Carleton College awarded bachelor of arts degrees to 475 graduating members of the class of 2018 on June 9 at its 144th commencement ceremony.

Among those graduating were two Mercer Island residents.

Elianna Frank received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the ceremony. Frank is the daughter of Daniel and Lisa Frank of Mercer Island.

Rachel Gallagher graduated magna cum laude and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology at the ceremony. She is the daughter of Thomas and Susan Gallagher of Mercer Island.

Following remarks by Carleton College president Steven Poskanzer, two senior students addressed the graduating class: Adriana Castillo, an American studies and educational studies major from South Houston, Texas, and Walter Paul, a political science and international relations major from Omaha, Nebraska.

Carleton also presented honorary degrees during the commencement ceremony to Hong Kong businessman Karl C. Kwok (Carleton Class of 1971) and Minneapolis humorist and playwright Kevin Kling, who addressed the graduating class. Conferred “honoris causa” (for the sake of honor), this is the highest honor given by the college.

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a national top 10, private liberal arts college in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota, 45 miles south of Minneapolis/Saint Paul. Best known for its academic excellence and warm, welcoming campus community, Carleton offers 37 majors and 15 concentrations in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.