Commencement 2020
2020 Virtual Commencement
Degrees were conferred and tassels turned. The ceremony was filled with fun surprises. We brought in artists and experts from coast to coast to make this Commencement special. It was surprisingly intimate, yet global in scope. View the entire ceremony then peruse the other special messages and content below!
2020 Commencement program
Grad moment: Find yourself and your friends
Messages for the class of 2020
Written messages for the class of 2020
“Although 2020 has been a challenging year, when someone speaks of the Class of 2020, we will always know that you are adaptable and persistent. Congratulations on a job well done in trying times!” Marc Servetnick, Interim Dean and Professor — School of STEM
“Thank you for staying strong, moving forward, and showing the world that Dawgs survive and thrive even the most difficult of situations. CONGRATULATIONS!! WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU!!” Sondra Henderson, UW Bothell Class of 2015
“You matter! You are important! You are valuable, brave, and enough. There is a place for you where ever you go – make your mark and stand proud and strong.” Layla Taylor, Community–Based Learning and Research
“‘Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.’ — Maya Angelou” Sean M. Marsh, Acting Vice Chancellor — Advancement and External Relations
“You are making and will continue to make, this world a better place.” Kimberly Wilson, Director — Career Services
“Congratulations on this incredible achievement! Embrace the confusion of this big transition. I look forward to seeing how you all create positive change in our world.” Deborah A. Hathaway, Lecturer — School of IAS
“Even though this is not how you thought your time at UW Bothell would end, don’t let the virus steal the joy of all that you have accomplished. Be proud of what you have done, and CONGRATULAITONS!” Robyn Smidley, Operations, Teaching & Learning Center
“You are a remarkable group and I wish you wonderful opportunities as a UW Bothell alum. We are your biggest fans and we cannot wait to see you as an alum!” Victoria M. Sprang, Advancement and External Relations
“Class of 2020, you rock! I am so sad to not cheer you on at this year’s graduation but will clap extra loud and twice as long next year! Congratulations you badasses!” Julie Shayne, Principal Lecturer — School of IAS
“Congratulations, class of 2020! You continue to inspire me.” Shannon Cram, Assistant Professor — School of IAS
‘“Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here. Make good art.” —Neil Gaiman.’ Machelle Allman, Center for International Education
“We are proud of you! Best of luck on your future endeavors!” Jessica Trenkamp, School of IAS
“Way to go class of 2020! ¡Bien hecho!” Yolanda Padilla, Assistant Professor — School of IAS
“You were the best cohort ever! Good luck for your next stage in your career and let us keep updated with your good news! Congrats!!” Jong Yoon, Associate Professor — School of STEM
“Welcome to the UW Bothell Alumni family. You are now ready to make an impact in our world.” Curtis Takahashi, Career Services
“Congratulations — I am so proud to have worked with you during your college career and I hope you stay in touch! You’ve done something really important and you deserve to celebrate!” Camille Walsh, Associate Professor — School IAS
‘“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi’ Gary Carpenter, Lecturer — School of IAS
“You GRADUATED college during a Global Pandemic. You can do absolutely anything in your life.” Jillian Hopson, School of Business
“Congratulations on your success! Thank you all for your dedication, commitment and adaptability to help ensure our success during these difficult times. Your determination and optimism will be needed as we work towards a stronger, more sustainable future for all.” Andrew Abian, Lecturer — School of STEM
“While the pandemic created a lot of uncertainty, one thing I am certain about is that the future is brighter with you in it!” Charity Lovitt, Senior Lecturer — School of STEM
“Stay strong and change the world for better!” Dr. Jason Frederick Lambacher, Lecturer — School of IAS
“Congratulations, class of 2020! Hope to congratulate you in–person eventually!” Jerry Vasquez, Undergraduate Programs — School of Business
“Congratulations! Best wishes to all of you going forward!” Salwa Al–Noori, Lecturer — School of STEM
“You have so much to offer to the world. Go out there and do your best. Be kind and generous, and remember all the things you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. There are many problems we can solve if we work together.” Alaron Lewis, Senior Lecturer — School of STEM
“Class of 2020 you are amazing! Go out and share your love and light with the world! Go Huskies!!” Ann Ellis, Counseling Center
“Go out and change the world for the better.” Dan Bustillos, Assistant Professor — School of NHS
“Congratulations, you made it! You leveled up. Now, go and do amazing things in the world. Come back to tell us about all your adventures. Keep your UWB friendships and community in your mind and heart. We celebrate your success, now and always.” Yusuf Pisan, Senior Lecturer — School of STEM
“Congratulations, Huskies! This is a time to celebrate all that you’ve learned and overcome to achieve this milestone. I am awed and inspired by your persistence and determination! I hope that this celebration marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life full of continued growth and transformation. Remember that we are the change we seek!” Jody Early, Associate Professor — School of NHS
“Congratulations to graduating under such difficult circumstances!!!” Paola Rodriguez Hidalgo, Assistant Professor — School of STEM
