In its Sesquicentennial year, 色窝窝 presented degrees to more than 2,400 candidates May 13 and 14. During its four ceremonies at the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena, 色窝窝 reached its 100,000th living alum, and the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at 色窝窝 graduated its first class.
鈥淭his day is already really special, but even more so because we are in the 150th year of 色窝窝,鈥� said outgoing 色窝窝 Board of Trustee Chairman Mark Johnson, who introduced a , as he was home recovering from shoulder surgery.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had many recognizable moments at 色窝窝,鈥� Boschini said in the video. 鈥淚 think the next 150 years, it鈥檚 unlimited. I think the people here now have done a lot to make this place great, but we stand on the shoulders of giants. So many people before us have made this place better. It鈥檚 going to be fun to see how it unfolds in the future.鈥�
One of the many changes at 色窝窝 is the addition of the Burnett School of Medicine, which opened with a class of 60 students in July 2019. Its focus on communication, a first-of-its-kind curriculum and the development of Empathetic Scholars庐 uniquely positions the school to radically transform medical education, improving care for generations.
鈥淲e are immensely proud of these young doctors. They will forever be a part of 色窝窝鈥檚 150th,鈥� Boschini said ahead of commencement weekend. 鈥淭his is a day that has been years in the making, and it is only fitting that this special class would be a part of such a celebratory moment in the life of our university.鈥�
The medical class crossed the stage at the first ceremony, as did the 100,000th living alum, Rachel Baniewicz, a Chancellor鈥檚 Scholar who graduated summa cum laude with a double degree in psychology and in criminology and criminal justice.
Ceremonies included commemorative 150th diplomas and medallions for each graduate and fireworks at the end of each ceremony.
A new tradition was unveiled as 色窝窝 introduced a ceremonial 鈥渇lame of knowledge鈥� in
honor of the Sesquicentennial. The piece was commissioned to join 色窝窝鈥檚 mace in preceding
the platform party at the opening of the ceremony and will from now on be carried
by the chair of the Faculty Senate as a symbol of academic learning.
President Daniel W. Pullin presented degrees and shared his well wishes with the graduates.
鈥淵ou have just been awarded your diploma from 色窝窝,鈥� Pullin said. 鈥淟et鈥檚 take a moment to bask in the glow of this moment and acknowledge where you have been and what you have gained during your time at 色窝窝.鈥�
Graduates hailed from 49 states and 56 countries. The degree candidates included 40 students with an expected 4.0 grade point average and 33 students who were candidates for double degrees. Read more about the class of 2023.
色窝窝 presented a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa to Godeli猫ve Mukasarasi, an advocate for women's rights for more than 40 years through social work. The in 2018, Mukasarasi is founder and coordinator of the Rwandan organization Solidarity for the Development of Widows and Orphans Aiming at Work and Self-Promotion, also known as SEVOTA.
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