Commencement

NEW COLLEGE OF

FRIDAY, MAY 1WENTY SECOND, TWO THOUSAND AND NINE SARASOTA, FLORIDA Message to Graduating Students

As you anticipate leaving this place, think back on the toughest times y ou experienced at New College - the times when you genuinely wondered ify ou would ever graduate.

Your presence here this evening is testimony, not only to your natural academic ability, but also to your capacity to confront life's complexities and to emerge at the other end in one piece. Indeed, the very idea of the residential liberal arts college focuses our attention on the powe-r of multiple aptitudes in combination - including intelligence, problem­ solving skills, and persistence. You have not only succeeded here academically, but you have also managed your time, made lasting life decisions, and dealt with personal and social complications of all sorts, all the while remaining linked to your families during a period of unnerving economic upheaval.

So as I anticipate handing you your diploma, I congratulate you on your resilience as well as on your strictly academic achievements. You have of course not been alone during this period, and if your enhanced sense of solidarity with your peers leaves you feeling just a bit wistful now about leaving New College, let me gently propose that you revisit such sentiments each time the College asks for your financial support in the future.

Finally, you have also benefited in ways both immediate and long-term from the wisdom, professionalism, and - not least - the patience of your teachers. Their steadfastness in support of your academic and personal development is the animating theme running through the collective experience of the graduating class. I will not bother to ask you to remember your teachers when you think back on your New College years in the future, because I know you will, and you will do so with gratitude. Your best way to thank them will be to devote your talents to goals that are unselfish and a little unconventional, with a view to the wider human good.

Warm congratulations to you and to your family members - your parents especially - as you make the transition this evening from New College student to New College graduate.

Gordon E. "Mike" Michalson, Jr. President PROGRAM

PRELUDE Braden River High School Band

PROCESSIONAL David Schatz, New College Marshal

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIO S Samuel M. Savin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

INTRODUCTIO OF SPEAKER Gordon E. Michalson, Jr., President

ADDRESS Sharon Matola, Founder and Director Zoo and Tropical Education Center ew College Alumna

CONFERRING OF DEGREES Gordon E. Michalson, Jr. and Samuel M. Savin

RECESSIO AL College Marshal David Schatz

PLATFORM GUESTS

Gordon E. Michalson, Jr., President Samuel M. Savin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Martin, Vice President, Finance and Administration Colonel Walter L. "Mickey" Presha, Chairman, cw College of Florida Board of Trustees Sharon Matola, Founder and Director, and Tropical Education Center David Schatz, Associate Professor of Russian Language and Literature Wendy Basham, Dean of Students Kathleen Killion, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Gordon Bauer, Chair, Division of Social Sciences Aron Edidin, Chair, Division of Humanities Paul Scudder, Chair, Division of atural Sciences Kathy Allen, Registrar Cindy Hill Ford, President, ew College Alumnae/ i Association CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Joshua Thomas Abbott jessica Katherine Bomsky Computer Science with an Emp. basis in Theory* Art/Theater Bethlehem, PA St. Petersburg, FL

Kacie Claire Allen Emily Mae Brockmeier Anthropology/Religion Psycbology Brooksville, FL Pensacola, FL

A Wey Alexandra Anderson Benjamin Oberon Brown Antbropotogy Political Science Snellville, GA Pompano Beach, FL

Naomi Louise PaulaArdjomand-Kermani Molly Petrine Burges Biology Natural Sciences Tarpon Springs, FL Gainesville, FL

Lisa Ann Avron Lidia Emilia Cara Antbropology Humanities Pembroke Pines, FL Sarasota, FL

Evan David Axelrad Lauren Alexandra Cardella Political Science & Environmental Studies Environmental Studies New York, NY Pembroke Pines, FL

Ravi Roy Banerjee,Jr. Alejandro Castano Environmental Studies Music & Political Science Darien, CT Tampa, FL

David Adam Banks Christopher Robert Caswell Urban Studies Computer Science* Hollywood, FL Sarasota, FL

Dana Nicole Bassett Nate Chandler Political Science/Art Mathematics Miami, FL Seattle, WA

Chad Wilson Bickerton Carli Janelle Cooper History & Political Science Biology Hoover, AL Orangedale, FL

Claudia Hays Bittmann Erin Craig Economics Matbematics Tampa, FL Bradenton, FL

Jacob Walter Goldstein Bloom Kyle Matthew Crandell Physics & Chemistry Economics North Falmouth, MA Woodbridge, VA

Justin Boner Jennifer Lee Creighton Classics Psychology Palm Beach, FL Orlando, FL CANDIDATES FOR ffiE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Darryl Ryan Dague Jolene Rose Elberth Bockman Chemistry Sociology Harrisburg, PA Key West, FL

