Commencement

In 2007 the University, for the first time, began hosting two separate commencement ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate degree conferrals. Dominican continued that tradition this year.

On Friday evening, May 16, the University conferred master’s degrees upon 177 graduate students who crossed the stage at Angelico Hall. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey was the commencement speaker who spoke of the many achievements of the University. Honorary degrees were presented to Congresswoman Woolsey and Ethel Seiderman, nationally-known advocate of children and families. In addition, fifteen students were the first to receive their Green MBAs from Dominican.

At the lively (and very warm) undergraduate commencement held on Saturday, May 17 at Forest Meadows Amphitheater, 299 students received their bachelor’s degrees. Environmentalist Huey D. Johnson delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree, doctor of laws.

Honorary degree

Dominican also conferred an honorary degree upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and symbol of democracy in Burma. Dr. Sein Wu, her cousin and prime minister of the exiled Burmese Liberation party, traveled from Washington, DC, to accept her degree. The entire crowd was hushed for a moment of silence in remembrance for the thousands of victims of the recent cyclone in Burma as well as the victims of the devastating earthquake in China.

Senior Speaker

The Senior Speaker was student body president Emily Surface ’08, an English major who plans to earn a doctorate and teach at the college level. She was a resident advisor for three years, active in athletics, and has performed in campus theatrical productions as well as the Marin Shakespeare Company.

The Outstanding Student Award

The Outstanding Student Award was presented to Jennifer Jackson, an accomplished student who took advantage of the total Dominican experience. She was captain of the women’s basketball team, played on the soccer team, earned a 3.9 GPA as a biology major, and plans to go to graduate school and seek a career in a medical field. She was active in campus clubs and service organizations, and during the summer mentors at-risk children in her home town of Compton, California.

Speech presentations

• To read the welcome speech made by the President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, John Kuhr ’86 Click Here
• To read the speech made by Senior Speaker Emily Surface ’08 Click Here