On Sunday, May 17, SCI held a virtual recognition ceremony to celebrate the achievements of more than 360 undergraduate and graduate students who have completed degrees this academic year. Recognizing the unique challenges graduates faced this semester in the wake of COVID-19, SCI Dean Paul Cohen said in his graduation address, “I admire all of our students. It’s not easy to earn degrees from our program. But I particularly admire your graduating class, because in addition to working your way through difficult programs and earning your degrees, you’ve done it in strange and sometimes stressful circumstances.”
Argo AI CEO and co-founder Bryan Salesky (ENGR ’02) delivered the keynote speech. Addressing SCI’s 2020 graduates, Salesky traced his career path as a software engineer working with various forms of transportation: trains, autonomous mining trucks, and autonomous cars. Salesky stressed the importance of not limiting career choices and being driven by a desire to create a positive impact.
“Anyone who isn’t certain about what exactly the future holds for you, I challenge you to simply find what you are passionate about and chase it,” said Salesky. “Build or join a team that shares the same values as you, one that is mission-driven to change the world for the better. In doing this, you cannot make a wrong turn, and all the hard work you’ve put into getting to this moment will be worth it.”
Students graduating in both the Spring and Summer terms were recognized and many included photos and accomplishments to make the ceremony more personal. After the student’s names were read, Jamie Allen (BSIS ’93), welcomed the graduates into the vast alumni community of more than 14,000 alumni. Allen stressed the importance of remaining active member of the SCI community not only for their benefit, but for the benefit of future generations of students.
Please join us in congratulating the 2020 Spring and Summer classes of graduating SCI students, and the following student award winners:
CS50 Fellowship for Outstanding Progress in Research – Karen Ye, Xiaozhong Zhang
Bertha G. Louik Scholarship – Caitlin McAlister
Brotherton Scholarship – Lauren Osmanski
Claire Pyle Scholarship – Kathryn Klawinski, Claudia Mallea
E.J. Josey Scholarship for Minorities in Library Science – Mahogany Thaxton
Elva S. Smith Endowed Scholarship – Lynn Kawaratani, Jessica Smith
Frank B. and Anne J. Sessa Scholarship – Kathryn Klawinski
Graduate SIS Scholarship – Kathryn Klawinski
Orrin E. and Margaret M. Taulbee Graduate Award for Excellence in Computer Science – Xioazhong Zhang
H.W. Wilson Scholarship – Kathryn Klawinski, Moira Stockton
Hodges Quasi Scholarship Fund – Lynn Kawaratani
Ida M. Flynn Award – Paige Franjione
Joan Brest Friedberg Scholarship – Carolyn Baker
M.P. & J. Lang Scholarship Fund – Charlotte Hoelke, Kathryn Klawinski, Caitlin McAlister, Claudia Mallea, Lauren Osmanski, Moira Stockton, Mahogany Thaxton
Outstanding CS Undergraduate Award – Jacob Gilbert, Mirabel Reid
Robert Erwin MLIS Fund – Kathryn Klawinski
Subramanyan Scholarship – Caitlin McAlister, Moira Stockton
Vatican Library Project LIS – Caitlin McAlister, Lauren Osmanski