There were 410 students participating in Graduate Division's 2014 Commencement ceremony on Sunday. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
There was a common message expressed to the 410 graduates at UC Santa Barbara Graduate Division’s 2014 Commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 15, and it was this: The academic excellence and expertise graduates achieved at UCSB will empower them to make significant contributions to the nation and the world.
UCSB Chancellor Henry T. Yang said "You have demonstrated just how special you are." Credit: Patricia MarroquinOn this warm and sunny afternoon, Dr. Carol Genetti presided over her second Commencement ceremony as Dean of the Graduate Division.
In greeting the graduates, faculty, friends, and family members, UCSB Chancellor Henry T. Yang expressed his gratitude and appreciation.
“You have demonstrated just how special you are,” the chancellor told them. “We have come to appreciate your curiosity, your devotion, and your determination. And, of course, your endurance. We look forward with excitement and confidence to what you will go on to do – in your lives and in your careers,” he said.
“There’s one thing I want you to always remember,” he added, “and that’s how you have helped make our campus a better place. For that, I say thank you.”
Chancellor Yang acknowledged the six students lost in the May 23 Isla Vista tragedy, and he called for a moment of silence. The chancellor announced that six scholarships have been established in the students’ memories and each will be awarded a bachelor’s degree posthumously.
"It was you and you alone who did the work to get this degree," Dean Carol Genetti told the graduates. Credit: Patricia MarroquinDean Genetti urged the graduates to “do your best not to lose touch” with your grad school friends. These colleagues shared laughs, tears, food, and office space with you, she said. They listened to your ideas, encouraged you, and provided constructive criticism when needed. “Old, dear friends are one of the greatest blessings that life gives us,” Dean Genetti said.
Faculty, too, were a great support system and “enabled and empowered your scholarship,” she told them.
While all of these people have been critical to your success, she added, “it was you and you alone who did the work to get this degree,” through determination, commitment, and persistence.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Dr. Mike North, a UCSB alumnus who is the founder of the nonprofit ReAllocate and a Discovery Channel show host.
“I think that being a grad of UCSB means that you have built into you a spirit of caring, community, and collaboration,” Dr. Mike North told the graduates. Credit: Patricia Marroquin“I think that being a grad of UCSB means that you have built into you a spirit of caring, community, and collaboration,” Dr. North told the graduates. “And I just want you to know that that’s very valuable in the world that you’re heading off into. Maybe it’s not something you studied. It’s in the ethos here. And so it’s something you’re going to carry with you for the rest of your lives. “
The student speaker was Physics Ph.D. Lucile Savary. She said that the combination of academic excellence and kindness found at UCSB is “truly unique.”
“We have contributed to knowledge,” she said. “This is something which will always be ours, which is important and lasting. Knowledge is forever.”
Dr. Savary told the graduates that “the qualities and values needed to graduate and the people we interacted with here will help us make well-informed decisions for a better future.” She ended her address by leading the audience in an enthusiastic cheer of “Go Gauchos!”
Student speaker Lucile Savary led the audience in the cheer, "Go Gauchos!" Credit: Patricia MarroquinHonors and recognitions during the ceremony included:
The Louis and Winifred Lancaster Dissertation Awards were presented to Dr. Carly Thomsen of Feminist Studies for Social Sciences; and to Dr. Ahmed Almheiri of Physics for Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering.
Three students were recognized for University Awards of Distinction: Dr. Torrey Trust of Education; Dr. Emily Rivest of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology; and Dr. Carly Thomsen of Feminist Studies.
A significant milestone was celebrated at the ceremony. Dr. Thomsen is the first recipient of a Ph.D. in Feminist Studies from UCSB. She and the entire Department of Feminist Studies were congratulated.
Music master’s graduate Colleen Beucher sang the National Anthem and led the audience in the University song, “Hail to California,” at the ceremony’s conclusion.
For more photos, visit the GradPost Facebook page’s Graduate Division Commencement 2014 photo album.
Congratulations to all our graduates!
Education graduates wait in the sunshine before the ceremony began. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
Colleen Beucher led the audience in singing "Hail to California." Credit: Patricia Marroquin