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[MUSIC]
>>Dr. David Vocke: Good morning.
I'm Dr. David Vocke of the Department of Secondary
Education.
As Grand Marshal, it is my pleasure to welcome you to
Winter Commencement exercises for the College of
Education and the Fisher College of Science and Math.
I would like to introduce Dr. Maravene Loeschke, the
13th president of Towson University.
Madam President, the university community is
assembled for commencement.
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Good morning, everyone, and
welcome to the 149th commencement in this proud
history of this university.
Today, we are going to pause and celebrate you as our
newest graduates and your significant academic
achievements.
It has been such a pleasure to guide and mentor you on
this transformation in your lives.
I want you to take just a tiny second and think about
your first day here - the first time you came on
campus, where you parked, where your room was, the
class you went to, finding your way around, the
anxiousness, excitement you may have felt.
And now look where you are - exactly where you wanted to
be.
It's a remarkable glorious journey.
Now, everyone, please stand as we sing the national
anthem.
We're going to be led in that by Mr. Charles Cizek,
who is receiving a Bachelor of Science in music
education today.
Gentlemen, please remove your caps.
[MUSIC]
>>Mr. Charles Cizek: Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early
light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's
last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the
perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so
gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
gave proof through the night that our flag was still
there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet
wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the
brave?
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Now everyone may be seated.
At this time, we would like to pause for a moment of
silence in honor of the faculty staff and students
who have passed away during this year - the staff Peter
Bince (ph), Tom McDermott (ph), Andrew Charles (ph)
and the students Gilad Nissim, Patrick Dieringer,
Gregory Thomas, Kelsey Allen and Katelin McMullin.
A moment of silence please.
Thank you.
Now the flags on display represent 20 countries of
the 61 international students graduating from
Towson this winter.
Also on stage are flags representing all 77 nations
of our current international population of 580.
We are so pleased to have each and every one of you
here in our Towson family.
As you can see, an education at Towson not only serves
our region and the state of Maryland, but also reaches
across the entire nation and around the globe.
In addition to the international flags
displayed, you will also notice a number of
graduates, faculty and staff wearing black, gold and gold
pins signifying their support of the Tiger
Commencement Pledge.
And that pledge is a voluntary commitment to
become more active in our communities and to work for
positive change in social and environmental
conditions.
We applaud these efforts most sincerely.
I now call upon Charlotte Ridgeway - President of the
Student Government Association to introduce
representatives from the university's various boards.
Ms. Ridgeway.
>>Charlotte Ridgeway: Madam President, ladies and
gentlemen this morning we are pleased to have two
members of the university's Board of Visitors.
Mr. Ted Zaleski and Mrs. Myrna Cardin who'll
bring congratulations and greetings on behalf of the
board.
The Board of Visitors is a group of professionals who
advise and guide the president.
Mrs. Cardin is a 1965 elementary education
graduate of Towson University who taught in
Baltimore County, tutored students with dyslexia, and
advocated for children with special needs.
An active community leader and a volunteer for most of
her life, Mrs. Cardin is a board member of the Jewish
Community Services.
Mrs. Cardin has served on the Towson University's
Board of Visitors since 2008 and is presently the board
chair.
She will also co-chair Towson University's 150th
anniversary to be celebrated in 2016.
Please welcome Mrs. Myrna Cardin.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Mrs. Myrna Cardin: Good morning and congratulations to you,
our graduates, your families and the outstanding faculty
that prepared you for this day.
In this age of multitasking, we do so many things at one
time and take on many rolls that we often refer to it as
wearing different hats.
First, I'm wearing the hat that represents the Board of
Visitors as I extend best wishes to you from all of
them.
We have followed your efforts in the classroom, on
the athletic field and in all of your special
interests and we take great pride.
And I'm wearing a hat that identifies me as a Towson
University alum who has seen tremendous changes at her
university and proudly identifies with it.
And finally, I'm wearing a hat as a resident of
Maryland and another hat as a citizen of the United
States who welcomes your skills and leadership to
keep our state and our country moving forward.
I often see the list of Towson graduates who are
leaders in the field of business, arts, education,
research, community activism, government and
philanthropy.
