Convocation 2010
This year the College of Social and Behavioral Science again graduated the most students of any other college at the University. Approximately 26% of all undergraduate degrees were awarded from the college as well as 150 graduate degrees. The CSBS also had 4 of the top 10 undergraduate majors: economics, psychology, human development and family studies, and political science. Economics and psychology are the top two respectively. Dean Rudd qualified our large number of students by saying, "The College attracts not only a large number of students, but some of the most talented on campus." This was exemplified by the number of awards and scholarships that CSBS students and faculty received.
Graduates heard words of inspiration from U.S. Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman Jr. He reflected on the need for this generation of graduates to be strong and resilient, "…The world you now step into should be cause for excitement, not fear; anticipation, not anxiety… life at all levels still requires the human touch, the displays of goodness, selflessness, tolerance and compassion that make this world beautiful." He finished his remarks by saying that there are some "F"s that graduates need to earn in life and they are, "Find yourself, find a cause, face failure, find someone to love, and find meaning."
University and CSBS graduates were privileged to hear from one of their own at commencement. Jody Farley, family and consumer studies graduate, spent more than 27 years earning her degree. She put her education on hold in order to support and raise a family. During this hiatus two of her kids graduated from the University and the technology between research papers had evolved from typewriter to computer. She shared these poignant words with the graduates, "Whatever paths we took, we all ended up in this same room, at the same time, sharing this moment together. How we got here is not as important as the fact we each arrived at the finish line together. The fact that we share this achievement is a great testament to the reality that we have each faced difficulties and hardships, but persevered."
Dean Rudd's convocation remarks also reflected the challenges that CSBS graduates face. "Thirty percent of our graduating students today are the first in their family to receive a college degree, 58% worked more than 20 hours per week, 49% are married and juggled family demands with school, 25% relied heavily on student loans to finance their education." said the Dean. However, he also said, "Clearly our students faced many challenges to reach this special day. Despite the challenges, they've retained a sense of optimism and hope."
