After what has been a cool and rainy spring, Wednesday, 25 May dawned sunny, bright and warm on Long Island. Perfect weather in which to graduate! The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences 2011 convocation ceremony began at 8:30 am in the Student Activities Center on Main Campus. 90 students were receiving one of the four undergraduate degrees offered through SoMAS, 11 students would be receiving a masters degree and 12 were in line for the doctoral degree. The graduates were joined by their fellow students, SoMAS faculty and a large contingent of family members who had come to see their loved ones reach a milestone in their lives. After a nice breakfast, SoMAS Interim Dean Minghua Zhang welcomed the graduates and commended them for their hard work and perseverance. He encouraged them, as they moved forward in life and into their careers, to find a niche that provides the opportunity to do things they truly enjoy; wealth and position have their rewards, but there are others. Thereupon, the graduates were presented their degrees by a number of SoMAS faculty. After brief closing remarks, all were off to join the thousands of others at the main University convocation.
Here are the lists of those honored at the 2011 convocation: masters students, doctoral students and undergraduate students.
A SoMAS Dean’s Award is conferred on the graduate from each of the School’s undergraduate degree programs who achieved the highest grade point average among the students enrolled in that program. At this year’s Convocation, the following students were so recognized:
Nicholas Leonardo graduated with a BS in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATM). He graduated with a 3.84 GPA, which is the highest of any ATM graduate in the last few years. In 2011, Nicholas was been a forecaster for the SoMAS weather web page several times a week, as well as an active participant in the National Forecast contest.
Michelle Ziegler graduated with a BS in Marine Vertebrate Biology (MVB). During her Stony Brook career, she accumulated a 3.91 GPA, the highest among graduating MVB majors and never received a grade lower than an A- in any class. Beyond the classroom, Michelle was an intern at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation. She performed her internship so well, she was one of very few students to subsequently earn a paid position with the Foundation. Michelle also successfully completed a senior thesis in the lab of Dr. Christopher Gobler investigating harmful algal blooms, making her one of only five SOMAS graduates to earn an Honors Thesis this spring. Finally, Michelle was only the second SOMAS student to win a prestigious Mote Scholarship in 2011. She will travel to the Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota, Florida this summer to participate in a paid internship studying marine mammals.
Karen Yee graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies (ENS), a second major in Economics and a minor in Japanese Studies. Her overall GPA was 3.99. While at Stony Brook, Karen fund-raised for the Global Water Brigades and was also a member Sigma Beta’s honor society. In addition, Karen was an active volunteer at Stony Brook University Hospital.
John Torelli graduated with a BS in Marine Sciences (MAR) with a GPA of 3.91. He has a stellar academic and research background. John ranks in the top 5% in regards to academic dedication, engagement and achievement. John has been admitted to the Masters program at SoMAS. He has already co-authored a scientific publication and is actively involved in research investigating the sedimentary history of coastal Long Island.
The faculty, staff and students of SoMAS salute the 2011 graduates, and the families and friends who have supported them along the way. We wish them well and hope they will stay in touch.
May 25, 2011
