CANTON -- A total of 571 degrees were awarded at St. Lawrence Unversity's commencement ceremony Sunday.

There were 539 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, of which 26 are candidates for summa cum laude; 22 candidates for master of education degrees; three candidates for a master of science in mental health counseling; and six Certificates of Advances Studies in education and one advanced certificate in counseling was granted. One degree was awarded posthumously.

The five most popular majors this year were economics, psychology, biology, mathematics and government.

The senior with the highest cumulative grade-point average over four full years of study at St. Lawrence was Katherine Buxton of Williston, Vt. Her GPA is 3.992 out of a possible 4.0.

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

Christopher McLaren Melville, presented by his father Duncan Melville, Professor of Mathematics

Emily Marie Bradshaw, presented by her sister Kim Reardon, Academic Support Specialist

Ashleigh Mae Sheridan, presented by her mother Joyce Sheridan, Secretary of Religious Studies

Andrew Thomas Pynchon, presented by his father Tom Pynchon, Associate Vice President for Advancement

William Knoble, Summa Cum Laude, was awarded posthumously. His degree was accepted by his widow, Ellen Rocco. Mr. Knoble passed away on Sept.23, 2013.

Speakers at the event included President William L. Fox ‘75, Robert Montgomery '14, Zach French '14, and Amber Lawyer '14, Grace Potter '06n, Nancie Battaglia, Susan Talve and Donald K. Rose '64.