Keylee Sue Sanders

Transcription

[ Music ] >> Welcome everybody to this day of celebration. My name is Craig Kennedy and I am the 15th dean of the college of education. The college was founded in 1908 to bring future education to the state of Georgia. Since then we have flourished, grown, and matured as a college. We currently have over 4500 students and annually graduate 1400 individuals who go on to careers and education, mental and physical health in human services. I would like to begin today's convocation with an introduction of our platform party. I would ask that each individual rise when I introduce him or her to receive our appreciation and applause. First is our distinguished alumni Dr. Vasti Torres, Dean of the College of Education at the University of South Florida. We are deeply honored to have Dean Torres serve as our convocation speaker today. [ Applause ] >> Second is Dr. Edward Delgado-Romero, Professor of counseling physiology in the colleges Department of Counseling and Human Development Services. Dr. Delgado-Romero will introduce our convocation speaker. [ Applause ] >> And finally we have Dr. Ann Marcott, Professor and Department Head of Communication Sciences and Special Education. Dr. Marcott will read the names of our graduates. [ Applause ] >> All right, now let me turn to my remarks. As Dean of the college of education it is my distinct pleasure to preside over today's convocation ceremony. Let me begin by extending my congratulations to everybody who is here. [ Applause ] >> To our graduates, today is your day and we all applaud you; Class of 2014. [ Applause ] >> Graduates, your accomplishments we are celebrating today have been assisted by many people in your lives; your parents, grandparents, siblings, partners, friends and others. Graduates, please take a moment to thank those that have helped you to earn your degree at the University of Georgia. [ Applause ] >> There are 230 faculty members in the nine departments in the college of education that have taught and mentored you. We also have 140 staff members in the college. These individuals, often without your knowing, have been instrumental in helping you to earn your degree. I ask everyone present to thank our faculty and staff. [ Applause ] >> This is a day of celebration for your passion for learning and helping others. Convocation is a time honored ritual that marks all that you have accomplished up until this point in your lives. Please make sure to enjoy this moment. It's something that occurs once in a lifetime. It is now my honor to introduce Dr. Edward Delgado-Romero, Professor of Counseling Physiology in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services. Professor Delgado-Romero is an imminent and respected scholar. He received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame in counseling physiology, was previously a faculty member at Indiana University, and joined our faculty in 2005. He is currently the training director and program coordinator for the counseling physiology program at the college. He is a fellow of the American Physiological Association and past president of the National Latina/Latino Physiological Association. His research, which has made significant contribution to the field of psychology focuses on multi-cultural psychology, Latino/Latina physiology, race and ethnicity, retaining faculty of color, and multi-cultural confidence. Dr. Delgado-Romero, please come to the podium. [ Applause ] >> Like the thousands of other college of education alumni that you're about to join tomorrow, Dean Vasti Torres is making a positive difference in the world through her teaching, scholarship, and service. Dean Torres received her doctoral degree from UGA in Counseling and Student Affairs of Administration, which we know as COSAA. COSAA, where are you? [ Applause ] >> And, Dr. Torres is the Dean of the School of Education at the University of South Florida. Other than your connection as UGA Alumni, you have other connections to Dean Torres without knowing it. As a professional achievement alumni award winner from our college, her portrait has smiled at your every day from across the ground floor elevators in Aderhold Hall. [ Laughter ] >> More substantially, Dean Torres has spent her career seeking to advance our understanding of college students through her research on bicultural orientation, Latino students, student engagement, community college initiatives, and the experiences of working college students among other areas. In other words, her research