Pardee School Celebrates Inaugural Year Convocation
The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University celebrated the completion of its inaugural year in a Convocation ceremony that brought together faculty, family and students for a day of firsts.
“Today is a day for celebration. We celebrate the achievements you have attained as students, and we celebrate the ambitions you bring out into the world,” said Adil Najam, Inaugural Dean of the Pardee School.
The convocation was held Saturday, May 16 at Boston University’s Walter Brown Arena. A beautiful warm day greeted the approximately 1,000 guests and 25 faculty members who celebrated the graduation of the first class to be called members of the Pardee School.
“Not only are we proud that our students come from all corners of the world, but we note that they work on the greatest challenges of our times” Najam said. “I give to you truly the future of the planet.”
The 214 undergraduates and 51 graduate students will join the more than 9,000 alumni from programs currently under the purview of the Pardee School.
The Convocation ceremony included remarks from Najam, as well as the presentation of the following awards:
- The CAS (College of Arts and Sciences) Prize for Undergraduate Academic Excellence, to Sophia Ann Qadir
- The Pardee School Graduate Excellence Award, to Louisa May Klann
- The Pardee School Undergraduate Excellence Award, to Caroline Birsner, Brendon Bowdridge and Lauren Michael
- The Pardee School Regional Studies Academic Excellence Award, to Paola Peynetti Velazques
- The Carole A. Chandler Citizenship Award, to Alba Balla and Sidhanta Mehra
- The Amb. Hermann Frederick Eilts Graduate Thesis Award, to Lee Hekking and Nyeleti Karina Honwana
- The Amb. Hermann Frederick Eilts Undergraduate Thesis Award, to Fatima Mohie-Eldin
- The Gerald and Deanne Gitner Family Prize for Faculty Excellence, to Noora Lori
Awards were presented by Najam with assistance by Tim Longman, Director of the African Studies Center, Erik Goldstein, Professor of International Relations, and William Grimes, Associate Dean.
Convocation also provided an opportunity to commemorate the careers of the Pardee School’s two retiring faculty members, Arthur Hulnick and Walter Connor. Both were introduced by their colleagues and presented with commemorative bowls.
“We the faculty, staff and students of the Pardee School congratulate Arthur Hulnick for his commitment and contributions to the study of intelligence and global affairs,” said Joe Wippl, Director of Graduate Studies. “And together, we wish him the best.”
A devout fan of NASCAR, a proud owner of a flashy sports car, and a registered Republican, Walt has challenged the stereotypical image of the
tweedy professor in a Volvo listening to NPR on the way to demonstration for labor union rights,” said William Keylor, Professor of International Relations and History. “We celebrate Walter Connor for his contributions to the profession, to the Pardee School and its students, faculty, and staff, and we wish him the very best in retirement.”
Associate Dean Grimes was assisted by Wippl and Joseph Fewsmith, Director of Undergraduate Studies, in the conferring of degrees.
The ceremony also honored the students selected as members of the International Relations Honors Program. They are; Latifah Azlan, Erinn Benedict, Brendon Bowdridge, Ashley Davidson, Britta Dosch, Ela Fadli, Alexander Falco, Thomas Fischer, Diana Hughes, Graciela Marino, Fatima Mohie`Eldin, Divya Moorjani, Sofia Panero, Sophie Spiers, Marlene Stoute, Allison Westervelt, Deborah Wong and Madeleine Work.
“The IR Honors program is a yearlong intensive research project,” said Grimes when conferring the degrees. “The students who have been selected
to participate in this program are among the most academically accomplished in their class. The program culminates in a thesis defense before a panel of BU professors representing a variety of disciplines.”
After the ceremony, students and guests enjoyed a reception, photobooth, and the opportunity to reflect on their rite of passage.
“I’m excited an relieved. This morning I was nervous, but now that it’s over I’m looking forward for more time to spend with friends and family,” said Amalia Carusone of New York City, BA in International Relations. “I am planning to do a summer internship with Global Health Corp in New York City.”
Brandon Tomkiewicz, BA IR and PS “This was a lot of fun, but I’m kind of sad now that college is over!” said Brandon Tomkiewicz of Buffalo, New York, BA in International Relations and Political Science. “I’m planning to take a year off, then go to law school.”
For more coverage of the Pardee School convocation ceremony, search the hashtag #PardeePride on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.