“This class truly embodies resilience with your ability to recover quickly and adapt in order to accomplish this important milestone! Congratulations, Class of 2020!” Ashley Magdall, Advancement and External Relations
“This year did not end like we all had hoped, but it does not take away from your amazing achievements. Congratulations!!!” Bryan White, Adjunct Professor — School of IAS
“Congratulations, UWB Class of 2020! Your flexibility, resilience, and ability to adapt in the face of challenge has been truly inspiring. Your leadership has set an incredible precedent to your peers, faculty, and staff and we are so incredibly proud to know that UWB students will be off making our world a better place.” Afton Lopez, Student Housing Office
“You are resilient and adaptable, trailblazing the uncertain future; you will accomplish great things!” Will Radcliffe, Career Services
“Congratulations UW Bothell Class of 2020! We are all so proud of all your hard work and dedication!” Cynthia Chang, Assistant Professor — School of STEM
“Your journey has not been easy, especially this last leg — but you MADE IT to the finish line! Congratulations!” Cinnamon Hillyard, Associate Professor and Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Learning — School of IAS
“Congratulations! You have shown great resilience and determination in earning your degree and I wish you the very best going forward.” Deanna M. Kennedy, School of Business
“This class has found a fighting spirit to push through extraordinary obstacles and reach the end of this particular path. Storms will rise and fade away. Let today’s celebrations resound in your being and enjoy the moment. Carry this feeling with you and let it be the catalyst for your next great step. Congratulations!” Gina Christian, Student Affairs
“YOU did it! We are so proud of your dedication and resiliency and excited for your future as you continue through a journey filled with twists and turns, unexpected opportunities, and challenges where you will continue to develop amazing strengths and skills. Career Services is here to support your transition from university to career! Congrats!!!” Dakota Bennett, Career Services
“Congratulations, UWB graduates! Look out, world! Here you come!” Cathleen Johnson, Undergraduate Programs — School of Business
“The superpowers you’ve developed during this last quarter — the ability to adapt and persevere — are soooo impressive! Can’t wait to see how you use them on the next leg of your journey!” Penelope A. Moon, Information Technologies
“Your journey here at Bothell has ended; this is bittersweet for us as faculty since we have learned from you more than you have learned from us. Yet now, a new journey begins where you will be excellent in your professional and societal lives! We wish you the best, and we’ll be here for you if you ever need help or support!” Peter Brooks, Lecturer — School of IAS
“We celebrate your resilience, your determination and your commitment to getting your degree despite this historic, extremely difficult moment in history. Always carry the best gifts of this time with you: grace for yourself and for others, kindness toward the most vulnerable and peace in the dance of chaos. We wish you the best always, all ways.” Maria Lamarca Anderson, Advancement and External Relations
“Congratulations, Class of 2020! I cannot wait to watch the amazing impact you will have on the world. Be the light we need now more than ever!” Amy Couto, School of Educational Studies
“If you only take one thing from your time at UWB, make sure it’s healthy skepticism as you stay curious about the world and actively seek to make it better.” Mark Chen, Lecturer — School of STEM
“We are so proud of you Class of 2020! Your strength and resiliency will carry you through to great places, congratulations!” Sara McDermott, School of STEM
“Congratulations! You did it, and we are so proud of you!” Alice Pederson, Lecturer — School of IAS
“You have accomplished so much and have much to celebrate!” Kristen Labrecque, School of Educational Studies
“Congratulations! You are the 2020 UW Bothell graduating class whom have persevered. This will lead you to your own amazing path in this world! We are SO proud of each and every one of you!” Julie Klein, Advancement and External Relations
“You’ve made it through what might be the weirdest year in our academic history. That is a major accomplishment and you should all be extremely proud for achieving your goals, even while we’re all distant. MAJOR kudos to the class of 2020 for your dedication, tenacity, and perseverance. DUBS UP!” Caitlin Anne Moats, Information Technologies
“Class of 2020, you will go down in history forever as one of the most resilient and strong graduates this world has ever seen. We are so proud of you!” Karan Sandhu, Student Housing Office
“Mabrouk (Arabic for Congratulations!) You’ve made it despite the unprecedented pandemic! More than ever, I know you will continue to fight for racial, social, gender, and economic equality. I believe that YOU will make the world a better place. No matter how difficult life has been, you have persisted! What an accomplishment! Proud of you all!” Karam Dana, Associate Professor — School of IAS
“I am retiring from UW Bothell this year and I am absolutely confident that you will create an amazing future that all of us citizens on planet earth.” Laurence Burris, School of STEM
“Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment. Great job making the best of these unique times and overcoming these challenging circumstances to achieve your goals. All the best to you in the future.” Kelly Carter–Lynn, School of STEM