has helped all of us to understand and to help you stay in school and of course graduate. Dean Torres was the first Latina president of a national student services association, the Association of College Student Personal, and she has received many prestigious awards such as the Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award, the Contribution to Literature and Knowledge Award, from the National Association of Student Personal Administrators, was a Diamond Honoree of the American College Personal Association, and was named a Program Associate for the National Center for Policy and Higher Education. In addition she has also served as a Fulbright specialist in South Africa. It's a real treat today to introduce you to one of own our, one of our own Alumni, my colleague and friend, Dean Vasti Torres. [ Applause ] >> It's a pleasure to be here today, as a Dean and previously a faculty member I have to tell you that I have attended many, many graduations. Frankly, it's my favorite part of my job, but I also have to admit that I have heard countless graduation speeches that are incredibly boring. And so I have to tell you about the most memorable graduation speech I ever heard. I was at a medical school graduation and the title of the speaker was director of some biological research, so all of the indications were that this was going to be extra boring, and within 30 seconds he pulled out a guitar and began to sing a parody of a Frank Sinatra song. Now before you get nervous, I do not play a musical instrument, so do not fear, but instead I am going to adapt the idea and I have chosen a series of song lyric cliches that will in part wisdom and optimism for your future. To accomplish this, I have to admit a couple of things. First of all, the transitions are a bit rough. Frankly, they are completely grammatically incorrect. Many of the song lyrics, as you know, make no sense whatsoever, so parts of this speech will make no sense what so ever. Now I'm hoping that you will hang in there and find this to be at least an amusing thing at such a solemn occasion. After all being educated means being able to laugh at yourself, even though I sense most of this will be laughing at me. Now in the interest of creating an engaging learning experience, I would like to challenge the audience to count how many lyrics you recognize and I will be happy to let you know if you're correct. Now as part of this assignment, group work is heavily encouraged [laughter] because of my age, let's face it, there are a lot of oldies but goodies in this speech. So please feel free. Now for those of you who have finished qualifying exams master's thesis, and maybe a dissertation here or there, I would like to let you know that all of the song lyrics are sited in a foot note with song and artist. [Laughter] I admit that I did not use proper APA style because I refuse to look up the year they were written. Now as a place to begin, I want to admit that the lyrics I really wanted to use but could not figure out a way to integrate them. So please consider this part of your count or extra credit. The first is by Athens, B-52s. "You're living in your own private Idaho." What in the world is a private Idaho? I have no idea. The second is, "My uniform is leather and my power is age." I have no idea what that means, but as a middle aged woman it makes me sound cool. And the final one is, "Para bailar, la Bamba, Se necesita, Una poca de gracia [laughter]." Frankly, that one is just lost in translation. So here we go. This graduation is a celebration of years of saying "it's been a hard day's night." Or for others it could have been years of feeling like "it's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine [laughter]." Either way, all of you should just "slip out the back Jack, make a new plan Stan, don't need to be coy Roy, just set yourself free. Hop on the bus Gus, you don't need to discuss much, just drop off the key Lee, and set yourself free." Education has the power to set us free. Whether your Stan, Roy, Gus, or Monty, Solo, Gin, or Hassan, as educators you have the power to give others the knowledge they need to excel and change one's life path. That is an amazing power. One of the values of being a graduate of a college of education is the understanding and compassion we have for others. Now this requires us to know, "how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry?" Without this value, we are just "dust in the wind; all we are is dust in the wind." We know as educators, "I would