KEENE, N.H. — Several thousand people gathered at Fiske Quad in the center of campus to attend Keene State College’s commencement ceremony Saturday.

As the sun peeked through heavy clouds and amid coolish temperatures, 564 undergraduate and graduate students walked across the stage to receive their degrees. More than three dozen others were degree-eligible but chose not to walk.

On Friday, in separate events, 26 graduating nursing students were recognized during a pinning ceremony, an honors convocation was held to acknowledge and congratulate graduates who performed with academic distinction, and 28 students who earned master’s degrees were awarded.

Keene State, part of the University System of New Hampshire, offers liberal arts undergraduate degrees across more than 40 areas of study, master’s degree programs, and post-master’s certification programs.

President Melinda Treadwell gave the keynote address and class president Emma Wheeler, of Stratham, who also spoke during the ceremony, earned dual degrees in elementary education and women’s and gender studies. Wheeler will return to the Seacoast area she calls home to teach elementary school.

Graduating senior Grace Hardaker was bestowed with the Leo F. Redfern Citizenship Award, the highest undergraduate non-academic honor. The citizenship award, named for the former Keene State president, recognizes those who have shown a commitment to, and engagement with, the college and local community.

Graduating with degrees in psychology and English literature and a minor in women and gender studies, Hardaker has served as an orientation leader, a research and writing tutor and a teaching assistant. She was a member of the a cappella group Chock Full O’ Notes and Keene State’s Feminist Collective.

She also co-created a documentary titled “Passing the Mic: An Exploration of Absent Sex Education,” which focuses on sex education in New England related to trans and queer individuals.

Kevin Richard Johnson was awarded a posthumous bachelor’s degree. Johnson, a member of the class of 2024, died unexpectedly in October of complications from diabetes.  Johnson, of Franklin, Mass., was studying business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship.

Christopher Parsons, an associate professor of education and English, was named the alumni association distinguished teacher. Rich and Sandra Wallace of Keene received the Granite State Award. Through their nonprofit organization, The Daily Good, the Wallaces started Keene State’s Global Food Pantry in 2019. The pantry provides cultural heritage foods for students on campus through the college’s Office of Multicultural Student Success and Support.

Class of 2006 alumnus Marcus Soutra received an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Soutra, a leader in the learning differences field and recipient of the College’s 2016 Alumni Inspiration Award, is a member and co-founder of a group called Eye to Eye, now a national organization that aims to improve the educational experiences of neurodiverse youth.