Mm Mo Hmm. 0 0 mm A mm. Hmm. A, M, hm. Good afternoon and welcome to the Joseph R Biden Junior School of Public Policy and Administration's 2023 convocation. Congratulations to the class of 2023. I am Dr. Amy Ellen Schwartz. I am the Dean of the Biden School, and it is my pleasure to host this afternoon and lead us through this ceremony. Before we begin, please take a moment to make sure that you turn off or silence your cellphones. If you need assistance, please find one of the convocation staff or public safety officers who are with us today. Thank you. I would like to start by offering my heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduating class of 2023. The entire faculty and staff of the Biden School is proud to be celebrating your success today. This afternoon we recognize 106 degree candidates of the Biden School, including participants in our graduate certificate programs, as well as our Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral degree recipients who finish their degree requirements in the summer of 2022, fall of 2022, winter of 23, spring of 2023, or the upcoming summer of 2023. I would also like to take a moment to congratulate the families and supporters of our graduate students. We appreciate all you have done to encourage and support of this afternoon's graduates in arriving at this significant point in their education. Let's please recognize and applaud these individuals. Now if you would like to stand Well done. With me on the platform this evening to congratulate our students is our Deputy Dean, Dr. Joseph Traynor, our academic program administrator, directors, and the dedicated faculty of the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. Please join me in giving all of our faculty a round of applause. I would also like to take a special moment to thank our incredible Biden school staff, Diana Simmons, who coordinates the convocation logistics and make sure the event goes smoothly. And I would say she wrote as smoothly as possible, but I want to say smoothly. And if you haven't met her before, that is Diana. She holds the school together. And if you haven't met her yet, make sure you take a moment to congratulate her. In particular, I also want to recognize Monica Sterling who is right there. Stephanie Patterson who's at the back. Tarleiningerho is also here. And Barbara Vent to verify and collect the graduation information from all of our students. You've all spoken with them to our newest staff member, Kelly Francisco, for her assistance with communications and social media to all of them for being here today to help with this important event. We'd like to thank them at this time, I would like to ask all active duty military members and veterans to stand so that we may show our appreciation for your service. Today we have a special guest with us to sing the national anthem. Please welcome to the stage. Alex Tough. Alex is the son of one of our very own faculty members, board tough, right? Alex is a recent graduate of Newark Charter School and will be joining UD in the fall as a history education member and legacy student. Now please join me in standing for the national anthem. Right, Watch the rows. Red. Blair in air black and of free of graduates, your academic journey is truly one of perseverance and determination. You managed to return to a mostly in personal learning environment after two years of the pandemic. In addition, many have had personal challenges along the way. We understand how hard you have worked to earn your degrees. You've proven yourselves to be resilient scholars, adapting to differing demands at the moment, unwavering in the pursuit of your goals. The obstacles you have overcome are what make the achievement of your graduation all that more meaningful. On a personal note, this year ceremony is particularly special because it is my first convocation as Dean of the Biden School. Together we are finding our way as a passionate community dedicated to advancing the public. Good, a commitment I am confident we will continue to work toward. I thank each of you for sharing this first year with me. You are shaping the future. Prepared and eager to take on the complex challenges facing our society. To carry our shared work forward with each new graduate, our community grows larger. This weekend you will join a vibrant group of over 5,000 Biden School alumni. Known for their expertise and also for their impact. Our graduates enjoy a high rate of post graduation success within a variety of sectors, locally, nationally, and beyond. This, combined with your exhibited strength and dedication will serve you well in your future endeavors. We could not be more excited for your next steps. Whether they include the start of a new job, an exciting research opportunity, further academic training, continued public service, or the beginning of a personal