TY OF H SI O R U E S T V I O N N U f o 7 u 2 nded 19 University of Houston Commencement December 17, 2020 f o UN u I VE n R d S I e T d Y 1 O 9 F 2 H 7 O U S T N O TY OF H SI O R U E S T V I O N N U f o 7 u 2 nded 19 UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON University of Houston Virtual University-Wide Commencement Ceremony Thursday, December 17, 2020 l 7:00 p.m. Message from Renu Khator, President p. 3 University of Houston System Board of Regents p. 4 President’s Cabinet p. 4 University of Houston Deans p. 5 Commencement Program p. 7 University of Houston History p. 8 Commencement Traditions p. 9 Ceremonial Symbols p. 11 President’s Medallion Recipients p. 12 Honorary Degree Recipients p. 14 Commencement Speaker p. 16 Academic Honors p. 17 Summa Cum Laude – 4.0 GPA Students p. 18 The Honors College p. 21 Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design p. 31 Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts p. 35 C. T. Bauer College of Business p. 41 College of Education p. 59 Cullen College of Engineering p. 71 Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management p. 87 College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences p. 93 College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics p. 121 College of Nursing p. 135 College of Optometry p. 139 College of Pharmacy p. 145 Graduate College of Social Work p. 149 College of Technology p. 153 Hobby School of Public Affairs p. 167 December 17, 2020 1 TY OF H SI O R U E S T V I O N N U f o 7 u 2 nded 19 2 UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON Message from the President December 17, 2020 Dear University of Houston Graduates, Congratulations! Today, a promise you made to yourself has been brought to fruition. I hope that you are proud of your achievements, for which there are countless many. You have persevered through group projects, numerous exams, hurricanes and a pandemic. As a member of the Class of 2020, you demonstrated time and again that the solution to every challenge can be found in determination, hard work and a positive attitude. Earning a degree is a long and winding journey that tests your intellect and your character, and a greater version of yourself – stronger, confident and capable – crosses that finish line. Many people supported and encouraged you along the way, and they were vital to propelling you to this ceremony. I am certain your parents, families and friends, and UH faculty, advisors and staff share in the joy and pride you feel at this moment. Once you turn your tassel, you will no longer be a student; however, it is my sincere hope that you will continue to be a life-long learner. The lessons you gained in your years at UH will serve you well as you make your mark on the world as a proud and confident UH alumnus, ready and able to compete and to become leaders in your chosen careers. With my best wishes for a bright and rewarding future, Go Coogs! Renu Khator President December 17, 2020 3 University of Houston Virtual University-Wide Commencement Ceremony Thursday, December 17, 2020 l 7:00 p.m. University of Houston System Board of Regents Tilman J. Fertitta, Chairman Gerald W. McElvy, Vice Chairman Beth Madison, Secretary Durga D. Agrawal Doug H. Brooks Alonzo Cantu Steve I. Chazen Alvaro De la Cruz John A. McCall, Jr. Jack B. Moore University of Houston President Renu Khator President’s Cabinet Paula Myrick Short Michael Johnson Theresa M. Monaco Chair for the Provost Chief of Staff Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Ramanan Krishnamoorti Raymond S. Bartlett Chief Energy Officer Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Elwyn C. Lee Eloise Dunn Brice Vice President for Neighborhood and Strategic Initiatives Vice President for University Advancement Michael Pede Dona Hamilton Cornell Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel Chris Pezman Jeronimo Cortina Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director President, UH Faculty Senate Jason Smith Amr Elnashai Vice President for Governmental Relations Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer Stephen J. Spann Lisa Holdeman Vice President for Medical Affairs and Vice President for University Marketing Founding Dean, College of Medicine and Communications J. Richard Walker Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services 4 UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON University of Houston Virtual University-Wide Commencement Ceremony Thursday, December 17, 2020 l 7:00 p.m. University of Houston Deans Anthony P. Ambler Paul A. Pavlou College of Technology Cullen Distinguished Chair C. T. Bauer College of Business Leonard M. Baynes UH Law Center F. Lamar Pritchard College of Pharmacy Andrew C. Davis Founding Dean Dennis Reynolds Cullen Foundation Endowed Dean’s Chair Barron Hilton Distinguished Chair Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management Alan J. Dettlaff Stephen J. Spann Maconda Brown O’Connor