School of Arts and Sciences

Anya Khalid came to the University without having ever coded in her life—but she was eager to get in on the ground floor of the new undergraduate major in data science. Now the Washington, D.C., resident is graduating with degree in economics as well, bound for Seattle and a job as a data analytics consultant.

Pianist Kazarzyna Musial will perform music by Polish composers, including including Ignacy Jan Paderewski—Poland's first prime minister—in a celebration of 100 years of Polish independence.

From saxophonist to student government treasurer, to internships at BASF, SpaceX, and Ernst & Young, C.J. Van Huben has packed a lot into four years. “I had a feeling I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn’t want to be put in a box,” the financial economics major says. “The open curriculum was perfect for me.”

For Ian Manzi, a photo of Rush Rhees Library left behind in an office at his Rwandan high school changed his life. “It looked so beautiful, a representation of college,” he says.

Erin Dong ’18 didn't start dancing until she came to college. Now as she graduates with a double major in biology and dance, she is combining her two fields to explore how the body experiences both the emotional and physical aspects of grieving.

Awards for outstanding contributions of distinguished leaders, educators and humanitarians will be presented at the 168th Commencement ceremonies on May 18, 19, and 20, and at the Simon Business School ceremony on June 10.

The business major described by her coaches as a “once-in-a-generation player” knows that community service will be in her game plan. “It’s something I love,” Al Leslie says. “And it’s something that will always be part of my life.”

The senior from Warner Robins, Georgia, has crammed a lot into four years of college, and Kat Bakrania is not done learning. “When I graduate, I’m going to leave here with some really solid friendships and some amazing experiences.”

“It’s students crossing boundaries between disciplines, asking questions, and coming up with innovative and exciting answers to the challenges that face us in the contemporary world.”

Both the general public and political science experts rate the performance of US democratic institutions significantly lower than half a year ago, according to the fifth and latest survey from Bright Line Watch.