Over 150 psychology graduates received diplomas and awards
On May 13, 2012 at Phi Beta Kappa Hall over 150 graduates received degrees in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Neuroscience. The ceremony was opened with a welcome from Dr. Janice Zeman, Department Chair.
After the welcome remarks, Dr. Zeman introduced each of the attending faculty and staff membersof the Psychology Department and gave a brief history of the Psychology Department dating back to its beginning in the year of 1888. It officially became the Department of Psychology in 1943 with five professors who taught 12 classes. Now, approximately 4,000 students take a Psychology class during an academic year and are being taught by 30 Psychology tenured, tenure-track and adjunct faculty members . The Master's program began in 1953 and now has approximately 18 students, accepting six to nine students per year.
Dr. Zeman encouraged the audience to view the exhibit of the Psychology Department at the Swem Library that will be available to the public until the end of the Fall semester. Dr. Zeman then provided parents and guests with a description of the field of Psychology citing research that provides evidence that Psychology as one of seven hub sciences in the 21st Century, meaning that it is a discipline that is central to science and is interdisciplinary in nature. She concluded with encouraging comments on where a Psychology degree can take graduates.
"According to the American Psychological Association, and consistent with our Department's goals, 'a student graduating with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, typically, will possess good research and writing skills, be a good problem solver and have well-developed higher level thinking abilities particularly when analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information. These are key, core strengths that can be applied to a successful career in many different areas,'" said Zeman.
After the introduction of the members of the Psychology Department and the Psi Chi National Honor Society, the Psychology graduates received their diplomas. Along with diploma presentations, nine students received awards and scholarships for academic excellence.
Arts & Sciences Distinguished Thesis Award in the Social Sciences
Johanna Folk
Alumni Association Student Academic Prize-Psychology
Linda Zou
Stanley B. Williams Prize for Outstanding Psychology Major
Rachel Miller
Jennifer Mills
Galano Award for Community Service and Engagement in Psychology
Matthew Sinclair
Fulbright Scholarship
Grace Brennan
Beinecke Scholarship
Adam Lerner
Benjamin Stoddert Ewell Award
Jonathan Goldsmith
Stephanie McGuire
Matthew Sinclair
*To view the photos of graduates receiving awards, click the link titled "gallery" at the top of this article.
