New College Class of 2009 Commencement program

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Commencement NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA FRIDAY, MAY 1WENTY SECOND, TWO THOUSAND AND NINE SARASOTA, FLORIDA

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Message to Graduating Students As you anticipate leaving this place think back on the toughest times you experienced at New College the times when you genuinely wondered if you would ever graduate. Your presence here this evening is testimony, not only to your natural academic ability, but also to your capacity to confront life s complexities and to emerge at the other end in one piece Indeed the very idea of the residential liberal arts college focuses our attention on the powe-r of multiple aptitudes in combination -including intelligence problem solving skills, and persistence You have not only succeeded here academically, but you have also managed your time, made lasting life decisions and dealt with personal and social complications of all sorts, all the while remaining linked to your families during a period of unnerving economic upheaval. So as I anticipate handing you your diploma, I congratulate you on your resilience as well as on your strictly academic achievements. You have of course not been alone during this period, and if your enhanced sense of solidarity with your peers leaves you feeling just a bit wistful now about leaving New College, let me gently propose that you revisit such sentiments each time the College asks for your financial support in the future. Finally you have also benefited in ways both immediate and long-term from the wisdom, professionalism, and -not least the patience of your teachers. Their steadfastness in support of your academic and personal development is the animating theme running through the collective experience of the graduating class I will not bother to ask you to remember your teachers when you think back on your New College years in the future, because I know you will, and you will do so with gratitude. Your best way to thank them will be to devote your talents to goals that are unselfish and a little unconventional, with a view to the wider human good. Warm congratulations to you and to your family members -your parents especially as you make the transition this evening from New College student to New College graduate. Gordon E. "Mike" Michalson, Jr. President

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PROGRAM PRELUDE Braden River High School Band PROCESSIONAL David Schatz, New College Marshal WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIO S Samuel M. Savin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs INTRODUCTIO OF SPEAKER Gordon E. Michalson, Jr., President ADDRESS Sharon Matola, Founder and Director Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center ew College Alumna CONFERRING OF DEGREES Gordon E. Michalson, Jr. and Samuel M. Savin RECESSIO AL College Marshal David Schatz PLATFORM G UE STS Gordon E. Michalson, Jr., President Samuel M. Savin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Martin, Vice President, Finance and Administration Colonel Walter L. "Mickey" Presha, Chairman, cw College of Florida Board of Trustees Sharon Matola, Founder and Director, Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center David Schatz, Associate Professor of Russian Language and Literature Wendy Basham, Dean of Students Kathleen Killion, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Gordon Bauer, Chair, Division of Social Sciences Aron Edidin, Chair, Division of Humanities Paul Scudder, Chair, Division of atural Sciences Kathy Allen, Registrar Cindy Hill Ford, President, ew College Alumnae / i Association

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CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Joshua Thomas Abbott Computer Science with an Emp basis in Theory* Bethlehem PA Kacie Claire Allen Anthropology/Religion Brooksville FL A Wey Alexandra Anderson Antbropotogy Snellville, GA Naomi Louise PaulaArdjomand-Kermani Biology Tarpon Springs FL Lisa Ann Avron Antbropology Pembroke Pines FL Evan David Axelrad Political Science & Environmental Studies New York NY Ravi Roy Banerjee ,Jr. Environmental Studies Darien CT David Adam Banks Urban Studies Hollywood FL Dana Nicole Bassett Political Science/Art Miami, FL Chad Wilson Bickerton History & Political Science Hoover, AL Claudia Hays Bittmann Economics Tampa, FL Jacob Walter Goldstein Bloom Physics & Chemistry North Falmouth MA Justin Boner Classics Palm Beach FL jessica Katherine Bomsky Art/Theater St. Petersburg, FL Emily Mae Brockmeie r Psycbology Pensacola FL Benjamin Oberon Brown Political Science Pompano Beach FL Molly Petrine Burges Natural Sciences Gainesville FL Lidia Emilia Cara Humanities Sarasota FL Lauren Alexandra Cardella Environmental Studies Pembroke Pines, FL Alejandro Castano Music & Political Science Tampa FL Christopher Robert Caswell Computer Science Sarasota, FL Nate Chandler Mathematics Seattle, WA Carli Janelle Cooper Biology Orangedale FL Erin Craig Matbematics Bradenton, FL Kyle Matthew Crandell Economics Woodbridge, VA Jennifer Lee Creighton Psychology Orlando, FL

