2024 Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education Ceremony

in their direction to [Music] St get we [Music] w [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] woo [Music] [Applause] there [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] l oh [Music] d yes Sam good afternoon and welcome to the University of Rhode Island and the Ryan Center as provos and Executive Vice President for academic Affairs I declare the 2024 commencement ceremony of the University of Rhode Island Alan Sean Feinstein College of education officially open please rise if you are able and join in singing our national anthem performed by urri students Samuel G and Bianca Zen say can you see by the dawn's ear light what so proud We at the Twilight last who brought stripes and bright stars through the per fight for the when parts we watched were so gently streaming and the [Music] rocket the BS bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that star [Music] spankle for the land of the free and the whole the graduates and guests you may be seated we will now read the University of Rhode Island land acknowledgement statement which was developed in collaboration with an arrogance tribe please welcome URI student B Hopkins who will present the University's land acknowledgement [Applause] ASAS nasu van Hopkins uh to translate what I just said hello my name is Van Hopkins and I'll be reading a landing knowledge the University of Rhode Island occupies the traditional stomping ground of the Naran nation and the Niantic people we honor and respect the enduring and continuing relationship between the indigenous people in this land by teaching and learning more about their history and present day communities and by becoming stewards of the land we too inhabit katabat thank you thank you van I'd like to take this opportunity to briefly introduce the platform party and ask that they rise and remain standing please hold your applause until after all introductions are completed today's Grand Marshall is Michael a rice professor of fisheries and aquaculture with with us today from the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees are Margot cook chair of the board Charles bogerty rev Goyle Joseph Matthews and Melissa southernland also with us today both on the stage and seated with the graduates are members of the University's Executive team Deans and distinguished members of our faculty who I asked to stand and be recognized everyone please be seated presiding over today's ceremony the 12th President of the University of Rh Island Dr Mark parange graduating students family members friends distinguished trustees members of the faculty and of the entire URI Community the warmest welcome and to the class of 2024 congratulations I would like to ask all of today's graduates to please stand if you're able and to lead us in thanking your loved ones for their support those that are here in person and those watching online please be seated this momentous day would not be complete without recognizing those who proudly serve in uniform will all members of the military and Veterans please stand if you are able and be recognized I would also like to now ask the the newest A10 Champions the rowing team to please stand [Applause] Bravo when I look out across the audience today I am filled with a deep sense of Pride and gratitude I am so proud of you this stage and these stands are filled with your family mentors and most importantly your friends thank you to everyone here who has played a role in your success without a doubt this journey has transformed you and today you stand before a world transformed no one knows this better than you the class of 2024 but rest assured that you leave here today with a set of values and skills to live by lean into these principles let them guide you and light Your Way Forward first never forget that you are adaptable and you are resilient more than any other class you have risen to unprecedented challenges with Grace and courage a global pandemic meant that for our students earning a bachelor's degree today you may not have had a high school graduation and your college career started virtually and for many of our graduate degree candidates you may have missed an opportunity for a traditional College commencement as well but you have discovered that resil resilience isn't just about enduring it's about evolving and embracing change as you move on from U I encourage you to continue to welcome opportunities and face adversity with this Same Spirit next adopt empathy and awareness as powerful tools for creating inclusive environments keep opening yourselves to diverse perspectives and experiences we are living in an increasingly connected world that requires your thoughtful and compassionate leadership finally remember that Innovation like diamonds often arise from periods of intense pressure and I'm sure that many of you can attest to your most brilliant work being at times of tight deadlines personally I can say this morning that my best runtime exponentially increased when there were coyotes on the bike path behind me the world is asking us to find solutions to pressing Global issues and I know that you are well prepared to meet these demands headon embrace the pressure wherever you go from here keep you ouri close take that Deep Roy Pride to any Community you find yourself in stay engaged with the university come back to our campuses share your story and lean on the robust Alumni network that you now join you are an ambassador of the university and you now reap the rewards of a degree you have so richly earned and that you can leverage over our lifetime remember wherever you go once you're a Roi Ram you're a ro RAM for Life