Some 714 graduates received their degrees during Salisbury University’s 93nd-year Fall Commencement on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

This was the first SU Commencement led by Dr. Charles Wight, who became the university’s ninth president in July.

During the ceremony, the SU Alumni Association presented its annual Faculty Appreciation Awards.

This year’s recipients are Drs. Mary DiBartolo (Nursing) of the College of Health and Human Services, Dean Kotlowski (History) of the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Donald Spickler (Mathematics and Computer Science) of the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology and Dean Ravizza (Secondary and Physical Education) of the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education; and William Burke (Information and Decision Sciences) of the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business.

The Commencement speaker was Harleigh Tucker of Lothian, Md., who received her bachelor's in English. For her, SU represented the ideal school — classes that weren’t too large or too small and a location far enough away from home to allow her to be independent but close enough that she was still near family.

“It was perfect, right in the middle in every way,” she said. “I loved the campus.”

She also enjoyed the practical experience she received alongside her classroom studies, which included courses through the SU Honors College. Tucker spent two semesters interning with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, submitting content for its newsletter and serving in its public relations office.

Among undergraduates, 606 students received the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. Some 107 received master’s degrees.