journey. No matter what your next steps might be, great things await you. I'm inspired by your passion and resolve which have brought you to this moment, the tremendous milestone of your degree completion. The potential for your impact is profound and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish from here. Congratulations Biden School class of 2023. It is now my particular pleasure to introduce our student speakers. Each year, a student is selected by the undergraduate and graduate programs to represent the graduating class of that program. The students who appear before us today have consistently demonstrated excellence in the classroom as well as leadership among their peers. These students serve as role models, not just to their fellow classmates, but to us all. Our first speaker, Fiona Ramo, Fiona is graduating with an honors honors Bachelor of Arts and Public Policy and Women and Gender Studies. They have minors in politics and social justice and sexuality and gender studies. Fiona will continue with us this fall on the Masters of Public Administration program with a specialization in public management and policy Analysis. This year, Fiona was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student Leader Award and the Wilson Award in Human Sexuality and Gender Studies. Her commitment and dedication to promoting diversity and the betterment of society is commendable. They served as a legislative fellow for the State Senate Majority caucus in Delaware and plans to continue working in state government toward the implementation of pro equality legislation after completing their PA degree. Fiona, I am super excited to be here. I want to start by thanking everybody. Yeah, let's kick this off, fellow graduates, parents, family and friends. Welcome to the 2023 Biden School convocation ceremony. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Fiona Ester Ramo. I stand before you today as a student, a friend, a leader, a change agent, and now a college graduate. First, I would like to thank the administration advisers, faculty staff, and of course all of our wonderful professors for their support and dedication in making our college experience extraordinary. Be the change you wish to see in the world. These simple and maybe even cliche words were pasted on my high school graduation cap, embellished next to sparkly letters that read UD class of 2023. I addressed my graduating class then as president and spoke of the next four years with hope and frankly, blissful ignorance of what was to come. The class of 2023 is the last class to have ever experienced college prior to the Covid 19 global pandemic. We are forever bonded by the daily health check, emails, recoup days, and overall the protecting of the flock. Just a few weeks ago, the World Health Organization announced the end of Covid 19 as the public health emergency. Just like that, I blinked and I changed and made it through four years. We have all made it through such adversity, hardship, and challenge with tenacity, understanding, and togetherness as a native New Yorker. I was met with the questions y, ud, y, Delaware, where even is Delaware? To that, I say, why not? Delaware as the first state, Delaware is small but mighty. In my experience, I have seen the benefits of building close relationships across the state translate directly into activism and change through my own free mental product initiative. I have seen how quickly you can make a change by showing up, asking questions, scheduling meetings, and running with an idea that you believe in. Persistency and consistency are key in enacting change. Not just at the campus level but at the state level and beyond. I have had access to opportunities in my time at the Biden School, that center experiential learning. Currently, I serve as a legislative fellow for the State Senate, where I put what I've learned in the classroom into practice. If you told me during my first year of college that by my senior year, I would be working directly with the legislature, producing rigorous, collaborative, and innovative solutions to help serve delawarians. I'm not sure. Not sure I would've believed you. I can confidently say I have now developed the practical knowledge and experience to more effectively address today's complex challenges and continue fighting for justice and for change. The values of the Biden School uplift this idea as we are. The change. I hope I can speak for us all when I say I feel prepared with the skills and values necessary to engage in public service and improve the quality of life for communities around the world. Our class, our generation is a catalyst for change in my roles as President of Planned Parenthood Generation Action. As well as a social justice peer educator and an SOS victim advocate. Bringing together diverse perspectives, experiences, and voices. We have