimberly Gutierrez ’17 with her Posse stole during the Posse Recognition Ceremony in Froelich Hall.

Bryan Quezada '17 accepts his Posse stole from President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. '17 and Deborah Bial L.H.D. '17 during the Posse Recognition Ceremony.

Associate Director of the Centennial Center for Leadership Amy Forbes (left), President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. '17 and founder of the Posse Foundation Deborah Bial L.H.D. '17 join members of the first HWS Posse for a group photo following the Posse Recognition Ceremony.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17, Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D. '17 and their daughters Kathleen and Madeleine meet with President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17, the founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd president of the United States, in the L. Thomas Melly '52 Lobby of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts.

President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 greets members of the HWS Board of Trustees in Froelich Hall of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts before Sunday's Commencement ceremony.

Members of the HWS Board of Trustees, Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17 and Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D. ’17 pose for a group photo with President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 on Sunday.

HWS Trustee Linda D. Arrington ’88 helps Board Chair Thomas S. Bozzuto '68 during robing for Sunday's Commencement ceremony.

Trustees Katherine R. MacKinnon ’77, Dr. Deborah S. Pilla ’76, Katherine D. Elliott ’66, L.H.D. ’08 and Aileen Diviney Gleason '85 gather for a photo on Sunday.

President Bill Clinton L.H.D. ’17 talks with HWS President-elect Gregory J. Vincent ’83 and Kimberly L. Vincent before Sunday's Commencement Ceremony.

With Associate Professor of Education Mary Kelly, students in the Master of Arts in Teaching program gather for a photo during robing in Bristol Gym before Commencement.

Caroline Conboy '17 shows off her mortarboard during robing in Bristol Gym.

The view from St. Mark's Tower during Commencement 2017.

Outside of Bristol Gym, the HWS Classes of 2017 gather for the Commencement procession on Sunday.

The Mohawk Valley Frasers Pipe Band leads the Commencement procession.

The HWS Classes of 2017 walk to the Quad for this year's Commencement ceremony.

Mara O'Laughlin '66, L.H.D.’13 and Eric Lax '66, L.H.D. '93 lead the 2017 Commencement procession.

HWS Trustees Bill Whitaker '73, L.H.D. '97 and Cynthia Gelsthorpe Fish '82 lead fellow HWS Trustees during the 2017 Commencement procession.

The HWS Classes of 2017 process to their seats on the Quad.

Faculty Marshall and Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Beth Kinne leads members of the HWS faculty during the 2017 Commencement procession.

Senior members of the Colleges' Choir perform on the steps of Coxe Hall during Sunday's Commencement ceremony.

Wearing a decorated mortarboard, Lauren Carr '17 listens to the opening of HWS Commencement 2017.

The Rev. D. Maurice Charles, Chaplain of the Colleges, offers the opening prayer during Sunday's Commencement ceremony.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17 welcomes President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 back to the HWS campus during the Commencement ceremony on Sunday. Clinton previously visited campus in 2001.

President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 waves to the audience during Sunday's Commencement ceremony.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 and President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 hug each other during Commencement 2017. Gearan served during the Clinton Administration as Assistant to the President, Director of Communications and Deputy Chief of Staff, and as Director of the Peace Corps.

Director of the HWS Gospel Choir Patty Blue '77 sings the national anthem during Commencement 2017.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 welcomes the HWS Classes of 2017 and their families and friends during Commencement 2017.

President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 and Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D.’17 share a laugh during the Commencement ceremony on Sunday.

Board Chair Thomas S. Bozzuto ’68 confers the title of President Emeritus to Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 during Commencement 2017.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 poses for a photo after being named the first president emeritus in the history of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Education strategist and the founder of the Posse Foundation Deborah Bial L.H.D.’17 receives her honorary degree from President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 during Commencement.

Community activist Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D.’17 accepts her honorary degree from President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 on Sunday.

Kathleen Gearan and Madeleine Gearan look on as Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D.’17 accepts her honorary degree.

President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 shakes hands with President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 after receiving an honorary degree during Commencement.

The Classes of 2017 and their families fill the Quad for Commencement on Sunday.

“As long as we believe our common humanity is most important, as long as we understand that diverse groups make better decisions than homogenous ones or lone geniuses, as long as we realize the great thing about life is not final victories and the great tragedy is not final defeats—there aren’t any final victories or final defeats…but a life of permanent possibility, says President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17, giving the 2017 Commencement address.

President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 speaks during Commencement.

A view of the jumbotron during Sunday's ceremony.

Members of the Classes of 2017 fill the Quad on Sunday.

“Expand your world view and appreciation for others. Don’t be afraid to build something and not reap the benefits,” says Matthew Skinner '17, offering the Hobart student address.

To President and Mrs. Gearan, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and love for Hobart and William Smith Colleges over the past 18 years. I am so grateful for your unwavering support of my success, and the success of the HWS and Geneva communities. Thank you both for always opening your door, says Student Trustee Sydney Gomez ’17, offering the William Smith student address.

Anggela Sanchez, a Spanish teacher at the School of Leadership Development in Bronx, N.Y., and Carlos Mendez, a music teacher and coordinator of music for Fayetteville-Manlius School District in Central New York, receive the Touching the Future Award during Commencement 2017. They were nominated by Jerlin Garo ’17 and Christopher Demas ’17.

President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 presents Kelly Mauch '17 with her diploma during Commencement.

William Smith Dean Catherine Gallouët and Hobart Dean Eugen Baer P'95, P'97​ read the names of graduating students during Commencement.

Austin Gallegos '17 receives his diploma from President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 during Commencement 2017.

Matalin Carville '17 walks across the stage during Commencement.

Tanina Urbanski '17 celebrates after receiving her diploma during Commencement.

Joined by his father Trustee Craig R. Stine '81, P'17, Jack Stine '17 (right) accepts his diploma from President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 during Commencement.

Elizabeth Herbst '17 shakes hands with President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17 during Commencement.

Volunteer firefighter John Hillenbrand '17 poses with fellow members of the Nester Hose Company following the Commencement Ceremony on Sunday.

Sarah Garcia '17 poses for a photo with her family following this year's Commencement ceremony on the Quad.

Grant Soucy '17 and his family gather for a photo on the Quad after Commencement on Sunday.

Tanner John '17 and his family pose for a group photo after Commencement on Sunday.

Siblings Amber Williams '17 and Kenan Williams '17 gather for a family photo on the Quad.

Grant Emerson '20 snaps a photo with President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 on Sunday.

Dominique DeRubeis ’18, Ammenab-Taner Bennerson ’18 and Anne O'Brien '18 pose for a photo with President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 on Pulteney Street on Sunday.

Ben Riskie, son of Hobart tennis head coach Tim Riskie and William Smith field hockey assistant coach Sophie Riskie ’07, get a family photo taken with President Bill Clinton L.H.D.’17 on Sunday.