Here’s to the class of 2021
贝洛伊特’s class of 2021 persevered through an unprecedented final year of college. Their joyous graduation weekend, which included online events, 六个小, in-person Commencement ceremonies, a special celebration of 贝洛伊特’s Black students, and even a Champagne toast, felt like the community had turned a corner.
To accommodate physical distancing, Commencement weekend 2021 stretched over three days in late May.
The weekend kicked off Friday afternoon with an in-person, inaugural celebration of excellence among 贝洛伊特’s Black graduates. The ceremony was held in Eaton Chapel in partnership with the student organization Black Students United. Graduates Kiara Davis, Aryssa Harris, and Eva Laun-Smith were selected to address their peers.
校友 德文郡威尔逊90年, newly named associate dean for diversity, 股本, and inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters & Science, delivered the keynote address. He urged students to go beyond looking for a career to discover their higher calling, to find what makes them passionate about their work.
A Zoom session hosted by President Bierman followed on Friday night. The virtual event featured 毕业典礼演讲 Angela Moten Russell ' 99, whose early career in public health and epidemiology evolved into a corporate leadership post. Russell is vice president of diversity, 股本, and inclusion at CUNA Mutual Group, 金融服务公司.
“Covid-19大流行, ever-raging pandemic of racism and xenophobia, increased economic injustice, and a climate crisis are all amplifying the fact that we are at a turning point, one that we don’t have the luxury to ignore,”她说。.
“It’s a beautiful and incredibly intense time, and each of you has a role to play in building a world that will sustainably thrive for generations to come.” — 毕业典礼演讲 Angela Moten Russell ' 99
Russell received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from 贝洛伊特.
还有香槟? The toast added a festive and defiant finish to the in-person ceremonies after the pandemic prevented the senior toast, a cherished fall tradition normally held at the President’s House. Bierman toasted members of the class of 2021 at the end of each ceremony.
“I love 十大菠菜台子 because I love you,” he said. “You are 贝洛伊特ers through and through … You give us hope for the future.” Then graduates tossed their mortarboards toward the cloudless blue sky.
突出了
- 毕业典礼演讲: Angela Moten Russell ' 99, vice president of diversity, 股本, and inclusion at financial services firm CUNA Mutual Group.
- 两位学生演讲者: Erin Gallagher, from Bartlett, Ill., is headed to law school; Ana Kohout, of Lake Forest, Ill., is a future teacher and rising star in the disabilities advocacy movement.
- Warren Miller Blue Skies Award: 五胞胎Brunner奥斯丁，明尼苏达州., an interdisciplinary studies major in Community Development and a campus community champion.
- 玛莎·彼得森奖: 优越的墨菲密尔沃基，威斯康星州., a high academic achiever and active contributor to improving campus life as head RA and in other leadership roles.
就职事件
黑人学生毕业典礼, held on Commencement weekend, unfolded in a celebratory, balloon-filled Eaton Chapel for the first time at 贝洛伊特. Black student members of the class of 2021 collectively formed an outstanding group of leaders and high achievers, 包括一个 富布赖特学生学者, 2021 玛莎·彼得森奖 winner, 两名全美运动员, and future graduate students, 艺术家, 律师, 老师, 科学家们, 积极分子, 世界的改变者.
