These local students have received degrees from Union College:

— Lisa Catrambone of Schenectady, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in psychology;

— Cherry Chahal of Schenectady, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in neuroscience and French and Francophone studies;

— Caitlyn Collins of Schenectady, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in psychology;

— Nicole Farooq of Voorheesville, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology;

— Caroline Gorka of Altamont graduated, cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and Spanish and Hispanic studies;

— Carley Perez of Voorheesville, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology;

— Andrea Schwartz of Slingerlands, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering; and

— Melissa Winne of Guilderland, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in environmental policy.

The featured speaker was Dr. Deborah L. Birx, a renowned international expert in the field of HIV/AIDS. Appointed earlier this year by President Barack Obama as an ambassador-at-large and U.S. Global AIDS coordinator, she shared with graduates the deadly impact of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the developing world in the late 1990s.