Towson has earned the reputation for producing
leaders and I look forward to seeing names of people
from the class of 2013 included in that list in
future years.
And you too wear many hats, most obvious today is the
graduation cap.
Along with your gown and diploma, it is recognition
of your academic achievement, hard work,
commitment and perseverance.
And the hats that you wear that we don't see right now
are those of son or daughter, perhaps mother or
father, sibling and a friend.
They are the hats that hopefully kept you grounded
during your years at Towson and will continue to be just
as important in the years to come.
While I'm sure you've gotten far more advice in the last
few months than you ever wanted, I would like to
bring you thoughts from a renowned literary figure who
says it much more articulately than I ever
could.
This is what Maya Angelou said in an interview with
Oprah Winfrey on the occasion of her 70th
birthday.
When asked what she had learned, Ms. Angelou said
I've learned that no matter what happens or how bad it
seems today, life does go on and it will be better
tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about the person
by the way he or she handles three things - a rainy day,
lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
Apropos, I've learned that making a living is not the
same as making a life.
And I've learned that life sometimes gives you second
chances.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life
with a catcher's mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw some things back.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an
open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have
to be one.
I've learned that everyday you should reach out and
touch someone.
People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the
back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
And I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.
Congratulations and best wishes for fulfilling life.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Charlotte Ridgeway: Thank you Mrs. Cardin.
We are also fortunate this morning to have Mr. Frank
Mezzanotte, board member of Towson University's Alumni
Association who will bring words of welcome and
congratulations to our new graduates.
Please welcome Mr. Mezzanotte.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Mr. Frank Mezzanotte: Good morning.
Great day to be a Tiger.
As a member of the Alumni Association and a proud
graduate of the class of 1973, I am honored to be
here today representing the more than 139 thousand
alumni who have been graduating from this
remarkable institution.
Each of these alumni has a unique story to tell about
their success and I would say my own story would not
be possible without the education, the connections,
the experiences I made at Towson.
Today, you join 2,305 fellow graduates who make up the
class of 2013.
One thousand six hundred and forty-five of you are
receiving a Bachelor's Degree.
Six hundred and fifty-two of you are receiving a Master's
Degree or certificate.
And eight of you are receiving a Doctoral Degree
from Towson University.
Your class, 60 percent female, 40 percent male.
The average age of the students in this year's
graduating class undergraduate class is 24.
Of the graduate students, it is 32.
The youngest graduate in the class of 2013 is Kathleen
Woell, who is receiving a Bachelor's Degree in
political science at the age of 20.
Our most seasoned graduate is George Snead, who at the
age of 67, is receiving a Master's Degree in computer
science.
Let's give it up for that.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Mr. Frank Mezzanotte: Your class represents 27 out of the 50
states, with New Jersey and New York being at the top.
Ready for this?
On record, 52 of you are from New Jersey and 41 from
New York.
Thirteen are the sole representatives from their
home state.
For those of you receiving a Master's or Doctoral Degree
today, we know that 18% of you have also received a
Bachelor's Degree from Towson.
A second congratulations is in order.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Mr. Frank Mezzanotte: We know that this class is very
engaged and active as a majority of current seniors
and graduate students participated in internships
and experiential learning projects this past semester.
Additionally, members of this graduating class were
involved in extracurricular sports, in the collegiate
athletics co-curricular activities.
All the while - and this is really impressive - an
average class GPA of 3.41.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Mr. Frank Mezzanotte: We know that most of you will stay
right here in Maryland after graduation because on
average, 74 percent of TU alumni call Maryland home,
although alumni live in every state across America
and 81 countries.
Perhaps you will join the nearly 5,800 alumni who have
married fellow Towson graduates.
Or maybe you will become one of the 1,000 alumni who come
back to their alma mater as a faculty or staff position.
Whatever path you decide to take, remember you will
always be part of the growing Towson alumni
network and we want to stay connected with you.
The Alumni Association will help do this today and we
look forward - we look forward to hearing from you
in your future on accomplishments and
successes.
As a welcoming gift from the Alumni Association, we will
be presenting you with a seedling as a reminder to
always remember your Towson University roots.
