COMMENCEMENT
2015
COMMENCEMENT 2015 FOUR
COLLEGE OF NURSING COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
FIVE
SCHOOL OF CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
SIX
POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING SILVER SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
SEVEN
GALLATIN SCHOOL OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY
EIGHT
STEINHARDT SCHOOL OF CULTURE, EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT GLOBAL LIBERAL STUDIES
NINE
TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
TEN
ALL-UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MONDAY, MAY 18 | 9:30 A.M. | NEW YORK CITY CENTER
COLLEGE OF NURSING 413 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By SANG BAE
The 2,750 seats of the New York City Theater were filled with parents, alumni and students waiting for their diplomas on Monday during the College of Nursing’s commencement ceremony. NYU provost David McLaughlin started the ceremony by addressing the class of 2015 and reminding them of the quality of their education. “In its Gerontology program, NYU Nursing is ranked number one in the entire nation,” McLaughlin said. “The college recently received the distinction of being a center of excellence in nursing education by the National Board of Nursing.” Naomi Levine presented the Humanitarian Award during the ceremony and spoke about saving patients in World War II. She proceeded to give the award to Eileen Sullivan Marx, along with a pink T-shirt that read “Save one life, and you’re a hero; save 100 lives, and you’re a nurse.” Regina Alexander, the recipient of the Traditional Baccalaureate Program distinction, spoke about the hardships and trials students have faced to receive their degree, listening to the 48-hour podcasts, figuring out the most correct answer out of four correct answers, dealing with professors and staying up long nights on a long and tedious journey.
TUESDAY, MAY 19 | 10:00 A.M. | MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
HOT OS BY
1,921 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By THOMAS DEVLIN
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The Theater at Madison Square Garden was packed twice on Tuesday for the two commencement ceremonies of the College of Arts and Science. Aside from those in attendance, the two ceremonies were identical and celebrated the accomplishments of the CAS class of 2015. While the majority of the time was devoted toward the calling of almost 1,000 names each — 1,921 graduates in total — faculty and alumni shared their parting words with NYU’s oldest school. The celebration began with a welcome from dean G. Gabrielle Starr, in which she greeted the class and talked about the event’s importance. “Take the time to be here in these moments, in these seats and on this stage, and just focus for a few seconds on how it feels to be here,” Starr said. Following the University Welcome in which NYU Young Alumni Trustee Heather Cannady cited Buzzfeed as the inspiration for her speech, professor John Halpin gave the faculty address. After a valedictory address by Emma Pliskin came the last speaker, Phil Baran, who was the winner of the Alumni Distinguished Service Award. He gave his formula for success to the CAS graduating class.
STAFF PHOTOS BY ALANNA BAYARIN
“The recipe is quite simple: find your mission, attack it with obscene passion, surround yourself with evidence and don’t look back,” Baran said.
STAFF PHOTOS BY SHAWN PAIK
“WHAT’S REALLY THE REWARD IN LIFE IS PERSISTENCE. IT REWARDS THE PERSON THAT DOESN’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. IT REWARDS THE PERSON WHO THINKS ABOUT THE NO AS SIMPLY THE BEGINNING OF A CONVERSATION THAT ENDS WITH YES.” — ANDREW ROSS SORKIN
MONDAY, MAY 18 | 5:00 P.M. | GRAND HYATT
SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 325 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By MARITA VLACHOU
Students, family and faculty gathered at the Grand Hyatt on Monday to participate in the School of Professional Studies graduation. SPS dean Dennis D. Lorenzo, who made the opening remarks at the undergraduate ceremony, congratulated students on their achievements and emphasized the importance of the opportunities students have through SPS to discover their true passion in life. Andrew Ross Sorkin, co-anchor for CNBC’s Squawk Box and financial columnist for The New York Times, was the main speaker at the event. He encouraged graduates to work hard for their dreams and to not give up.