Endowed Dean’s Chair Founding Dean Graduate College of Social Work College of Medicine Robert McPherson Kathryn M. Tart Elizabeth D. Rockwell Endowed Dean’s Chair Founding Dean College of Education Humana Endowed Dean’s Chair in Nursing College of Nursing Marilyn S. Myers Interim Dean Joseph W. Tedesco University of Houston Libraries Elizabeth D. Rockwell Endowed Dean’s Chair Cullen College of Engineering William Monroe Nancy O’Connor Abendshein Endowed Professor Michael Twa The Honors College Humana Endowed Dean’s Chair in Optometry College of Optometry Daniel P. O’Connor Interim Dean Kirk Watson College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Founding Dean Hobby School of Public Affairs Patricia Belton Oliver ACSA Distinguished Professor Dan E. Wells Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design Distinguished Professor of Science College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics December 17, 2020 5 TY OF H SI O R U E S T V I O N N U f o 7 u 2 nded 19 6 UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON University of Houston Virtual University-Wide Commencement Ceremony Thursday, December 17, 2020 l 7:00 p.m. Program PRE-CEREMONY VIDEO Student Photo-montage CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING REMARKS Jeronimo Cortina Faculty Senate President NATIONAL ANTHEM Sarah Neal, Moores School of Music WELCOME Renu Khator President REGENT’S REMARKS Tilman J. Fertitta Chairman, University of Houston System Board of Regents PRESENTATION OF PRESIDENT’S MEDALLIONS President Khator Durga D. Agrawal Jack B. Moore University of Houston System Board of Regents PRESENTATION OF ACADEMIC HONORS Paula Myrick Short Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost CONFERRAL OF DEGREES HONORIS CAUSA President Khator COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Carl Lewis PRESENTATION OF DEGREE CANDIDATES Provost Short and Deans of the University Colleges CONFERRAL OF DEGREES President Khator UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON Mike Pede ALUMNI ASSOCIATION REMARKS Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ALMA MATER Moores School of Music POST-CEREMONY MESSAGES Notable Alumni December 17, 2020 7 University of Houston Virtual University-Wide Commencement Ceremony Thursday, December 17, 2020 l 7:00 p.m. University of Houston History The University of Houston was established as the UH is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research Houston Junior College in 1927. As the college grew, university, and its public service and community it prospered and officially became the four-year activities, such as cultural offerings, clinical services, University of Houston in 1934. Two years later, the policy studies and small business initiatives, serve college attained land for a permanent campus, and a diverse metropolitan population. Likewise, the in 1939 it constructed its first building, the Roy resources of the Gulf Coast Region complement and G. Cullen Building. The University became a state enrich the University’s academic programs, providing institution in 1963. students with professional expertise, practical experience and career opportunities. The University includes 15 academic colleges, one school and the multidisciplinary Honors College that In keeping with the University’s commitment to teach a wide array of subjects – from math, arts and excellence, UH raised the benchmark of academic engineering to law, pharmacy and business. What achievement when Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest started as a campus with a single building has grown and most prestigious academic honor society, awarded into a world-class university, offering more than 250 UH the approval to shelter a chapter in 2015. This undergraduate and graduate programs to more than designation welcomed UH to an elite group of the 44,000 students annually. nation’s most esteemed colleges and universities. 8 UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON University of Houston Virtual University-Wide Commencement Ceremony Thursday, December 17, 2020 l 7:00 p.m. Commencement Traditions Academic costumes of today have a history of nearly eight centuries. In medieval Europe, all townspeople wore long flowing robes and gowns. The materials and colors were governed by royal decree. Gradually, distinctive gowns were developed for the various professions, trades and guilds. Scholars wore robes and hoods to protect their shaved heads. Later, skullcaps were worn on the head, and the hoods became a cape that could be pulled over the head during unpleasant weather. As additional universities were founded, distinctive forms of the gown and hood were adapted by their faculties for bachelor’s (apprentices of the arts), master’s (teachers) and doctoral (teachers who had completed postgraduate studies). When caps and hats came into fashion in the 15th century, the hoods became ornamental, draped over the shoulders and down the back.