2015 Honors Convocation Program
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92ND ANNUAL HONORS CONVOCATION Hill Auditorium March 15, 2015 | 2:00 p.m. This year marks the 92nd 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. The 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 2014 and Fall 2014, plus all seniors who have earned University Honors in either Winter 2014 or Fall 2014. 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 92nd 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, where we recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of undergraduate students from all three of our campuses. 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 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. 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 15, 2015 “Social Justice and the Role of Higher Education: Can One Person Make a Difference?” The theme for this year’s event is intended to prompt discussion about how institutions of higher education actively address issues of social justice, including preparing our students to transform society for the better. Carillon Selections Kipp Cortez Doctoral Pre-Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Prelude “Toccatta” from Il primo libro de Ricercari et Canzoni Composed by Aurelio Bonelli Ego sum qui sum Composed by Giovanni Gabrieli O che felice giorno Composed by Giovanni Gabrieli “Canzon Duodecimi Toni” from Sacre Symphoniae Composed by Giovanni Gabrieli University of Michigan Symphony Band Brass Choir John D. Pasquale Conductor *Processional Trumpet Voluntary Composed by Jeremiah Clark James Kibbie University Organist and Professor of Music *The National Anthem Paul Grosvenor Master’s Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Welcome Martha E. Pollack Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Honors Convocation Speaker Jennessa L. Rooker Senior, School of Nursing Presentation of Honors Students Martha E. Pollack Susan E. Borrego Chancellor, University of Michigan-Flint Daniel Little Chancellor, University of Michigan-Dearborn Robert M. Sellers Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion and Academic Affairs * Please stand 2 Recognition of National Martha E. Pollack Scholarship Recipients Presentation of Wallenberg Fellowship Martha E. Pollack Presentation of Thurnau Professors Martha E. Pollack Honors Convocation Speaker Alford A. Young, Jr. Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Professor of Sociology Chair, Department of Sociology Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Musical Selection Ordinary Miracles Composed by Marvin Hamlisch Christina Maxwell, soprano Junior, School of Music, Theatre & Dance The Convocation Address Mark S. Schlissel President Closing Martha E. Pollack *The Alma Mater The Yellow and Blue Composed by Michael W. Balfe James Kibbie and the audience (see words on back cover) *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 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; Ellen Meader, Assistant Vice Provost; Laura Ruetsche, Professor of Philosophy; Catherine Shaw, Assistant Vice Provost, and Raymond Van Dam, Professor of History and Near Eastern Studies. The Council is sponsored by Vice Provost Robert M. Sellers. We would like to thank Melody Racine, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Voice in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance for her expert assistance in choosing the musical selections for our ceremony. 3 HONORS CONVOCATION SPEAKERS Jennessa L. Rooker Senior, School of Nursing Jennessa Rooker, from Grand Ledge, Michigan, is a senior in the School of Nursing. Winner of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Dr. Juan Andrade Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders, she has devoted hundreds of hours conducting medical research at Michigan. As an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program participant and research assistant, she has studied the effectiveness of health behavior interventions on lower socioeconomic status workers and smoking cessation education for hospitalized smokers. A dedicated volunteer, she has helped meet the health needs of senior citizens, the homeless, and migrant workers, and regularly staffs local American Red Cross blood drives. In addition to serving as president of U-M’s Student Nurses’ Association, she is active in the University’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing, and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Following graduation, she intends to join the Peace Corps and pursue graduate studies. Alford A. Young, Jr. Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Professor of Sociology Chair, Department of Sociology Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Professor Young, a University of Michigan faculty member since 1996, was named a Thurnau Professor in 2005 in recognition of his outstanding teaching and mentoring. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, and Afroamerican studies from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago. Professor Young’s research interests span culture, contemporary sociological theory, race relations and race theory, and urban poverty. His first book, The Minds of Marginalized Black Men: Making Sense of Mobility, Opportunity, and Future Life Chances (2004), explores how young, poor black men understand their social position and determinants of social mobility. Another book, Faculty Identities and the Challenge of Diversity: Reflections on Teaching in Higher Education (2013), which he co-edited, examines how higher education faculty consider and attempt to manage diversity-related issues that emerge during classroom instruction. Professor Young, vice chair of the Ann Arbor YMCA Board of Directors, has served as a volunteer YMCA basketball coach for 10 years and as a member of its Strong Kids Annual Fund Campaign Committee since 2007. Among many honors, Professor Young has received the Ann Arbor YMCA Lifetime Achievement Award, LSA’s Excellence in Education Award twice, U-M’s Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award and John Dewey Prize, and the Michigan