 I think this is your big day! Let's go! I can't hear you! Let's go! And so I welcome you to the Commencement Ceremony of the Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts and Education. We are so pleased you are here today. You've worked incredibly hard. You've attended classes on Zoom. You've ridden a mechanical bull in the quad. And you managed to make it through all your classes at the same time. Here you are, having completed your degrees, donned caps and gowns, and brought in your friends and families for the big moment. Give yourselves a round of applause. Now recognize your families for having to put up with all this. I'm Dean Jeffrey Meriwether, and Dean Proctor and I hold your futures in our hands. Or actually, they might well be in these diploma covers behind us. Yet as we draw ever closer to the conferral of degrees, we would be remiss if we did not recognize some members of our campus community who make this place the intellectually rigorous, playful and curiosity-centered place that it is. We must take this opportunity to recognize our wonderful faculty. All of us gathered here today are grateful for your work and your dedication to our students' education. Let us also pause to thank my esteemed colleague, Dean Proctor, for her unending support and brilliant ideas and humanity. And I'm so very grateful. And now the recipient of the Dr. Mark Gould Award for Commitment to Student Learning voted on by the students. We have to recognize Dr. Aaron Allen. We thank Dr. Allen for his dedication to teaching in Shea. And we now take a moment to mention our faculty colleagues who are retiring from academia to pursue new adventures. Katherine Hawks, a professor of music who led faculty initiatives in the design and evaluation of the arts curricula here, as well as contributing to a campus culture that celebrates the arts through her own performances and this spring through an exhibition of her phenomenal work as a quilter. We also recognize Alan Canestrari. Canestrari is an educator of future educators who began his second career at Roger Williams after teaching high school and who founded the chapter here at Roger Williams of Kappa Delta Pi. We also recognize, yay, Alan! We also recognize Nicky Un, who is retiring. Nicky is retiring, 20-year career in academia after reinvigorating the graphic design program through a practice of and dedication to equity and to social justice. Please also join me in congratulating our newly-minted emeritus faculty, Kate Mele of Writing, Brett Mackenzie of Web Development, Alan Canestrari from Education. All of us who are members of this community, faculty and students alike, have had our lives made more joyful and our paths made smoother by the work of Cindy Chappelle. Hearing from RWU after years of dedicated and positive service to our university, Cindy, we wish you the very best and you will be missed. Finally, let us take a moment of silence for those faculty members who passed away during this academic year. George Marshall, Debbie Robinson, and Nancy Nester. Over the past years, you've heard a lot about what this community has endured and overcome, but it does bear repeating. You encountered new ways of learning and connecting that stretched all of us, students, faculty, and staff. This is a school of in-person, community-based learning experiences from our design labs, our stages, and our studios to our teaching placements. And your successes reflect that dedication to community and to each other. We asked the faculty to share examples of students' successes across the school and here are a few of those stories. As a transfer student, Maggie Hurley managed to successfully complete a double major as a cultural studies and in both cultural studies and creative writing. Maggie aspires to be a professor and she begins that journey by starting the film studies master's program at Boston University in the fall. And congratulations to Madeleine Geary, a double major in secondary education and English literary studies. Madeleine demonstrated major achievements in both disciplines. Her English thesis earned a thesis with distinction designation and she presented a related paper at the National Sigma Tau Delta Conference this spring. She has also been accepted to the prestigious Jet Program, the teaching exchange program managed by the government of Japan. She will be heading to Japan this fall to teach English and she will be a wonderful ambassador for RWU and the USA in this program. Post-graduation, Jessica Taddeo will be continuing her work as field coordinator for the National Organization of Women Political Action Committee based in Washington DC. In her own words, quote, I am the youngest person employed full-time at the organization and the first person to hold this position in the organization's 60-year history. In addition, I hope to enter the professional dance space and ensure movement and philosophy remain central to my life. Conor Nugent is completing a double major in theater and communication and media studies. His faculty wanted to share that Conor brilliantly performed the major role in the theater's program production of the musical Edges. He proved to be an impressive leader by setting a very high example for the rest of the cast to follow. Conor Nugent, graduate student in special education, Kelly Lambrisi, has excelled in her residency placement this year. Her work with high school students with disabilities impacted the students she served, who included their well wishes. Kelly, from your crew at North Kingstown High. Congrats, Miss Lambrisi. These students have spent the last years not only discovering their own passions but charting their own paths. They've also built an admirable community. And we look forward to watching this community expand with, we hope, the friendships, mentoring