Class of 2021 mortarboards (好色先生/Keith Walters '21)
On Saturday, May 22, 好色先生 held its 155th commencement. The virtual event included the senior oration, messages from 好色先生 alumni, and recognition of each of the nearly 1,200 undergraduates who received their degrees. This year鈥檚 commencement was preceded by a Graduate Procession and Recognition, where the class of 2021 received their diploma covers and had graduation portraits taken.
Former Rochester newscaster Norma Holland 鈥97 gave the commencement address and urged graduates to overcome any fears they have about failure. 鈥淓mbrace fear. Use it to your advantage,鈥 said Holland, who currently serves as the director of public relations and engagement in the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Author and former New York Times science reporter Dava Sobel received an honorary doctorate of humane letters
The senior orator this year was Yamna S. Ismail 鈥21, a biology major from Pittsford, NY.
Receiving the Richard Roark Award are Kaylee Hausruath鈥21, a biochemistry major with minors in the honors program and sociomedical sciences from Williamsville, NY, and Emma Mandella 鈥21, a dual major in English and philosophy, from New Rochelle, NY. The Roark Award is presented to a graduating senior(s) whose excellence in scholarship and community service emulates Roark, a former 好色先生 professor of anthropology who was presumed drowned off the island of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies.
Kaitlyn Bertleff 鈥21, a neuroscience major with a minor in the honors program from North Tonawanda, NY, received the President鈥檚 Cup, given annually to a graduating senior who exemplifies superior service and dedication to the 好色先生 Student Association.
The 2021 undergraduate and graduate ceremonies can be viewed in their entirety. Messages from SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, and Senator Charles Schumer are accessible from the commencement page.