POTSDAM -- More than 700 Clarkson University students from 37 states, 30 countries and 58 New York state counties were granted bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at Clarkson University's 122nd commencement Saturday.

An additional 215 students received degrees in the winter.

The weekend was also marked by the commissioning of United States Army and United States Air Force officers on Friday. Receiving an honorary degree and addressing students, families and guests was Hockey Canada Chairman of the Board Joe Drago '63.

Lei Wu, an associate professor of electrical & computer engineering in Clarkson University's Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering, was awarded the John W. Graham Jr. Faculty Research Award. The $1,500 research accounts are presented to "faculty members who have shown promise in engineering, business, liberal arts or scientific research."

Alan Rossner, an associate professor of environmental health sciences in the Institute for a Sustainable Environment was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award. The $1,500 prize is given "in recognition of the importance of superior teaching." Candidates are nominated for the award by Clarkson alumni and the final selection is made by a faculty committee.

Senior Victoria Kocsis of Altamont, N.Y., was awarded the Levinus Clarkson Award, and senior Ruisheng (Rick) Wang of Potsdam, N.Y., received the Frederica Clarkson Award. Both are $1,000 prizes given to "a student who demonstrates the best combination of scholarship and promise of outstanding professional achievement."

"I love Clarkson," said Joe Drago in addressing the graduates. "I love the hockey program here. And I love everything about what this school has done for me. It has given me an opportunity to have an education and to have a lot of respect in my community and to be someone that I would never have been if I didn't get an opportunity to come here as a student. I feel very loyal and devoted to this institution and will do everything in my power to bring more students here and to flog our reputation right across Canada. A good number of athletes have come herefrom my city and have been staunch performers both in the classroom and on the ice. And we're all so proud to say we came from Clarkson."

In closing, Drago quoted Mark Twain, saying, "And to the graduates, I say this to you: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did. Throw away the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, and discover. Go, Knights, go!"