After Tumultuous Year, It’s A ‘Bittersweet’ Commencement For Hampshire College Graduates
New Hampshire College graduates celebrate by throwing their caps and diplomas in the air. Photo by Carrie Jung for WBUR
The Hampshire College Library Lawn in Amherst was a busy place Saturday morning. By 10 a.m. most of the school’s 295 graduates were lined up just outside a large white tent, getting ready for the ceremony.
“I’m scared. I’m sad. It’s bittersweet,” said astrophysics major Andy Cohn, who was putting the finishing touches on a bright blue graduation cap decorated with googly eyes in the shape of a galaxy.
Hampshire doesn’t require that students wear a cap and gown for commencement, so about half of the students used that freedom to get creative with their outfits. That flexibility is part of why Cohn loved the college.