2015 Celebration
Surrounded by family and friends, the Class of 2015 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.
"Class of 2015, my charge to you today is to make history--do it by continuing to be the best you can be, do it by pausing every now and then to reflect like an historian on the seemingly disconnected aspects of your lives, do it by multiplying your moments, your life experiences into something greater for the benefit of our global society."
Ben Vinson III
Dean, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Ceremonies
12:00 PM
On Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 12 p.m., Columbian College recognized students graduating with majors in Economics, Human Services, 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 Matthew Vincent Zahn (Economics & Political Science) and Faculty Speaker Corrine McConnaughy, associate professor of political science. Nicholas Kevin Gumas (Political Communication & Political Science) was the Alumni Prize winner, while Tara M. Sinclair, associate professor of economics and international affairs, won the Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students. Assistant Professor of Classics Katherine Wasdin 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 16, 2015 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, 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 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 John Kopriva (Chemistry) and Faculty Speaker Alexander Dent, associate professor of anthropology & international affairs. Elizabeth Nicole Settoducato (Classical Studies & Women's Studies) received the Alumni Prize, while Tara M. Sinclair, associate professor of economics and international affairs, won the Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students. Assistant Professor of Classics Katherine Wasdin 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 15, 2015, 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, Kelsey Nyland (Geography) addressed the gathering of students, faculty and family as this year's distinguished scholar and student speaker. Susan Sterner, associate professor of art and design, served as the faculty speaker. Professor of Economics Anthony Yezer received the Award for Excellence in Graduate Faculty Mentoring.