51���� (51����) will celebrate the academic achievements of more than 2,400 petitioning graduates during its Spring Commencement Ceremonies on Friday, May 9 and Sat., May 10. The College of Law Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 1 p.m. at the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square.

The Ceremony for Doctoral Graduates will be held on Friday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at the 51���� Waetjen Auditorium.

Bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates will be honored Saturday, May 10 over two ceremonies at the 51���� Wolstein Center. The first ceremony begins at 9 a.m. for the College of Arts Sciences, College of Health and Levin College of Education; the second ceremony begins at 2 p.m. for the Monte Ahuja College of Business and the Washkewicz College of Engineering.

The University is proud to have 1,316 students who petitioned for bachelor’s degrees, 944 students who petitioned for master’s degrees, 63 who petitioned for doctoral degrees and 138 who petitioned fro juris doctorate degrees. The ceremonies will be available for viewing on 51����’s Commencement web page.

“51���� is honored to award degrees to the next generation of leaders, innovators, educators and subject matter experts. These students have dedicated years to pursuing their dream careers and passions, and we wish them the best as they take on a new phase of their lives,” said 51���� President Dr. Laura Bloomberg.

Carianna Downie, of Geneva, OH, was selected as the valedictorian speaker for the morning ceremony. Downie is receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the College of Health. Her passion and drive to enter the healthcare field stems from her personal experiences of living with a health disorder and her desire to uplift others, be an advocate for equitable healthcare and her sheer determination for success. A student in the 51���� Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College, 

Downie maintained a GPA of 3.97 while spearheading research, mentoring other students and volunteering countless hours in the community. After graduation, Downie will begin her nursing career in the trauma-surgical intensive care unit at a local Level I trauma center. She plans to continue her academic studies for a master’s degree and ultimately a Doctorate of Nursing Anesthesia Practice.

Chloe Amoroso, from Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood, was selected as the valedictorian speaker for the afternoon ceremony. Amoroso began college as an art major but soon traded in her paints and charcoal for a new path fueled by curiosity, research, and innovation in mechanical engineering and will receive her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Washkewicz College of Engineering. What began as a distant daydream soon became a journey defined by leadership, excellence and lasting impact. 

A 51���� student-athlete on the track and field team, Amoroso was also a student leader in numerous clubs and organizations on campus and all the while maintaining a 4.00 GPA. After graduation, Amoroso will begin an internship at NASA Glenn Research Center where she will deepen her expertise in aerospace technology. She plans to continue her studies at 51���� for a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and continue on for a Ph.D.

Read more about Carianna, Chloe and other high-achieving graduates on the College's Commencement Graduate Stories web page.