relationships and learning partnerships you've created here at Roger Williams provide you both grounding and the lift you need as you move on into your next steps. Thank you. In this part of our ceremony, we'd like to celebrate our core medallion winners. Will the following students please join us here on the dais? Parker Schwartz, Dom Emanuel, and Sidney Lauer. Thank you to all of you for showing your commitment to transformational education, engagement, experiential learning, inclusivity, and innovation. Please join us in congratulating these fabulous students. I now invite graduating senior Jessica Thaddeo, who, on behalf of Professor Kathy Nicoli, will offer President Nicoli's remarks on the humanities, the arts, and community here at RWU. Jessica. Happy commencement, everybody. Congratulations! My name is Jessica Thaddeo, and it is an honor and a privilege to be able to deliver these remarks on behalf of Kathy Nicoli today, especially after having called the Barn My Home these last four years. Here's what she would have said to you today if she didn't give herself a concussion in class last week. Today is a cause for celebration, both as a community and individually. Take a deep breath, soak the moment in, and acknowledge the multiplicity of energy, hard work, sacrifice, creativity, love, and luck that has led to this moment. As members of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Education, you understand the importance of being human and share through diverse fields a practice understanding of the value of being curious about and invested in the human condition. The humanities and arts can bring communities together by providing the breath, heart, and empathy needed to create lasting positive change. Often the canaries and corporate coal mines, it is our duty as teachers, artists, and humanitarians to sing, no matter how loud the machines get, and to help each other fly, even in the dark. After Kathy's own graduation from Roger Williams as a first-generation alumna, she was a bit in the dark, as we all are in some way. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she did know what was important to her. She believed that this was key, knowing what's important to you, naming it, and seeking it out. For Kathy, she wanted a creative community. She wanted to live a life with nature and not against it, and she wanted to help people in meaningful ways. With these intentions, she had some incredible experiences, including dancing on major concert stages in the U.S. and Europe, teaching at prestigious schools and studios, and even dancing as a saloon girl on an MTV music video with one of her former Roger Williams professors, Peter. Incidentally, he was in drag, and no, it was not a big deal. Coming from a dance studio background, Kathy had no idea she would end up bringing her training to hospital settings for Parkinson's patients, therapy sessions for children processing trauma, K-12 gen ed classrooms, as well as fine art galleries. That's what she believes is amazing about the arts and humanities. They have the ability to tap into all areas of life, and therefore, you have the ability to tap into all areas of life. She encourages you to have an open mind about where your work can live and breathe and how it can serve. Kathy believes that if anyone has an open mind, it's the class of 2023. She thinks we all deserve a round of applause for our ability to tackle courses gracefully in the face of daunting unknowns. So give yourself a round of applause. So whether you are interested in the art of improvisation or not, life certainly demands that of us. So to end, I am going to share four improvisation rules that you can use anywhere. Interviewing for a job, or frankly, improvising a meal out of random substances in your refrigerator, yes, in the dance studio too. They come from a book called The Four-Way Fold, The Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary, written by anthropologist Angelus Arian. As I read each rule off, I encourage you to hold on to a memory and recall a moment that you're proud of these last four years. Rule number one, show up and choose to be present. This is the way of the warrior. Rule number two, pay attention to what has heart and meaning. This is the way of the healer. Rule number three, tell the truth without blamer judgment. This is the way of the visionary. And rule number four, be open to the outcome, not attached to outcome. This is the way of the teacher. We hope these thoughts have been helpful as you move forth from this particular ceremony of commencement into a lifetime of new beginnings. Thank you all, Class of 2023, and congratulations. Jessica, thank you so very much. I now invite Dr. Adam Moore to present the Graduate Student Award. Dr. Moore is the founder and director of the Special Education Graduate Program. Dr. Moore. For the second time at Roger Williams University, I had the privilege of co-organizing a graduate student poster competition for the university. Graduate students representing disciplines of forensic psychology special education, architecture, leadership, business, and criminal justice entered the competition. Congratulations to special education graduate students Brooklyn Sinaitiampo, Sarah Hodnett, Lovie Laura, and Alex Rattery. Thank you for sharing your capstone intervention project with the campus community. Mackenzie Matlin, please come forward. We're also very happy this year that Mackenzie, also from the Special Education Graduate Program, was selected as having one of the top four posters in the competition. Her project focused on supporting the social-emotional needs of a student who currently struggles being engaged in school. Mackenzie's work with this student had a marked impact on their ability to successfully complete work in school