2014 Honors Convocation Program
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91ST ANNUAL HONORS CONVOCATION Hill Auditorium March 16, 2014 | 2:00 p.m. This year marks the 91st Honors Convocation held at the University of Michigan since the first was instituted on May 13, 1924, by President Marion LeRoy Burton. On these occasions the University publicly recognizes and commends the undergraduate students in its schools and colleges who have earned distinguished academic records or have excelled as leaders in the community. It is highly appropriate that those students be honored who have most clearly and effectively demonstrated academic excellence, dynamic leadership, and inspirational volunteerism. Honors Convocation takes rank with the commencement exercises among the important ceremonies of the University year. The names of the students who are honored for outstanding achievement this year appear in this program. They include all students who have earned University Honors in both Winter 2013 and Fall 2013, plus all seniors who have earned University Honors in either Winter 2013 or Fall 2013. The William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize recipients are listed, as well— recognizing first year undergraduate students whose academic achievement during their first semester on campus place them in the upper five percent of their school or college class. James B. Angell Scholars—students who receive all “A” grades over consecutive terms—are given a special place in the program. In addition, the student speaker is recognized individually for exemplary contributions to the University community. To all honored students, and to their parents, the University extends its hearty congratulations. Honored Students Honored Faculty Faculty Colleagues and Friends of the University It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 91st University of Michigan Honors Convocation. On behalf of the academic leaders of the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses, I thank you for joining us today. Honors Convocation provides us with an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of undergraduate students from all three of our campuses. It is an important University tradition; we are glad to have this time to reflect on the accomplishments of our students. Today we honor students who exemplify academic excellence, committed and creative leadership, and thoughtful service—all core values of the University. These students have demonstrated passion for learning, challenging themselves and their teachers with tough questions and innovative ideas that stretch the boundaries of knowledge and open new pathways for exploration. The University’s mission states our commitment to “developing leaders who will challenge the present and enrich the future.” The students we honor today give life to that commitment through their purposeful engagement with the world. Today we also honor a group of distinguished faculty members who have joined us for this ceremony. Recently recognized by the University for their outstanding teaching and scholarship, they represent the many individuals in our community who inspire, challenge, and support our students. As we congratulate our students, we also recognize, with deep appreciation, the parents, family members, and friends who have nurtured and supported these remarkable students. The University of Michigan shares the pride you feel in their accomplishments. With you, we look forward to the contributions they will make to the future. Congratulations and welcome! Martha E. Pollack Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Order Of exercises Honors Convocation, March 16, 2014 “The Death of Privacy” The theme for this year’s event is intended to prompt discussion of changing understandings of privacy in the midst of vast and rapid technological development, easy accessibility of information, and differing cultural understandings of what is private. Carillon Selections School of Music, Theatre & Dance Carillon Studio Prelude Petite symphonie, opus 216 (1885): Adagio et Allegretto, Andante cantabile, Scherzo, Finale Composed by Charles Gounod (1818–1893) University of Michigan Symphony Band Chamber Winds John D. Pasquale Conductor * Processional Phoenix Processional Composed by Dan Locklair Kipp Cortez Doctoral Pre-Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance * The National Anthem Jesse Donner Graduate Certificate Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Welcome Martha E. Pollack Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Honors Convocation Speaker Anitha Menon Junior, College of Engineering Four Term Angell Scholar University Honors Presentation of Honors Students Martha E. Pollack Ruth J. Person Chancellor, University of Michigan-Flint Daniel Little Chancellor, University of Michigan-Dearborn Lester P. Monts Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Presentation of Thurnau Professors Martha E. Pollack * Please stand 2 Honors Convocation Speaker Martha S. Jones Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Associate Professor of History Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Musical Selection A Quiet Thing From Flora the Red Menace Music by John Kander Lyrics by Fred Ebb Solea Pfeiffer, soprano Sophomore, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Tyler Driskill, piano The Convocation Address Mary Sue Coleman President Closing Martha E. Pollack * The Alma Mater The Yellow and Blue Composed by Michael W. Balfe Kipp Cortez and the audience (see words on back cover) * Recessional Crown Imperial Composed by William Walton Kipp Cortez * Those who are able are asked to stand for portions of the program asterisked (*). At the conclusion of the program, the audience will please remain standing until the platform party has left the auditorium. We are grateful to the Provost’s Council on Student Honors for their role in planning this event. Council members include: co-chairs Scott Hershovitz, Professor of Law and Philosophy and Kevin Korsyn, Professor of Music Theory; Frederick Amrine, Associate Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures and Thurnau Professor; Henry Dyson, Senior Advisor, LSA Honors Program; Elizabeth Goodenough, Residential College Lecturer; Lorraine Gutierrez, Professor of Psychology and Thurnau Professor; Laura Ruetsche, Professor of Philosophy; Catherine Shaw, Assistant Vice Provost; Volker Sick, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Thurnau Professor; and Raymond Van Dam, Professor of History and Near Eastern Studies. The Council is sponsored by Senior Vice Provost Lester P. Monts. The University of Michigan wishes to thank Elizabeth Clarno and Dorothy Mulvahill, American Sign Language Interpreters, for their important service during this program. In addition, a viewing area equipped with real-time captioning is designated on the main floor. Please ask a faculty marshal if you need assistance locating this area. 3 HOnOrs cOnvOcatiOn speakers Anitha Menon Junior, College of Engineering Anitha Menon, a junior from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is majoring in biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering. A four term James B. Angell Scholar and recipient of the William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize, she has conducted research on artificial lungs at the Medical School and currently is at the Life Sciences Institute investigating pathways in graft-versus-host disease, which occurs when transplanted donor cells attack the recipient’s body. Last summer she led the student-run Better Living Using Engineering Laboratory Biogas (BLUELab) Team that traveled to Liberia, West Africa, where the group designed and built an anaerobic biogas digester to convert waste and manure into fuel and fertilizer. She is a violinist and external publicity director with the University of Michigan Pops Orchestra, vice president of the College of Engineering Class of 1931E Honor Society, and an Honors Program study group leader for organic chemistry. Following graduation, she plans to attend medical school, preparing for a career in global health. Martha S. Jones Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Associate Professor of History Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Professor Jones, a member of the University of Michigan faculty since 2001, was named a Thurnau Professor in 2013 in recognition of her outstanding teaching and mentoring. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College, a juris doctor from the City University of New York School of Law, and a doctorate from Columbia University. Professor Jones, whose broad scholarly interests span the history of race, citizenship, slavery, and the rights of women, encourages students to delve into history through primary sources and community involvement. In her first book, All Bound Up Together: The Woman Question in African American Public Culture, 1830–1900 (2007), Professor Jones explores black women’s many contributions to social movements. She is currently completing a new book, Birthright Citizenship: Race and Rights in Antebellum America, while serving as the William C. and Ida Friday Fellow at the National Humanities Center and a fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies. Her engaging public exhibits, including “Proclaiming Emancipation” at the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library in 2012–2013, invite students and others to explore the richness of the past. Professor Jones, who teaches at the Law School, codirects the Michigan Law Program in Race, Law & History. She also is an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program mentor, Organization of American Historians distinguished lecturer, and a winner of U-M’s Harold R.