Class of 2019: Make Something That Matters

Make something that matters

Dickinson honored 597 graduating seniors—the largest class in the college’s history—on Sunday, May 19, as Commencement speaker, actor, producer and environmental activist Pierce Brosnan urged them to "make something that matters. I have worn the tuxedo, so I can tell you this: Our world doesn’t need you to chase the super-spy lifestyle,” said Brosnan, known in part for playing James Bond in four films. “When you leave here today, I urge you to pursue something that is as exciting to you as it is important to the world."

Discover some of the defining moments for our newest graduates in their own words (including some profiled as incoming first-years in fall 2015, featured holding photos of their younger selves), as well as some of their accomplishments and where they’re heading.

“I think the most defining moments for me are times when I forced myself into uncomfortable spaces and adapted to them. The more I did that, the less of them there were. Being a resident advisor and studying abroad are two examples.” —Connor Ford (computer science), studying information security policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy

“I got to manage the production of  this year’s issue of The Dickinson Review. I’d published works (books and magazines) before, but it was the first time I was working with other people’s work. I can feel my hand in every corner of the magazine, and I have  a strong personal connection to it. It was a very Dickinsonian experience to be able to get so hands-on with responsibility and professionalism in an undergraduate environment, and  I cherished every moment of the opportunity.” —Diane Lee (art & art history), co-recipient of the Weiss Prize, graphic designer at Philosophy Nutrition Inc. in Los Angeles

2015Studentsasseniors

From left: Diane Lee '19, Sam Phelps '19, Karen Siderovski '19 and Mollie Montague '19, posing with portraits of their younger selves. Photos by Carl Socolow '77.

“The semester when I first took my physics course was also defining for my trajectory. I did not even imagine that I would be a physics major before college. This discipline has broadened my way of thinking and my values for life.” —Moyi Tian (physics, mathematics), studying applied mathematics at Brown University

“The Weiss Prize gave me the opportunity to create a significant work and realize it in a public performance. The discipline and rigor required in writing the work and the collaborative atmosphere  of the rehearsal process were  challenging in all the  best ways.” —Sam Phelps  (music), who will spend a year as a  contractor’s apprentice building  a tiny house before pursuing a graduate degree in composition  at Peabody Conservatory

“Studying off campus my entire junior year. I had the best internship during my semester at the Washington Center and it really prepared me for postgrad life. My semester in Cameroon was more impactful than words can express, and I would encourage everyone to study off campus. It’s life changing.” —Janaiya Banks (Africana studies, law & policy), human capital analyst with Deloitte

“Some of the most transformative moments during my Dickinson experience happened while doing research with Professor Dana Somers and Professor Carol Loeffler in the biology department and during my time as the Student Senate president.” —Steven Chris Jones (biology, computer science), working for GeneOne Life Science (which is led by President/CEO Young Park ’87)

“Participating in a summer Mosaic in Japan was one of the main highlights of my experience. Through that program, I was able to form a new passion for Japan and Japanese culture.” —Ian Norden (history, educational studies), assistant language teacher with the JET Program (Japan)

“I spent 11 months learning, being pushed out of my comfort zone and seeking new ways of seeing the world while studying abroad in Ecuador, Argentina and Spain. From the friends I made to the lifestyle changes the experience brought, I’ll never forget it.” —Mollie Montague (sociology, Spanish), completing a year of service with AmeriCorps with the nonprofit Edu-Futuro in Arlington, Va., as parent support/workforce development facilitator

"The Department of Music has given me an amazing experience and has the best faculty of any department. We’re a family. Presenting the research I conducted in my senior music seminar was one of the proudest moments for me at Dickinson.” —Jessie Doyle (music, educational studies), studying music education at Boston University

“Joining Kappa Alpha Theta was the most lifechanging event for me at Dickinson. I discovered a strong connection to this group of women, and they have supported me in all my  efforts that have led me where I am today. I have not only cultivated leadership and mentorship skills in Theta,  but I’ve also made friendships that will last a lifetime.” —Karen Siderovski (international business & management), attending Wake Forest Law School

“Attending the Eastern Psychological Association Conference with other students and Professor of Psychology Teresa Barber, who I have taken classes and researched with since my first year at Dickinson, was a big moment and showed me how much I have learned.” —Erin Harten (biochemistry & molecular biology, neuroscience), studying biomedical engineering at Duke University

Awards & Prizes

  • James Fowler Rusling Prize, which recognizes excellent scholarly achievement: Moyi Tian ’19, who will pursue a graduate degree in applied mathematics at Brown University
  • John Patton Memorial Prize for High Scholastic Standing: Mary Katherine Levangie ’19, who will spend two years working at the Opossum Pike Veterinary Clinic in Maryland before attending veterinary school
  • Hufstader Senior Prizes, awarded annually to two graduating seniors who have made the greatest contributions to the good of the college: John Adeniran ’19 and Olivia Termini ’19. Termini is the finance director for the Campaign to Elect Tom Brier ’14 for PA District 10.
  • Young Alumni Trustee: Sarah Nash ’19, who is a technical analyst at Enterprise Knowledge
  • Constance and Rose Ganoe Memorial Award for Inspirational Teaching: Associate Professor of English Claire Seiler
  • Distinguished Teaching Award: Professor of Anthropology Ann Hill
  • Honorary degrees: Pierce Brosnan,  a doctor of environmental advocacy honorary degree; Karen Attiah, The Washington Post’s global opinions editor,  a doctor of journalism honorary degree; and international hotelier Adrian Zecha ’52, a doctor of international business honorary degree.
  • Rose-Walters Prize: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), in recognition of its work defending America’s wildlands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bristol Bay in Alaska and the monuments of the West. Brosnan and NRDC Western Director and Senior Attorney Joel Reynolds accepted the prize on behalf of the international environmental advocacy organization.

Read more from the summer 2019 issue of Dickinson Magazine.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

Published August 15, 2019