rather be a hammer than a nail," and in my own research I see how education is the key for many disadvantages youths to change their careers. So as you enter your own career, keep thinking "Ain't no mountain high enough [laughter], ain't no valley low enough, river wide enough, to keep me from you." Or at least keep me from learning. I am confident that for education graduates, "the future is so bright, I have to wear shades." And as you leave the grounds of the University, know that "the words of the profit are written on a subway wall." Know that this college will "take my hand, take my whole life too, but I can't help falling in love with you." Or at least they will fall in love with you when you give them money. As I look back on my years at UGA there are places that I remember in all my life, though some have changed, some forever, not for better, some have gone, some remain. No matter how many degrees, I'm a double dog; I have from Georgia and the many years I've spent here, I can tell you that, "I am still a fool. I always will be. They can change my mind, but they can't change me." Before being a student at UGA, "I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything." Georgia's Colleges of Education graduates have gone on to be college presidents, deans, faculty, and outstanding teachers. While "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need." This college produces great graduates because we learn four important life lessons. The first, "You've got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, and know when to run." The second, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down." The third, "If we weren't all crazy, we would do insane." And the fourth, "You don't tug on Superman's cape and you don't spit into the wind." Wiser words have never been spoken [laughter]. As you sit here surrounded by family and friends, I hope that you are recognizing that you don't need money, fame, or fortune. Instead, "all you need is love. Love, love is all you need." In spite of the reminiscing most of you are doing right now, the main thought going through your family and friends mind is "to the left, to the left, everything you own is in a box to the left." [ Laughter ] >> Most of them are always looking forward for when they're heading down the Atlanta highway, after all, some of you are leaving the love shack, there's a little old place where we can get together [laughter]. So I conclude this whimsical view of your journey by recognizing that "because I'm happy, clap along if you feel like a room without a roof. Because I'm happy, clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth. Because I'm happy, clap along if you know what happiness is to you." Now as a final gesture, I ask that all of you join me in the final classic song lyric cliche. "Na, na, na, na -- >> "Na, na, na, na, hey, hey, hey, good bye." >> One more time! >> "Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, hey, hey, hey, good bye." >> Thank you. [ Applause ] >> Well, thank you Dean Torres. That is truly difficult to follow. [ Laughter ] >> All right. [ Laughter ] >> I'm tempted to put on my sunglasses because their future is so bright [laughter], but I won't. All right, and now we have the privilege of recognizing those of you who will be receiving degrees this semester from the college of education. Some of you have earned bachelor's degrees, some of you master's degrees, and others have earned specialists degrees. Many of you have qualified for initial teacher certification, qualified to apply for licensure in professional areas or add another area of professionalization to your [inaudible] professional credentials. Many of you completed original research in the form of an undergrad project, an honors thesis, or a master's thesis. Many of you have provided important service to the community through your service learning activities and many of you have accomplished all of this while maintaining grade point averages high enough that you are graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. Some of you did this while working, while taking care of your children or your parents, or while blazing your own trail as the first person in your family to attend college. [ Yelling ] >> All of you have worked very hard and that's why we call it earning a degree. We are very proud of all of you and we are pleased to be able to recognize your work and your accomplishments this afternoon. [ Applause ] >> Now we will begin the convocation procession. The graduates will