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• Graduation 2024

Graduation 2024

 The Kinesiology department graduation ceremony was on Saturday, May 18. It was supposed to be at 4:30pm in the Sunken Garden but because of heavy rain forecasted for the morning, all outdoor ceremonies were moved indoors, so our time and location was moved to 7:00pm at the Rec. Center gym. Because the School of Business was in Kaplan Arena 4:00 – 6:30 and Government was in the Rec. Center gym from 4:30-6:30pm, parking was crazy with them leaving and us trying to get into the same parking lots. The ceremony did start on time and we actually had a great time and really enjoyed the location. Below are the speeches our Chair, Brennan Harris, and our two “Majors of the Year”, Deena Hamandi and Jacob Stechmann, gave. They were all amazing. Hope your memories of the event will also stick with you for life.

Chair Brennan Harris' Opening Remarks at Graduation

Welcome to the Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024.  A special welcome to the friends and family, who have come to support their loved ones, many of whom did not get to experience their high school graduation due to the pandemic.   As the department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences, it is perhaps especially fitting that we find ourselves in the Rec Center for graduation today.  However, as an alumnus, I am a little disappointed we are not in Adair Hall but perhaps it’s good we are not there as I will swiftly paraphrase a somewhat famous lyricist and say “…your loved ones probably wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised us” (S. Menefee, personal communication, May 14, 2024).

Now, I would also like to take this time to introduce the faculty and staff in the Department who have helped make this moment possible.  First, and foremost, I would like to thank our staff who keep everything running smoothly and helped put together this event:

• Stephanie Tackett, our Office Manager and Fiscal and Administrative Coordinator
• Chris Wilson, our Building Manager and Administrative Coordinator

Next, I will introduce our faculty and a few of the classes they teach:

• Evie Burnet – Human Anatomy, Biomechanics
• Stephanie Caligiuri – Science of Nutrition, Nutrition and the Brain
• Zach Conrad – Population Nutrition, Sustainable Food Systems & Diets
• Michael Deschenes – Human Physiology, Statistics
• Carrie Dolan – Epidemiology, Health Policy
• Scott Ickes – Introduction to Public Health, Environmental Public Health
• Chia-Hua Kuo – Visiting Scholar from the University of Taipei
• Robin Looft-Wilson – Physiology of Aging, Cardiovascular Physiology
• Sarah Menefee – Public Health and the Pandemic, Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
• Julius Odhiambo – Introduction to Global Health, Methods in Health Development
• Ashleigh Queen – Introduction to the Human Body, Microbes in Human in Human Disease
• Amy Rains – Nutrition in Health & Disease, Nutrition and Human Performance

As I mentioned, this ceremony is especially meaningful to me as an alumni and it is extremely humbling to have the opportunity to speak to you this evening.  Like the graduates here today, I sat in that seat 31 years 31 years ago as a graduate of the Department of Kinesiology in 1993 (well not exactly, our graduation was on the steps of Adair Hall).  I’m sharing my story with you for two important reasons.  One, you never really know where life will take you.  I began my freshman year as a potential physics major, then as a chemistry major, then a chemistry and kinesiology major and I finally graduated as a kinesiology major with chemistry minor with thoughts of medical school. Ultimately, I found my passion in research and teaching and somehow found my way back to William and Mary and to this moment.  Honestly, it was hard to imagine that one day I would teach a freshman seminar when I got one of the papers back that I turned in for my freshman seminar with a big “F” written in red ink (yes, a paper copy) and the words “this is an insult to the English language written across the top”.   Also, let me share one other personal example to make this point.  I also never imagined that the daughter of my wife’s college roommate here at W&M would just happen to graduate from the same department the first time I got to hand out diplomas.  Congratulations to you and your family.

Now, the second reason I have shared my story is to tell you and your loved ones here today that you have received an outstanding education which has prepared you well to meet the challenges you will encounter.  You, like me, may not remember every detail from the classes you took such the function of cranial nerve X, the importance of calcium in a cardiomyocyte contraction, or the details of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change but I can tell you that you are well-prepared to think critically, to discern fact from fiction, and to serve your communities.  The previous Chair of this department once shared with me his response to people who would ask him what students could do with a degree in Kinesiology from William & Mary, he would simply say “anything”! 

So, to the Class of 2024, you have proven to be truly resilient and achieved a remarkable accomplishment completing all the requirements for graduation from William & Mary.  I am honored to call you fellow alumni and as Judge Thomas said last night “Hark upon the gale” as you never know where life will take you but you can rely on your education and your William & Mary Family to help you meet whatever challenges you may face.   Congratulations!

Now, it is my pleasure to introduce our Co-Majors of the Year, Deena Hamandi and Jacob Stechmann, to offer their reflections on their time at William & Mary.

