The Charger Blog

UniversityӰԭs Newest Graduates Reflect on What ӰԭSets Us ApartӰԭ

During the UniversityӰԭs afternoon Commencement ceremony, graduates of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and the Pompea College of Business reflected on their time as Chargers and looked to the future.

May 17, 2023

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

The ceremony wrapped up with lots of smiles Ӱԭ and blue and gold confetti.
The ceremony wrapped up with lots of smiles Ӱԭ and blue and gold confetti.

For Phurkima Sherpa Ӱԭ23 M.S., serving her community is paramount. She was committed to service as a member of the U.S. Army, where she served as a medic and emergency evacuation sergeant, and sheӰԭs dedicated to serving others in her career.

New graduates celebrate together after the afternoon Commencement ceremony.
New graduates celebrate together after the afternoon Commencement ceremony. .

A new graduate of the UniversityӰԭs graduate program in forensic technology, Sherpa enjoyed the hands-on learning opportunities she had in the UniversityӰԭs crime-scene house and in the Math Zone, as well as her involvement in a variety of organizations, such as the . She also gained important experience through her internship with the New Haven Police DepartmentӰԭs .

Sherpa has been involved with the community off campus as well, recently joining the and the Red Cross. She plans to serve in a field-oriented position in law enforcement or to apply what sheӰԭs learned in the classroom at company focused on science Ӱԭ positions that will enable her to use what sheӰԭs learned to serve the public.

ӰԭThe exposure I had to the latest technologies by professionals has given me perspective on what to anticipate for success in this field in various parts of the country,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭThe practical application of courses such as ӰԭAdvanced Crime Scene Investigation,Ӱԭ ӰԭForensic Photography,Ӱԭ ӰԭForensic Technology Laboratory,Ӱԭ and ӰԭBloodstain Pattern AnalysisӰԭ set us apart in the fast-paced investigative world. We are ready to process the crime scene right out the door.Ӱԭ

ӰԭA whole new realm of learningӰԭ

Sherpa is among the nearly 3,000 members of the UniversityӰԭs Class of 2023. She accepted her degree as part of the afternoon Commencement ceremony for graduates of the UniversityӰԭs Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and its Pompea College of Business.

The Class of 2023 includes several graduates who completed their degrees at the end of the Fall Semester, such as Abby Reynolds Ӱԭ23 M.S. While completing her masterӰԭs degree in sport management, Reynolds took the opportunity to volunteer at the 2022 Special Olympics in Florida with several of her fellow Chargers. She also served as a lead member-service attendant at Payne Whitney Gymnasium at Yale University. She is now working as an assistant director for compliance and student-athlete services for Yale Athletics.

Gabriela Garcia-Perez Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S. rings the Alumni Bell after the ceremony
Gabriela Garcia-Perez Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S. rings the Alumni Bell after the ceremony.

ӰԭMy time at the University of New Haven has helped me build connections in and out of the classroom,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭI was able to get to know my professors, guest speakers, and classmates on a personal level, which opened up a whole new realm of learning for me.

ӰԭI not only learned from them, but I was able to work alongside them at various events and internships,Ӱԭ continued Reynolds. ӰԭI gained a multitude of experiences from the opportunities provided in the Sport Management Department. These experiences helped me to become well-rounded and to feel confident in post-graduate life and work.Ӱԭ

ӰԭThese moments will live in my mind foreverӰԭ

Commencement was an opportunity for the UniversityӰԭs newest graduates to celebrate all theyӰԭve accomplished while looking toward the future. Steven H. Kaplan, Ph.D., the UniversityӰԭs visionary leader for the past 19 years, delivered the Commencement address. Dr. Kaplan, who was named the UniversityӰԭs first chancellor last year after 18 years as president, urged the Class of 2023 to be contrarians, to endeavor to do their best to fix the issues left behind by previous generations, and to be lifelong learners Ӱԭ particularly in the liberal arts and sciences.

Abby Veeser Ӱԭ23 M.S. addresses her fellow graduates.
Abby Veeser Ӱԭ23 M.S. addresses her fellow graduates.

Graduates also heard from their peers. Kiana White Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S., a new business management grad, spoke on behalf of the undergraduate student body. She emphasized the importance of having a support system, as well as resilience. She also shared an important lesson sheӰԭs learned: identifying a foundation that is grounding.

ӰԭSometimes our foundations are built on temporary pleasures or desires that would not sustain us in the long run,Ӱԭ said White, who will begin pursuing a masterӰԭs degree at the University this fall. ӰԭI have learned that the only thing that will keep us sustained is something infinite or long-lasting. Make sure that whatever your foundation looks like it is infinite and sustainable.Ӱԭ

Abby Veeser Ӱԭ23 M.S., the ceremonyӰԭs graduate student speaker, also shared her story. A native of Wisconsin, she says she entered Ӱԭtwo new worldsӰԭ when she began her time as a Charger. She explored a world of education and learning as she began her masterӰԭs degree in forensic science, and she also discovered a world full of people who were ready to help her and offer support. She says they offered love and knowledge, serving as her Ӱԭultimate inspirationӰԭ for all she has achieved as a Charger.

ӰԭThe next set of interesting and diverse characters I met in this second world were my classmates, with whom I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭI hope you have all had the opportunity to form the same strong bonds I did that emerged through our late-night study sessions, attending academic and sports activities, spending long hours in the lab or classroom, or experiencing what Connecticut and beyond had to offer. These moments will live in my mind forever.Ӱԭ

Kiana White Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S. and Charlie welcome everyone to the afternoon Commencement ceremony.
Kiana White Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S. and Charlie welcome everyone to the afternoon Commencement ceremony.
ӰԭMeaningful connections...that will last a lifetimeӰԭ

Memories and connections were on the minds of many graduates as they celebrated with their fellow Chargers and their friends and families.

Kyle Tavares Ӱԭ23, a new forensic science grad, enjoyed the opportunities he had to conduct faculty-mentored research analyzing and examining fingerprints, as well as the many fond memories he made outside of the classroom. Tavares, who served as vice president of the , plans to move to Washington, D.C., and hopes to work for the federal government.

ӰԭI enjoyed making meaningful connections with classmates and professors that will last a lifetime,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭMy favorite memories include meeting Dr. Henry C. Lee, playing games in the quads with friends, and seeing my mom act like a college student on campus tours and on Move-In Day. I have had the opportunity to take interactive courses with professors who are experts in their fields, allowing for a well-disciplined learning experience. I was able to feel comfortable with real-life learning and being able to adapt to the new world after graduation.Ӱԭ

Members of the Class of 2023 celebrate together at the end of the ceremony.
Members of the Class of 2023 celebrate together at the end of the ceremony.