approach the stage from the audience's right and be introduced by department. I invite the audience to please hold your applause, which I know will be difficult, until all graduates how been introduced for a department. Introducing our graduates today is Dr. Ann Marcott, Professor and Department Head of Communication Sciences in Special Education. Dr. Marcott, please step to the podium. [ Applause ] >> Our first group of graduates this afternoon have all earned degrees from the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education. This department focuses its scholarship on the special needs of persons across a lifespan who benefit from different approaches to teaching, learning, or communication. Whether they are continuing on to serve as, childhood special educators, to work as special education teachers, to complete graduate studies in speech language pathology or audiology, or to contribute to their world in other ways. All of these graduates carry with them the department's mission of helping all persons become as independent as they can be. Congratulations to everyone who has earned a degree in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education. Beginning with, DeShonda Turner Cyganik. Suzette Reney Braden. Summer Lauren Prather. Santerria Houseworth. Susan Kathleen Moran. Amanda Lee Patrick. Shana Renee Adams. Tammy Jean Anderson. Claudia Denisse Tapia. Amelia May White. Jessica Lee Fitzpatrick. Lindsey Blake Porter. Candace Nicole Conglose. Olivia DePre Clark. Kelsey Lee Lott. Taylor Nichole Bowman. Shaylin Meredith Curry. Kayla Nicole Schlarb. Claire Elizabeth Cagle. Jenna Rae Jones. Bonnie Marie O'Neal. Linda Blake Cunningham. Catherine Marie Citta. Margaret Nevins Watts. Blakely Rae Brown. Sara Elizabeth Schuster. David James Daniel. Jaqueline Marie Horn. Jenna Leigh Gravitt. Abigail Elizabeth Wood. Ansley Lorraine Harbin. McKenzie Grace Teschner. Courtney Lynne Ridley. Kara Marie Kassoff. Elena Joe Finer. Katherine Douglas Brown. Emily Marie Rhodes. Rachel Inez Hayes. Shelby Marie Parker. Erica Danielle Laterza. Kay Parker Morrow. Katie Jeanette Crowe. Deana Davis Bailey. Derrica Tiara Mitchell. Julia Ellen Kiningham. Alexandra Nicole Acheson. Shelby Sine. Jacquelynne Christina Rodriguez. Lorrie Anne White. Sarah Elizabeth Paul. Hannah Elizabeth Cornett. Ellen Rebecca Grade. Karli Nell CaAnnon. Alyson Lydia Seeling. Keali NIcole Lay. Victoria Paige Brickenden. Aimee Elizabeth Johnson. Breanna Lauren Ernst. Meghana R Nathan. Victoria Marie Smith. Lauren Ashley Greene. Morgan Diane Lowery. Elizabeth Ann McDermott. Jennie Phillips Dyer. Melissa Brooke Wilson. Loren Lamar Purvis III. Shannon Kay Young. Laura Anne Browning. Julee Beth Dunn. Zeth Daniel Ford. Alexandra Lynn Waterson. Tammie Elizabeth Mathis. Skyler Alexandria Ward. Kaitlyn Mendenhall Berry. Sarah Elizabeth Alden. Marissa Marie Sole Greene. Ashley Nicole Carlton. Rebecca Lynn Bailey. Andrea Sabina Amszynski. Camille Julianne Wise. Kristen Julianna Smock. Amanda D. Nguyen. Courtney O'Neal Gunter. Katherine Jean Hylton. Amelia Nicole Owen. Chloe Elizabeth Robbins. Sara Traina Sims. And Claire Murphy Kortum. [ Applause ] >> The next graduates have all earned degrees from the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services. Currently ranked number two in the country, the department has a rich history of service as a primary state, regional, and national training site for students who pursue careers in counseling and related educational fields. These graduates are leaving us as counseling psychologists, recreation and leisure studies professionals, school counselors, or college-student affair administrators who all completed highly rigorous academic programs. Congratulations to all of the graduates who have earned degrees in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services. Beginning with Benjamin David Wentworth. Victor Manual Lopez. Lauren Arlene Adams. Jaclyn Ann Kuwik. Lene Rivas. Chandler Elaine Thompson. Amber Dawn McCraw. Evan Blair Thrailkill. Timothy Joseph Martin. Jennifer Elizabeth Boozer. Andrew Farrell Haggerty. Alex Charles Lange. Erin Marie Davis. Andrew John Knoblich. Jenna Measroch. Emma Archer Brett. Madeline Jo Kikkert. Whitney Faith Garmon. Evan Gail Carter. And Lauren Ashley Sanders. [ Applause ] >> The graduates in our next group have all earned degrees in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice. These outstanding graduates are prepared for positions as teachers, teacher leaders, teacher educators and researchers in