Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many events have been thrown into uncertainty; however, Stevens is planning for multiple in-person Commencement ceremonies. On May 26, there will be four ceremonies at different times celebrating specific majors and their accomplishments. Valedictorians will have to pre-record their speeches for the many ceremonies.
Despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, nine graduating students managed to secure a perfect 4.0. The first in class list includes Sarah Bertussi, Ivana Bozinovska, Michael Di Pentima, Alexis Fryc, Kevin Gmelin, Ian Kruithof, Ryan Ludemann, Stephen Lysak, and Ian Mauser.
Sarah Bertussi — School of Engineering and Science
Bertussi is graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, a minor in Computer Engineering, and a master’s in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Robotics & Control. Post graduation, she hopes to return working at Walt Disney World, where she worked as a Professional Intern with Integrated Facility Planning. Additionally, after graduation, she will be working with Barry-Wehmiller Design Group as a Controls Engineer. She is especially happy that Stevens found a way to make in-person ceremonies a reality despite the pandemic still going on.
“I appreciate that Stevens is recognizing the hard work of myself and fellow First in Class. I am very glad that Stevens has found a way to hold in-person ceremonies this year and will be livestreaming it for those who cannot attend. It is disappointing that I will not be able to celebrate at the same time as my friends from the other schools, but everyone’s safety is much more important.”
“Maintaining my GPA has been very challenging, but support from my friends and family, dedication, and more than a little perseverance went into it. That, and mastering the art of the “to-do” list!” Bertussi was involved at Stevens as the Editor-in-Chief of The Link, the yearbook.
Ivana Bozinovska — School of Business
Bozinovska is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Technology, concentrating in Finance and Administration Systems. This summer, she plans to intern at Panasonic Corporation of North America and complete her master’s in Finance at Stevens by 2022. Bozinovska is grateful for the unique education Stevens provided to her over the past four years.
“I feel highly honored to be one of the nine Valedictorians this year amongst some brilliant individuals. I would be just as honored if I was the only one or even one of 100 Valedictorians. The matter of the point is that it is heartwarming to be recognized for my hard work and continuous efforts during the past three years at Stevens. The greatest honor was having the opportunity to learn from, and with, highly intelligent and motivated professors and peers.”
“Graduation this year is very bittersweet. Although I am glad to be graduating and finally stepping out into the world as a full-fledged adult ready for a career, I do wish we were able to graduate in a more traditional manner. I think that Stevens has really taught us how to manage our time and workload, and I feel more than prepared to apply all the skills and information I obtained in a professional setting. School is much more enjoyable when you are passionate about what you are studying. I know we often like to ask ourselves, ‘When am I ever going to use this stuff in my career?’ Looking into that question and finding an answer will motivate you to try your best like there is no tomorrow.”
Michael Di Pentima — School of Business
Di Pentima will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance with a minor in Computer Science. Following his graduation, he plans on returning to work for J.P. Morgan Multi-Asset Solutions as an analyst, a company where he interned back in 2020. Di Pentima commented on receiving the honor of Valedictorian: “There’s pride over the work I’ve put into my degree over the last four years, joy from the award itself, and it’s even a little bittersweet, because it means that my Stevens career is really coming to an end this semester, and it feels like I just moved into my freshman dorm yesterday.”
“I’m really excited for graduation. The ceremony isn’t going to be the same without everyone together, but you should always look on the bright side of every situation. We’re being given the chance to graduate with our individual classes, and that makes the ceremony more special in some ways. It’s more intimate like this, because we’ve been with our individual schools in more classes. It adds to the festivities in a way. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to have a role in the ceremony itself, and I hope that I can do the Class of 2021 proud!”
Alexis Fryc — School of Business
Fryc will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance. Moreover, Fryc plans on completing an accelerated master’s program at Stevens specializing in Data Science. This upcoming summer, Fryc plans on interning at Merck, a company where she will work to refine her skills in data analytics or data science. The highlight of being named Valedictorian was to get to share the accomplishment with her family members.
“I am very excited about graduating and completing my bachelor’s degree in Quantitative Finance, but I am also grateful that my time at Stevens has not come to a close yet, as I will be continuing my education by pursuing my Master’s Degree in Data Science. I am honored to be able to speak before all the other graduates. Again, knowing that I am making my parents and grandparents proud by giving a speech at commencement is the greatest reward of all of this.”
