2016 Celebration
Surrounded by family and friends, the Class of 2016 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.
"This is a moment that will echo throughout your life. It symbolizes a starting point, a bedrock foundation for catapulting forward, for moving ahead, for moving onward in your personal odyssey."
Ben Vinson III
Dean, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Ceremonies
12:00 PM
On Saturday, May 14, 2016 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 Christopher Evans (Political Communication) and Faculty Speaker Daniel E. Martínez, assistant professor of sociology. Laura Zillman (Human Services) received the Alumni Association Prize while Martín G. Zysmilich, associate professor of chemistry, won the Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students. Irene Foster, assistant professor of economics, 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 14, 2016 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, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and 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 Katherine Bradshaw (Classical Studies and English) and Faculty Speaker Alan Wade, professor of theatre. Laura Hellwig (Archaeology) received the Alumni Association Prize, while Martín G. Zysmilich, associate professor of chemistry, won the Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students. Irene Foster, assistant professor of economics, 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 and Doctoral Ceremony
On Friday, May 13, 2016, Columbian College graduate students were recognized for their achievement in the arts and sciences as they completed their master's and doctoral degrees. Along with words-of-wisdom from CCAS Dean Ben Vinson III, Amanda Figueroa (American Studies) addressed the gathering of students, faculty and family as this year's distinguished scholar and student speaker. Christopher Carrigan, assistant professor of public policy and public administration, served as the faculty speaker. Associate Professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences Adrienne B. Hancock received the Award for Excellence in Graduate Faculty Mentoring.