early childhood, elementary, middle school, and social studies education. These programs routinely rank among the top 10 in the nation according to the <i>US News </i>and <i>World Report </i>and all of their graduates share the department's commitment to deepening societies understanding of the issues facing the next generation of learners and their teachers, and to foster equity and social justice in education. Congratulations to everyone who has earned a degree from the department of educational theory and practice. Andrew Brett Holbrook. Javlyn Shea Patterson. Misty Dawn Morgan. Emily Paige Suber. [Foreign Name] Young. Alexia Stepanie Codispoty. Megan Dailey Wilkins. Jamilah Aamira Henderson. Emily Ellen Sprayberry. Stacie Marie Habowski. Amelia Pearson Underwood. Ashley Lauren Largo. Ashley Rose Vande Corput. Shelby Cazelle Neeley. Eric John Hammarlund. Jamie Lynn Bouck. Valerie Dora Joyce. Shelly Elizabeth Gleaton. Kathleen Caldwell Jarvis. Rachel Louise Miller. Samantha Beth Reinshagen. Angela Smyth Taylor. Emily Caroline Law. Caroline Joan Young. Margaret Rebecca Abernethy. Jami Cara Lupuloff. Asha Lal Menon. Kristy Nicole Costa. Caroline Joan Young. Margaret Rebecca Abernathy. Jamie Cara Lupuloff. Asha Lal Menon. Kristy Nicole Costa. Elizabeth Jordan Bennett. Neah Brook Barrett. Lyndsey Blanton Tucker. Margaret Anne Johnson. Rebecca Brooke Shields. Amy Lauren Sobol. Lindsey Elizabeth O'Sullivan. Brittany Laine Cagle. Adriane Frances Cooper. Elizabeth Zane Baldwin. Elizabeth Ann Thompson. [Laughter] Michael Chang. Kera Desiree Wilson. Jacqueline Karen Tate. Kelly Marie Brodalski. Mallory Elizabeth Benson. Lauren Elizabeth Davis. Jordan Lynne Krueger. Brittany Megan Campbell. Abby Suzanne Crowe. Erin Michelle McDowell. Jennifer Sara Ruggirello. Alexa Nicole Felice. Adrienne Marea Orem. Victoria Alexa Hogue. Anna Irene Sadler. Rebecca Lynn Maxwell. Carissa Megan Mooney. Danielle Nicole Carse. Geena Nicole Frikor. Riana Morgan Pilzer. Ashlea Marie Pearman. Lia Joy Richardson. Jessica Ann Kerr. Mary Elizabeth Gray. Janet Sohmong Lee. Chauntelle Janez Robinson. Diamond Lenai Jefferies. Shaeroya Jenecia Earls. Brianna Marissa Jenkins. Morgan Ann Freidman. Virginia Bannington. Davis Shelton Lee. Erin Leigh Horn. Anna Catherine Simmons. Caroline Meredith Scott. Amy Christine Davis. Anna Lee Davenport. Caroline Rita Sullivan. Daniel Louis Neff. Jeri Lauren Alfano. Bruce Evan Powell Jr. Nicole Christine Ham. Monica Sheada Farzad. Stephanie Grace Jeffords. Mary Jane Young. Megan Katherine McGarrah. Leslie Katherine Gallagher. Erica Blake Rzepka. Kimberly Renae Wilson. Amber Daniele Taylor. Kristina Lee Pogue. Allison Noel Jones. Catherine Diane Fowler. Lyndsay Raye Thomas. Karah Lauren Koellner. Maggie Beak. Mary Anne Equen Lane. Elizabeth Leigh Pennington. Emily Katherine Brewer. Alexandra Elizabeth Bosgraf. Shaquila Cature Wise. Melanie Maria Wiggins. Courtney Lynne Chrzanowski. Stephanie Claire Dowst. Julia Alexandra Lacy. Anna Kathleen Bergstrom. Mary Katherine Brown. Kelsi Kathleen Herring. Angela Christina Saenz. Lindsey Ann Johnson. Candice Lynne Cannon. Madison Yvonne Bunch. Sarah Michelle Bilodeau. Mary Cameron Yeomans. Taylor Anne Beals. Macklin Sean Hennessey. Jonathan David Ryan Smith. Jon Everett Owen. Paul Anthony Floyd. Cameron Martin Hutchins. Kevin Daniel Bowman. Joseph Zachary Gaddis. James Tyler Kesler. Conor Patrick Naughton. Blaire Elizabeth Barnhart. Kathy Gail Jones. Ann Elizabeth Bentley. Zachary Robert Scalf. Elizabeth Joy Edwards. Samantha Nicole Hudkins. Grace Young. Christina Leigh Schiveree. Meredith Caroline Fendler. Victoria Isabell Paquin. Elizabeth Anne Mackey. Rachel Wood Baker and Alexandra Kay Pastina. [ Appaluse ] Our next group of graduates have all earned degrees from the Department of Kinesiology. The mission of this department is to enhance health and well-being for people throughout the lifespan through the creation, transmission, and application of knowledge related to physical activity, exercise and sport. The departments bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in Exercise Science, Physical Education and Sport Management prepare teachers for careers as practitioners in allied health fields, in teaching and coaching and in sport enterprises, and for careers as scholars and researchers in higher education, government, and industry. Congratulations to all the graduates who have earned degrees in the Depart of Kinesiology. Beginning with Ray-Kelle Antoinette Preston. Ezra Michael Namkoong. Eric Joseph Nawyn. Robert Charles