We all would have all gathered in the Concert Hall at 2 p.m. today to acknowledge the students who have received scholarships this year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, as well as the Students of Distinction selected by each department, two of whom are awarded the Undergraduate and Graduate Dean’s Medals. These students are all so precious because they strive to do their best in every facet of life, and their devotion to excellence and service will surely enhance our Valley and country in the future.
“I am an anomaly. And because I am an anomaly, I will continue to create forward, give to poetry, make poems, explore the experimental, nurture spaces for communities on the margins, and foster the truths and anomalies in others through mentoring, workshops, and universities.”
“I learned that diversity is something to be celebrated and that a large part of my identity is the path that I choose. I am Chinese and White, and I have chosen to embrace Spanish.”
“To witness her art is to bring history back to life, and to realize that our past has never left us, for it continues to inform and move the present in ways that are unimaginable to us.” – Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval
“I felt situated between two worlds, two worlds that I could not entirely identify with; yet, two worlds that I considered home. Over time, I started to see this double consciousness as an advantage rather than a setback, as my bilingual and bicultural experiences have granted me a critical lens through which to look at the world.”
“I’m grateful to my family for providing me with unconditional support and moral courage, and I am indebted to my outstanding graduate professors for encouraging me intellectually and personally through my journey.”
“Without experiencing pain and poverty when my family immigrated to the United States, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish everything that I have done so far. The incredible support system I have—my teachers and family—motivates me to keep striving.”
“Haley Collins is one of those shining stars who not only shines academically but also in terms of selfless service to her peers and to her community.” – Dr. Brian Agbayani
