More Than 2,000 Graduates Honored at College Convocations

by Rashad Mulla

More Than 2,000 Graduates Honored at College Convocations

Their journey has taken them through a maze of papers, exams, research projects, national conferences, and overseas study programs. After years of hard work, more than 2,000 students received their degrees from the college May 19 and 20, 2011.

Graduate Convocation

The college recognized more than 500 master's and doctoral students at the graduate convocation. It was held Thursday, May 19, in the Center for the Arts.

Bob Brink, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, delivered the keynote speech.

As part of the graduate ceremony, the college also honored the late Douglas Rogers, an economics PhD student who died from injuries suffered in a car crash. Rogers' family attended the ceremony and accepted his degree. Rogers is fondly remembered by his professors and colleagues as an exemplary student, educator, and scholar.

Undergraduate Convocation

More than 1,750 graduating students were honored at the college's undergraduate convocation. It was held on Friday, May 20, at the Patriot Center. Melanne Verveer, director of the State Department's office on Global Women's Issues, delivered a gripping keynote speech, rife with tales of her work around the world.

Student Award Recipients

The college congratulates the deserving students who received awards this year. For a complete list of award recipients, see the link to the right

Jack Censer, dean of the college, presided over both ceremonies.

“The best thing about convocations is the pride and joy of the students who are graduating, both graduate and undergraduate,” Censer said. “The students now have the opportunity to make the world a better place through the application of the knowledge and analytical skills that they've developed at Mason.”

A total of 7,392 students graduated this year from Mason. The ceremonies wrapped up with the 44th University Commencement, held on Saturday, May 21, at the Patriot Center.