Wirsing. Jeffrey Floyd Larkins. Quoc Le Hoang. Morgan Anslee Stamey. Jeremy Shane Lackman. Kimberly Stinchcomb Butler. Taylor Jeffery Streetman. Michael Christopher Patten. Emily Rose Fenker. Brett Lewis Marbut. Derek Edward Paganini. Matthew Blake Hartman. Justin Taylor Ruth. Halle Machitar. Kristine Simone Marble. Susan Elizabeth Knighten. Sloan Marie Bunting. Michael Thomas Hobby. Cole Wesley Harlan. Jacob Ronald Glass. Philip Sabu Thomas. Michael Brogan Lazar. Melanie Therese Dark. Nicolas Charles Daly. Wendy Denise Hanna. Kelsey Leigh Piersol. Lindsey Katherine Johnson. Sara Elizabeth Burch. Caroline Adele Hamilton. Jessica Ann Hook. Katherine Elizabeth Semones. Aaron Michael Harris. Nathan Ash Terrell. Michael Robert Petron. Chadwick McKenzie Keeter. Alex Mason Thames. Matthew James Chandler. Benjamin Han Wook Chong. Christopher Blake White. Hillary Morgan Murphy. Megan Catharine Mason. Hailey Jane Burrell. Christine Elvira Hunt. Ansley Claire Cranford. Jessica Ingrid Taylor. Daniela Cavallo. Samantha Lee Harrison. Daniel Von Dance. Lauren Elizabeth Rios. Abigail Mueller Fish. Benjamin Scott Haney. Dylan Scott McCarter. Shelby Lynn Gaccetta. Laura Margret Ellis. Daniel Cadavid. Caleb Martin Elder. Jonathan David Ross. Matthew Ronald Gordon. Deep Gautam Patel. Tracy Phan. Nicole Angelica Murillo. Allison Murphy Lowry. Alexa Marie Samir. Jubilee Grace Price. Deanna Nicole Waller. Taylor Bauer Jackson. India Shenea Kimbro. Tara Margret Edwards. Kaitlyn Elizabeth Helton. Meghan Elizabeth Finecey. Brittany Lauren Landis. John Thomas Hurt Jr. Peter Albert Verdin. Christopher Alexander O'Lessker. Brooks Callaway Willis. Mitchel Vincent Plum. Ravi Gamanbhai Patel. Mary Alice Walker McBurney. Megan Deanne Griffin. William Carter Mills. Rachel Elizabeth Butler. Megan Nicole Ivester. Laura Keene Bonin. Carly Rose Waters. Julia Lauren Lamb. Melissa Anne Peterson. Amy Kathleen Cotton. Allison Annette Blount. Latasha Shanelle Harris. Erik Chase Foster. Shatejah Jenee Berry-Kirkland. Savannah Leigh Jenkins. Tamara Leighann Cowart. Hawley Ann Emanuele. Carley McCall Smith. Jordan Kelsey Friend. Jessica Ariel Jackson and Taylor Lauren Kiley. [ Applause ] Our next group of graduates have all earned degrees in the Department of Language and Literacy Education. The overall intent of language and literatacy education coursework is a focus on sustaining thoughtful and caring literacy instruction in Georgia schools. Students at all levels engage with faculty on topics including critical literacy, social construction of literacy, situated learning, children's and young adult literature, second language acquisition, foreign language acquisition, discourse analysis and other research methodologies and teacher preparation. Congratulations to all the graduates who have earned degrees in the Department of Language and Literacy Education. Beginning with Emily Elizabeth Barry. Callie Elizabeth Bryan. Lauren Anne Marlatt. Catherine Power Swayze. Steven Zachary Beebe. Brenna Cathleen Boileau. Courtney Henfield. Heather Louise Holcomb. Allyson Kaitlyn Brannon. Chelsey Kate Handlin. Emily Brooke Metz. Peyton Maxine Maddox. Deborah Jill Bowen. Christy Ann Hill. Madison Sloan Eason. Anna Clay Fede. Victoria Faith Rivard. Stephanie Lynn Word. Jin Young Kim. Zachary Levi Drummond. Margaret Mary Serletti. Mary Virginia Hahn. Meredith Susan Williams. Ellen Lindsay Sherrod. Benjamin Tyler Bradshaw. Brittany Hagan Blackmon. Kayla Faye Cannella. Killian Julia Ross. Christine Marie Dysert. Catherine Margaret Prater. Anna Louise Connor. Jiani Liao. Ling Kwan. Dong Dong Ma and Shen Ying She. [ Applause ] That brings us to our final group of graduates this afternoon. Those who have earned degrees from the Department of Mathematics and Science Education. These graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills to be leaders in the areas of instruction, curriculum, assessment and policy for mathematics and the sciences, and for learners in pre-school through college settings. Given the importance of mathematics and science literacy in our society today the faculty of the department and the college as a whole look forward to the contributions these professionals will make through their teaching, their research, and their service. Congratulations to everyone who has earned a degree in the Department of Mathematics and Science Education. Edmond Walker Middlebrooks Jr. Heather Rose Rigsby. Madison Colby Leathers. Valentina Udekigbo. Jennifer Ainsley Gole. Wright Ashley Shamp. John David Walker. Jessica