With 131 graduates with a major in Kinesiology & Health Sciences, it is a difficult task for the faculty to select a major of the year.   Students are nominated by the faculty and then selected by a vote of the faculty.   This year two majors were selected. 

Our first speaker, Deena Hamandi, was nominated for her exceptional presence and engagement in the classroom.   In particular, her nomination noted her phenomenal writing and professional presentations. Deena, has also participated in research in two different laboratories within the department first working with Prof. Mike Deschenes examining the role of mitochondria in changes in the neuromuscular junction and more recently with Prof. Stephanie Caligiuri setting up experiments to examine the effects of different sources of caffeine on stress and cognitive function using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.  Finally, Deena’s nomination noted that she also lives the discipline working as a personal trainer contributing to health and fitness of the community and representing our department well.   Deena, we are proud of your accomplishments.

Denna Hamandi's Major of the Year Speech

Good afternoon, graduates, faculty, friends, and family, my name is Deena Hamandi. Thank you for granting me the honor to speak to you all today. As we celebrate the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought us to this pivotal point in our lives. It's a journey marked by uncertainty, challenges, and accomplishments, but above all, it's a journey that has shaped us into the individuals we are today.

 Before I share my experiences in the Kinesiology Department, I want to extend my gratitude to my friends and family for their support throughout my time here at William & Mary. Equally deserving of my thanks are my professors, Dr. Caligiuri and Dr. Deschenes. Their mentorship, guidance, and the invaluable experiences they provided have not only shaped my academic endeavors but have also contributed to my personal growth. These experiences are ones I will forever cherish and hold close to my heart.

 Reflecting on the past 4 years, I've come to realize that life has a way of guiding us down unexpected paths, pushing us toward our true passions when we least expect it. This realization has shaped not only my academic pursuits but also my outlook on life. Allow me to share with you a lesson I've learned along the way, one that I hope resonates with each of you as you embark on your own journeys.

 As a junior in high school, I was adamant that I was destined to attend UVA. Obviously, that is not quite what happened. Yet, in what initially felt like a setback, was one of my biggest blessings. Stepping onto William & Mary's campus, I was immediately struck by a sense of belonging that I had never experienced before. It wasn't just a place of learning; it was a home where I found not only academic support but also a tight-knit community that lifted me up in times of need. It might sound cliché, but the truth often does: William & Mary wasn't just where I studied; it's where I truly found myself.

 Similarly, my academic journey took an unexpected turn during my freshman year. Originally, my sights were set on a Biology major, with aspirations I made at ten years old of eventually attending vet school. However, the universe had other plans for me. During my freshman fall, amidst the chaos of course registration, I came across a class that would alter the trajectory of my academic pursuits, the "Science of Nutrition," a course that I'm sure is familiar to many of you graduating today.

At the time, the course was taught by Professor Nance, who I still look up to. Her captivating lectures and career stories encouraged me to consider a career in nutrition and ultimately pushed me to pursue my major in Kinesiology. I was set on pursuing dietetics up until early junior year when I began to experience a bit of doubt. Even though Professor Nance no longer teaches at William & Mary, she was happy to sit down with me at a local coffee shop and assured me that although I am concentrating in nutrition, the career paths provided by a kinesiology degree are endless. And that is what I love about our field, its versatility.

 Reflecting on my own journey, I've come to realize that uncertainty is a natural part of the process. As we embark on our individual journeys, I am sure many of you are following a path you created many years ago. And to that, I say congratulations! It's a remarkable achievement to have a clear vision for your future and to pursue it with determination and purpose. However, if you find yourself unsure of your next steps, I am here to tell you that it's okay. My own journey has been characterized by shifts and changes, a testament to how our ambitions and interests can evolve over time.

 My family can attest to the unpredictability of my ambitions. One day, I would passionately discuss my aspirations of becoming a dietitian, only to surprise them the following week with talk of writing dental school applications. Like some of you, I am part of the lucky few who haven't quite figured it all out yet. In all honesty, uncertainty haunted me throughout my senior year. Despite my hard work and dedication to my studies and research, I found myself questioning whether I was truly on the right path. Even as I stand before you today, I confess that I am still uncertain about what the future holds. But amidst this uncertainty, I have come to see a profound beauty—a beauty in the process of discovery and self-exploration.

 To my fellow Kinesiology majors who may find themselves in a similar state of confusion, know that within our multidisciplinary field, such uncertainty is not a weakness, but rather a sign of our diverse interests and potential pathways. So, if you find yourself feeling lost in the midst of your final days here on campus or in the future, remember that there's a reason for it. Your confusion signifies your ability to adapt and your willingness to explore new horizons—a characteristic that will undoubtedly lead you to success in whichever path you choose.

 And for those of you who know exactly what you want, who have a clear vision of your future, I commend you. Your clarity and determination will absolutely propel you toward success. But remember, success is not defined by the absence of uncertainty, but by your ability to navigate it with courage and resilience.

