2017 Celebration
Surrounded by family and friends, the Class of 2017 received a celebratory sendoff as Dean Ben Vinson urged graduates to follow their passion as they embark on the next phase of their life journey.
"Be the change-makers, the creators, the discoverers, the innovators, the leaders that will help push our society forward. Choose tolerance over narrow-mindedness, inclusiveness over exclusion and purposefulness in everything you do. Embrace your passion, live your dream, be engaged in the community around you and tackle every challenge with the highest of ethical and moral compasses."
Ben Vinson III
Dean, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Ceremonies
12:00 PM
On Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 12 p.m., Columbian College recognized students graduating with majors in Economics, Human Services/Human Services & Social Justice, Journalism & Mass Communication, Political Communication, Political Science/Public Policy Focus, Psychology and Sociology/Criminal Justice.
In addition to enjoying congratulatory remarks from CCAS Dean Ben Vinson III, the gathered students, faculty and family heard addresses from Distinguished Scholar & Speaker Paul Steven Scotti (Psychology) and Faculty Speaker Arun Malik, professor of economics. Logan Isaac Davis (Political Science) received the Alumni Association Prize while Diane Harris Cline, associate professor of history and classics, won the Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students. Holly Dugan, associate professor of English, won the Kenny Prize, awarded each year to the faculty member in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences who students consider to be an outstanding teacher.
03:30 PM
On Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 3:30 p.m., Columbian College recognized students with majors in Africana Studies, American Studies, Anthropology/Biological Anthropology, Arabic Studies, Archaeology, Art History, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Chinese, Classical Studies, Communication, Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, Dance, Dramatic Literature, English/English & Creative Writing, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts/Fine Arts & Art History, French, Geography, Geological Sciences, German, History, Interior Design/Interior Architecture & Design, Japanese, Judaic Studies, Mathematics, Music, Organizational Sciences, Philosophy/Public Affairs Focus, Physics/Biophysics, Religion/Peace Studies, Russian, Spanish/Latin American Languages, Literatures & Cultures, Special Interdisciplinary Majors, Speech and Hearing Science, Statistics, Theatre, Women's Studies wand General Studies/Associate in Arts.
Along with congratulatory words-of-wisdom from CCAS Dean Ben Vinson III, the gathered students, faculty and family heard addresses from Distinguished Scholar & Speaker Erika Lynn Feinman (Political Science & Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) and Faculty Speaker C. Thomas Long, assistant professor of history. Verna Rose Lieberman (Biology) received the Alumni Association Prize, while Diane Harris Cline, associate professor of history and classics, won the Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students. Holly Dugan, associate professor of English, won the Kenny Prize, awarded each year to the faculty member in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences who students consider to be an outstanding teacher.
Graduate Ceremony
On Friday, May 19, 2017, Columbian College graduate students were recognized for their achievement in the arts and sciences as they completed their master's degrees. Along with words-of-wisdom from CCAS Dean Ben Vinson III, Huda Ibrahim (Tractenberg School) addressed the gathering of students, faculty and family as this year's distinguished scholar and student speaker. Martha Morris, associate professor of museum studies, served as the faculty speaker. Imani Cheers, assistant professor of media and public affairs, received the Award for Excellence in Graduate Faculty Mentoring.
Doctoral Hooding
On Thursday, May 18, 2017, CCAS doctoral graduates were recognized for their achievement by being presented with multicolored hoods, a symbol that signifies the completion of their doctoral studies. Graduates at the ceremony received doctorates in various fields in both the arts and sciences, such as Biological Sciences, English, Economics, Mathematics, Political Science, Physics, Psychology and Statistics.