On behalf of the thousands who have preceded you, it is
my privilege to congratulate you on your outstanding
achievement.
Congratulations on this very special day.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Thank you Mr. Mezzanotte.
Now may I ask if you are a parent or a grandparent or a
child of one of our graduates today and are a
Towson alum, would you stand up?
So we can - look at that.
How wonderful.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: And now anyone who is a Towson alum
in the room, please stand - faculty, staff, audience.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Thank you so much for our pride in you
and your support of us.
Once again I call upon Charlotte Ridgeway to
introduce our first student speaker.
Charlotte.
>>Charlotte Ridgeway: Madam President, ladies and
gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to introduce our
undergraduate speaker, Ms. Lauren Dennis, who is
graduating today from the College of Education with a
Bachelor's of science in early childhood education.
Her career goal's to become an elementary school
teacher.
Please welcome Ms. Lauren Dennis.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Ms. Lauren Dennis: Thank you SGA President Charlotte Ridgeway
for that introduction.
Good afternoon President Loeschke, distinguished
guests, honored faculty, family, and most
importantly, fellow graduates.
Over the past four and a half years at Towson, I have
been consistently reminded of why I chose to be a
teacher.
Teachers are no longer men and women who stand in front
of a chalkboard.
They're counselors, mentors, nurses and even first
responders.
As a teacher, I have the opportunity to prepare young
children for grants and gratifying futures.
In my mind, there is no other career more rewarding
than that.
Now that my time at Towson University in the College of
Education is coming to a close, my experiences here
have led me to three life lessons that will be
eternally ingrained in my mind and in my heart.
First, never underestimate the power of laughter.
This past August I entered a school in Baltimore County
as a student teacher, never expecting that a 6-year-old
girl would change my life forever.
I began establishing relationships with each one
of my 22 students, but I found that one of these
students created a barrier between us.
She had big blue eyes, always wore a shirt with a
butterfly and I would eventually find out that she
had the most amazing laugh I would ever hear.
After about two weeks I pulled her aside.
For a moment something took over me, I don't even
remember doing it, but I tapped her on the shoulder.
I did all that I could think of - a knock knock joke.
To my surprise, she broke out into a huge string of
laughter, she gave me a hug and walked away.
Every day after, she came up to me at least once to
listen to her joke.
I tried telling her others, but nothing was as funny as
the way I told the knock knock joke about an orange
and a banana.
On the last day of my placement I told her the
joke one last time.
This time when she hugged me, she looked up at me with
her big blue eyes and butterfly shirt and said, I
know I can trust you because you make me laugh.
This young girl had lost both of her parents as was
classified as homeless.
By telling her a silly knock knock joke, I had gained her
trust.
Trust that she did not give readily, but trust that I
had earned just by making her laugh.
This leads me to my second life lesson - never forget
where you came from.
We all have roots, whether you've chosen to live by
them or learn from them.
In my experiences in the College of Education, I have
met a multitude of young lives that are currently
growing up in broken homes, experience verbal or
physical abuse, and sometimes the only time they
really feel safe is in the classroom.
As a teacher, I strive to help children understand
that the world is amazing place.
And despite their uphill battle as a young child,
they can make a difference in the future because of
where they came from.
It is undeniable that our experiences from our past
aid in the shaping of our future.
Whether you choose to celebrate your past and
honor it, or rise above it, never forget where you came
from because it has made you the person you are today.
Lastly, never stop dreaming.
A dream really begins when someone believes in you,
pushes and tugs at you.
Maybe it was an elementary school teacher, a college
professor, or a member of your family.
It isn't until you have accomplished your dream that
you realize that this person was really your greatest
fan.
If a person did come to mind, please take the time
to thank them because without these people, we may
not have made it this far.
So a huge thank you to Towson University, the
College of Education and all of our professors.
We would not be here if it wasn't for your consistent
guidance and belief that we would make it to this day.
I would also like to thank my three greatest fans - my
mother, my father and my grandmother.
You always say that adopting me was your dream come true,
but without you, my dreams would've been impossible and
I will be forever grateful for all that you have done
for me.
