Commencement 2008 Highlights
Congratulations to the 740 students who participated in the June 22, 2008 commencement ceremony for Eleanor Roosevelt College at UC San Diego! This was the largest – and also the warmest – graduation in the college’s history.
Outstanding Faculty Award and Keynote Address
Graduates were inspired by a keynote address from Professor Steven Cassedy, Department of Literature and Russian Studies, nominated by graduating seniors for the Outstanding Faculty Award. Professor Cassedy spoke about the advice graduates might give to him at commencement.
Professor Cassedy has taught MMW5 in The Making of the Modern World Program (MMW) for nearly 20 years. He was Director of MMW from 2001 to 2007 and is currently Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. He has written about Russian intellectual history, Russian religious studies, and Jewish immigrants in the US. Professor Cassedy is also a very accomplished pianist and hosts programs about classical music and performs in them both on campus and in the community.
Graduating Senior Remarks
Senior Grecia Lima spoke for the graduates. Her remarks focused on how Eleanor Roosevelt and the college had inspired her passion for social justice. Grecia graduated in three years, majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Economics and a minor in International Migration Studies. She is the first in her entire family to receive a college education.
While at UC San Diego, Grecia completed research on international migration, worked as the co-founder of the student organization Migrant Rights Awareness at UCSD, as a Community Organizer with the Vote Hope Campaign, and as the UCSD Student Representative for the California Dream Network and Justice Overcoming Boundaries. Additionally, she served as an after school tutor/mentor to students at Chula Vista High School assisting them and providing information regarding the admissions process for the UC system through workshops and individual meetings.
Grecia is now working with a non-profit organization in Santa Barbara focused on migrant rights. She hopes eventually to go to law school.
Outstanding Senior Awards
As part of commencement, Eleanor Roosevelt College highlights awards made to exceptional graduating seniors at the annual honors and leadership banquets. Academic departments recognize outstanding graduates in each department. Department award-winners are randomly distributed among the colleges. The Provost Scholar and departmental awards recognize outstanding academic achievement. The Dean’s and various leadership and service awards celebrate students’ contributions to the life of the college, the university, and the community at home and abroad.
In 2008, the following students received outstanding senior awards:
Provost Scholars
Nicholas Aldridge
Zachary Brown
Lauren J. Gray
Felicia Halim
Maite E. Hostetter
Melissa M. Lee
Sonya D. Paskil
Dean’s Award
Kerry Kassam
Jennifer Koai
Emily Lipoma
Dessarina Niusulu
Kaneesha “Kaye” Williams
Outstanding Senior, UC San Diego Alumni Association
Moorisha L. Taylor
Community Service, UC San Diego Oceanids
Cortney M. Eakin
Ambassador Award, Eleanor Roosevelt College
Rahul Sharma
Global Service Award, Eleanor Roosevelt College
Tara P. Buss
Innovation Award, Eleanor Roosevelt College
LaCandice McCray
Sherwood Washburn Award for Excellence in Biological Anthropology, Department of Anthropology
Ria K. Boner
Excellence in Joint Mathematics-Economics, Department of Economics
Shenje Hshieh
Excellence in Ethnic Studies, Department of Ethnic Studies
Christina M. Marino
Farrell Prize, Department of Music
Brianne N. Hwang
Emily S. Pelc
Sanford Lakoff Award for Outstanding Honors Thesis, Department of Political Science
Melissa M. Lee