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CANDIDATES FOR ffiE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Darryl Ryan Dague Chemistry Harrisburg, PA Vladimir S. Danailov Economics Naples, FL Chloe Alexandra Davis Political Science Gainesville FL Abigail Bennett DeAtley Philosophy Hollywood, FL Anyelle Johanna De Leon Philosophy Boynton Beach, FL Daniela Christina DeMaria Environmental Studies Pensacola, FL Ross Joseph DeMike Natuml Sciences Nokomis, FL John Patrick Dillion Art Chicago, IL Michelle Elizabeth DiPietro Medieval and Renaissance Studies Fort Lauderdale, FL Charles Harris Dohn Religion Pensacola, FL Dorothy Jeanne Dubrule Lite rature/Philosophy/Petformance Studies* Boston, MA jennifer Erin Dyer Psychology Naples, FL Madeline Rosemary Edison Religion Gainesville, FL Jolene Rose Elberth Bockman Sociology Key West, FL Tierney Kathleen Elison Political Science & International and Area Studies Jacksonville FL AlexanderTbomason English Economics Tampa, FL Deanna Rene Erickson Environmental Studies Naples, FL Jenna Maria Ervin Biology Big Creek, CA Zachary Ian Evers Environmental Studies Columbus, OH John William Ewing Humanities Bradenton, FL Mustafa H. Fakhri Biology Glenview, IL John Peter Falter Humanities Orlando, FL Blaine Erickson Farmer Neurobiolog & Psychology Winter Park, FL Alejandra Maria Ferreyros Art Miami, FL Katherine Alexandra Filippi Psychology Gainesville, FL Lisa Ruth Fisher History Stuart, FL

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CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Adele Keala Fournet Music Fayetteville, A R Christopher Bellamy Ganey General Studies Bradenton, FL Eric Jordan Gars BiochemistiJ' Ocala, FL Steven Ian Garte-Wolf Anthropology Coconut Creek, FL Maya Nicole Gonczi Psycbology Plantation, FL Geoffrey Landor Gordon Political Science & Economics Fort Lauderdale, FL Ingmar Gorman Psychology Prague Czech Republic Catherine Harper Gowan Political Science Gainesville, FL Melissa "Anya" Doe Grady Classics Sarasota, FL Harrison Duke Grandwilliams Political Science ew Hyde Park, NY Erica Natalie Gressman Humanities Miami, FL Anne-Laure Grignon French & Biology Miami, FL Frederick Alexander Guadalupe General Studies SanJuan, PR Carlos Guzman-Verdugo Litemtu're/Tbeater Tijuana Baja, CA Laura Keyes Hampton Literature Tampa, FL Paul Michael Harries English Fountain Hills, AZ Kateland Jean Harte Literature St Petersburg, FL Bethany Jane Highsmith Environmental Studies Sanibel, FL Diana Mihaylova Hinova Political Science & International and Area Studies Sofia Bulgaria Jillian Marcy Horowitz Literatwe/Gender Studies Boca Raton, FL Stephanie Nicole Hudey Biology/Chemistry Bradenton, FL Montana Jo Ikemire General Studies Napes, FL Melissa Yael Jacobowitz Russian Language and Literature Royal Palm Beach, FL Eric Paul Jakobsen Sociopolitical Theater* Orlando, FL Taylor Ainsley }amrok General Studies Florence, SC Alba Jaramillo !Iumanities Dorado, PR

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1 1 CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Ashley Rose Johnson Humanities Bucksport, ME Mia Jade Johnson Art Jacksonville, FL Serena Simone Jones International and Area Studies Paramaribo Suriname Mackenzie Marie Karp Art History Ocala, FL Sarah Rose Karr Mathematics/Economics Santa Monica, CA Junmei Georgia Kashnig Anthropology & Religion Champaign, IL Chloe Cristine Kendall Art Sarasota, FL Caitlin E. Kindervatter-Clark Lilerature Washington, DC David Alexander Kling Economics/Mathematics Sarasota, FL Sarah Ann Knotts Political Science/Spanish Language and Culture Niagara Falls, NY Angela Faustma Kramer Art/History Sunrise, FL Amanda Lebofsky Biology Sunrise, FL Jennifer H. LeLaurin Social Sciences St. Louis, MO Lindsay Alexis Levinson Political Science Plantation, FL Chelsey Elizabeth Tibbetts Lora Sociology Nokomis, FL Andrea Erin Lynch International and Area Studies/Political Science Woodbridge, VA Kelly Ann Maher Psychology Tampa, FL Rachel Sarah Marine Social Sciences Weston, FL Meghan Elizabeth McAvoy Environmental Studies Oldsmar, FL Austill Michael McCann Anthropology/Theatre Clearwater, FL Ana Misha McGrath Classics Tampa, FL Trevor McGuire Mathematics Sarasota, FL Jordan Taylor McLaughlin Political Science/Economics Sarasota, FL Erika Marie Mitchell Biological Psychology Sturbridge, MA Laura Diana Mohai Humanities Spring Hill, FL Suzanne Jeanne Mooney Theatre/Religion Hollywood, FL

