“Each of us contributes something unique to this community, and together we are powerful beyond belief,” said Jose Scott, WSU Vancouver’s student government president, to his fellow graduates.
On May 5, WSU Vancouver’s 2018 graduating class consisting of 865 bachelors, 125 masters and 24 doctorate degree recipients walked across the stage at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater.
After introductions and words of optimism and hope from Renny Christopher, vice chancellor of academic affairs, and Steve Horenstein, chair of WSU Vancouver’s Advisory Council, Chancellor Mel Netzhammer delivered his commencement address. Netzhammer began his speech by summarizing the most notable events of the past year.
He recounted the more than 1,500 people who joined the solar eclipse viewing party on the first day of classes. He mentioned the continued work on the campus Master Plan that explores the possibility of residence halls on campus, and the work being done to design a new Life Sciences Building for the campus. With tongue-in-cheek, the most significant initiative of the year was “faster credit card processors in the cafeteria” said Netzhammer with a laugh, adding that he was only half half-jesting.
He clarified that technology has been a significant focus for the campus this year; the school has improved Wi-Fi strength campus wide, added new loaner laptops in the library, and increased the use of online resources to reduce textbook costs to students. This was also the first year WSU Vancouver livestreamed the commencement ceremony.
Netzhammer said that today’s graduates are in a unique position to leverage technology to create solutions for a host of new problems. He added that technology comes with additional responsibilities, “My wish for you is that you always have your critical eye open as you manage the cascade of information that flows across our screens every second,” he said. “For that is how we will make our community stronger.
That is how we will engage as active citizens. And that is how we continue the lifetime of thinking and learning that is the hallmark of a university education.” Netzhammer concluded his speech by recognizing recipients of four Chancellor Awards. (See box) Jose Scott, 27th president of the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver began his commencement address by stating how he “never would have imagined” he would deliver a commencement address at a university.
“As a low-income, first generation, black man, the odds were clearly stacked against me,” Scott said. He added that he and others who have overcome barriers have set a precedent for future generations. Scott also pointed to student led initiatives over the last year protesting the unjust shooting of unarmed people of color by police, projects bringing awareness to sexual assault and violence, and efforts to combat an atmosphere in the country “filled with hateful rhetoric and divisiveness.” Quoting American author and social activist Grace Lee Boggs, Scott concluded “We are the leaders we have been waiting for.”
This was the first time WSU Vancouver livestreamed commencement. View the broadcast here.
View additional photos taken by school photographers here.