as well as their overall self-awareness. Please join me in congratulating Mackenzie. We now proceed to the chief purpose of these commencement exercises, the conferring of academic degrees upon the Class of 2023. We begin with the formal hooding of students receiving advanced degrees. Hooding is a centuries-old practice and signifies student achievements in their chosen field of study. The master students' hoods include a wide velvet band in a color denoting the academic area in which their degree is held. Our undergraduate students today wear a hood signifying their graduation with their bachelor's degree and permanent connection to the Roger Williams University community. These hoods bear the RWU colors of white and light blue. We'd also like to acknowledge those students who have the distinction of graduating with honors. Would all students graduating cum laude with a cumulative grade point average of 3.4, please stand if you are able. Cum laude. Will all the students graduating magna cum laude with a cumulative grade point average of 3.6, please stand if you are able. Finally, will students graduating summa cum laude with a cumulative grade point average of 3.8, stand if you are able and be recognized. Your hard work and commitment to academic excellence are to be commended and we are proud of all of your accomplishments. Now, will the shea candidates please rise. I am pleased to certify that these candidates before you are eligible for the degrees appropriate to their course of study. By virtue of the authority granted by the State of Rhode Island and delegated to the President by the Board of Trustees, we confer upon you the degree to which you are entitled with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. Degree candidates, please come forward. We begin with the graduate students who will now receive their hoods. I ask Dr. Kimberly Johnson Smith to read the candidates' names and Dr. Moore to hood them. And we'll begin with Taryn Martell, Jacqueline Andereck, Jacqueline Lacerra, Alexandra Rattery, Casey Gannon, Sarah Hodnett, Luby Kristen Laura, Mackenzie Maitland, Kelly Lambrizzi, Sophia Montanero, Maren Murphy, Dominic Joseph Gerbert, Brooklyn Ford Maria Sanatiempo, Amanda Naylor, Kaylee Conrad, Connor Charles Smith. Congratulations to our master students. We now welcome our undergraduates to the stage. Stephanie Ann Rio, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude. P. Jamie Lauer, Bachelor of Arts, English Secondary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Adalyn Robertson Geary, Bachelor of Arts, English and Secondary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Cameron Edward Kiefer, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations. Parker Leonard Schwartz, Bachelor of Arts, English and Secondary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Jasmine L. Cardoza, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education. Kristen Marie Black, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, History and Preservation Studies, Summa Cum Laude. Samantha Claire Lawrence, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Communications, Magna Cum Laude. Lydia Maurer, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Nicholas Ryan Ouellettes, Bachelor of Arts, English and Secondary Education, Cum Laude. Alison Rose Henderson, Bachelor of Arts, English and Secondary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Ellen Elizabeth Nigro, Bachelor of Arts, Creative Writing, Cum Laude. Sophia Louise Rendazzo, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Alyssa Ann Presley, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Olivia Lynn Egoros, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Sophia Anastasia Spelliopoulos, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Communications, Summa Cum Laude. Megan Elizabeth Pomeroy, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Dominique Alana Dame, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Patrick Wardle, Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Media Studies. Joshua Lee Fervel, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, Cum Laude. Michael Williams, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies. Lauren Mabry, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies. Daniel Thomas Launey, Bachelor of Science, Web Development, Cum Laude. Luke McGregor Brennan, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism. Kristen Julia Dancero, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, Magna Cum Laude. Sorry, Kristen. Lena G. Trevific, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism. Well, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism. Nicholas James Walker, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Communications. Macy Verretti, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, Cum Laude. Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, Magna Cum Laude. Alyssa Jean Kenney, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies, Magna Cum Laude. Natalie N. Clear, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism. Lucas Anthony Santos, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies. Bachelor of Science, Math and Secondary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Lane Aresk, Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies, Cum Laude. Ardenay Alvarado, Victoria Ray Hood, Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts. Mae Isabel Bogosian, Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts. Ann Falcon Patavana, Bachelor of Arts, in History. Nathan Schmidt, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Communications. Christopher Ryan Gosselin, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Communications. Hilstram