congratulations class of 2024 and now it's my sincere pleasure to welcome Margot cook chair of the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees a URI alumna Margo is a proven executive leader in the investment industry she was the president of newvine advisory services and today Margo serves on the boards of two of the world's leading hedge fund and private Capital companies please welcome Margo cook thank thank you president parange on behalf of the University of rhod Island Board of Trustees congratulations to our graduates you did [Music] it this is a very special day in your life take it in and enjoy it and thank you for all that you've done to continue making URI this amazing place to the parents family members loved ones and friends who are with us here today and watching online thank you and congratulations to you too it was your support that got your graduate here today as a proud graduate of urri myself it's my honor to serve as your board chair the board has the responsibility of ensuring that U is the best that it can be and to promote our mission as Rhode Island's Premier institution of higher education my own experience on this campus was the start of my career and my life as an independent person you're going to get a lot of advice this week so I'm just going to give you three quick thoughts that help me to get to a place of Happiness today first stay Physically Active it doesn't matter what you do pick anything I'm a cyclist and every time I ride I think more clearly I make better decisions and I've met people that I never would have known physical health supports happiness second save your money I put an extra $25 a week in savings when I first graduated and then I forgot I was doing it and 20 years later I'd actually saved a lot of money Financial Freedom which is the ability to control your life in the way that you want to is so important and I guarantee that it will lead to happiness finally hold on to these friends that you made at URI you've been through a lot stress and sadness but I bet you've never laughed harder than with these friends that are with you here today your I has a strong community and it's here for you my best friends today were made on this campus which has led to so much happiness throughout my life you're at the beginning of an independent life but you've got the tools to succeed make your voice heard I can tell you as a woman in business there were times when it was hard for that to happen but URI gave me the courage to do it find the things that make you happy and I guarantee that you will live a fulfilling life go Ro and now it is my distinct privilege to introduce our next speaker the dean of the Feinstein College of Education Dennis thank you chair cook was good advice for any age to the graduates and to the families and friends with us today and watching online welcome and congratulations the only constant in life is change these are the words of the Greek philosopher heraclitus there's another aspect of this philosopher's work that is less often discussed he talks about shifting our idea of life from one a being where we are static and change is something to fear to one to BEC coming where change is a source of optimism and potential embracing change allows us to grow and flourish placing us in a state of becoming in the book The Cathedral within Bill Shore emphasizes how medieval Masons set forth to build a cathedral they would never see finished although these Cathedrals took generations to construct the Mason saw their service as contributing to the greater good of the community they wanted future generations to benefit from their vision and labor as members of this College Community you are simultaneously part of its present its future and its history you carry it with you as you transition from being a student to a steward of the Feinstein College of educ ation today's ceremony celebrates all College of Education students and stewards our undergraduates pursuing careers in the classroom our Master students who develop the skills and knowledge to be leaders and Educators across all stages of life and our doctoral students those who engaged in scholarship to solve real problems in their field of study and of course we have our A10 Championship rowers with us here today who represent multiple colleges and all of you are connected through this community it is awesome to think about the ways we symbiotically interact and our role in this vast world as you carry forward in your journey I hope that your time at you or I has embedded a sense of service to others and to your communities so that we can all work to leave spaces better than we found them congratulations to you on all of your accomplishments and don't forget to come back and let us know how you are doing in your journey toward becoming thank you Dean Dennis for those remarks and for the great work you do on behalf of our students faculty and the university we now move to the conferral of the degrees and I welcome Brenton debuff dean of The Graduate School to please come forward to join me and recognizing our graduates thank you president parange I present to you the candidates with a doctoral degree after Rising if you were able I ask the candidate for each doctoral degree to remain standing until the degree is conferred will the candidate for the degree of doctor of philosophy please rise president parange I present the candidate for the doctoral degree in course and ask that you confer on them that degree upon recommendation of the faculty of the university and by the authority vested in Me by the trustees of the University of Rhode Island I confer upon you the doctoral degree with all the attendant rights Privileges and