Dickinson Honors Class of 2024 During Commencement
Commencement video image
Video by Joe O'Neill
President Jones Urges Graduates to ‘Get Out There and Change the World’
by Matt Getty; photos by Dan Loh
Members of the class of 2024 officially graduated from Dickinson Sunday, May 19, during a ceremony in which President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11, urged them to “get out there and change the world.” Acknowledging the unique challenges the class faced, starting their first year at Dickinson during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones encouraged students to embrace the strengths they’ve gained in overcoming those challenges.
“You may not have realized it at the time, but the difficult experiences you’ve endured in these formative years have made you stronger and better prepared to engage in the wider world that you’re about to enter,” he said. “And this Dickinson community—and its president—will be behind you as a source of strength and a resource throughout your life.”
President Jones urged graduates to "get out there and change the world."
In addition to Jones, Tessa Busby ’24 also addressed the class, as each year one student from among the graduates is selected by a committee of faculty, staff and members of the class to speak at Commencement. In her comments Busby echoed the message that the class had gained strength through perseverance, and she also thanked Dickinson’s faculty for preparing students to positively impact the world.
“Thank you so much to the professors who have enriched our lives by teaching us not what to think, but how to think,” said Busby. “Congratulations to [the class of 2024]. I hope you look back on your time here with fondness. I know I will, and I look forward to seeing how you change our world for the better, because I have absolutely no doubt that you will.”
Tessa Busby ’24 addressed the class of 2024.
AWARD WINNERS
During the ceremony, several faculty members and students received awards, which are bestowed annually. Tiffany Frey, associate professor of biology, earned the college's Constance and Rose Ganoe Memorial Award for Inspirational Teaching. Presented each year, the honor is determined by a secret ballot vote conducted by members of the senior class.
Xenia Makosky ’24 (art history, Middle East studies) was presented the James Fowler Rusling Prize, which recognizes excellent scholarly achievement. Jack Drda '24 (biology) received the John Patton Memorial Prize for High Scholastic Standing.
Xenia Makosky ’24 was presented the James Fowler Rusling Prize, and Jack Drda '24 received the John Patton Memorial Prize for High Scholastic Standing.
The Hufstader Senior Prizes, which are awarded annually to two graduating seniors who, in the judgment of the college president, have made the greatest contributions to the good of the college, were awarded to Deon Rosado ’24 (political science) and Katarina Swendrowski ’24 (law & policy).
Katarina Swendrowski ’24 and Deon Rosado ’24 were awarded the Hufstader Senior Prizes.
Tony Trandafir ’24 (Italian studies, law & policy, political science) was named Dickinson’s new Young Alumni Trustee. During each Commencement Dickinson’s Board of Trustees chooses a Young Alumni Trustee from among nominated seniors to represent young alumni on the board and serve a two-year term.
Tony Trandafir ’24 (Italian studies, law & policy, political science) was named Dickinson’s new Young Alumni Trustee.
HONORARY DEGREES AND ROSE-WALTERS PRIZE
During the ceremony, Dickinson awarded three honorary degrees as well as the Sam Rose ’58 and Julie Walters Prize at Dickinson College for Global Environmental Activism. Renée Fleming, one of the world’s most highly acclaimed singers, received the Doctor of Music honorary degree; David Thornburgh, senior advisor to the Committee of Seventy and chair of Ballot PA, received an honorary Doctor of Public Policy degree; and Judith Rogers ’65 and Maureen Hayes Newton ’65, the first Dickinsonians to integrate the college’s women’s residence halls, received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees. (Learn more about the honorary degree recipients.)
Renée Fleming received the Doctor of Music honorary degree.
David Thornburgh received an honorary Doctor of Public Policy degree.
Judith Rogers ’65 and Maureen Hayes Newton ’65, the first Dickinsonians to integrate the college’s women’s residence halls, received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.
This year's Rose-Walters Prize was awarded to Katharine Hayhoe, an award-winning atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on understanding the impacts of climate change on people and the planet.
Katharine Hayhoe (second from right) received the Rose-Walters Prize and will visit Dickinson for a residency during the 2024-25 academic year. Also pictured (from left to right): President Jones, Julie Walters and Jorden Hayes, associate professor of geosciences.
THE OLD STONE STEPS
The Commencement ceremony ended with the long-held college tradition of graduates walking down Old West’s "old stone steps." The walk down the steps completed the symbolic journey they began when they first came to Dickinson by walking up those steps to sign in to the college.
Photo by Maddy Getty.
“Members of the class of 2024, I shall miss you dearly,” said Jones. “I am so very proud of you. Your Dickinson experience now transitions from student to graduate. Embrace that new role with excitement, wonder and great purpose. We will all be rooting for you. Now get out there and change the world!”
View the full ceremony.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published May 19, 2024