Commencement brings family, friends and University community together
Baccalaureate degree candidates celebrate the pinnacle of their undergraduate education at Pacific.
View photos from the Pacific University College of Arts & Sciences Commencement on May 19, 2012.
Several hundred family members and friends enjoyed mostly sunny skies in supporting their respective graduates of Pacific University during commencement exercises at Lincoln Park Stadium in Forest Grove on Saturday.
Nearly 300 candidates for baccalaureate degrees within the College of Arts & Sciences received their diplomas during a morning ceremony, including the initial 10 graduates of the University's new Bachelor of Social Work degree.
President Lesley Hallick reminded the graduates, to their overwhelming approval, of the critical role the unwavering support their families, friends, professors and others has played in their quest for higher education.
"Now is a time to breathe, to pause and to celebrate," she told the class of 2012. "No one can foreclose on your education."
Cornelius resident and valedictorian Emma Jacobsen, who will begin graduate studies at the University of Oxford in Britain later this year, told her classmates to celebrate but not be content.
"Just as we celebrate our hard work and dedication, we are leaving this school with knowledge, memories, and experience that cannot be undone," she said. "We are in every sense global citizens and we must not shirk our responsibilities."
Retiring College of Arts & Sciences dean John Hayes told the graduates that the critical thinking skills they learned through their time at Pacific will position them for opportunities to make their marks in a rapidly changing world.
"Find your passion, what feeds your soul. Believe in what you know and articulate it well," he said. "Question authority, including yourselves. Think analytically by looking at relevant data rather than trusting anecdotes."
One hundred, forty-four bachelor of arts degree candidates joined the social work graduates in partaking in the ceremony, as did 98 bachelor of science degree candidates and 43 bachelor of arts in education and early learning degree candidates.
Following are the 2012 College of Arts & Sciences award winners:
Valedictorian - Emma Jacobsen
American Association of University Women - Samantha Ryals
Barbara Story Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Theatre Department - Katherine Mortimore
Peggy Cadd Award for Service in the Arts - Irisa Taylor-Lange
Outstanding Senior in the Fine Arts - Windy Stein
Outstanding Senior in Dance - Shauna Tilp
Outstanding Senior in Creative Writing - Kali Eichen
Outstanding Senior in English Literature - Vanita Carillo-Rush
Outstanding Senior in Political Science - Shannon Brown
Berglund Capstone Award - Kelsey Mayor, Amy Jones, Melissa Preston, Aimee Stanaland, Yangyang Teng
Center for Gender Equity - Dakota Kinyon, Alexandra Oletzke
Confederation of Oregon Foreign Language Teachers - French: Lindsay Olin; German: Kaitlyn Heater; Japanese: Aleishea Yamaoka; Spanish: Ryan Garcia.
Dean of Students Award - Micah Gomes, Jessica Kersey
Dean's Academic Achievement Award - Jennifer Jungenberg, Timothy Leech, Chelsea Young
Center for Civic Engagement Award: Leda Glastonbury, Samantha Ryals, Mikaila Way
Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants Outstanding Accounting Student - Brittney Johnson
Outstanding Contribution to Student Life - Sarah Flinn, Stacey Isono, Joseph Plaugher, BriAnna Rosen, Jordon Wong
Outstanding Instrumentalist - Lilly Huynh
Outstanding Senior in Art - Gabrielle Fibbs
Outstanding Senior in Biology - Mariko Newton, Loryn Osburn
Outstanding Senior in Chemistry - Michelle Sconce
Outstanding Senior in Mathematics - Jesse Amano, Travis White
Outstanding Senior in Exercise Science - Katelyn Liebe
Outstanding Senior in Physics - Marcus Keinlen
Outstanding Female Athlete - Chelsey Chamberlain, Cathlene Goya
Outstanding Senior in the Humanities - Rosemary Engelfried, Katherine Ward
Outstanding Male Athlete - Kevin Schwartz
Outstanding Senior in Marketing - Jordan Carter
Outstanding Senior in Media Arts - Stephanie Haugen, BriAnna Rosen
Outstanding Senior in Natural Science - Mariko Newton
Outstanding Senior in Philosophy - Gina Warren
Outstanding Senior in Social Science - Cristina Wilson
Outstanding Student in Business Administration - Ernesto Mayz
Outstanding Student in Economics - Sean Mills
Outstanding Senior in Education - Cherice Cochrane
Tom Miles Award for Technical Theatre - Ted Gold
Trombley Faculty Award - Aaron Greer
William Wright Harts III Memorial Award - Gina Warren
Mary Fehrs Award in Gender and Sexuality Studies - Kathleen Bassett
Outstanding Vocalist - Michael Hilton
View photos from the Pacific University College of Arts & Sciences Commencement on May 19, 2012.
Posted by Joe Lang (jlang@pacificu.edu) on May 19, 2012 at 1:37 PM
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