Wearing this Towson University cap and gown is a
dream of mine.
Standing in front of you today surpasses my dreams.
I hope that when you leave here, you never lose sight
of what you have accomplished thus far
because when you have the courage to pursue dreams,
there is nothing you cannot conquer.
Congratulations class of 2013.
>>Rahel Fesseha: Thank you Ms. Dennis.
Good morning.
I am Rahel Fesseha, Vice President of the Graduate
Student Association.
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure
to introduce our graduate speaker, Ms. Danielle
Iuliucci, who's graduating today from the Fisher
College of Science and Mathematics with a Master of
science in biology.
She's a member of Beta Beta Beta and the College
Curriculum Committee.
She hopes to become a natural resources biologist.
Please welcome Ms. Danielle Iuliucci.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Ms. Danielle Iuliucci: Thank you GSA vice president Rahel
Fesseha, for that introduction.
Good afternoon President Loeschke, distinguished
guests, honored faculty, family and most importantly
fellow graduates.
I am honored and grateful to be speaking on behalf of the
graduate students this morning.
I would like to first thank my parents, my friends and
my husband who have been extremely supportive during
my journey through graduate school.
My mentors, the outstanding faculty in the Department of
Biological Sciences who are full of encouragement and
dedication to our continued development.
And let's not forget $5 Friday at the Newell Dining
Hall because a poor graduate student can't get a better
meal than that.
Fellow graduates, we did it.
Today we celebrate and cash in on the investments we
made in our education.
I think of Towson University as a personal launching pad
sending us out into the world to achieve our goals.
All of the challenges we have faced and the rigorous
programs here at Towson and the professors who have
shaped us and guided us to refine our skills have
prepared us for what lies ahead.
I, for example, have completed so many drafts of
my Master's thesis that I have greatly improved my
writing skills.
The ability to communicate effectively in writing,
regardless of your career path, along with the many
other skills we have fostered in ourselves at
Towson will help us stand out above the rest.
The next steps we take toward our future may not be
easy ones, with each chosen path containing its
challenges.
That dream job we are all striving for may take a bit
more time to achieve, but we must remember to never lose
sight of our goals.
Trust that we can accomplish what we desire and stay on
our path, though at times it may seem difficult.
The motivation to improve must come within ourselves.
We can no longer rely on the faculty for this.
Be sure to realize your potential and never settle
if you deserve better.
I am ready to accept the challenge of going after my
dream job, conserving our natural resources, because
of what I have learned and experienced here at Towson.
I accept that my journey will contain obstacles, but
I know that I am capable and deserving of reaching my
goals.
We can all achieve this.
We will all achieve this.
I have already achieved great things in my time at
Towson, in my personal life as well as in my career.
I moved to the land of the crab and Old Bay seasoning,
got engaged and then got married.
I was able to balance my work and education with
life.
And sometimes it was a very difficult, but I went on to
complete my thesis research and successfully defend my
thesis.
If it is possible to maintain personal
relationships while completing a graduate degree
in a challenging program, finding the balance between
work and life out there in the real world should be
relatively painless.
I stand before all of you, having accomplished all of
these things ready to graduate, certain that I
will continue to advance in the world.
This is something we can all do, ever improving ourselves
and moving forward.
Here's to the beginning of something bigger.
The start of the next phase of our lives and our
careers.
Good luck fellow graduates with whichever path you have
chosen, as long as it is the right one for you.
In the words of Robert Frost - two roads diverged in a
wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by and that
has made all the difference.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Thank you to both of our student
speakers.
Commencement is one of the happiest days of the year
here at the University.
Of course, we're celebrating our graduates and we are so
proud to be doing that, but there are others here today
who share in your accomplishments.
There is one particular group, one very special
group, who have contributed significantly to this
experience for you.
We have one of the finest graduating classes in
Maryland because we have one of the finest faculties
assembled anywhere.
Will the wonderful faculty of this university please
rise and let our graduates thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Now also joining me on stage today
are leaders of the University whose
responsibilities are not academics specifically, but
they're working at your success just like everyone
else.
