98TH ANNUAL HONORS CONVOCATION MARCH 31, 2021 This year marks the 98th 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 outstanding achievement this year appear in this program. They include all students who have earned University Honors in both Winter 2020 and Fall 2020, plus all seniors who have earned University Honors in either Winter 2020 or Fall 2020. 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. Susan M. Collins • 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 98th 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 to honor our students. 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. We are proud to honor students who exemplify academic excellence. We recognize their intellectual curiosity and their dedication to thinking critically about the material they study. 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 includes 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. We are also pleased to 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 impressive 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! Sincerely, Susan M. Collins ORDER OF EXERCISES “Courageous Humility and the Changing Unknown.” Carillon Selections Tiffany Ng University Carillonist and Assistant Professor of Music School of Music, Theatre & Dance Prelude University of Michigan Trombone Ensemble David Jackson Director and Professor of Music 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 Eliana Barwinski, mezzo soprano Master of Music Performance Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance John Morefield, pianist Master of Music in Collaborative Piano Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Welcome Susan M. Collins Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Honors Convocation Speaker Odessa Fung Junior, Stephen M. Ross School of Business University Honors Presentation of Honors Students Susan M. Collins Deans Sonja Feist-Price Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs University of Michigan-Flint Susan E. Alcock Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs University of Michigan-Dearborn Robert M. Sellers Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Presentation of Wallenberg Fellowship Susan M. Collins and Thurnau Professors 2 * Please stand Honors Convocation Speaker Carla O’Connor University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of Education, School of Education Director, Wolverine Pathways Musical Selection Hold Fast to Dreams Music by Florence Price Taylor Adams, soprano Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Kathryn Goodson, pianist Collaborative Pianist and Coach, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Convocation Address Mark S. Schlissel President Closing Susan M. Collins *The Alma Mater The Yellow and Blue Composed by Michael W. Balfe James Kibbie and the audience (words and melody can be found at the back of this program) *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: Naomi Andre, Professor of Women’s Studies, Professor in the Residential College and Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; Brian Blume, Professor of Organizational Behavior/Human Resources and Program Director, School of Management, UM-Flint; Yi-Su Chen, Associate Professor of Management Studies, College of Business, UM-Dearborn; Mika LaVaque-Manty, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Associate Professor of Political Science, Associate Professor in the Honors Program, Director Academic Program, Honors Program and Associate Professor of Philosophy, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; Dana Muir, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Robert L. Dixon Collegiate Professor of Business and Professor of Business Law, Ross School of Business; Laura Olsen, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Director Academic Program, Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars, Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Professor in the Honors Program, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; Samir Rawashdeh, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, UM-Dearborn; Heather Seipke, Program Director, Communication Studies and Associate Professor of Communication Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, UM-Flint; Hitomi (Tomi) Tonomura, Director Academic Program, Department of American Culture, and Professor of History and Professor of Women’s Studies, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The Council is sponsored by Vice Provost Robert M. Sellers and coordinated by Assistant Vice Provost Mary E. Boyce. We would like to thank Scott Piper, Norma L Heyde Faculty Development Professor of Voice and Associate Professor of Music, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, for his expert assistance in choosing the student soloist for our ceremony. 3 HONORS CONVOCATION SPEAKERS Odessa Fung Junior, Stephen M. Ross School of Business Odessa Fung, a junior from Hong Kong and a James B. Angell Scholar, is majoring in business administration in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business with a minor in computer science in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Odessa, vice president for incoming global talent for the youth-run not-for-profit AIESEC (International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences) at U-M, promotes cross-cultural understanding by facilitating student exchange and internship opportunities globally and helping international students acclimate to Michigan. As a first-year student, she was a member of Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars, a residential affiliate of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, and worked as a research assistant in the Department of Psychology Dantzer Laboratory. She was first runner-up in the Ross FinTech Challenge. Her team pitched a bank-on-wheels solution to promote financial inclusion in rural Michigan. As a summer student business strategist in Calgary, Canada, she contributed to the city’s Covid-19 response plans. This academic year, Odessa is living with her family in Calgary, taking classes online, and tutoring U-M student athletes in computer science and business courses. Odessa, who is fluent in Chinese and Mandarin, is the recipient of The American Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation Lyn Edinger U.S. Studies Scholarship (2018) and a U-M Paton Fellow Scholarship for Accounting. She is considering applying to graduate or law school and pursuing a career in business or public policy. Carla O’Connor Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Distinguished University