“THE RECIPE IS QUITE SIMPLE: FIND YOUR MISSION, ATTACK IT WITH OBSCENE PASSION, SURROUND YOURSELF WITH EVIDENCE AND DON’T LOOK BACK.” — PHIL BARAN
“What’s really the reward in life is persistence,” Sorkin said. “It rewards the person that doesn’t take no for an answer. It rewards the person who thinks about the no as simply the beginning of a conversation that ends with yes.” Student speaker Tiffany Huang, who graduated with a B.S. in hotel and tourism management, discussed the obstacles students and their families face to afford an education at NYU, and said the difficulties along the way are worth it in the end. Sorkin added that despite challenges, students should not give up on trying to pursue a career in the field they enjoy. “If you can find that thing you fall in love with, it will change your life,” Sorkin said.
THURSDAY, MAY 21 | 10:00 A.M. | BARCLAYS CENTER
POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
460 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By AUDREY DENG
The Barclays Center filled with the purple and silver-accented robes of Polytechnic School of Engineering students as their 160th Commencement Ceremony began on Thursday morning. Without pizzazz and performance, the exercises began with a candid engineer’s greeting from dean Katepalli R. Sreenivasan to the class of 2015. “None of you here will remember, for long, what I’m going to say today,” Sreenivasan said to a laughing audience, “so I will make no special efforts to offer profound advice.” This is only Poly’s second commencement since its merger with NYU. The school had operated independently for 158 years as the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. “Read Poly’s history and take inspiration from it,” Sreenivasan said. “Be proud of those who preceded you, but chart your own course.” The course of engineering and technology has a long history and road ahead, as speaker and Executive Chairman of L1 Energy Lord John Browne noted. He praised the innovations of engineering, remarking that the British once thought the telephone was a device that only Americans needed — the British already had enough messenger boys. With optimism, he promised a bright future for engineers. Speaking to his graduating peers, valedictorian Efrayim Zitron focused not on the unknowns and worries, but on definite, reassuring facts. “We are the class of 2015,” Zitron said. “We are scientists. We are engineers.”
MONDAY, MAY 18 | 4:00 P.M. | AVERY FISHER HALL, LINCOLN CENTER
SILVER SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
39 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By FRANCISCO NAVAS
The Silver School of Social Work graduation ceremony, held in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on Monday, hit all the traditional notes with 39 undergraduates, 550 post-graduates and one dog walking the stage.
STAFF PHOTOS BY JOHN AMBROSIO
After dean Lynn Videka’s opening remarks and the awarding of the NSAW award to Elizabeth Chung and Nicole McCullough, the school’s 55th keynote speaker Phil Coltoff delivered his remarks. The alumnus highlighted the importance of the graduates before him, repeatedly lauding their decision to become “leaders of the public good,” social change and “moral commitment to administer to the needs mostly excluded from our society’s riches and rewards.” Coltoff spoke about the current sociopolitical events, such as the death of Eric Garner, the overpopulation of jails and other moments from this year that demand progressive change. “The time is now, the imperatives are before us, the issues of national identity are clear,” Cotloff said. “Let’s seize the moment.” Undergraduate student speaker Tasha Kozak read a poem she wrote, recalling the collective experience of the Silver student, from putting up with slow elevator in the school’s Washington Square Building to topping off their MetroCards with their last few dollars to attend a protest. McCullough delivered the last student address before the presentation of the Master’s students. She, like Kozak, recalled days and nights of volunteering, protesting and lobbying for systemic justice.
“YOU DIDN’T W THAT WAS GRA OF THESE TERR LENCE, BUT YO QUESTION IS, HO NOW THAT
— SUS
WANT TO BE THE CLASS ADUATING IN THE MIDST ROR SCENES OF CIVIC VIOOU ARE THAT CLASS. THE OW WILL YOU RESPOND T IT’S YOUR TURN?”
