95TH ANNUAL HONORS CONVOCATION MARCH 18, 2018 2:00 P.M. HILL AUDITORIUM This year marks the 95th 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 2017 and Fall 2017, plus all seniors who have earned University Honors in either Winter 2017 or Fall 2017. 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 95th 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 “What Does It Mean to Be Free in a World Such as Ours?” How does the desire for freedom intersect with civil and human rights, the pursuit of truth, and efforts to address pressing national and global problems? What roles might individuals, collectives, universities, and broader social movements play in the pursuit of freedom in today’s world? Carillon Selections Tiffany Ng University Carillonist and Assistant Professor of Music School of Music, Theatre & Dance Prelude University of Michigan Trombone Choir 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 Goitsemang Lehobye, 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 Anushka Sarkar Senior, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts University Honors Presentation of Honors Students Martin A. Philbert Susan Borrego Chancellor, University of Michigan-Flint Daniel Little Chancellor, University of Michigan-Dearborn Robert M. Sellers Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Presentation of Wallenberg Fellowship Martin A. Philbert and Thurnau Professors 2 * Please stand Honors Convocation Speaker Deborah Loewenberg Ball Arthur F. Thurnau Professor William H. Payne Collegiate Professor of Education, School of Education Research Professor, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research Musical Selections Lady of the Harbor Composed by Lee Hoiby, text by Emma Lazarus Goitsemang Lehobye, soprano Master of Music Performance Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Bernard Tan, piano Master of Music Performance Candidate, 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 music and lyrics on page 104) *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: Barry Fishman, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of Education and Professor of Information; Matt Lassiter, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of History and Professor of Urban and Regional Planning; Robert Megginson, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of Mathematics; Dana Muir, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Robert L. Dixon Collegiate Professor of Business and Professor of Business Law; Barry Rabe, J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of Public Policy, Professor of Environmental Policy, Professor of the Environment and Professor of Political Science; Aaron Ridley, Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering and Director of Academic Program; Kathleen Sienko, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of Academic Program; Meg Sweeney, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Associate Professor of English Language and Literature, Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies, Director of Academic Program and Associate Professor of Women’s Studies. The Council is sponsored by Vice Provost Robert M. Sellers and coordinated by Assistant Vice Provost Mary E. Boyce. We would like to thank Melody Racine, Interim Dean and Associate Professor of Voice, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, for her expert assistance in choosing the student soloist for our ceremony. 3 HONORS CONVOCATION SPEAKERS Anushka Sarkar Senior, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Anushka Sarkar, a senior from West Bloomfield, is majoring in political science and minoring in law and policy in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. As Central Student Government student body president, Anushka leads a student body of 45,000, manages an $800,000 budget, and gives voice to students’ priorities and concerns to the University administration and regents. Among other initiatives, she has advocated for affordable health care for students, stronger punitive measures for perpetrators of hate crimes, and a nighttime student-run ride-sharing service. She founded and chaired the Wolverine Consulting Group, which helps student groups with leadership development, fundraising, and other organizational functions. She served on U-M’s Edward Ginsberg Center Student Advisory Board and interned at the Washington, D.C.-based public relations and government affairs firm Dewey Square Group, where she contributed to messaging campaigns for businesses and political organizations. She worked with Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, both as an assistant to the deputy national finance director and as an intern in the Hillary for America headquarters in New York. Following graduation, she plans to travel and live spontaneously, work on a 2020 presidential campaign, and then enroll in law school. Deborah Loewenberg Ball Arthur F. Thurnau Professor William H. Payne Collegiate Professor of Education School of Education Research Professor, Survey Research Center Institute for Social Research Professor Ball, a University of Michigan faculty member since 1996, was named a Thurnau Professor in 2000 in recognition of her contributions to research on teaching and teacher education. She holds three degrees from Michigan State University: a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in French and elementary education, a master’s in teacher education, and a doctorate in curriculum, teaching, and education policy. She taught elementary school for more than 15 years and continues to teach mathematics to elementary students each