Vladimir S. Danailov Tierney Kathleen Elison Economics Political Science & International and Area Naples, FL Studies Jacksonville, FL Chloe Alexandra Davis Political Science AlexanderTbomason English Gainesville, FL Economics Tampa, FL Abigail Bennett DeAtley Philosophy Deanna Rene Erickson Hollywood, FL Environmental Studies Naples, FL Anyelle Johanna De Leon Philosophy Jenna Maria Ervin Boynton Beach, FL Biology Big Creek, CA Daniela Christina DeMaria Environmental Studies Zachary Ian Evers Pensacola, FL Environmental Studies Columbus, OH Ross Joseph DeMike Natuml Sciences John William Ewing Nokomis, FL Humanities Bradenton, FL John Patrick Dillion Art Mustafa H. Fakhri Chicago, IL Biology Glenview, IL Michelle Elizabeth DiPietro Medieval and Renaissance Studies John Peter Falter Fort Lauderdale, FL Humanities Orlando, FL Charles Harris Dohn Religion Blaine Erickson Farmer Pensacola, FL Neurobiolog & Psychology Winter Park, FL Dorothy Jeanne Dubrule Lite rature/Philosophy/Petformance Studies* Alejandra Maria Ferreyros Boston, MA Art Miami, FL jennifer Erin Dyer Psychology Katherine Alexandra Filippi Naples, FL Psychology Gainesville, FL Madeline Rosemary Edison Religion Lisa Ruth Fisher Gainesville, FL History Stuart, FL CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Adele Keala Fournet Carlos Guzman-Verdugo Music Litemtu're/Tbeater Fayetteville, AR Tijuana Baja, CA

Christopher Bellamy Ganey Laura Keyes Hampton General Studies Literature Bradenton, FL Tampa, FL

Eric Jordan Gars Paul Michael Harries BiochemistiJ' English Ocala, FL Fountain Hills, AZ

Steven Ian Garte-Wolf Kateland Jean Harte Anthropology Literature Coconut Creek, FL St Petersburg, FL

Maya Nicole Gonczi Bethany Jane Highsmith Psycbology Environmental Studies Plantation, FL Sanibel, FL

Geoffrey Landor Gordon Diana Mihaylova Hinova Political Science & Economics Political Science & International and Area Fort Lauderdale, FL Studies Sofia Bulgaria Ingmar Gorman Psychology Jillian Marcy Horowitz Prague Czech Republic Literatw·e/Gender Studies Boca Raton, FL Catherine Harper Gowan Political Science Stephanie Nicole Hudey Gainesville, FL Biology/Chemistry Bradenton, FL Melissa "Anya" Doe Grady Classics Montana Jo Ikemire Sarasota, FL General Studies Napes, FL Harrison Duke Grandwilliams Political Science Melissa Yael Jacobowitz ew Hyde Park, NY Russian Language and Literature Royal Palm Beach, FL Erica Natalie Gressman Humanities Eric Paul Jakobsen Miami, FL Sociopolitical Theater* Orlando, FL Anne-Laure Grignon French & Biology Taylor Ainsley }amrok Miami, FL General Studies Florence, SC Frederick Alexander Guadalupe General Studies Alba Jaramillo SanJuan, PR !Iumanities Dorado, PR CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Ashley Rose Johnson Lindsay Alexis Levinson Humanities Political Science Bucksport, ME Plantation, FL

Mia Jade Johnson Chelsey Elizabeth Tibbetts Lora Art Sociology Jacksonville, FL Nokomis, FL

Serena Simone Jones Andrea Erin Lynch International and Area Studies International and Area Studies/Political Paramaribo Suriname Science Woodbridge, VA Mackenzie Marie Karp Art History Kelly Ann Maher Ocala, FL Psychology Tampa, FL Sarah Rose Karr Mathematics/Economics Rachel Sarah Marine Santa Monica, CA Social Sciences Weston, FL Junmei Georgia Kashnig Anthropology & Religion Meghan Elizabeth McAvoy Champaign, IL Environmental Studies Oldsmar, FL Chloe Cristine Kendall Art Austill Michael McCann Sarasota, FL Anthropology/Theatre Clearwater, FL Caitlin E. Kindervatter-Clark Lilerature Ana Misha McGrath Washington, DC Classics Tampa, FL David Alexander Kling Economics/Mathematics Trevor McGuire Sarasota, FL Mathematics Sarasota, FL Sarah Ann Knotts Political Science/Spanish Language and Jordan Taylor McLaughlin Culture Political Science/Economics Niagara Falls, NY Sarasota, FL 1 Angela Faustma Kramer Erika Marie Mitchell Art/History Biological Psychology 1 Sunrise, FL Sturbridge, MA Amanda Lebofsky Laura Diana Mohai Biology Humanities Sunrise, FL Spring Hill, FL

Jennifer H. LeLaurin Suzanne Jeanne Mooney Social Sciences Theatre/Religion St. Louis, MO Hollywood, FL CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Bradley Moore Alexandra Elizabeth Dare Rogers Social Sciences Philosophy Boston, MA Rock Hill, SC Steven Matthew Lee orton Christina Michelle Rogers-Hehr Environm.ental Studies Psychology Ormond Beach, FL Largo, FL

Caitlin Michelle O'Brien Scott Gallagher Ross Psychology French/Environmental Studies Lutz, FL Schwenksville, PA