Kevin Gmelin — School of Engineering and Science
Gmelin will be graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. Afterwards, he plans on pursuing his master’s in Robotic Systems Development at Carnegie Mellon University. Regarding his stance on the honor, he said, “I definitely am really happy to have made first in class. However, I also find it weird since I know there were a bunch of seniors who missed it by one or two classes who are really smart and just as qualified for being first in class. At the moment, I don’t really think about it too much. I more-so focused on my next set of academic goals in relation to going to graduate school.”
“Overall, I’m not someone who particularly enjoys large celebrations such as graduation. But for my parents’ sake and for other seniors, I’m glad the school is making accommodations to hold graduation in-person, In regards to my own role in the ceremony, this is something I find to be somewhat weird. From the standpoint of tradition, I understand why they have the valedictorians give speeches. Class rank is one way to select for who to speak. But I find it conflicting because I know many graduating students who were great leaders on campus, but who didn’t make first-in-class and won’t get to speak, even though they are just as, if not moreso, qualified.”
Ian Kruithof — School of Engineering and Science
Kruithof will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics with a concentration in Applied Optics. Furthermore, he plans to complete his master’s in Engineering Physics in December 2021. With his time at Stevens, Kruithof was part of the physics honor society and held multiple roles in the Sigma Nu fraternity.
Despite the pandemic, he is extremely excited and hopeful for graduation in late May: “I am very excited for graduation! I can’t wait to celebrate with my friends and family, and I’m happy that we are able to have some sort of in-person ceremony. I think it’s awesome that we are able to participate in the ceremony by talking more about our different experiences here. I’m also thrilled that our speeches are being filmed beforehand and I don’t have to worry about speaking in front of a large crowd!”
Ryan Ludemann — School of Engineering and Science
Ludemann will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. He is also on track to graduate with a Master of Engineering in Manufacturing next year at Stevens. Along with being a member of the engineering honor society and the mechanical engineering honor society, he is an academic advisor to the swim team and grand master of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Commenting on how he was able to balance everything, Ryan stated, “[Being] president of Kappa Sigma and holding positions in other organizations as well as working on the side, I was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA through very strict time management and major sacrifices in sleep at times staying up late doing work and being back in the water or the weight room at 7 am.”
Ludemann further mentioned a final note to all Stevens students saying, “Take advantage of everything our school has to offer in the way of extracurriculars. I know I have and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.”
Ian Mauser — School of Engineering and Science
Mauser will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. He is also pursuing a master’s degree from Stevens in the same subject area. In addition to serving on the E-Board for the Society of Automotive Engineers, he was a member of the engineering honor society and the mechanical engineering honor society.
Citing his ability to maintain a 4.0 GPA, Mauser explained, “Putting in a great deal of effort to do my best on every task, big or small, has always been something I have strived to do. I am a big believer in taking nothing for granted, and never counting one’s eggs before they’ve hatched. Sometimes that can be rather stressful, and so I must attribute some of it to supportive peers and family who helped me keep a level head through it all, as well as professors who were willing and able to help me through tougher bits of material or coursework.”
Noting a larger goal at Stevens, Mauser stated, “It is important to take a moment to remember that everything you are doing is towards a bigger goal of accomplishing a degree, and that is something to be very proud of. College is also one of the few times where you are able to just take in lots of information and learn about something you think is really interesting, and that is, in my opinion, a very fun thing to be able to do. So I would say don’t forget what you are working towards, and don’t forget to enjoy the process as best you can.”
Stephen Lysak — College of Arts and Letters
Lysak will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Technology with a double minor in Math and Film Studies. During his time at Stevens, he served as Vice President of the Philosophy Club and has been a member of the Audio Engineering Club and the Commuter Student Union. He also sang as part of Floctaves, an a cappella group at Stevens.
Speaking about graduation, Lysak commented, “Graduation is particularly bittersweet for a lot of us this year for sure, but I’m looking forward to it. I don’t know exactly what it’s going to be like, but we’re all going to remember this day for a long time. It’s going to be strange after this year. That being said, I’m honestly really happy to be part of it. It’ll be my privilege to get to leave the class with some words.”
For the Stevens community themselves, Lysak stated, “Lots of love to all you, genuinely. Be you, make the world a better place.”
More information about these valedictorians can be found here.
This article was written by Trevor Dameika and Michelle Medina.
Be First to Comment