fostered more equitable policies and a deeper understanding in our blue hen community. With that, I will leave you with a sentiment that has gotten me through undergrad and will continue to guide me in both my personal and professional life as I earn my Master's in Public administration, of course, from the Biden School, we're all trying to live a life that's completely free. So remember, have a cup of coffee and catch your breath, because that can make all the difference. As Audrey Lord, a radical feminist and civil rights activist, once said, when we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid it is better to speak. And I live by that. I'm so proud to be a part of this class. We did it through a global pandemic. And all now my grad cap reads Pi the Change. Thank you so much to my family for their unwavering support to my parents, grandparents and Maci 0, and to the University of Delaware Biden School, class of 2023. For four awesome years, it's been an incredible ride and I can't wait to see where the next chapter takes us. Thank you and Roll blue hence. Thank you. Appreciate it. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Dr. Joe Trainer and I serve as the Deputy Dean of the Biden School. It's my pleasure to join Dean Schwartz in extending my congratulations to all of our graduates celebrating today. It's truly the highlight of our year for all of us on this stage to share this moment of joy with you and to recognize your accomplishments with your family and friends. I've been charged today with providing a brief overview of the process for our ceremonies today. So we're going to walk through how we're celebrate you. So we're going to begin by welcoming our undergraduates forward to be recognized. The grad should walk to the stage on my left and meet over with Diana. And when you're instructed, you'll proceed across the stage here and meet the Dean where you'll stop for photo and then we'll proceed over to the table where we'll give you a little certificate and your alumni pin. After all of our undergrads have been recognized, we will invite our graduate speaker to the podium for their remarks. And after her speech is completed, we'll proceed to recognize our grads using that same process. Now to the moment we've all been waiting for, Let's begin by welcoming our undergraduate students, representing the energy and environmental policy program leadership program and the public policy of administration program to the stage to be recognized. Fiona Esther Amo, Bachelor of Arts. Bachelor of Arts. Bryan Philip Mckee, Bachelor of Science Congratulation. Stephanie? Bachelor of Arts. Artie Hemingway, Bachelor of Science. Madeline Rose Grusky, Bachelor of Arts. Allison Marie Afford. Bachelor of Arts. Wyatt E. Patterson, Honors. Bachelor of Arts. Angela Marie Hoyle. Bachelor of Arts, Fall. A. Falah. Bachelor of Arts. John Chris Balis, Bachelor of Arts. Kyle Smith. Honors Bachelor of Arts. Francesca Rose Genova, Bachelor of Arts. Katherine Claire Frigo. Bachelor of Science. Peter Ker, the second Bachelor of Science. Jack William Levine, Bachelor of Arts. Craig Scott Busting, Bachelor of Science. Connor Sean, male. Bachelor of Arts. Cameron Chapel honors Bachelor of Arts. Isabel Su. Bachelor of Science, Margaret Grace Karpinski. Bachelor of Arts. Sophie Malloy. Bachelor of Arts. Rachel Louise Roman. Bachelor of Arts. Grace Donahue honors Bachelor of Arts. Ryan James Rosa, Bachelor of Arts. Hannah Marie Coso honors Bachelor of Arts. Tia Raskin, Bachelor of Arts, Sophia. Stephanie Mel, Bachelor of Arts Translation. Ha Shah honors Bachelor of Arts Brian Kennedy. Bachelor of Science Translation Maximilian David Shiner, Bachelor of Science. Congratulations Lani Diane Warfield, Bachelor of Science. Congratulations Josephine Smith, Bachelor of Arts. Congratulations Daniel Neo, Bachelor of Arts Strata. Congratulations Sarah of Bachelor of Arts. Bachelor of Science. Congratulations another one, Justin Duka, Bachelor of Science. Congratulations Sarah Scott, Bachelor of Science. Congratulations what's doing? Molly? Elena Toscano, Bachelor of Science. Arts. Congratulations. Make sure they get Brad, Bachelor of science. Congratulations. So Maya Amiri Sherman, Bachelor of Arts. Congratulations on Sean Thomas, Bachelor of Arts. Colin Scott Walsh, Bachelor of Arts. Congratulations Body Hamilton, Bachelor of Arts. Congratulations Olivia Spesa Brosnan, Bachelor of Arts. Congratulations Lauren Savage, Bachelor of Arts. Congratulations. Or Gara, Bachelor of Science. Well done. Congratulations Laura A. Wolfe. Bachelor of Science. Done. Congratulations Michael Volos, Bachelor of Science. Kayla, Deborah Tarkowski, Bachelor of arts. Congratulations. And go. Areola Lopez, Bachelor of arts, Whole name there, right? Congratulations. Well then Jacob E. Ballard, Bachelor of Science. Congratulations. Zachary Ashton. Edward Coffin, Bachelor of Arts. Congratulations very much. Well then, Ana Harrison, Bachelor of Arts. De. Congratulations. Isabella Ellingsworthachelor of Arts. Congratulations Ariana, right? Bachelor of science. