University holds first ‘normal’ commencement in two years
On a beautiful weekend in May, family members and friends gathered for the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences’ first indoor commencement ceremony since 2019.
On Sunday, May 15, 2022, Dean Dexter Voisin, PhD, delivered opening remarks at The Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, where graduating students received their Master of Social Work and Master of Nonprofit Organization diplomas. Justin Johnson (SAS ’22) and Gabriela Leskur (SAS ’22) addressed their classmates from the stage, and Justice Melody J. Stewart, PhD (GRS ’08, social welfare), the first Black woman elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, delivered the keynote address.
In her remarks, Stewart shared song lyrics from her favorite musician, Pat Metheny: “From this place / I must proceed / Trust in love / Trust, be my lead.” She encouraged the Class of 2022 to follow that guidance, reminding them to be good public servants and to help people along the way.
Later that afternoon, Charles E. Rozek, PhD, vice provost and dean of the School of Graduate Studies, opened the graduate school ceremony—where doctoral students receive their diplomas—at the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center. The Arol Shack Dissertation Award was presented to Kylie Evans (GRS ’22, social welfare) and students Tyrone Hamler (GRS ’22, social welfare) and Fei Wang for their outstanding doctoral work. By the end of the ceremony, all students graduating with their PhDs in social welfare walked across the stage to receive their hoods and diplomas.
The Mandel School topped off the day’s celebrations with a reception for its graduates in the school’s Noble Commons.
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Read more stories like this in the Fall 2022 edition of Action.