Bren School of Environmental Science & Management conferred the most degrees (112) in its history. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
With a little help from their friends, 112 Ph.D. and Master of Environmental Science & Management (MESM) students – “the largest class ever at the Bren School,” Dean Steven Gaines noted – were conferred their degrees on June 14 in the Bren courtyard.
The morning started out under overcast skies, but before the ceremony was over the cloud cover had lifted for a sunny conclusion to a joyous celebration that included the Brengrass band’s rendition of a popular Beatles tune.
Dr. Jane Lubchenco addresses graduates at Bren School's Commencement ceremony. Credit: Patricia MarroquinUC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments. “We are proud that our Bren School has become known around the world as the leader in interdisciplinary research and teaching. Our graduate students are educated in rigorous approaches to environmental problem solving.”
Bren’s guest speaker was Dr. Jane Lubchenco, former Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (and sister-in-law of Dean Gaines).
Through a series of personal success stories about life in Washington, D.C., Lubchenco imparted some words of wisdom: Be willing to take risks; don’t be afraid to be analytical; find good mentors, listen to them, and take time to develop relationships; and hone your communication skills.
“Graduates, I am here to tell you that the environmental challenges we face are hugely daunting,” Lubchenco told them. “But together we can tackle them and we can solve them. And I’m looking to you to lead the charge.”
"Stay connected to each other," James Choe (MESM '13) urged graduates. Credit: Patricia MarroquinBefore James Choe (MESM ‘13) presented the Student Address, he was called to the stage to receive the MESM Academic Achievement Award.
In Choe’s address, he asked the graduates to forget for a moment about being so smart and to think about their convictions.
“They are what brought us here after all,” Choe said. “They explain why we chose this path, this school over so many other options.”
Money likely wasn’t the driving force for them, he noted. “I hate to break it to all the parents and family members out there, secretly harboring dreams that we’ll pick you up in private jets and take you to exotic locations,” Choe told the audience. “Maybe eventually we’ll be able to buy you a subcompact, economical car that gets above-average gas mileage. But more likely we’ll be giving you jars of homemade jam wrapped in maps showing all the bike routes to all the local farmers markets,” he said to laughter from the crowd.
Although “what drives us today may change tomorrow,” Choe encouraged the grads to pursue their passions and convictions. And he urged them to maintain their relationships. “Stay connected to each other,” he said. “After all, we’re the largest and, I’m willing to bet, the most social graduating class Bren has ever seen.”
Kirsten Tilleman (MESM '13) was recognized for her Golden Eagle Award. Credit: Patricia MarroquinOther recognition at the Bren ceremony included:
Matthew O'Carroll was acknowledged as the recipient of the University Service Award. Kirsten Tilleman was recognized with the university Athletic Department's Golden Eagle Award, which honors a group of student-athletes who have the highest grade-point averages during the year in each UCSB men’s and women’s athletic program. In addition to this honor, Kirsten received the Golden Eagle Ring, which acknowledged her 3.96 GPA as the highest of any scholar-athlete at UCSB in 2012-13.
Kristen Robinson, Bren’s assistant director for career development and alumni relations, received the UCSB Staff Citation of Excellence Award. Arturo Keller was honored with the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, presented by Rebecca Dorsey, MESM ‘13.
A happy moment for a Ph.D. student at Bren School's Commencement. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
Before and during the ceremony, the audience enjoyed lively music from Bren School’s homegrown band Brengrass. The musical group, whose membership changes as new musicians join the group when others graduate, consisted of these students: Jon L. Montgomery (’13), mandolin; Philip Curtis (’13), bass; Yoel Kirschner (’13), trumpet and vocals; Whitney Wilkinson (’13), vocals; Adam Kreger (’14), guitar and vocals; Alisan Amrheim (’14), vocals; Drake Hebert (’14), trombone and vocals; Casey O’Hara (’14), guitar and vocals; Max Ludington (’14), banjo; and Jocelyn Christie (’14), vocals.
Brengrass entertained the audience before and during the Commencement ceremony. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
Their songs ranged from Talking Heads’ “This Must be the Place” to Tramples by Turtles’ “School Bus Driver”; and “America the Beautiful” to a rousing, interactive version of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from my Friends.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dean Gaines said he wanted to dispel the notion that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, inviting all graduates and their guests to a catered meal on the lawn adjacent to Bren School. Proud parents, friends, and family members as well as the beaming graduates dined on finger foods and sipped champagne and mimosas. And the climate change made it possible to enjoy all of this under the late-spring sun.
Congratulations to all 112 Bren graduates!
Ten students received Doctorates of Environmental Science & Management. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
(View more photos in our Bren Commencement album on Facebook, and if you haven’t already “liked” our page, we encourage you to do so. View highlights of the day in our Bren 2013 Commencement video.)