Graduates enjoy the keynote speech by Jason Loewith at UCSB Graduate Division's 2013 Commencement ceremony. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
There was much to celebrate at the eighth and final 2013 Commencement ceremony at UC Santa Barbara. The audience at Graduate Division’s Commencement on Sunday afternoon heard about milestones and accomplishments. They heard impassioned pleas to believe in themselves, share their knowledge, and thank their mentors. Dads were wished a very happy Father’s Day. And the audience even heard the titles of all 455 graduates’ dissertations and theses.
Dr. Carol Genetti presided over her first Commencement as Graduate Division Dean. Credit: Patricia MarroquinDr. Carol Genetti, presiding over her first Commencement as Dean of the Graduate Division, noted that UCSB is marking a special anniversary this year. Fifty years ago, in the 1962-63 academic year, UC Santa Barbara awarded its first doctoral degrees. When the graduates in the 2012-13 class are counted, she said, the total number of doctoral degrees conferred at UCSB now tops 9,000; and master’s degrees number 22,000.
Dean Genetti expressed the hope that each graduate may live a joyous life. “Find whatever it is that brings you joy and incorporate it into each and every day,” she told them, “so you can apply yourself and give your very best to that which most excites you.” She also encouraged the graduates to “work for positive change,” no matter what paths they may pursue.
"You have all proven yourselves worthy of the title 'expert,'" keynote speaker and UCSB grad alum Jason Loewith told graduates. "I ask you to share your expertise." Credit: Patricia MarroquinA lively Keynote Address was given by Jason Loewith, a 1992 Dramatic Art Master’s alum and the artistic director of Olney Theatre Center in Washington, D.C. His rousing speech even had students up on their feet.
After welcoming, among others, “the entire ‘deanery,’ a word I’ve always wanted to use out loud,” Loewith spoke of the trials, tribulations, and risks he took in his career in the theater that ultimately led him to “a charmed and fortunate life.”
His intent, he said, was to show that “finding the proper balance between blind trust in your talents on the one hand, and crippling doubt about them on the other, is the task before you.”
Loewith asked all the graduates to stand and, on the count of three, he had them all shout out the titles of their dissertations or theses, drawing laughter from the grads as well as their guests.
"You have all proven yourselves worthy of the title ‘expert,’” he told them after this humorous exercise. “And I ask you to share your expertise. Because knowledge is not a commodity to be bought or sold.”
Among the other advice Loewith gave to the graduates:
"It's up to us to stay thirsty for knowledge," student Commencement speaker Rusha Al-Rawaf told graduates. Credit: Patricia MarroquinCollaborate not only with those in your field, but colleagues outside of it. Don’t let fear stop you from taking risks. And remember to thank your mentors.
Graduate Division’s student speaker, Rusha Al-Rawaf (MA, Education), borrowed advice she received as a child from her parents.
“Always believe in yourself,” Rusha told the grads. “Don’t wait for others to do so. Instead, be your own biggest advocate. If you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect others to do so?”
Rusha reminded the graduates that they haven’t learned everything. “UCSB has given us the tools, the foundation, and the expertise, but it’s up to us to stay thirsty for knowledge. We should not just continue to learn but also bring our enthusiasm to others so that they too might experience the love and passion for knowledge that has brought us together here today.” With that in mind, she asked the graduates to thank UCSB educators, and other teachers they’ve learned from throughout their lives, calling them the “unsung heroes.”
Thomas Reed, doctoral candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering, was recognized for winning the University Award of Distinction, given for exceptional involvement and achievement in campus or community activities. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
Other acknowledgments and awards included these:
Recipients of the Winifred and Louis Lancaster Dissertation Awards, which consist of a plaque and a $1,000 honorarium, were announced. As determined by the Council of Graduate School competition, the two academic areas selected for this year’s award were Humanities and Fine Arts; and Biological and Life Sciences. Matthew Recla won the award for best dissertation in the field of Humanities and Fine Arts. He earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies in Fall 2012. The Lancaster Award for the best dissertation in the field of Biological and Life Sciences went to Misty Riddle, who earned her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology this spring.
Jingyu Huo was acknowledged as UCSB's first Ph.D. recipient in East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
A proud teacher graduate at the Events Center. Credit: Patricia MarroquinDean Genetti gave special recognition to two students. Thomas Reed, doctoral candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering, was acknowledged for winning the University Award of Distinction, given for exceptional involvement and achievement in campus or community activities. She noted his extraordinary leadership in establishing a chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society on campus, among other accomplishments. And Jingyu Huo was acknowledged as the first Ph.D. recipient in East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies.
For the second consecutive year, the ceremony was streamed live via a webcast, and could be seen throughout the country and the world.
The UCSB Office of Public Affairs and Communications created a Commencement page on Storify this year, and it includes photos, videos, Tweets, stories, and more from all eight of the UCSB Commencements. Check it out. You may also view more of the GradPost’s photos in our Graduate Division Commencement 2013 album on Facebook, and if you haven’t already “liked” our Facebook page, we encourage you to do so. View highlights of the day in our 2013 Graduate Division Commencement video.
Congratulations to all Graduate Division graduates!
Happy graduates stream out after the ceremony. Credit: Patricia Marroquin