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. I put my glasses, can I still read? I'm delighted to introduce to you our graduate speaker at this time. Meghan Lapointe. Meghan is graduating with a Master of Public Administration. Completing her studies with induction into Pie Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. She was a judicial fellow and a summer local government fellow with the Institute for Public Administration at the Biden School. She was a 2023 National Intercollegiate figure skating champion. Two after graduation, she will begin working as a management analyst with the Delaware Administrative Office of the Courts. Everyone thanks Fiona for taking the lead. Appreciate it. Awesome. All right. There is nothing so stable as change when the great music legend, Bob Dylan spoke these words. He probably wasn't referring to the Biden School here at UT, but in fact, he was likely ripping off the herculatea, saying change is the only constant in life. Regardless, everyone seated before me today knows what it is like to experience change. Our little school has certainly undergone a lot of it in my five years here. We've upgraded our name. Thanks. Joe became an independent school with the University of Delaware. And just this last fall, welcome to new Dean students. Faculty and staff have come and gone with the seasons. As we've all learned to adjust to a post pandemic world, change can do two things. It can leave you bitter and bruised, or it can make you stronger than you were before. For those of you here, I'd like to believe the ladder applies. I will admit I haven't always been the best at managing change. When I first arrived at UDI threw the equivalent of a grown up temper tantrum. I hated this place, I hated everyone in it and I wanted to go home. I was thoroughly convinced I had made a mistake. Delaware was not the place for me. I hung around after that first year promising myself that I would get transfer applications ready to go for the following fall. Then fall came and went. I couldn't bring myself to hit end. I had started to find my groove. I found a new team that I loved and I began to make some friends on campus. Of course, that all came to a screeching halt three months later in March of 2020. But I digress now. As I look back on my five years at the University of Delaware, I couldn't be more grateful that I stayed. Those of you who know me are probably aware that I'm a loyal member of the figure skating team on campus. That's what brought me to Delaware. My first year here. I didn't even have the skills to make the competitive team yet. This last April, I became a two time national champion. Thank you. Had I given up on UDI, would have never had that opportunity to learn and grow. I found a way to make my circumstances work for the better and became stronger because of it was certainly not sunshine and roses for the vast majority of the time, but I pushed through. I bet all of you can relate to this in some manner. Graduate school in particular is no joke. This is no longer the fun of undergrad, the free time filled with electives and just for fun courses that you took with your friends. I, for one, never took a true elective because I convinced myself I wanted three minors and to graduate in three years. But other people told me that they're really fun as graduate students, we learned to balance work in school. I've been amazed at my classmates. Within the Mpa program, we have students who travel from around the mid Atlantic area to get to Graham Hall. Each week there's a student in one of my classes who flies in from Texas to get to class. Students who are running, truly inspiring non profits outside of the classroom. And students who are managing full family lives and responsibilities when they go home. I am so impressed by the dedication of each and every one of you. As you strive to reach your academic and professional goals, you will all make incredible professionals out in the workforce. Your dedication to service can create powerful impact on those around you. I would like to thank those in my life who have had that impact on me, my family, my professors, everyone at the Institute for Public Administration and the Center for Research and Education and Social Policy. You guys rock bonus. Thank you to my skating family, including one who is sitting here today, Sarah Ruf, I love you. They've made you deem my home. I can leave you with one piece of advice. It's to embrace the change. You don't have to love it. You don't have to be the number one cheer leader who for change. But when it inevitably comes your way, ride the wave, see where the change takes