obligations and I congratulate you on behalf of the University please come forward to accept your degree and to be hooded by provos wolf and your hooding professor Jang ping s the liveed experiences of MLS major hooding professor Dr Julie coo president parange I now present to you candidates for the master's degrees after Rising if you are able I ask the candidates for each master's degree remain standing until the degree is conferred will the candidates for the master of arts please rise president parange I present to you these candidates for the master's degree in course and ask that you confer a on them their degrees oh I'm sorry I missed one we'll do one more so we did master of arts will the candidates for the master of science please rise thank you upon recommendation of the faculty of the University and by the authority vested in Me by the trustees of the University of Rhode Island I confer upon you the Master's Degree with all the attendant rights Privileges and obligations and I congratulate you on behalf of the University graduates please be seated and come forward when instructed by the marshals to accept your degrees Thomas Francis kellerer [Applause] Mari and [Applause] Thompson Caitlyn e Shackleford Trinity Sky Smith Rachel [Applause] deler Anna Elizabeth [Music] [Applause] lrin Megan Amanda panowski [Applause] Alesandra Donna colap Petro rodri Dylan Mitchell [Applause] Jones Elizabeth Eastman Aaron [Applause] ellingworth Liliana Lorenzo concepion Juan Louisa [Applause] Miranda chrisy Antonia imra Sur Xavier M [Applause] swilling Melissa Dennis [Applause] hoof Tiana Stanley Britney M [Applause] Ferguson Melissa C [Applause] Gooding Joshua T Lang [Applause] Richard J Sylvia Amanda deeran [Applause] Geron Wendy J [Applause] har lyanna ladina mallum [Applause] Yasmin Gonzalez Jasmine Miranda avales Melanie [Applause] Oak tiarra Simone bot [Applause] [Music] Victoria Maria Andre [Applause] fona we will now move to the conferral of the bachelor's degrees Dean Dennis will present the [Applause] candidates president parange I present to you the candidates for the bachelor's degrees after Rising if you are able I ask the candidates for each bachelor's degree to remain standing until the degree is conferred will the candidates for The Bachelor of Arts please rise will the candidates for The Bachelor of interdisciplinary studies please rise and will the candidates for The Bachelor of Science please rise president parange I present you to you these candidates for the bachelor's degrees in course and ask that you confer upon them their degrees thank you Dean Dennis upon recommendation of the faculty of the university and by the authority vested in Me by the trustees of the University of Rhode Island I confer upon you the bachelor's degree with all the attendant rights Privileges and obligations congratulations graduates please be seated and please come forward when instructed by the marshals to accept your degrees Parker Elizabeth Sweeney Emma Rose gero Ava Marie Napoli Olivia Nancy [Music] Quan McKenna Ray Goldstein [Applause] Emma R [Applause] sagran Rihanna [Applause] crew Jessica Jane [Applause] cows Julianne Rose aali [Applause] Melissa J [Applause] Yates unaa [Applause] schaer Victoria L Rowley Lauren e Conley Morgan gordano [Applause] Emma Adel [Applause] kello Emily Elizabeth [Music] [Applause] zaretti Lily Carmen Tomlinson Mia Nicole Bagley Charlotte [Applause] ke Grayson Bell [Applause] Divine Caroline [Applause] man Carolyn Evette Sena [Applause] Enriquez Katie Wilson [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Stephanie v cladio Matthew [Applause] lasalandra Zachary a [Music] Collins Emma hope riy Alexandra paig Mion [Applause] Emma G ke Kayla Marine [Applause] Baker Isabella Marie [Applause] R Alex J Rodriguez Caitlyn Dennison Samantha Paige Gosa noani Sky Perez Jackson Thomas schaer Juan Gonzalez [Applause] Lorenzo [Applause] zany Sabrina vemar Michelle Santos Garcia Brandon Bashan cazo [Applause] Emily [Music] [Applause] Olan Katie [Applause] Castle Samantha [Applause] gki Olivia [Applause] deir Nicole Jones [Applause] Samantha gum Sarah pearo Olivia [Applause] Kowalski Lucas Aaron Reed [Applause] Bradley F [Applause] prasini Luca J [Applause] Cortino Joshua T Cornell Liam Thomas [Applause] Roberts Halen e Reed [Applause] Ali Michelle viy bergo Molina natal Emily May [Music] [Applause] akroy Colleen Claire Curley [Applause] Aaron [Applause] McCarthy Nora Katherine [Applause] Carr Emma e [Applause] Ed Maggie R [Applause] Carr Taylor so Talia pastori Sophia R Deli [Applause] Bovi Michaela Paige [Music] vital Grace Maola Lauren and farband [Applause] Sarah Grace [Applause] bbar Patrick lroy Samantha Nicole [Music] foden Claire Elizabeth [Applause] deur Madison J godek Sophie Lynn [Applause] pelino McKenna a [Applause] Croft mallerie and [Applause] Shera Zachary Hayden Cohen Kaden s [Applause] Powers William John Rush Audrey sha Lane Sarah Hudson [Applause] Hart CLA El Elizabeth [Applause] McAn Isabella Kelly [Applause] garzaro Caitlyn Cecilia Walther Isabelle Michaela [Applause] rer Katie and Katan [Music] Eve a [Music] [Applause] curn Alesandra Marie martellini Gabriella Marie [Applause] DMO Michaela [Applause] luri Chloe Beth Marcel [Applause] Sophia M [Applause] khis Hannah e [Applause] [Music] cypriano Melissa L [Applause] tibits Isabella Maria D Silva Faith Olivia simonini [Music] [Applause] Molly K [Applause] [Music] Savia Sophie J [Applause] Douglas Kylie Rose bushka Caitlyn in bis [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Megan r d [Applause] Francesco Jaden Elizabeth [Applause] benais Olivia [Applause] Miller Cameron Elizabeth Bailey [Applause] Nancy and [Applause] antonucci Eevee May [Applause] boset Jaylen