Following her speech, President Jim Annarelli and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Christine Wooley, Ph.D., presented Dallman Weiss with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters conferred by the Board of Trustees.
It was one of several honors and awards included in the ceremony. The most poignant presentation came when Tara Signet joined the line of graduates to accept a Bachelor of Arts in animal studies on behalf of her daughter, Cassandra Ann Signet, who passed away in July 2025.
President Annarelli tightly embraced the grieving mother as the entire graduating class, trustees, faculty, staff and families stood in salute to the Signet family.
Outstanding students were presented with awards for their achievements. Akari Miura, a biochemistry graduate from Tokyo, Japan, received the Philip Lee Honor Award for exceptional present accomplishment and superior future promise. Former Eckerd College Organization of Students President Emma Kelliher received the Ronald Wilson Award for significant contributions to the total College community. Cydney Harkness was awarded the James H. Robinson Award for leadership and significant contributions to the experience of underrepresented students at Eckerd. Ann Marie Liles Knight was presented with the Miller Award for unselfish and public-spirited service to the community, on and off campus.