you. Maybe it won't be the right choice for you, but at that point, you can paddle back to shore and wait for a new wave to come by. But maybe it will all work out. Just maybe that wave will carry you towards something great, something you've never even dreamed of. I know ocean symbolism is far from unique, but please forgive me for the analogy. As you get ready to leave the University of Delaware, don't be afraid to ride the wave. See what happens when you let go. I wish you all the best of luck and the greatest of futures roll hens. Thank you at this time, I'm happy to welcome our graduate certificate and masters level graduates to be recognized. These students represent the Masters of Public Policy Program, the Disaster Science and Management program, the Energy and Environmental Policy program. The Masters of Public Administration program, The Urban Affairs and Public Policy program. The Masters of Public Health Health Policy concentration and the Certificate and Historic Preservation 0 Meghan Nicole Lapoint, Master of Public Administration. Nicholas, Master of Public Administration. Jacob Benjamin Higgins, Master of Arts. Alexander Molds, Master of Arts. Di Go Baba, Baba, Master of public policy congratulation. Gabrielle Akin Poa, Master of public policy. Tab, Master of energy and environmental policy congratulation. Meghan English, Master of public Administration. Emily Mica Thomas, Master of Public Administration. Alexandra Naomi Randolph, Master of public Health. Kant Whitaker, Master of Public Health Cancellations. John Metz, master of energy and environmental policy. Meredith Mayor, Brain, master of energy and environmental policy. Jenna Elizabeth Maheu, master of public policy. Elizabeth Veronica Shields, master of public policy. Lindsay Bricket, master of public policy. Emma Grace Davis, master of public policy. Congratulations one where you can see here Stephen Gerard, proper, master of public policy. Ronald L. Smith, master of public administration. valeria cover dale master of public administration tatiana luna aldas master of public administration congratulations now let's get that aber ja fll master of arts thomas davis master of public administration dyne fernandez master of public health congratulations jada simon davis master of arts jacqueline lisa pia master of public administration congratulations saline gets master of science congratulations nana hemato sante master of public health congratulations meghan hacky master of public health andrea mary elbe master of public health jacob michael weird master of science kate elizabeth r master of arts colin willard master of arts consolation madeline alexis starling master of arts jennifer conklin master of public administration congratulations sarah marshall prague master of public administration allison marie roby master of public administration i'd like to ask all of our graduates to stand now so we can once more applaud their many accomplishments who it's not an order all right all right congratulations to all of our masters and undergraduate graduates now we're going to move to a special part of the ceremony where we have the distinct honor of welcoming to the stage our students who have completed their doctoral degrees in the biden school of public policy administration we separate this to send special recognition to these students a doctorate degree is the highest level of academic achievement that can be bestowed anywhere at any university across the planet to achieve this honor in addition to coursework and exams each student must make an original contribution to knowledge in their field of study they must have discovered something new something we didn't know before they began their work these impressive graduates represent the disaster science and management program the energy and environmental policy program and the urban affairs and public policy program many of our doctoral students also attended a hooding ceremony earlier this week where they received honors so we don't have the full group here but we do have an excellent representation so we'd like to invite those students for special recognition A Marie Lassen, Dr. of Philosophy. Chester Holland and a research assistant Dr. of Philosophy congratulation. Baby Logan Gerbert, Chavis, Dr. of Philosophy. Michael Miho, Dr. of Philosophy. Michael Morris, Dr. of Philosophy. That concludes the 2023 Joseph Bar Biden School Junior School of Public Policy and Administration convocation ceremony. Many thanks to all of you for participating in this special celebration. Please remain at your seats as our faculty and students recess to the tune of the Udl. That's what I believe. Thank you all for joining us. Have a safe trip home. We hope to see you all again soon. Mm. Mm. M. M.
2023 Biden School Convocation
From Jason Felton May 30, 2023
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