Irene, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Communications. P. Baylis, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Communications. Ashlyn Grace Finn, Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies, Cum Laude. Timothy Michael Rocket, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies, Cum Laude. We're just building the drama here. Lucas William Lager, Bachelor of Arts, History, Summa Cum Laude. Renee Elizabeth Saint-Jean, Bachelor of Arts, Anthro-Sociology History, Cum Laude. Erin Alexandra Macken, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education. Olivia Joy Lozier, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Cultural Studies, Summa Cum Laude. Lorena Grace Thurkel, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, Magna Cum Laude. Shannon Kathleen Petrie, Bachelor of Arts, Foreign Languages, Classical Studies, Graphic Design, Communication, Magna Cum Laude. Molly E Hayden, Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies. Kay Gill Mett, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Graphic Design, Communication, and Dance. Julia Marie Michaud, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies, Cum Laude. Sophia Beck, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Communication and Media Studies, Magna Cum Laude. Lyson III, Bachelor of Arts, Foreign Languages, Modern Concentration. Michael James Ross, Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies. Evan Harrison Spitzer, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education. Jackman, Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies. Luke Doyle, Bachelor of Science, Web Education. Thuyas, Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Literary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Daniel J. Magna Cum Laude. Daniel Lynn Tominelli, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Cum Laude. Elizabeth Benson, Education, Magna Cum Laude. Elementary Education, Joseph Schock, Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies, Graphic Design, Communication, Magna Cum Laude. Communication and Media Studies, Educational Studies, Visual Arts, Magna Cum Laude. Educational Studies, Arts Creative Writing and Cultural Studies, Magna Cum Laude. Communications and Web Development, Summa Cum Laude. Virginia Cream, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design, Communications, Cum Laude. Design Communications, Summa Cum Laude. Jackie Willow, Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design, Communications, Magna Cum Laude. Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies, and Theater. Bachelor of Arts and Political Science, Summa Cum Laude. Environmental Science, Bachelor of Arts and Dance, Magna Cum Laude. Bachelor of Arts and Dance, Summa Cum Laude. Public Health Bachelor of Arts and Dance, Bachelor of Arts and Political Science, Bachelor of Arts and Philosophy. Bachelor of Arts, Foreign Languages, Spanish and Italian. Communication and Media Studies, Magna Cum Laude. Visual Arts, Summa Cum Laude. Bachelor for James Antrim, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies. Individualized major in Professional and Public Writing and Economics. Adriana Marie Duarte, Bachelor of Arts, Performing Arts, Cum Laude. Communication and Media Studies, Arts, Educational Studies and Visual Arts. It reads Maeve like cave. I love it. Maeve, Elizabeth, Cassidy, Bachelor of Arts, History, Secondary Education. Schwere, Bachelor of Arts, History, Secondary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Bachelor of Arts, History, Secondary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Alicia Lopez Conklin, Bachelor of Arts, History. Aitsley Elizabeth Yovana, Bachelor of Arts, History, Legal Studies, Summa Cum Laude. Bachelor of Arts, History, Political Science, Magna Cum Laude. Graphic Design, Communications, Cum Laude. Visual Arts, Summa Cum Laude. Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts, Psychology, Magna Cum Laude. Oh boy, I'm sorry. Let me start over. I apologize. Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude. Churchill, Bachelor of Arts, Visual, Benjamin Cole, Bachelor of Arts, Public Regulations, Cum Laude. Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design, Communication. Magna, Hope Jensen, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations. Liana Gabriel. Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, Summa Cum Laude. Rhett Reed, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy. Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy and Psychology. Kamner Tucker, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Creative Writing. Elementary Education, Cum Laude. Samantha, Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies, Psychology, Magna Cum Laude. Communication and Media Studies, Graphic Design, Communications. Graphic Design, Communications, Cum Laude, Education, Summa Cum Laude. Jeanette Hall, Relations, Magna Cum Laude. Savannah June Patterson. Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design, Communications. Summa Cum Laude. Congratulations, nice job. School of Humanities, Arts and Education is the place where you make your passions real. You've succeeded in doing just that and we thank you for inviting us to join you on this journey. And how cool was that? You've done it! Your journeys could respect. I invite you to get the heck out of here. Commit yourselves to further growth, greater wisdom and much needed compassion. Keep RWU in mind. Come back and visit and represent this university and this school to the world. Finally, as your faculty have reminded you all along, get enough sleep and stay hydrated. I wish you the most glorious afternoon. Congratulations to you. Please stand if you're able and remain at your seats until all the members of the recessional including our graduates have exited the tent. Have a fantastic day.