Commencement 2010 Highlights

Congratulations to the 800 students who participated in the June 13, 2010 commencement ceremony for Eleanor Roosevelt College at UC San Diego! This was the largest graduating class in the college’s history.

Outstanding Faculty Award

Provost Alan Houston prestented the Outstanding Faculty Award to Lecturer Edmond Chang of the Making of the Modern World Program. After receiving the award, Lecturer Chang briefly addressed the graduates. He told the class that he learned as much from them as he taught them. 

Edmond Chang received his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of California, San Diego in 2002. A former Fulbright Grant recipient, he focused on comparative philosophy with an emphasis on Chinese aesthetics in the 4th century C.E. Dr. Chang also holds a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, as well as a B.A. in History and International Relations from Tufts University. Aside from teaching, Dr. Chang has published poetry and worked as a professional translator and editor.  His hobbies include many sports and hiking in the Sierras with his family.  As the Lecturer for the MMW program, he teaches MMW2, MMW3, MMW4, MMW5, and MMW6.

Graduating Senior Remarks

In his remarks, Senior Jacob Blanc told his fellow gradautes that in order to be successful in the world they must embrace one another rather than compete with each other. 

Jacob Blanc is graduating today with his Bachelor Degree in History and minor in Latin American studies. He has been significantly involved with Outback Adventures on campus and was an editor and senior staff writer for the UCSD Guardian newspaper. Jake completely embraced international education and spent his junior year at Sciences-Po in Lyon, France.  Additionally, he spent this past year working in the Mexican Migration Field Research Program. His other contributions to the College and International House include hosting a French language conversation table, volunteering as an MMW peer tutor and organizing with the UCSD Coalition for Educational Justice to defend public education.  Following graduation, like the true ERC student he is, he will be teaching English in Chile and traveling throughout South America.

Outstanding Senior Awards

As part of commencement, Eleanor Roosevelt College makes awards 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.  The Ann Craig Award for Scholarship, Leadership, and Service honors students who have served the college and excelled academically. The awardis named after Ann Craig, who served as Provost for over 15 years

In 2010, the following students received outstanding senior awards:

Provost Scholars   
Ronald Chang
Claire Halbrook
Anna O'brien
Marina Triner
Robin Yam

Ann Craig Award for Scholarship, Leadership and Service
Melissa Brouwer
Adithya Mani
Gurgen Mkrtchyan
Roxanna Pirnia
Teresa Sprague
Scott Toohey

Dean’s Award
Gary Johnston
Francis Nanadiego
Matthew Shen
Breanne Tcheng

Outstanding Senior, UC San Diego Alumni Association
Daniel Driver

Community Service, UC San Diego Oceanids
Christina Espejo

Ambassador Award, Eleanor Roosevelt College
Jacob Blanc

Global Service Award, Eleanor Roosevelt College
Chase Baeur

Innovation Award, Eleanor Roosevelt College
Anne Marie Ferruzzi

Dewitt Higgs Outstanding Graduating Senior in the Area if Law and Public Policy
Claire Halbrook

Timothy McDaniel Award
Deanna Frank