Another academic year is in the books, and we had a festive graduation ceremony to celebrate!

 

Graduates, family and friends gathered at the Hec-Edmundson Pavilion on June 14, 2025 for the Biology Commencement ceremony.

 

The day was joyful and the space was abuzz with families, friends and supporters of our graduates who joined in for the festivities. This year, we conferred 563 undergraduate degrees and 15 doctorate degrees (11 of whom were hooded at the commencement ceremony).

 

We were honored to have our very own Dr. Dee Boersma as our distinguished guest speaker this year. Dr. Boersma is a professor of Biology, Director of the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, and holds the Wadsworth Endowed Chair in Conservation Science. Her research focus is in the area of conservation biology and she pioneered the use of seabirds, specifically penguins, as indicators of environmental change. (Right image: Professor Dee Boersma giving commencement address.)

 

Dr. Boersma gave a moving and encouraging speech to our graduating students, emphasizing that their Biology education has given them the skills to think critically and make a positive impact on the world.  She reminded our graduates that change is possible but does not happen quickly; it requires patience in addition to skill and determination. 

 

In her speech, Dr. Boersma also stressed the importance of science, particularly in the world we live in today. In her words: “Each of us must stand up for truth, and one person can make a positive impact. We have to help truth win. Truth based on science is critical. Without science, parents would have to worry about their children getting polio, as my parents did back in the 1950s. Policy needs to be based on strong science.” (Right image: Professor and Chair, Marti Bosma, with distinguished speaker, Professor Dee Boersma)

 

 

We are proud to celebrate all the accomplishments of our graduating students. Congratulations to our Biology graduates!

 

Please stay in contact with the Department of Biology!