Insight: Autumn 2008

Autumn 2008

Commencement 2008

Class of 2008 joins family of nearly 8,000 UW Bothell Grads

Greg Mortenson

UW Bothell celebrated its 17thCommencement on June 15 with special guest speaker Greg Mortenson, international humanitarian, co-founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Central Asia Institute, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time. In his speech, Mortenson encouraged the graduating students to take notice of their place in the world and to make meaningful choices to help others.

At the ceremony select graduating students were honored for their contributions and personal achievements.

Recipients included:

Brian Peterson

Brian Peterson (IAS '08) - Student Commencement Speaker

In his speech, Peterson echoed Mortenson's sentiments as he encouraged his fellow classmates to be mindful of their future courses of action. ..."It is our responsibility to help break down the barriers that make such opportunities so incredibly rare for the majority of the world. It is we who must address global inequalities. It is on us to insist that maintaining the dignity of all individuals be paramount. In the face of injustice, we must both sound the alarm and demand restitution." Peterson was selected as speaker because of his many accomplishments and scholarly achievements.

Ebou Cham (Nursing '08) - Chancellor's Medal

Ebou Cham

Cham was chosen for the honor because of his commitment to learning and for being a consistent source of inspiration for faculty and fellow students.

Susan Tallis (IAS '08) - President's Medal

Tallis received the award for her distinguished academic record and demonstrated academic achievements and success.

607 baccalaureate and 110 master's degrees were conferred at the ceremony which also honored the 61 students who earned their Washington State Residency Certificates in education after completing coursework at UW Bothell.

Susan Tallis