The Convocation of the School of Education and Social Policy on June 19 offered a celebration and send-off for 221 graduates, the largest graduating class in the history of the School. The ceremony featured a speech by prominent social psychologist Claude Steele, addresses by Dean Penelope Peterson and student Stanley Polit, and the presentation of awards.
In 2010, 148 undergraduates and 73 graduate students earned diplomas. The student co-chairs of Convocation, Tabitha Bentley and Glen Hajost, presided over the ceremony with a welcome and farewell.
Dean Penelope Peterson advised the graduates, "You leave here well prepared to be change agents and make a difference. ... Stick to your goal; keep your passion." She engaged the audience with stories of three leaders she had met recently: environmentalist John Francis, humanitarian Greg Mortenson and director Tom Shadiak. "They attest to the power of connection, and because of this connection each of us can make a difference," said Peterson.
Steele, the provost of Columbia University who had received an honorary Northwestern University degree the previous evening, offered both a challenge and words of advice to the graduates. "I'd like to leave you with a challenge ... I think is central to our integrity as a nation," he told the graduates. "Despite appearances to the contrary, we don't know very well how to integrate our society."
He commented that the worthy American dream of social, sexual, racial and ethnic integration had not been realized. "You can't have the larger American dream without integrating American schooling," he added.
Speaking of the need for access and diversity, Steele said that it is one thing to integrate schooling but it is another to make it work well for everyone. He continued, "The social realities of school life can affect academic achievement." Stereotypes can affect performance, he said.
His advice on how to meet this challenge was threefold. First of all, he advised graduates to make an effort to do something about the problems they perceive. Secondly, he advised, "Understand that ability is expandable and grows with practice." Finally, he added, "focus as much as possible on what you can do to succeed. ... It doesn't have to be a perfect world for you to feel comfortable in it."
"Most of the time what's really important is to pay attention and care," he concluded. Referring to what they have learned at SESP, Steele said, "This skill and knowledge will enable you to contribute." However, what rises above all in importance is caring and paying attention.
SESP graduating senior Stanley Polit gave the graduate remarks. "We are part of the small school that thinks big," said Polit. He continued, "We leave SESP for a world facing challenges unknown before," but he reminded the graduates that their experiences at SESP have prepared them. More importantly, though, "SESP has provided us with a home," both as scholars and individuals, he said. "It is the spirit of the small school that thinks big that will follow us for the rest of our lives."
He noted the importance of being an educator in different aspects of life. "I took opportunities that allow me to share with others what I love to do," said Polit, an award-winning forensics competitor who will become a forensics coach at George Mason University.
While he began his remarks by offering humorous and personal examples of how "often saying no is the best catalyst to reexamine things we think we understand," he concluded his remarks with a twist on his theme of saying no. "Saying no is the first step in saying yes to a better world for all of us," he stated.
The award for outstanding professor was presented to assistant professor Jeannette Colyvas, and the award for outstanding instructor went to Peg Kritzler of the Master of Science in Education program. Daniel Fleishman (BS09) presented the Alumni Awards to graduate student Adam Cebulski and undergraduate Claire Olszewski. The award for highest GPA went to Kirby C. Smith III.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Bentley offered a farewell. With a personal interpretation of the Johnny Appleseed legend she said, "SESP graduates, I implore you to sow the seeds you have received - go share and inspire the world."
Photo caption:
Convocation co-chairs Glen Hajost and Tabitha Bentley cut the cake at the reception following the ceremony on June 19.