On Saturday, May 18, 2024, students received their master’s degrees and hoods during ceremonies for the college’s two graduate programs - a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) with licensure in special education and Master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
The six education graduates, their families, and faculty members gathered in the president’s dining room for their hooding ceremony.
“Your milestone achievement, of graduating with a Master’s in special education, coincides with other notable milestones that required an incredible amount of persistence,” said Paddy Favazza, Ed.D., research fellow. “You persisted through the pandemic to complete your undergraduate studies and then, doubled down - persisting even more to complete your Master’s. I have no doubt that there were many sacrifices and challenges along the way for you and your family. And yet here you are – you rose to the challenges cheered on by faculty, family, and friends. You persisted.”
The M.Ed. program began in fall 2022 and was designed to prepare educators to meet the needs of students with disabilities in multiple settings and the needs of all learners in the classroom. This is the second class to complete the program.
“One year ago, our journey began with an orientation meeting in the basement of Joseph Hall,” reflected Cody Face ’20 M’24. “The six of us came from different backgrounds… but shared a common factor: a yearning for further education… Graduands, I think it is safe to say: We worked extremely hard. While not all of us were on the same timeline, our paths would ultimately cross further in the program.”
Meanwhile, in the Dana Center, 18 students in the Criminal Justice Master’s program attended their hooding ceremony with their families, friends, and members of the department.
“It is charity towards our neighbors that will move members of our cohort to protect their communities as law enforcement officers, to be unsung heroes in the correctional system, to give countless hours of their time, energy, and intellect as lawyers, victim advocates, and social workers, and to make further use of their intellectual gifts as they continue their education in PhD programs,” shared Alexander Horan ’23 M’24 during his opening reflection.
Devan Sluyski ’23 M’24 served as the student speaker.
“Having the opportunity to work as a Graduate Assistant this year has really taught me so much about just how much truly goes into this profession,” said Sluyski. “I was able to see the behind the scenes of what some of these individuals do to go above and beyond for their students… and believe me it isn’t always easy. Between makeup exams, office hours, grading, trying to help students track down Professor Cordella during pre-registration week… and so much more that comes up on the day-to-day basis, this department always makes time for their students and goes the extra length to support them however they need. It has really been such a great experience this year and for that I thank you all.”
The hooding ceremonies took place prior to the 131st Commencement Exercises on the Alumni Quadrangle later that morning where 507 students earned their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. This year the college is marking 50 years of full co-education and the inaugural year for the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Alumna and recent Pulitzer Prize finalist Lauren Chooljian Baer ’10 addressed the class of 2024.
Photos: Master's in Criminology and Criminal Justice Hooding Ceremony →
Photos:Master's in Special Education Hooding Ceremony →