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CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Bradley Moore Social Sciences Boston MA Steven Matthew Lee orton Environm ental Studies Ormond Beach FL Caitlin Michelle O Brien Psychology Lutz, FL Kinley Paisley History/Psychology SanJuan, PR NatalieAnne Paul Biological Psychology St. Petersburg, FL Aaron Michael Phillips Political Science & Environmental Studies Tampa, FL Kali Baccus Rainwater Classics Melbourne FL Lee Ellen Reed Anthropology & German Studies Northampton MA Alison Jo Reid English/Theater Ponce Inlet, FL Danielle Christine Reid Classics & Medieval and Renaissance Studies New Port Richey, FL Peter William Repenning Marine Biology Cape Coral, FL Megan Lee Robinson Latin American Studies Naples FL David William Rodriguez Litemture Miami FL Alexandra Elizabeth Dare Rogers Philosophy Rock Hill SC Christina Michelle Rogers-Hehr Psychology Largo ,FL Scott Gallagher Ross French/Environmental Studies Schwenksville PA Rachel Ann Russell Biology Sarasota FL Elisabeth]ane Salinas Sociology/Urban Studies Santa Fe, NM Samantha Rene Samson Religion Tampa, FL Adam David Schafer History/Spanish Language and Culture Dallas TX James Francis Schaus Humanities Winter Park FL Krisztina Schlessel Psychology Sarasota, FL Erica Bethany Schoon General Studies Rock Hill, SC Adesh Seuraj Chemistry/Environmental Studies Pompano Beach FL Madison Ann Sharko French/English Weston, FL Aditi Nitinkumar Shukla Economics Crystal River FL

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CANDIDATES FOR 1HE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Lauren Michelle Shulman Humanities Winter Springs, FL Allison Marie Silver Classics San Francisco, CA Melissa Rene Soforic Art Davenport, FL Andrew Cory Sokolow Biology Tallahassee, FL Jeremy Ryan Spangler Economics Bozeman, MT Gretchen Jennifer Specht General Studies Pensacola, FL Jacob Scott Starks Environmental Studies Bradenton, FL Benjamin Fair Stork Biological Psychology Canyon Lake, TX Shannon Kelsey Strischek Humanities Marietta, GA Anita VijayTambay Natural Sciences Miami, FL Ryan Laurence Thompson American Studies* Sarasota, FL Christopher Robert Toner General Studies East Meadow, NY Kara Anne Tyler Biological Psychology Brooksville, FL Jamie Lynn Valentine Literature Turnersville, NJ Michael Davidson Valentine Biology Old Town, FL Ambar Jayleen Velazquez Rivera Political Science & International and Area Studies Kissimmee, FL Kimberly Gail Vorperian Art/Music Naples, FL Jillian Mackenzie Walker Environmental Studies Winter Park, FL Daniel Cox Ward Economics Sarasota, FL Rachel Katharine Warzeski Art New Orleans, LA Rebecca Anne Weaver Psychology Naples, FL David Lawrence Weinberg History/Computer Science* Southwest Ranches, FL Angela Victoria Wells Sociology St. Petersburg, FL Jessica Anne Wheeler Anthropology Lakeland, FL Jessica Hillary Wheeler Ecology* Sanibel, FL Chris Hollister Wilson Ecology* Ann Arbor, MI

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CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Eldridge Katherine Wisely Biology Staunton, VA Cameron Wesley UeweUyn Worden Literature Valrico, FL *Indicates special area of concentration.

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A DISTINGUISHED PAST AND PROMISING FUfURE Founded in 1960, ew College of Florida welcomed its first class of students in 1964 amid a fanfare of national attention. That charter class which consisted of a talented and adventurous group of 101 young men and women from around the country, came to campus with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to take part in a different kind of education. New College s "grand experiment, where undergraduates worked collaboratively with faculty and where students were not only encouraged but expected to participate active l y in their own education, was on the cutting edge of higher education in the 1960s. It remains so today. During the past forty years, whether as a private college or as a member of the State University System of Florida, New College students and graduates have distinguished themselves as national leaders in undergraduate research academic achievement, and community service. This year's graduating seniors are no exception. With six Fulbright Fellows, a Gates Cambridge Scholar, a ational Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and countless others who have received awards and accolades throughout the i r careers here, our Class of 2007 continues New College s rich tradition of producing outstanding graduates who become informed, involved global citizens. We celebrate this year's graduating class as one that will continue to have a lasting effect on New College s history and its future. In 2002-2003, when most of this year s graduating seniors first arrived on campus, the College was experiencing the growing pains of having only recently become a fully independent member of Florida's public university system. Today, thanks in part to the contributions of this year's graduates ew College stands out among its peers across the country, having earned accolades from publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Kiplinger's Barron s Guides, Colleges 1l1at Change Lives and The Wall Street Journal. The College once again enjoys complete ownership and control over its historic campus. Finally, this year s graduates played a key role in helping the College shape and develop a visionary campus master plan and the construction of five new residence halls, all of which will benefit generations of future students at New College. Just as the more than 3,900 New College graduates who preceded them have, this year's class of graduating seniors promises to make their marks on our nation and the world as accomplished scholars, entrepreneurs civic leaders, educators, attorneys, physicians, artists, journalists and professionals of every type. N; a college, we welcome them to the noble ranks of ovo Collegian alumni. Congratulations! Events, activities, programs, and facilities of New College of Florida are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ,gender identity or gender expression as provided by Taw a11d in acc01dance with the College's respect for personal dignity.