Photos by Patricia Marroquin
There’s nothing like having your own fellow students serenade you on your big day. On Friday morning, 
June 15, Brengrass provided the musical accompaniment to the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management’s Commencement ceremony. Among the Brengrass musicians were two 2012 MESM graduates themselves, Ariadne Reynolds and Marina Feraud.
The festive Commencement ceremony was held in the Bren School’s Michael J. Connell Memorial Courtyard, where 10 Ph.D. students were hooded; and 77 students received their master’s degrees in environmental science and management.
The keynote speaker was Mary D. Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board. The Student Address, titled “Forging an Improved Future,” was given by Danni Storz, MESM 2012.
The Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award was presented by Fernando Accame (MESM 2012) to Professor Sarah Anderson. Bren School Professor Arturo Keller presented the MESM Academic Achievement Award to Marina Feraud.
Class Chairs Dana Jennings and Karly Kaufman presented the MESM 2012 Class Gift to David Parker, Director of Career Development and Alumni Relations: $2,200 for support of career services and alumni networking.
The Commencement program paid special tribute to Naomi Schwartz, who passed away June 4. Naomi – referred to as a Bren School champion, mentor, role model, and valued friend – was a former three-term Santa Barbara County supervisor who was a founding member of the Bren School Dean’s Council and had provided financial aid for student support every year since 2005.
To view more photos, go to our Facebook page, where you can “like” it, and see our 2012 Bren Graduation photo album. A video of the event, featuring Brengrass performing “Home,” may be viewed below.
Congratulations, 2012 Bren School graduates!