CANTON -- A total of 621 degrees were awarded Sunday at St. Lawrence University's commencement ceremony.

There were 583 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, of which 19 were candidates for summa cum laude; 28 candidates for master of education degrees; five candidates for a master of science in mental health counseling; and four Certificates of Advances Studies in Education and one advanced certificate in Counseling and Human Development will be granted. One degree was awarded posthumously.

Speakers included President William L. Fox, Samantha Colton, Ross McMullan, Charles Aquadro, Congresswoman Katherine Clark and John Gaal.

The five most popular majors this year are, in descending order were economics, psychology, business in the liberal arts, performance and communication arts and biology.

The senior with the highest cumulative grade-point average over four full years of study at St. Lawrence is Jordan Koloski of Lebanon, New Hampshire. His GPA is 3.952 out of a possible 4.0. He majored in biochemistry.

It is a tradition at St. Lawrence for graduates to have the option of receiving their degree from family members associated with the University. Students receiving degrees from relatives include:

Carli Baldwin, presented by her father, Brad Baldwin, Professor of Biology

Brittney Charleston, presented by her mother, Mary Charleston, Senior Secretary in Residence Life

Margaret Cummins, presented by her mother, Susan Dodd, Visiting Assistant Professor of Education

Spencer DeCinque, presented by his sponsor, Patrick D. Martin ’75, Trustee Emeritus

Gian-Carlo Filippi, presented by his mother, Denise Dingman, Library Assistant

Samuel Leclerc, presented by his sponsor, André Couture, Trustee

Henry Samson, presented by his father, Earl A. “Trip” Samson III ’80, Trustee

Emma Turell, presented by her mother, Sarah Gates, Associate Professor of English

Stephanie Baron received a degree posthumous. It was accepted by her sister, MacKenzie Baron.