SANNE WOFFORD
THURSDAY, MAY 21 | 3:00 P.M. | AVERY FISHER HALL, LINCOLN CENTER
GALLATIN SCHOOL OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY
430 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES
By TEERIN JULSAWAD
As they gathered to celebrate at the Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, Gallatin School of Individualized Study graduates were reminded of the global issues that await them after graduation. From environmental disasters in Asia to the racial tensions in the United States, dean Susanne Wofford called attention to the social, political and environmental difficulties that the graduates must inevitably face. “As I see it, one does not choose one’s historical moment,” Wofford said. “History thrusts itself upon you. You didn’t want to be the class that was graduating in the midst of these terror scenes of civic violence, but you are that class. The question is, how will you respond now that it’s your turn?” Professor Ulrich Baer echoed Wofford’s sentiments and encouraged the graduates to be worldly and think about the world in the Gallatin way, or as “something that is co-created with others.” Student speaker Omar Alsayyed, wearing a red nose, spoke about the fear of “diving headfirst into the chaotic world” outside of Gallatin. However, he expressed hope that graduates will be able to find what they are looking for. Faculty speaker Michael Dinwiddie delivered his speech in rhyme. While he acknowledged that there is work to do, Dinwiddie said that by trusting the lessons that they have learned, students are more than ready to take control of their individual paths. “Too many holes in the fabric of our nation,” Dinwiddie said. “It is up to you and me to make the reparations.” In her closing remarks, Wofford challenged the graduates to respond to their historical moment “in their very best form.” She assured the class of 2015 that through their energy, creativity and youthful idealism, they possess the intellectual capability and creative power to take on the world.
STAFF PHOTOS BY SANG BAE
MONDAY, MAY 18 | 10:30 A.M. | THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
STEINHARDT SCHOOL OF CULTURE, EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
656 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By MADDIE PAZZANI
The majors in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development are as varied as media, education, health and arts, yet the speakers at this year’s commencement ceremony, held on Monday at Madison Square Garden, united the diverse group of students under themes of history and learning. Punctuated with performances by the Steinhardt Singers and the Steinhardt Dancing Educators, the ceremony featured remarks from Steinhardt administrators, faculty, alumni and student speaker Olivia Hanson. Dean Dominic Brewer said the history of Steinhardt, founded in 1890 as the first school of pedagogy in the nation, serves as a guiding principle for all areas of study in the school. “Wherever life takes you, remember you are a piece of our history,” Brewer said. “You are the pride of the men and women who came together in 1890 to create our school. They broke new ground, and you will too.” Before the graduating class was called onstage to receive recognition from Steinhardt administration, vice dean for academic affairs Ted Magder traced the history and significance of the bachelor’s degree in higher education. “The most important thing about the baccalaureate is the state of mind it instills,” Magder said. “The willingness and the capacity to challenge and interrogate subtle truths and traditions, the ability not just to learn, but to teach, to create new forms of expression in media, art and music, and to improve the health and well being of individuals and whole communities.”
STAFF PHOTOS BY SHAWN P
TUESDAY, MAY 19 | 11:00 A.M. | SKIRBALL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
GLOBAL LIBERAL STUDIES
55 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By EMILY BELL
Though they traveled and studied all over the world during their time at NYU, members of the Global Liberal Studies class of 2015 gathered near Washington Square to celebrate on May 19. LS dean Fred Schwarzbach opened and closed the fourth GLS ceremony, which was held at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Master teacher Al Piacente gave the faculty address and said the benefit of a liberal arts education is its ability to help carry a student into less traditional careers. Upon crossing the stage, each student was given a customized stole with the flags of the sites where they had studied away. Valedictorian Catalina Escalona gave the student address, incorporating slides of paintings into her speech to represent the significant events and feelings of the students. While she described the process of settling in to GLS and undertaking a senior thesis, Escalona also highlighted the third year, which for GLS students is spent studying away from NYU New York. “Both at our global sites and in New York, we could explore our own interests thanks to the guidance of our strong core foundation in those first two years, and also with the support group of our faculty, staff, friends and family,” Escalona said. “We were given the chance to complement our studies in the classroom with these outside experiences in the real world, which proved to be just as essential for our global liberal studies education.”
FRIDAY, MAY 22 | 11:00 A.M. | THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
1,204 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES By HANNAH TREASURE
Tisch School of the Arts graduates gave their final NYU performance as they walked across the stage at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Opening with a dance performance from the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, the 2015 commencement ceremony illustrated the artistry of the candidates’ past years of work at NYU. The class of 2015 student speaker Elizabeth Logan, graduating from the Dramatic Writing department, spoke on risk-taking, work ethic and patience. “Let today be the last day we joke that we are stupid or crazy,” Logan said. “Or ever to pretend we hate what we love, and that it wasn’t wrong to study it. Let today be the last day we dismiss our ambitions before we’ve started.” Tisch dean Allyson Green advised the graduates to never stop pursuing their art. “Isn’t that exactly what we need in the world? More creation, less destruction,” Green said. “You won’t need to retire because your passion to create will inspire you forever.” Honored speaker Robert De Niro commended the graduates for following their passions despite lack of job security. “You made it, and you’re fucked,” De Niro said. “But you didn’t have a choice. You discovered a talent, developed an ambition and recognized a passion. When you feel that, you can’t fight it. You just go with it.” The ceremony concluded with a department of drama performance from the Love’s Labour’s Lost as well as a music performance by the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.
