2009 Honors Convocation Program
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TERESA A. SULLIVAN PROVOST AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 3074 FLEMING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 503 THOMPSON STREET ANN ARBOR, MI 48109-1340 734 764-9290 FAX: 734 764-4546 Honored Students Honored Faculty Faculty Colleagues and Friends of the University It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 86th University of Michigan Honors Convocation. On behalf of the academic leaders on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses, I thank you for joining us today. The Honors Convocation is an important University tradition. It provides us with the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of undergraduate students from all three of our campuses. Today we honor students whose achievements exemplify the University’s commitment to academic excellence, committed leadership, and thoughtful service. These students have demonstrated a 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 statement clearly 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 want to recognize, with deep appreciation, the parents, family members, and friends who have nurtured and supported these remarkable young people. The University of Michigan shares the pride you feel in their accomplish- ments. With you, we look forward to the contributions they will make to the future. Congratulations and Welcome! Teresa A. Sullivan O RDER OF E XERCISES Honors Convocation, March 15, 2009 “Growth and Sustainability: Seeking Balance” The speakers at today’s event will be examining the relationship between growth and sustainability as the University of Michigan’s academic community, our state, and the nation contemplate the challenges and opportunities offered by a dynamically changing world. CARILLON SELECTIONS Caroline K. Poon Graduate Student, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and School of Music, Theatre & Dance PRELUDE Providebam Dominum Composed by Orlande de Lassus Canzon Primi Toni Canzon Duodecimi Toni Composed by Giovanni Gabrieli University of Michigan Symphony Band Brass Choir Rodney Dorsey Associate Director of Bands *PROCESSIONAL Crown Imperial Composed by Sir William Walton Andrew Meagher Doctoral Student, School of Music, Theatre & Dance *THE NATIONAL Zerrin Agabigum ANTHEM Senior, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Six Term Angell Scholar, University Honors WELCOME Teresa A. Sullivan Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs HONORS CONVOCATION Maia Dedrick SPEAKER Senior, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Nine Term Angell Scholar, University Honors PRESENTATION OF Teresa A. Sullivan HONORS STUDENTS Ruth J. Person Chancellor, UM-Flint Daniel Little Chancellor, UM-Dearborn Lester P. Monts Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs 2 PRESENTATION OF Teresa A. Sullivan THURNAU PROFESSORS HONORS CONVOCATION Ann Marie Sastry SPEAKER Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Professor of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Biomedical Engineering Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Director of the Energy Systems Engineering Program College of Engineering MUSICAL SELECTION Big Yellow Taxi Composed by Joni Mitchell Ashley Williams Senior, School of Music, Theatre & Dance University Honors Darren Criss, accompanist Senior, School of Music, Theatre & Dance INTRODUCTION Teresa A. Sullivan OF THE PRESIDENT THE CONVOCATION Mary Sue Coleman ADDRESS President CLOSING Teresa A. Sullivan *THE ALMA MATER The Yellow and Blue Composed by Michael W. Balfe Andrew Meagher and the Audience (see words on back cover) *RECESSIONAL Toccata from Organ Symphonie V Composed by Charles Marie Widor Andrew Meagher *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. The University of Michigan wishes to thank Jill Rice and Christa Moran, 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 H ONORS C ONVOCATION S PEAKERS Maia Dedrick Senior, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Maia Dedrick, who came to the University of Michigan from Maplewood, Minnesota, is a senior with a double major in music (cello performance) in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and in anthropology and classical archaeology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. She has engaged in numerous academic and professional activities, becoming the first undergraduate student to supervise the excavation of a project for the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project. Ms. Dedrick also interned for the Archaeobiology Program at the Smithsonian Institution, has worked as a laboratory assistant for the University Exhibit Museum of Natural History, and has taught classes on archaeology and nationalism to freshmen in the Honors Program. She is founder and president of the University of Michigan Archaeology Club. For outstanding performance in her coursework, she has earned the designation of Angell Scholar and has been named a Dean’s Merit Scholar in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Additionally, she has been awarded many scholarships in recognition of her accomplishments, including a Rogel Award of Excellence Scholarship. Ann Marie Sastry Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Professor of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Biomedical Engineering Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Director of the Energy Systems Engineering Program College of Engineering Professor Sastry was named as a Thurnau Professor in 2008, in recognition of her excellence in and dedication to undergraduate education, particularly for her availability and responsiveness to students and her ability to be both demanding and supportive. All of her degrees are in mechanical engineering, with a bachelor of science from the University of Delaware, and a master of science and Ph.D. from Cornell University. In energy technologies, her laboratory has developed new materials, invented techniques for manufacture and optimization of batteries, and algorithms for optimization of power systems. The projects of her laboratory in the area of numerical simulation of performance of Li batteries for electric vehicles, creation of biological batteries, and other modeling of fully integrated structural batteries have been sponsored by General Motors, the Department of Energy, the Army Research Office, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the National Science Foundation, and the Ford Motor Company. Among her many honors, she has been presented with the University of Michigan Henry Russel Award (1999), the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (National Science Foundation, 1997), and a University of Michigan Faculty Recognition Award (2005), acknowledging outstanding contributions as a senior faculty member in research, teaching, and service. 4 2008 CARNEGIE F OUNDATION FOR A DVANCEMENT OF T EACHING M ICHIGAN P ROFESSOR OF THE Y EAR Ralph Williams Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Professor of English Language and Literature College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Characterized by his chair as “legendary for his passion and prowess in the classroom,” Professor Williams has been a Thurnau Professor for many years. We acknowledge him today for having been selected as the 2008 Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching Michigan Professor of the Year. Founded in 1981 and administered by Carnegie and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the U.S. Professors of the Year award celebrates the most outstanding undergraduate teachers in the nation. Professor Williams specializes in Medieval and Renaissance literature, Shakespeare, literary theory, comparative literature, and Biblical studies. His courses cover many topics, such as the Bible in English, the literature of Chaucer to Frederick Douglass, to the works of Primo Levi and the memory of Auschwitz. A colleague says, “Generations of students have found a love and respect for literature and for the humanities through their coursework with him.” He was also instrumental in forging a partnership between U-M, the University Musical Society, and the Royal Shakespeare Company to bring memorable productions and lectures to campus during three residency programs. He has been at U-M since 1970 and plans to retire at the end of this term. 5 R HODES, MARSHALL, AND M ITCHELL S CHOLARSHIPS Rhodes Scholarships and Marshall Scholarships are among the world’s most prestigious academic awards for graduate students. Since the estate of British philanthropist Cecil J. Rhodes established Rhodes Scholarships in 1904, twenty-five University of Michigan alumni have studied as Rhodes Scholars at Oxford University. Thirty- two Americans are named Rhodes Scholars each year. International students may apply to or be nominated