On October 18, Stevens hosted a virtual Commencement to celebrate the Class of 2020. Despite the restrictions of COVID-19, the achievements of the graduates were still commemorated as they were honored in a different way. The two-hour event was live-streamed and posted on the Stevens Institute of Technology Youtube channel.
Faculty Marshal, Dibyendu Sarkar, advanced to the podium at the start of the ceremony, signaling the beginning of Stevens’ 148 Commencement Ceremony. He emphasized the high honor and importance of the students’ achievements stating, “Our ceremony may be virtual today, but our warm and congratulatory feelings are real, as your accomplishments are significant.” Sarkar then introduced the President’s Ensemble and asked everyone to stand for the National Anthem.
After the afternoon’s events commenced alongside the President’s Ensemble’s performance of the National Anthem, President Nariman Farvardin took the podium. He welcomed the Class of 2020, mentioning that, due to the virtual nature of the commencement, “this is not the celebration we all imagined. But our virtual celebration does not diminish, in any way, the immense pride we take in you, in your accomplishments, in your perseverance and grit, and in your contribution to our rich and diverse intellectual and scholarly community.” President Farvardin acknowledged the achievements of the Class of 2020, stating that they are each an embodiment of the Stevens motto: “Per aspera ad astra,” through adversity to the stars. “At this point in history, and perhaps more than ever before, the world needs the special breed of graduates that you’ve become: grounded in science and technology, analytical, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and, most of all, solution-oriented,” Farvardin said, expressing his pride in the Class of 2020. He then welcomed the graduates now as Stevens alumni.
Provost Christophe Pierre, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, congratulated the graduates and expressed his confidence in their future successes. “As chief academic officer of Stevens, I applaud the drive and commitment that brought you to this moment.” He then listed the faculty members that were being honored with awards, commending them on their hard-work and dedication.
The Commencement speaker, John “Sean” J. Hanlon IV, was then welcomed to the podium. Hanlon, an alumnus of Stevens, is currently the CEO of Hanlon Investment Management. He related an experience of his own to the Class of 2020, detailing how he was also restricted from attending classes in his senior year due to contracting mononucleosis. “I knuckled down, did my version of remote learning, and graduated on time just like all of you,” Hanlon stated, “That disruption in my education forever impressed upon me that one must always be prepared to adjust their plans to still accomplish their mission.” Offering advice based on his experience, Hanlon spoke of his Wall Street career in its early stages and how his perseverance enabled his success. “That hiring process showed me that if you don’t do your best at first, try, try again.”
Devin Dragon was the first of five first-in-class graduates to speak at the ceremony. Dragon, who earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, mentioned the importance of family and friends during the hardships of the pandemic. He then connected this notion to the significance of having a support system of people to rely on, or as he described, a “village,” during the college experience. “Now more than ever, let’s take the time to cherish these bonds that we’ve striked in over the last four years, and show our appreciation to our ‘village’ that have gotten us to this point in life.”
Next was Devon Leslie, the second first-in-class graduate to take the podium, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Innovation and Analytics. “I believe that a degree does not necessarily signify acquired wisdom, but rather signifies the capability to acquire knowledge,” Leslie stated. She added, “It demonstrates that we know how to learn, but not that we know everything. Therefore, it is up to us to seek out unique life experiences that challenge us to evolve.” She continued to offer advice to her peers, asserting her hopes for their future successes.
The third first-in-class graduate to speak at the podium was Christopher Liu. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Technology, Liu took a moment to thank “parents, professors, faculty, and staff” for their guidance and assistance. “With the pandemic unraveling the fabric of our society, life as we know it sometimes feels dark. Nevertheless, we still have the innate capacity for hope: the hope that no matter how hard the circumstance may be, we know that parents will not give up on their children, teachers will not give up on their students, and doctors and nurses will not give up on saving lives.” Liu demonstrated his hope for the future, stating that “together, we can overcome this.”
The next speaker of the afternoon was Victoria Stabile, the fourth first in class speaker, who graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering. Stabile compared the challenges the Class of 2020 has faced to climbing a mountain, expressing her belief in the strength of her peers. “The members of the Class of 2020 have been assigned this seemingly insurmountable mountain because we are the ones who can move it.” She mentioned that, even though the year 2020 might have a negative connotation, the Class of 2020 has the power to turn this title into a meaningful symbol for adaptability and resilience.
The final speaker of the afternoon was Kristen Tan, the fifth and final first in class speaker, who earned a Bachelor of Engineering for Software Engineering. She mentioned the importance of choices, throughout college and beyond, that lead to defining experiences. “With some good planning, and some good luck too, we figure out exactly what it is that we want to do, and we make the choices that I hope will continue to bring each and every one of us some of that meaning, some of that indescribable joy, that we have come to know over the past few years,” she expressed.
Lastly, Lawrence Babbio, Emeritus Chairman of the Board of Trustees, introduced the Presentation of Graduates. The name of each graduating student was read aloud, alongside the college they received their degree from. Optional pictures, videos, and quotes were added to the presentation of certain students to furthermore congratulate and honor them, despite this year’s virtual circumstances. The ceremony ended as the graduates were encouraged to participate in the “Turning of the Tassel,” signifying their change in status from student to graduate.
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