Teresa [Music] Delon Elizabeth Michelle Barrett [Applause] Megan Lynn [Applause] Johnson Emily [Applause] cavaleri Grace M [Music] [Applause] dun Emily an [Applause] FY Leila Rose mesor Shannon mered [Applause] Evangelista Jessica [Applause] Ferraro Amanda [Applause] Campbell Olivia long [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Sophia [Applause] mcau Benjamin James McMichael Nicholas M [Applause] crudale Joshua Cole [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Carell Edward G blessing [Music] [Applause] Nathan D masi Andre [Applause] Perez AAR [Music] [Applause] Tia Nolan Matthew Fletcher [Applause] Shan [Music] [Applause] [Music] Dei Margot Alysa Masters tala [Applause] aliri Kaye Lee [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Happ [Music] w [Applause] [Music] [Music] will all the graduates please rise if able now is the moment you've been waiting for please move the tassel from the right to the left side of your caps congratulations please be seated I would now like to welcome Dean Dennis back to the podium thank you president parange it is my pleasure now to Welcome to the podium one of your Feinstein College of Education peers to offer their Reflections and advice today's speaker is jayen Delon Jaylen is from New Milford New Jersey and is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education with an extension in middle level math and a minor in psychology please welcome Jaylen [Applause] D good afternoon faculty staff friends families and fellow graduates today I will begin with this number 1,356 which represents how many days it has been since September 1st 2020 me when our journey as Educators began for my undergraduate students we ended our senior year of high school virtually and began our URI careers while the world experienced a crisis our freshman year consisted of virtual classes wearing masks outside wondering if we'd be quarantined and isolating ourselves in our room or alone with our one roommate going through something as bizarre as a pandemic during your freshman year really really brings you close to the person you endured it with for me that person was eie faucet and I'm proud to say that she is one of my fellow graduates here today there's you people often Overlook the challenges we face over the course of our four years at college and for us the pandemic only multiplied those challenges yet each of us conquered every obstacle leading us to today as we officially become teachers collectively we share a passion for our profession for our students and for making a difference because if there's one thing we do know it's that we share as heck aren't going into it for the money we took all the necessary steps to get here our practicums those long long torturous lesson plans we had to write and lastly our student teaching experience which was so challenging yet so incredible rewarding we entered an already estblished classroom while simultaneously trying to make it our own working with a teacher who has years of experience under his or her belt is so intimidating we come in with nothing but the knowledge of our few URI classes expected to become responsible for the lives of 20 plus children it's terrifying no one tells you what to do when a student talks back and suddenly you feel offended by an 8-year-old I had to remind myself that I was the adult and not to laugh at their silly little jokes it's a real interesting transition from student to teacher the way I look at it we are all students at heart because no matter how old we get or how many degrees we earn we never stop learning I also want to mention all of the unnoticed moments the countless hours we spent planning before and after school the 45 minute daily commute many of us had to make the money spent on gas the part-time job some of us had to manage to squeeze into our schedule just to survive and not to mention the lack of sleep it was overwhelming but I knew in the end it would be worth it but as I said we're not in it for the money we're in it for the opportunity to make a difference nowadays children need so much more than just a teacher they need a role model a friend and someone to Simply care about them so although although our goal is to enhance their academic knowledge at the end of the day our job is to make sure they leave our classroom a better person if we say we teach 20 students every year for 30 years that means we can have a lasting impact on 600 different children how cool is that before I close I want to thank my clinical educator Caroline cloes who has molded me into the teacher I am today secondly Dr Virginia Killian lond who sparked my desire to teach and lastly my friends and family but especially my parents [Applause] wo as a first generation college student this degree is not just mine it is ours I couldn't be prouder to be your daughter and I couldn't be more grateful for all you have sacrificed to get me here we can officially say we made it to my fellow graduates I applaud you and all of your hard work and perseverance as I mentioned earlier in 1,356 days we have managed to become Educators now just imagine the countless opportunities that lie in all of our days ahead congratulations and best of luck in your future endeavors your future students are so lucky to have you as their teachers thank you thank you so much and I I have to say I agree with you students are so lucky to have you as their teachers yeah it's now my pleasure to introduce today's alumni speaker University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees member Charles Fogerty Charlie is a native Rhode Islander with a long history of Public Service following eight years as a member of the the Rhode Island state senate he was