“YOU MADE IT, AND YOU’RE FUCKED. BUT YOU DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE. YOU DISCOVERED A TALENT, DEVELOPED AN AMBITION AND RECOGNIZED A PASSION. WHEN YOU FEEL THAT, YOU CAN’T FIGHT IT. YOU JUST GO WITH IT.” — ROBERT DE NIRO THURSDAY, MAY 21 | 11:00 A.M. | THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
PAIK
639 BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES
PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK
By THOMAS DEVLIN
“AS WE WRITE THE CONCLUSION TO OUR UNDERGRADUATE STORY, I HOPE YOU MAKE THIS A PART OF YOUR MINDSET, YOUR CODE AND YOUR LIFESTYLE: TO EMBRACE THE UNFAMILIAR, AND TO CHASE THE UNCOMFORTABLE.” — JONATHAN BACH
The Stern School of Business’ class of 2015 came together in Madison Square Garden for the last time during their undergraduate career Thursday. The 639 members of the class walked the stage to accept their diplomas. Following the opening procession with the NYU Pipes and Drums and the welcome from assistant dean of planning and academic services Diann Witt, Stern dean Geeta Menon addressed the class. Menon focused on the futures of the graduates. “Whether you are in business stimulating economies; or in academia creating knowledge; or in government influencing policy; we are counting on you to make this world a better place for you, and for future generation,” Menon said. The keynote speaker was Peter Morton, the co-founder of Hard Rock Café. In addition to his accomplishments in business, Morton also happens to be the father of a Stern student. Before the recognition of the candidates for graduation, student speaker Jonathan Bach addressed his class with a mission for the future. “As we write the conclusion to our undergraduate story, I hope you make this a part of your mindset, your code, and your lifestyle: to embrace the unfamiliar and to chase the uncomfortable,” Bach said.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 | 11:00 A.M. | YANKEE STADIUM
ALL-UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI and HANNAH TREASURE
Dressed in violet, the almost 8,000 members of the class of 2015 took over Yankee Stadium for the 183rd All-University Commencement ceremony. This year’s ceremony also marks the last graduation officiated by NYU President John Sexton and Trustee Chair Martin Lipton. STAFF PHOTO BY JOHN AMBROSIO
During the ceremony, the university awarded honorary doctorates to pianist Lang Lang, mathematician Peter Lax, humanitarian Graça Simbine Machel and biochemist Jan Tomas Vilcek. Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Ifill, an NYU School of Law alumna, delivered the commencement address on behalf of the honorary degree recipients. In her address, Ifill spoke about the excitement of graduation and the importance of activism and citizenship. “You have felt the crisis that is enveloping us, the crisis of confidence in the role of law, and in our justice system, and you are wondering what your role must be, and you are right to do so,” Ifill said. “It is the obligation of citizenship to engage the issues of our day, to work for peace, to demand justice, but also to fight for beauty and art and stability and privacy and dignity for everyone.” Ifill said she learned the importance of having a support system after being in the recent Amtrak crash in Philadelphia, and encouraged graduates to build strong relationships with loved ones. Following Sexton’s address to the class, Student Senators Council chair Jules O’Connor presented him an NYU Class of 2015 baseball jacket on behalf of the graduating class. Brent Austin Dibble, a graduating senior from the Stern School of Business and the School of Medicine, also addressed the graduates, reminding them to create opportunities for themselves as they start their lives outside of NYU. The ceremony closed with the passing of the torch from a senior faculty member, professor Rae Zimmerman, to the youngest member of the graduating class, Deva Snyder, 18, and a performance by the cast of the NYU Reality Show.
STAFF PHOTOS BY JOHN AMBROSIO AND SANG BAE
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