The 2010 School of Continuing Studies Commencement is scheduled for May 22, at 5:00 PM in Gaston Hall, Third Floor tower of the Healy Building. The Dean's Reception for graduates, families and guests will follow in the Leo O'Donovan Dining Hall in the SW Quadrangle. The Baccalureate Mass is at 9:00 AM, on May 23, on Healy Lawn and is followed by buffet breakfast in the Leavey Center.
On May 16, 2009, graduates of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program were recognized at the Georgetown School of Continuing Studies commencement ceremony held in Gaston Hall. Several MALS students and faculty members were also honored with special awards, which were given out at a Celebratory Graduation Dinner held on May 13. The Liberal Studies program looks forward to recognizing its first graduates and award recipients in the Doctor of Liberal Studies program at next year’s commencement, but the achievements cited below give a preview of what can be celebrated at that time.
Speaking at the commencement ceremony, honorary degree recipient Freeman Hrabowski touched on two points that were particularly relevant to the Liberal Studies program: first, that education is the key to human growth and fulfillment and that relationships play a key role in that process; and second, that education is measured not so much by “What did you learn in class today?” as by “What questions did you ask in class today?” Education is an ongoing process that continually probes the mystery of life. Student and faculty award recipients were chosen on a range of criteria, but all recipients are perfect reflections of these two salient points.
Two students, Suzanne Bailey and Adav Noti, were given the award for highest academic achievement (4.0 GPA). Suzanne wrote her thesis on “An Exploration of Athletics, Learning, and Spirituality.” Suzanne also represents one way in which relationships are fostered: Her mother, Jacqueline Peebles, graduated from the MALS program in 1991. Adav shows the development of relationships illustrated in Jewish-Christian dialogue in his thesis project, “Replacing Original Sin with Prayerful Hope as Catholic Theology’s Response to the Problem of Evil.”
In another recognition of academic achievements, five MALS students were inducted into the Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology: William Barrett, Timothy Mock, Adav Noti, Vivian Anne Scarnati-Scott, and Ilan Weinberger. Requirements for membership include matriculation for the MALS degree, completion of at least five courses in religion, and maintaining a 3.5 GPA or above.
Other examples of relationships are shown in the bonds that develop between students and faculty. The Excellence in Teaching Faculty award was given to Father Francis X. Winters in recognition of his outstanding service to Graduate Liberal Studies as a professor, mentor, and colleague. The SCS Dean's Service award went to Professor Abby Johnson in recognition of her exceptional service to the Liberal Studies program both within and beyond the classroom.
Other faculty/student relationships are highlighted by the Vicennial Silver Medalist award, given to adjunct faculty with twenty years of continuous service to the university. Dr. Percy North and Dr. James Hershman were each recognized with this award.
Two students, Jessica Neagle and Kathleen Pomerenk, developed competencies for fostering their own relationships as teachers, receiving, in addition to their MALS degrees, certificates from the Apprenticeship in Teaching Program offered by the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship at Georgetown University.
The diversity of student inquiries and the interdisciplinary nature of the MALS program are highlighted by the varied articles that students have published in Writing Across the Curriculum, the periodic journal of the Graduate Liberal Studies program. Graduating students who had articles published in the journal on the recommendation of faculty were recognized at the awards ceremony. Maria Agusti wrote on “Appreciation of Beauty in Aristotle and Kant.” Suzanne Bailey wrote on The Da Vinci Code. William Barrett wrote on Thomas Jefferson’s book Notes on Virginia. Dorothy Campbell wrote “The Vietnam War’s Social, Medical, and Psychological Impact on Both American and South Vietnamese Veterans.” Danielle Foster wrote on the dichotomy between cultural development and diplomacy in the Fulbright legislation. Thomas Kiely wrote “Embedded Advocacies in U.S. Catholic Education.” Jennifer Owen compared the political portraitures of George Washington and Napoleon. Anne Quito evaluated the work of Milton Glaser, who designed the “I Love NY” logo, as both citizen and designer. Brooke Salkoff discussed whether cyberspace snitches were a true threat or just exercising free speech. Thomas Fitzgerald suggested the possibility of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Northern Ireland.
Congratulations to all of the MALS graduates and award recipients. Please join us in celebrating their achievements by viewing a slideshow of photos from the Celebratory Graduation Dinner and commencement ceremony.