 So, as we stand on the threshold of new beginnings, let us embrace the uncertainty, the ambiguity, and the unknown. For these challenges will grant us the key to our growth and fulfillment.

Brennan Harris' Remarks for Jacob Stechmann

Our second speaker, Jacob Stechmann, was nominated, in part, for his outstanding research accomplishments.  Jacob worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Prof. Robin Looft-Wilson’s laboratory and was one of just a dozen recipients nationwide of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the American Physiological Society.   Jacob is also a co-author on a paper published in the American Journal of Physiology which examined the molecular mechanism involved in the dilation of blood vessels titled “Myoendothelial feedback in mouse mesenteric resistance arteries is similar between the sexes, dependent on nitric oxide synthase, and independent of TPRV4”.  Like, Deena, Jacob also lives the discipline training other research students, teaching local children Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and serving as a student representative for our departmental review.  Finally, it is important to note that Jacob has accomplished all this as U.S. Marine Corp veteran having served in Syria and starting his academic journey in at J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College before transferring to William & Mary.  Jacob, we thank your for your service and we are proud of your accomplishments.

Jacob Stechmann's Major of the Year Speech

Thank you, Professor Harris, for the kind introduction. Good Afternoon! And welcome friends, family, faculty, alumni, and most importantly the graduating class of 2024! This long-awaited day has finally come. And in this beautiful gymnasium, nonetheless. My name is Jacob Stechmann. Let me start by saying that it is a privilege and honor to share my William and Mary experience with you all. When I was first asked to speak today, I was a bit hesitant. This was partly due to the large crowd, but more so because I wasn’t sure if my story as a student would resonate with most of you.

 Firstly, while I'm only 26, I have a growing family with a third child coming in August. So, let's just say living the college lifestyle wasn’t exactly my first priority. Secondly, I spent four years in the Marine Corps infantry before arriving at William and Mary, which are two completely different worlds. At first, I believed that my experiences were unique and that connecting with other students could be challenging. Yet, I quickly learned that this school is filled with individuals as special and unique as they are welcoming.

 While I have met so many outstanding students, mainly in this department, of course, I wanted to single out one who is an outstanding representative in my eyes. That person is my friend Kate. Everyone, say hi. Kate is a kind-hearted person who makes you question whether you’re truly a good person. She was not one to get caught up in the race of external metrics such as chasing a certain GPA. No, she cared too much about one other thing, and that is the people around her. In the short time since we met, I watched her volunteer at the Wesley Foundation, where she cooked meals for fellow students. She participated at Dreamcatchers, helping kids with special needs connect with horses. And she even assisted service members in their transition from the military to college, which, I can personally tell you, is quite a culture shock. In every circumstance, she showed selflessness and lifted up her community. While her case may be exceptional, the spirit of kindness and generosity is a common thread that I’ve recognized among all William and Mary students.

 As for the faculty, I’m sure you’re familiar with the cliché characteristics of our faculty–they’re caring, encouraging, intelligent, and so on. What truly sets them apart is the opportunities they provide for their students. My first opportunity was given by Dr. Looft-Wilson. Many of you here may know her for wrecking your GPA with cardio physiology, but to me, she was a mentor and later a friend. She always welcomed me to her lab even after the first week where I proceeded to play Wreck it Ralph with her glassware. Yes, the first few months were rough; pipettes are very different from machine guns. But, as the semester went on, she gave me more responsibility instead of holding me back and pushed me out of my comfort zone more times than she knew. So thank you, Professor, for challenging me when I needed it, and for all the opportunities you’ve given me. While I have not had the same level of interaction with other professors, I’ve always admired their passion for their students. Whether it was Professor Burnet actually thinking I could remember all those muscle attachments and innervations or Professor Deschenes stressing the importance of resistance training in an aging population, their dedication was always evident. And then there’s Professor Conrad, who I never actually had a class with but will forever remember as the man who tried to choke me unconscious at jiu-jitsu. Sorry, Dr. Conrad, I couldn’t resist sharing that.

 As I drew to a close, I thought about what lessons I could impart to such a capable group of students. Part of me wanted to share stories of failure and triumph from my time in the military or as a parent, I certainly have plenty. But, if we’re being honest, you’re all William and Mary students, I’m sure you’ve encountered plenty of failures and learned valuable lessons, just as I have. Instead, as we embark on the next chapter of our lives, I urge you to reflect deeply about the person you aspire to be. If you were to ask me today what I miss most from the military, I would say the people. And in five years, when I’m asked what I miss most from William and Mary, my answer will undoubtedly be the same. So to the class of 2024, continue being the friends I will dearly miss. Seek purpose in your life, surround yourself with loved ones, and find moments to help the people who need it but don’t expect it.

 It’s been a huge honor speaking with you all today. Congratulations Class of 2024!