96TH ANNUAL HONORS CONVOCATION MARCH 24, 2019 2:00 P.M. HILL AUDITORIUM This year marks the 96th 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 with great pride that the University honors those students who have most clearly and effectively demonstrated academic excellence, dynamic leadership, and inspirational volunteerism. The Honors Convocation ranks with the Commencement Exercises as among the most important ceremonies of the University year. The names of the students who are honored for out- standing achievement this year appear in this program. They include all students who have earned University Honors in both Winter 2018 and Fall 2018, plus all seniors who have earned University Honors in either Winter 2018 or Fall 2018. 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. Martin A. Philbert • Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Honored Students Honored Faculty Faculty Colleagues and Friends of the University It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 96th 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 that recognizes and celebrates the outstanding academic achievements of undergraduate students from all three of our campuses. Today we proudly recognize students whose deep learning and dedication to inquiry have led them to outstanding academic accomplishment. These students have a passion for learning: a willingness to challenge themselves, to question orthodoxy, and to seek new solutions to challenging problems. They exemplify what we mean by “the leaders and best”. The University’s mission statement includes our commitment to “developing leaders who will challenge the present and enrich the future.” The students we are honoring 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! Martin A. Philbert Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs ORDER OF EXERCISES “Civility, Dissent, and Compromise in a Divided World” At the University of Michigan, we value opportunities to learn from those with points of view different from our own. This requires that we reflect upon the possibilities and limits of civility, dissent, and free speech. When and how do these values overlap? When and how are they at odds? Most importantly, how do we navigate them so as to contribute to our world when it seems most divided? Carillon Selections Tiffany Ng University Carillonist and Assistant Professor of Music School of Music, Theatre & Dance Prelude University of Michigan Trombone Choir Christopher Hernacki Assistant Conductor School of Music, Theatre & Dance *Processional Trumpet Voluntary Composed by Jeremiah Clarke James Kibbie University Organist and Professor of Music School of Music, Theatre & Dance *The National Anthem Samantha Rose Williams, mezzo soprano Master of Music Performance Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Welcome Martin A. Philbert Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Honors Convocation Speaker Allison Kathryn Berry Senior, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy University Honors Presentation of Honors Students Martin A. Philbert Susan E. Alcock Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Michigan-Flint Catherine A. Davy Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Michigan-Dearborn Robert M. Sellers Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer 2 * Please stand Presentation of Wallenberg Fellowship Martin A. Philbert and Thurnau Professors Honors Convocation Speaker Jason P. De León Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Anthropology College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Musical Selections The Negro Speaks of Rivers music by Howard Swanson, text by Langston Hughes Samantha Rose Williams, mezzo soprano Master of Music Performance Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Robby Baine, piano Master of Music in Collaborative Piano, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Convocation Address Mark S. Schlissel President Closing Martin A. Philbert *The Alma Mater The Yellow and Blue Composed by Michael W. Balfe James Kibbie and the audience (see words on back cover and melody on page 108) *Recessional Toccata from Symphony V Composed by Charles-Marie Widor James Kibbie *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 for Student Honors for its role in planning this event. Council members include: Daniel Andrew Birchok, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, College of Arts & Sciences, UM-Flint; Brian D. Blume, Professor of Organizational Behavior/Human Resources and Program Director, School of Management, UM-Flint; Scott D. Degregorio, Professor of English Literature, College-Wide Programs, College of Arts, Sciences and Letters, UM-Dearborn; Matthew D. Lassiter, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of History and Professor of Urban and Regional Planning; Robert E. Megginson, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of Mathematics; Dana M. Muir, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Robert L. Dixon Collegiate Professor of Business and Professor of Business Law; Barry George Rabe, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy, Professor of Environmental Policy, Professor of the Environment and Professor of Political Science; Aaron James Ridley, Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering and Director of Academic Program; Kathleen H. Sienko, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of Academic Program. The Council is sponsored by Vice Provost Robert M. Sellers and coordinated by Assistant Vice Provost Mary E. Boyce. We would like to thank Stephen A. Lusmann, Associate Professor of Voice, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, for his expert assistance in choosing the student soloist for our ceremony. 3 HONORS CONVOCATION SPEAKERS Allison Kathryn Berry Senior, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Allison Berry, a senior from Grand Blanc, Michigan, is majoring in public policy in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and minoring in gender, race, and nation in the Women’s Studies Department in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Passionate about public policy and service, Allison volunteers at U-M’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center and directs the Panhellenic Peer Educators for Sexual Violence Education and Empowerment program. She is a past president of the Xi chapter of Delta Gamma sorority, served in LSA Student Government, and interned with the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C. She established the inaugural chapter and served as co-president of WeListen, a grassroots campus organization that seeks to bridge America’s political divide by facilitating small-group conversations between students with divergent political viewpoints on such topics as free speech, gun legislation, and immigration. As a member of LSA’s Gifts of Kindness Advisory Board, she has raised money to help students attend conferences, study abroad, and cover other expenses associated with a robust liberal arts education. She works part time in the University’s Office of the Vice President and General Counsel and plans to attend law school. Jason P. De León Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Anthropology College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Professor De León, a University of Michigan faculty member since 2010, was named a Thurnau Professor in 2018 in recognition of his outstanding teaching and success in creating vibrant, collaborative learning communities where students are energized by engaging in their own research and that of fellow students. He also received LSA’s Class of