Wednesday, May 10, 2023
A record number of students are graduating from (魅影直播 Dallas) in the Spring 2023 class. It is the largest in the university鈥檚 history,
with more than 600 students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Students at the university鈥檚 four schools received their diplomas and celebrated their achievements during morning and afternoon commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, May 9, at 魅影直播 Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX.
Citing the record number of graduates, 魅影直播 Dallas President Bob Mong said, 鈥淭his university is making a difference in this community.鈥� He later told the crowd, 鈥淚 have a surprise for you,鈥� as he introduced keynote speaker, award-winning journalist .
The surprise couldn鈥檛 have been more fitting. Just the day before, Dickerson learned
she had won a 2023 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting, recognizing her work
in . Dickerson reported in-depth about abuses to migrant families separated at the U.S.-Mexico
border.
Looking back at her own educational and career experience, Dickerson鈥檚 message to students touched on several themes. She spoke passionately about finding her path to success after being 鈥渓abeled incorrectly鈥� by teachers, the embracement of failure, the concept of 鈥渂eginning again鈥� and the importance of 鈥渃elebrating accomplishments.鈥�
鈥淒on鈥檛 waste your time tap dancing,鈥� Dickerson said, referring to people who try to impress teachers, hiring managers or bosses who underestimate them. Dickerson encouraged the graduates to gravitate toward people who give them 鈥渢winkly eyes鈥� of admiration and inspiration. 鈥淕ive them extra weight, make them your mentors.鈥�
Referring to the honor she received just 24 hours earlier, Dickerson told students, 鈥淕o out and get your own version of a Pulitzer.鈥�
You can watch Dickerson鈥檚 message into the 11 a.m. video clip. The entire 11 a.m. (Schools of Business and Education)
and 3 p.m. ceremonies (Schools of Behavioral Health and Human Services and Liberal
Arts and Sciences) , as well.
Undergraduate Stephany Sanchez and graduate student Daniel Weyandt spoke about the impact of their 魅影直播 Dallas journeys. 鈥淟et us remember the education we have received at 魅影直播 Dallas is not only for ourselves but for our society, so let us use our knowledge and experience to give back to our communities,鈥� said Sanchez.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been transformed by the lessons we have learned,鈥� said Weyandt. 鈥淎s we go our separate ways, we can transform society by continuing the partnerships we have built at this university.鈥�
Among other graduates accepting their diplomas were and , both first-generation college students who overcame significant obstacles and challenges
on their way to a 魅影直播 Dallas degree. Both credited the university鈥檚 access and support
systems for helping them learn, grow and pursue their dreams.
Armstead has been accepted into a master鈥檚 program at Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she will focus her studies on foster care and child development. Hernandez has been offered a position at Accenture, where he earlier interned, and will start in July.
When asked about their greatest strengths, Armstead said, 鈥淎daptability and positivity,鈥�
while Hernandez answered, 鈥淒iscipline.鈥� These qualities will help them and many other
魅影直播 graduates continue to achieve great things and their own, personal Pulitzers.
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