Kinley Paisley Rachel Ann Russell History/Psychology Biology SanJuan, PR Sarasota, FL NatalieAnne Paul Elisabeth]ane Salinas Biological Psychology Sociology/Urban Studies St. Petersburg, FL Santa Fe, NM

Aaron Michael Phillips Samantha Rene Samson Political Science & Environmental Religion Studies Tampa, FL Tampa, FL Adam David Schafer Kali Baccus Rainwater History/Spanish Language and Culture Classics Dallas, TX Melbourne, FL James Francis Schaus Lee Ellen Reed Humanities Anthropology & German Studies Winter Park, FL Northampton, MA Krisztina Schlessel Alison Jo Reid Psychology English/Theater Sarasota, FL Ponce Inlet, FL Erica Bethany Schoon Danielle Christine Reid General Studies Classics & Medieval and Rock Hill, SC Renaissance Studies New Port Richey, FL Adesh Seuraj Chemistry/Environmental Studies Peter William Repenning Pompano Beach, FL Marine Biology Cape Coral, FL Madison Ann Sharko French/English Megan Lee Robinson Weston, FL Latin American Studies* Naples, FL Aditi Nitinkumar Shukla Economics David William Rodriguez Crystal River, FL Litemture Miami, FL CANDIDATES FOR 1HE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Lauren Michelle Shulman Jamie Lynn Valentine Humanities Literature Winter Springs, FL Turnersville, NJ

Allison Marie Silver Michael Davidson Valentine Classics Biology San Francisco, CA Old Town, FL

Melissa Rene Soforic Ambar Jayleen Velazquez Rivera Art Political Science & International and Area Davenport, FL Studies Kissimmee, FL Andrew Cory Sokolow Biology Kimberly Gail Vorperian Tallahassee, FL Art/Music Naples, FL Jeremy Ryan Spangler Economics Jillian Mackenzie Walker Bozeman, MT Environmental Studies Winter Park, FL Gretchen Jennifer Specht General Studies Daniel Cox Ward Pensacola, FL Economics Sarasota, FL Jacob Scott Starks Environmental Studies Rachel Katharine Warzeski Bradenton, FL Art New Orleans, LA Benjamin Fair Stork Biological Psychology Rebecca Anne Weaver Canyon Lake, TX Psychology Naples, FL Shannon Kelsey Strischek Humanities David Lawrence Weinberg Marietta, GA History/Computer Science* Southwest Ranches, FL Anita VijayTambay Natural Sciences Angela Victoria Wells Miami, FL Sociology St. Petersburg, FL Ryan Laurence Thompson American Studies* Jessica Anne Wheeler Sarasota, FL Anthropology Lakeland, FL Christopher Robert Toner General Studies Jessica Hillary Wheeler East Meadow, NY Ecology* Sanibel, FL Kara Anne Tyler Biological Psychology Chris Hollister Wilson Brooksville, FL Ecology* Ann Arbor, MI CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

Eldridge Katherine Wisely Biology Staunton, VA

Cameron Wesley UeweUyn Worden Literature Valrico, FL

*Indicates special area of concentration.

A DISTINGUISHED PAST AND PROMISING FUfURE

Founded in 1960, ew College of Florida welcomed its first class of students in 1964 amid a fanfare of national attention. That charter class, which consisted of a talented and adventurous group of 101 young men and women from around the country, came to campus with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to take part in a different kind of education. New College's "grand experiment," where undergraduates worked collaboratively with faculty and where students were not only encouraged but expected to participate actively in their own education, was on the cutting edge of higher education in the 1960s. It remains so today. During the past forty years, whether as a private college or as a member of the State University System of Florida, New College students and graduates have distinguished themselves as national leaders in undergraduate research, academic achievement, and community service. This year's graduating seniors are no exception. With six Fulbright Fellows, a Gates Cambridge Scholar, a ational Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and countless others who have received awards and accolades throughout their careers here, our Class of 2007 continues New College's rich tradition of producing outstanding graduates who become informed, involved global citizens. We celebrate this year's graduating class as one that will continue to have a lasting effect on New College's history and its future. In 2002-2003, when most of this year's graduating seniors first arrived on campus, the College was experiencing the growing pains of having only recently become a fully independent member of Florida's public university system. Today, thanks in part to the contributions of this year's graduates, ew College stands out among its peers across the country, having earned accolades from publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Kiplinger's, Barron's Guides, Colleges 1l1at Change Lives and The Wall Street Journal. The College once again enjoys complete ownership and control over its historic campus. Finally, this year's graduates played a key role in helping the College shape and develop a visionary campus master plan and the construction of five new residence halls, all of which will benefit generations of future students at New College. Just as the more than 3,900 New College graduates who preceded them have, this year's class of graduating seniors promises to make their marks on our nation and the world as accomplished scholars, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, educators, attorneys, physicians, artists, journalists and professionals of every type. N; a college, we welcome them to the noble ranks of ovo Collegian alumni. Congratulations!

Events, activities, programs, and facilities of are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ,gender identity or gender expression as provided by Taw a11d in acc01·dance with the College's respect for personal dignity. X------~