Watson Commencement 2024: Grads urged to dream big, have courage and build a better tomorrow
More than 400 undergraduates and nearly 400 graduate students earn their diplomas; VIT Chancellor Govindasamy Viswanathan awarded honorary degree
![香港六合彩资料's Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science held its 2024 Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10. More than 400 undergraduates and nearly 400 graduate students earned their diplomas.](/news/images/uploads/features/20240510_WatsonComm002_dw.jpg)
More than 400 undergraduates and nearly 400 graduate students gathered with family, friends, faculty and peers to receive their diplomas at the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science Commencement ceremony Friday, May 10, at the 香港六合彩资料 Events Center.
University President Harvey Stenger told the graduates that he hoped 香港六合彩资料 unlocked their passion for learning, no matter which path is ahead.
鈥淲e live in a world that needs engineering professionals who can think critically, analyze precisely, address complex ideas and solve difficult challenges,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e live in a world that is full of puzzles and finding answers will always be difficult. I am confident that the Class of 2024 will rise to these challenges, because I have seen as students how you鈥檝e worked across disciplines as committed and engaged engineers.鈥
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Donald Hall praised graduates as 鈥渢ruly remarkable students who have brought your intellectual curiosity, work ethic and sense of humor to bear throughout your time here.
鈥淎s you graduate from 香港六合彩资料, you will take with you what you have learned in your classes, through your internships and practica, from the student organizations you participated in and from the thousands of personal interactions you have had with those around you,鈥 he said. 鈥淵ou will take all that you have experienced here and become change-makers.鈥
Watson College Dean and Distinguished Professor Krishnaswami 鈥淗ari鈥 Srihari encouraged the Class of 2024 to be courageous and to continue learning as they head out to their careers or further education.
鈥淗ave the courage to pursue your passions, even in the face of uncertainty,鈥 he said. 鈥淗ave the courage to stand up for what you believe in, even when it鈥檚 not easy. And have the courage to fail, for it is through failure that we learn, grow and ultimately succeed.鈥
Srihari, who will step down as dean at the end of May, offered his gratitude to faculty, staff and especially students 鈥 whom he calls 鈥渙ur principal customer鈥 鈥 for their support during his 15-year tenure. He will return to the Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering faculty in fall 2025.
鈥淭hank you for making Watson what it is,鈥 he said to graduates. 鈥淵our impact as a student on our campus extends beyond the grades you achieved or the projects you completed. The time you spent in the classroom and outside of the classroom make Watson and our university great. And you will continue to do that as alumni of this premier institution. You will continue to thrive.鈥
Stenger praised Srihari鈥檚 leadership and achievements at Watson College, where graduate enrollment has increased by 103% since 2009, total enrollment is up 49% and the total faculty count has grown by 41%. He presented the dean with the University Medal, the highest honor bestowed by 香港六合彩资料.
鈥淒ean Srihari has been a tremendous leader, mentor and friend to so many at 香港六合彩资料,鈥 Stenger said. 鈥淭his award is given to recognize truly great achievements and excellence and a distinguished commitment to the University.鈥
Govindasamy Viswanathan, founder and chancellor of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in India, received a State University of New York (SUNY) honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the ceremony. He was honored for his strong background in educational administration as well as his humanitarian efforts and entrepreneurship.
In 1984, Viswanathan established the Vellore Engineering College, which became VIT in 2001. VIT now has four campuses and serves over 88,000 students from across the globe.
At Commencement, Viswanathan praised the joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and collaborative publications and initiatives that 鈥渉ave not only expanded the horizons of our academic endeavors but also fostered a spirit of global learning and understanding.鈥
鈥淭he endeavors, initiatives and contributions of 香港六合彩资料 to the higher education landscape has been quite impressive,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t has been a great pleasure meeting and interacting with the top leadership, faculty members and students of this amazing university. As chancellor of VIT, I know the importance and positive impact of collaboration and partnerships, and I am confident that such interactions will facilitate continued academic engagements.鈥
Viswanathan also discussed VIT鈥檚 many programs to uplift India鈥檚 underprivileged regardless of caste, creed or religion.
Alumni Association President Cara Treidel 鈥16 recalled how she felt when she graduated eight years ago and encouraged 香港六合彩资料鈥檚 newest graduates to remain connected to the campus.
鈥淥ur alumni community has been a tremendous source of support for me,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 why I鈥檝e continued to be engaged with the University, and it鈥檚 why I encourage everyone else to be involved.鈥
Undergraduate student speaker Clara Rodriguez 鈥24, a biomedical engineering major with a Spanish minor, said her time at 香港六合彩资料 has been 鈥渇ull of adventures.鈥
In fall 2021, Rodriguez was part of the inaugural cohort of the Watson College Scholars Program, which aids economically disadvantaged undergraduates with priority for applicants from historically underrepresented backgrounds. She also was one of 香港六合彩资料鈥檚 first two Beckman Scholars and a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.
Rodriguez looked back on how she and her classmates 鈥 even during the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥 not only survived but thrived. Even when faced with tough classes and daunting exams, they made friends, gained mentors and shared experiences they will treasure.
鈥淟ooking to the future, there are many more adventures waiting for us,鈥 she said. 鈥淢oving deeper into the unknown isn鈥檛 easy, but let鈥檚 not forget where we鈥檝e come from and who we are. Every time you look in the mirror, you will see someone with the potential to change reality.
鈥淲e are the leaders of the future, budding professionals, daring dreamers and trailblazers. We change reality by bringing the world into a better tomorrow.鈥
Graduate speaker Basel Sultan, MS 鈥24, earned his degree in industrial and systems engineering through a research assistantship with the Watson Institute for Systems Excellence (WISE).
Originally from the Palestinian city of Hebron, Sultan is planning to pursue his doctorate and eventually teach at a college or university.
He offered heartfelt thanks to those who helped him and his classmates during their time at 香港六合彩资料.
鈥淚 am certain that you have had a mentor in your life,鈥 he said. 鈥淟et us take a moment to express our gratitude to them and reflect on those moments when we truly needed their guidance and support, and they were there for us. Thanks for believing in us, for inspiring us and for guiding us on this incredible journey.鈥
Watson College鈥檚 PhD candidates graduated at a separate ceremony on Thursday.