ENG Grads Hear Ways to Embrace the Concept of the Societal Engineer
Commencement ceremonies touch on different ways alums use the concept in their own lives
By Liz Sheeley
The Societal Engineer is a well-known concept within the College of Engineering at BU, and was the theme of this year’s undergraduate and graduate Commencement Exercises. At separate ceremonies, more than 750 bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees were awarded to the Class of 2019.
The undergraduate class of 2019, with more than 375 graduates, gathered at Commencement Exercises on May 18 in Agganis Arena to celebrate its accomplishments and graduation from the College of Engineering at Boston University.
“You are actually more than Societal Engineers; you’re Societal Citizens,” said Dean Kenneth R. Lutchen in his address to the students. “By being trained at the intersection of science and technology, you are eminently able to understand and respect the scientific method. Your responsibility with this capacity is to help those without the scientific and technical know-how to judge data and help constructively and respectfully.”
Biomedical Engineering major and Technology Innovation minor Parsa Shahidi (ENG’19), spoke about the three elements that he believes drives the idea of the Societal Engineer. First, synergy, or teamwork, helped him and his fellow graduates solve problems in their classes and form lifelong bonds of friendship. Second, passion, which he said is the derivative of synergy. The passion that all engineers share is to solve problems, and it is what drives engineers to solve the toughest problems out there. And third, diversity of thought, which ties synergy and passion together and creates an opportunity of holistic learning that Shahidi said he found at BU.
“Let us march forward towards that horizon, bound by our shared mission, our synergy, our passion, and our diversity,” said Shahidi. “Let us strive for excellence in everything we do, taking the best that exists and making it better—because engineers are the makers of history.”
Tonie Leatherberry (ENG ’85), a principal at Deloitte & Touche LLP, presented the commencement address, which focused on four key “pearls of wisdom” she shared from her own values that showcase what being a Societal Engineer means to her. Leatherberry graduated from BU with a BS in mechanical engineering and a concentration in manufacturing engineering, and holds an MBA from Northeastern University. She works in the risk and financial advisory practice of Deloitte, helping clients navigate strategy, enterprise risk, human capital and technology services. She is also president of the Deloitte Foundation, which drives initiatives that develop future leaders through education.
“The four C’s — community, competency, character, and courage — they are my simple truth,” said Leatherberry. “I can tell you it has not all been rosy, and at times difficult. I can tell you many have failed to realize how important these pearls are. I hope my perspectives will inspire you and resonate as you forge your own path to becoming a Societal Engineer.”
Leatherberry discussed how the four C’s have guided her in her journey to find the best career and path in life. For community, it’s about considering where you will fit the best and make your greatest impact. Competency is about painting a beautiful picture in that community. Character, she said, is how you align your career choices with your values. And finally, courage, which Leatherberry says is how you rise to the occasion.
“These are values that you can take with you for the rest of your life to guide you on your journey, wherever it may lead,” she said. “Giving back and paying it forward are a big part of my legacy. What will be your legacy?
“Find the right community for you to make your greatest impact, seek out those opportunities that help you paint your own version of the art of the possible, work for organizations that align with your core values and your character and find your voice to challenge the status quo and help create opportunities for all.”
Lutchen presented the graduating-student-selected Award for Teaching Excellence to Master Lecturer Enrique Gutierrez-Wing (ME) and the Faculty Service Award to Associate Professor Sean Andersson (ME, SE). Department Awards for Teaching Excellence went to Assistant Professor Mary Dunlop (BME), Professor Mark Horenstein (ECE, SE) and Associate Professor Sheryl Grace (ME).
Two days before, more than 325 masters and 59 PhD graduates were celebrated for their achievements in the Case Center Gymnasium, while their friends and families looked on.
Wayne W. Duso, General Manager of File, Hybrid-Edge, Data Transfer and Data Protection Services at Amazon Web Services, who graduated with an MS in computer engineering in 1991 from BU, gave the graduate commencement address. He spoke about how as engineers, the graduates have made their own luck.
“There is something I’ve come to deeply understand—a life of continuous preparation, a life of continuous learning, will result in a life filled with opportunity, and with opportunities, sometimes courageously taken, you’ll find yourself experiencing a string of self-made luck,” he said.
“Be an active participant in your career and your life’s journey, own what you do like it’s going to last forever, but also recognize when it’s time to transition to your next big thing,” he said. “Always be prepared for what’s next, because change is constant and embracing change is necessary to be a true own in your destiny.”
“All of you have dedicated yourself to get to this day,” Duso concluded. “All of you have prepared to meet opportunities head-on and in doing so, each of you have enabled your own luck. You live in one of the most exciting times for engineering professionals. What engineering professionals do is important, we have the ability to advance society in so many ways. There are so many what’s you can affect, it’s beyond exciting.”