Nicole Steele. Addison King Neiman. Carol-Ann Baird. Megan Emeline Scott. Allyson Lynes Faircloth. Lacy Gainey Carter. Karissa Tanea Davenport. Virginia Elizabeth Rozier. Elizabeth Dianne Downey. Leslie Kim. Chelsea Margaret Sexton. Thomas Jay Basile and Carson Isaac LeCroy. [ Applause ] >> All right, thank you Dr. Marcott, members of the platform party. It is now my great pleasure to introduce our final speaker for the 2014 College of Education Convocation. She's our first ever student convocation speaker and her name is Amy Cotton. Amy's an Exercise and Sports Science major and [inaudible] and Family Science Minor. She's also recently chosen as the College of Education Outstanding Honors Student. In addition to her exemplary performance in her honors courses she has completed countless hours of research through CURO, the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities. She has been described by faculty with whom she's worked as having exceptional instructional and leadership abilities. During her time here she has truly demonstrated the academic initiative and commitment to community service that exemplifies the best of the College of Education and the University of Georgia. This summer Amy will begin the physician's assistance program at Georgia Regents University. Amy, please come to the podium. [ Applause ] >> Glory, glory to old Georgia. After seeing all the graduates cross the stage I wish [inaudible] right now. Congratulations to our fellow graduates of the Class of 2014. [ Applause ] There's so much more to our accomplishments than the short walk across stage and the diplomas we will receive. We are leaving this university with memories, friendships, and experiences, that has shaped as individuals, enhanced our worldview and better prepared us for the future. It is bittersweet to leave Athens. Soon there will be new students filling our classrooms. A new dining hall, new buildings on campus, new restaurants and landscapes. Although Athens may change and look different when we return to visit we must remember that the spirit of the University of Georgia is unchanging and will forever live on in our hearts. The tradition of the chapel bell, calling the dogs, and the battle hymn solo will continue and will always be a call to us to come back to this place we grew together, to the place that made us who we are today. After us graduates of the College of Education, a little piece of the college will always be with us whether it's advice or inspiration from a peer or professor, personal development enhanced by academic challenges, or pride in knowing we graduated from the finest in the land and we are now connected to a college of alumni network that's over 60,000 strong. It's our job to pass this spirit on to future graduate classes. I challenge you as young alumni to give back to the college of education whether it's of your time, your talents, or your resources as teachers, physical therapists, counselors, school administrators, policy makers, and other countless professionals. We can positively influence the students that will follow in our footsteps. Let's set an example for future classes of the College of Education by having a strong work ethic, drive to succeed and a continued passion for learning. Thank you to our parents, families, and others, who have supported, inspired, and encouraged us along the way. Thank you also to all who have gone before us in making the University of Georgia the institution that it is today. We as the class of 2014 will honor your legacy by understanding that there is no tradition more worthy of envy, no institution worthy of such loyalty as the University of Georgia. [ Applause ] I am honored to stand at the stadium with all of you tomorrow and I'll see you all there again in 113 days for kickoff. Go Dawgs! [ Applause ] >> Thank you, Amy. Thank you again families, faculty and staff. Everyone has many reasons to be proud today. Graduates you are now alumni of the College of Education. [ Cheering ] And you are now a member of a community that includes 60,000 living alumni. Many of these individuals have gone on to great accomplishments and made important contributions to Georgia and the nation and we expect no less from each one of you. We look forward in the future to hearing with great pride about the impressive accomplishments and the important contributions made by the Class of 2014. Audience, it is our pleasure to present to you the Class of 2014. [ Applause ] [ Cheering ] [ Applause ] Class dismissed. [ Cheering ]