Speakers scheduled for schools’ Commencement celebrations

(Photo: Joe Angeles/Washington University)

Several distinguished speakers, faculty members and student leaders will take part in Commencement recognition ceremonies for Class of 2023 graduates and their families and guests May 12-15 at Washington University in St. Louis.

St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown, an award-winning actor and producer, will deliver the universitywide Commencement address, which will begin 9 a.m. Monday, May 15, on Francis Olympic Field.

Other speakers and ceremonies include:

Friday, May 12

Barbara Schaal, professor of biology and Mary-Dell Chilton Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, for Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences programs, 9:30 a.m. at the 560 Music Center.

Larry Robinson, MA ’81, PhD ’84, president of Florida A&M University, for the Arts & Sciences Graduate hooding and recognition ceremony, 3 p.m. in Graham Chapel. Student speakers are Cezareo Rodriguez, candidate for a doctorate in philosophy in statistics, and Jalie Moore, candidate for a master of arts in teaching.

Graduate programs in Applied Health Behavior Research, Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics, Biostatistics and Data Science, Clinical Investigation, Genetic Counseling, Medical Physics and Population Health Sciences at the School of Medicine, 4 p.m. at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, Medical Campus.

Saturday, May 13

Jia Lian Yang, director of storytelling and communications at Forward Through Ferguson, for the Brown School ceremony, 5 p.m. at the Field House. The student speaker is Kasey Springsteen, candidate for a master’s in social work.

Thomas Peters, adjunct instructor at University College, for the University College ceremony in Graham Chapel, 7 p.m. Missouri Sen. Brian Williams, of the 14th District in St. Louis County, is the guest speaker. The student speaker is Jacob Bitters, candidate for a bachelor of science degree in integrated studies.

Sunday, May 14

Lee Clark, AB ’90, MBA ’00, executive director, Internal Consulting Group, Health Care Service Corp., for the College of Arts & Sciences undergraduate ceremony, 8:30 a.m. on Francis Olympic Field. The student speaker is Sarah Del Carmen Camacho, candidate for a bachelor of arts degree in global studies and education.

Melissa Holtmeyer Terlaje, air and missile defense strategist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, for the McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 p.m. at the Field House. Student speakers are Joseph Melkonian and Neha Damaraju, two of the school’s valedictorians.

Jessica Fischer, chief financial officer of Charter Communications, for the Olin Business School undergraduate ceremony, 6 p.m. at the Field House. The student speaker is Anika Sridhar, candidate for a bachelor’s in business administration.

Min Jung Kim, the Barbara B. Taylor Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, for the Sam Fox School ceremony, 6:30 p.m. on Francis Olympic Field. Student speakers are Allena Brazier, candidate for a master of fine arts degree in visual art, and Nema Swareh, candidate for a bachelor of arts degree in architecture.

Monday, May 15

Russell K. Osgood, dean and the Howard and Caroline Cayne Professor of Law at the School of Law, for the School of Law ceremony, 11:30 a.m. at the Field House. The faculty speaker is Daniel Harawa, associate professor of law at the School of Law. Student speakers are Yusra Siddique, a juris doctorate candidate, and Paolo Capello, candidate for a master’s in law.

Brittany Conners, founder of Optimistic Theory, for the Program in Occupational Therapy at the School of Medicine, 1 p.m. at Graham Chapel.

Program in Physical Therapy at the School of Medicine, 1:30 p.m. at the Chase Park Plaza hotel.

Audiology and Communication Sciences programs at the School of Medicine, 2 p.m. at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, Medical Campus.

The Doctor of Medicine program ceremony for the School of Medicine, 3 p.m. on Francis Olympic Field. The student speaker is Jennifer Lee, candidate for a doctor of medicine.

Chandler Malone, founder and CEO of Bootup and managing partner of venture capital studio The Family, for the Olin Business School graduate ceremony, 3:30 p.m. at the Field House. The student speaker is Samuel Amorin, candidate for a master’s in business administration.

See other ceremony details on the Commencement website.

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