You don't see them as much every day, they're more
behind the scenes, but their dedication and passion for
your success is incredibly intense.
I am going to introduce them now.
I'm going to ask you to hold your applause until the end,
but first we have the Vice Presidents of the University
and the Director of Athletics.
The Deans of the Colleges and the Dean of the
University Libraries.
And the Dean of University Libraries is down here
because she's receiving her Doctorate here today.
The Associate Deans of the Colleges, members of the
Board of Visitors, the Alumni Association, the
University Senate, the American Association of
University Professors, the Towson University Staff
Counsel and members of the Student Government
Association and the Graduate Student Association.
Let's give them a round of applause.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: We're also pleased to have with us
today on the podium here - we are pleased to have with
us Maryland Senator Doug Peters.
Thank you for being here.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: And I'd like to thank the faculty
members who are serving as student marshals and faculty
marshals and the readers for this ceremony.
In addition to the faculty, there are over a hundred
people who have worked daily to put on this ceremony.
The Commencement Committee, the University store,
students, volunteers of all types, auxiliary service,
medical staff, facilities personnel, police, bus
drivers, food service, photographers, event staff,
custodians, parking staff - all of them so we can have
this wonderful ceremony.
Thank you to all of you.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: All right, now we need the
lights up because I am going to ask that all of the
parents, grandparents and children of our graduates
today please stand and let our students thank you for
your support of them.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Thank you to you all.
And we have another group here - so we'll hold the
applause until the end, but if you are a brother or
sister, a spouse or a partner, sons or daughters
of the graduates, aunts and uncles, godchildren stand up
if you've supported these young people, let them thank
you too.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Now before the most important
part of the ceremony begins, I have an announcement
concerning the order of the procession so that you may
find your particular graduate in the procession.
When the graduates come forward alphabetically
within their college, please hold your applause and
shouts for your graduate - you can do that, but not for
long, long period of time because we want to make sure
the name of the graduate behind is not lost.
So yes, celebrate, but chop it off so we can make sure
everybody's name is heard- that is so important to us
all.
Provost Chandler will now join me for the conferring
of the degrees.
Assisting us in awarding the graduate degrees will be Ray
Lorion, Dean of the College of Education, David Vanko,
Dean of the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics,
and Janet DeLany, Dean of Graduate Studies.
>>Mr. David Vanko: Madam President, this concludes
the graduates from the Fisher College of Science
and Mathematics and all graduates of this ceremony.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: The class of 2013.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Now ladies and gentlemen -
ladies and gentlemen, just one more moment please
because graduates, I'm going to ask that sometime this
weekend you take a few moments away from this
incredible joy that you have and also from the holidays,
integrate all of that together and reflect for
just a little bit on how you are going to take this
education - this wonderful gift you have given to
yourselves and to your future families - and how
you're going to use it to make positive change in this
unsettling world.
How are you going to use it to make the world better
than you found it?
This world needs your leadership desperately.
It needs your commitment and your talent and your vision.
Yes, absolutely.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: Many years ago I sat in a
commencement just like this at Towson University.
I'm telling you, there are some wonderful surprises
coming your way in your careers.
Stay open to those wonderful opportunities.
Dream big.
And I send you forward with much love and respect and
gratitude.
Now...
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: ...Standup undergraduates,
please.
Now as a symbol of your new status, please move your
mortarboard tassel from the right to the left.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. Maravene Loeschke: And now please join us in singing
"Maryland my Maryland." The words are on page 35.
[MUSIC]
>>Mr. Charles Cizek: My thankful heart with rapture fills,
Maryland, My Maryland, when I behold thy rolling hills,
Maryland, My Maryland; I love thy rocks and rippling
rills, your water ways where beauty spills and nature
holds a thousand thrills, Maryland, My Maryland.
[APPLAUSE]
>>Dr. David Vocke: Dr. Loeschke, her party, the faculty and
graduates will begin the recessional.
I would ask that members of the audience remain seated
until all have left the arena.
The guests may then join their graduates on the
patio.
Again, we offer our best wishes and congratulations
to the class of 2013.
Congratulations.
[APPLAUSE]