elected to two terms as lieutenant governor in addition to elected office he served as a Cabinet member in the administrations of two Rhode Island Governors first as director of the Department of Labor and Training training and later as director of elderly Affairs he's currently a professor and teaches in the College of Arts and Sciences at Johnson and Wales University please welcome Charlie Fogerty [Applause] thank you president parange if you ever lie awake at night worrying about the future of society of our country I have the perfect prescription for you come to a University commencement because like all of us here today you're going to leave this building feeling very optimistic that somehow we're going to get the job done because of the energy ideas and enthusiasm of these graduates and thousands like them throughout the country and while today we're recognizing your achievements at URI over the last several years we really look with great anticipation to the contributions that you're going to make to our nation our state and the world in the year ahead we're counting on you your ideas your VIs Vision your optimism to meet those many daunting challenges the world now faces remember this that in life few things worthwhile can be accomplished alone your family friends professors colleagues coaches and many others have played an important part in your success here at URI and in the future many others play a key role in whatever contributions you will make to the community you are a vital part of that community and now with an excellent education from URI you have a chance to make a meaningful difference in all that you do from this point forward use those opportunities widely today you will be joined with more than 140,000 proud URI alums our alumni Community stretches around the country and around the world and Roadie Pride runs deep not just here in Kingston you will literally find a road grad practically anywhere in the world so stay involved stay connected members of the class of 2024 congratulations and best of luck go roie [Music] he [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] don't let me fall again I've been with you when you needed help and I call you almost every day don't let me fall the G again cuz it's not easy to hold down in the show me [Music] my try to color I'm in the baby that is my cuz I'm not I'm not breathing but I'm not a li I eyes I light you know I'm not breathing [Music] [Applause] well I'm not breathing well [Music] I'm not breathing well [Music] as you leave here today I want to share just one final thought never forget the profound importance of Hope and possibility we often use hope as a platitude but I encourage you to cultivate it and adopt it as a lens for your life life I've personally seen this in action among you from our student athletes who continue to win championships while maintaining academic Excellence to our student groups like The Outing club who encourage and support everyone despite experience or ability to get outdoors and from our students who are first in their family to attend college and to our graduating doctoral and master's degree students whose academic Journeys have been marked by important work based on the belief that there is always a solution no matter how tough the problem I have been impressed by Capstone projects and everything from robotics geared toward access for underrepresented groups to some of our seniors in fine arts film and music who push themselves beyond their comfort zones to bring joy healing and hope to others our students in Greek life raised impressive funds for nonprofits for Children and Families managing cancer and those impacted by Parkinson's and from graduates who are finding Hope For answers to climate change to those who believe that hope is not merely an optimistic state of mind but a human necessity that has inspired them to pursue careers and service to their communities and the world hope and the belief in possibility have given you the resilience to pursue your goals hope can Inspire us to look Beyond challenges and enable us to confront uncertainty with confidence it is a Guiding Light during our darkest times and it binds us together allowing us to collectively Envision a better world and build thriving communities hope is not the expectation of better things but the guidance and inspiration toward achieving them congratulations class in 2024 I can't wait to see where you go from here so as we bring these proceedings to a close let's join together to sing our alma mater performed by URI students Ricky rzo and Kaye Arnold the words will be displayed on the screens and I invite everyone to stand if you are able and sing along H to the road we pledge our faith on you while our heroes bring the h with our Banner of white and blue in truth we ow she us the way to ACH and be of service to the world so all H are all I God what dare we [Music] do graduates ro ro roie roie ro ro Roy Roy w [Applause] congratulations class of 2024 the platform party will now recess followed by the faculty and the graduates graduates please remain at your seats until instructed by the marshals guests can meet their graduates outside of the Ryan center after the conclusion of the recessional the recessional will begin with the URI fight song we invite everyone to clap and sing along the words will be displayed on the screens I now declare the spring 2024 University of Rhode Island finstein College of Education commencement ceremony officially closed down [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] la oh n [Music] a [Music] [Applause] w oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] yeah r [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] the