{"id":32548,"date":"2025-06-15T15:50:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T22:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/?p=32548"},"modified":"2025-06-18T17:32:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T00:32:37","slug":"poised-to-impact-the-community-and-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/15\/poised-to-impact-the-community-and-the-world","title":{"rendered":"Poised to impact the community and the world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The University of Washington Bothell honored more than 1,300 graduates in two Commencement ceremonies at the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on June 15. The Purple Ceremony included students from the schools of Business, Educational Studies and Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, while the Gold Ceremony included students from the schools of Nursing & Health Studies and STEM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Class of 2025, totaling more than 1,900, brings the number of UW Bothell alumni to more than 34,000 as the University completes its 35th year. Many students were local to Washington state, and some came from as far away as Cambodia, Lithuania and Rwanda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fernanda Armas, a first-generation student from Venezuela who was the 2024-25 president of the Associated Students of UW Bothell, was one of two student speakers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe world is a little messy right now. But here\u2019s the thing,\u201d she said in her remarks. \u201cWe get to be the ones to fix it. To build something better. To be the generation that sees the cracks and plants seeds in them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A wide web of supporters <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Armas, who received her bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology with a minor in Policy Studies, shared a phrase popularized by the Spider-Man movies: With great power comes great responsibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat power doesn\u2019t mean we need to save the world overnight,\u201d she explained. \u201cIt means we\u2019re responsible for how we show up in our communities. How we treat people. How we choose courage over comfort. That\u2019s the kind of heroism we\u2019re being called to right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd through it all, we never walk alone.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was echoed by Brianna Fero, who received her Master of Arts in Policy Studies and was the graduate student speaker. \u201cWhen it all felt like too much, it wasn\u2019t just our own willpower that kept us going \u2014 it was our teams,\u201d Brianna told her fellow graduates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProfessors who pushed us. Classmates who became family. Friends, coworkers, mentors who believed in us. Families, partners, kids \u2014 the people who sacrificed so we could be here today.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Excellence in action <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In front of audiences that included the graduates\u2019 family members, friends, faculty and support staff \u2014 approximately 6,000 in the arena for each ceremony and several hundred watching the livestream \u2014 Chancellor Kristin G. Esterberg presented the 2025 Chancellor\u2019s Medal to Niveah Martinez, who received her bachelor\u2019s degree in Computer Science & Software Engineering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chancellor\u2019s Medal is annually awarded to a UW Bothell student who has been a consistent source of inspiration for peers and faculty alike even as they overcome obstacles. Growing up in the Yakima Valley, surviving \u2014 not education \u2014 was Martinez\u2019s first priority, she said in an award presentation video. Nevertheless, she excelled in her studies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of a study abroad trip to Spain spent researching cybersecurity and AI, Martinez is using what she learned to help the Latino Leadership Initiative to improve its data protection, operational security and training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UW President Ana Mari Cauce presented the President\u2019s Medal to the UW Bothell student with the most distinguished academic record. Emerald Chuesh, who received her bachelor\u2019s degree in Health Studies, is the 2025 honoree. As a first-generation student, she initially defaulted to a pre-med track, believing that clinical work alone advances public health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her experiences at UW Bothell not only revealed the importance of scientific research but also that the field more closely aligned with her aspirations and strengths. Chuesh now plans to be a researcher, using her knowledge and skills to develop evidence-based solutions that address health challenges and to better scientific advancement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Meeting the moment <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In her final commencement address, President Cauce, who is stepping away after 10 years in the role to return to the UW faculty, told the students, \u201cMore than ever, we need you. The world needs your voice, your ideas, your passion. The challenges ahead are real, but your compassion, determination and courage are primed to meet them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chancellor Esterberg also spoke to the environment these new alumni are facing. \u201cYou are graduating into one of the most challenging periods in recent history. But I know you are well prepared to meet this historical moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt UW Bothell, you learned how to engage with people from different backgrounds and were awakened to the beauty of life experiences different from your own. You learned how to make your way through difficult conversations, allowing space for other viewpoints and finding common ground to move forward. Through your group projects, you learned the value of teamwork and know first-hand that by working together, you can make the impossible, possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know you are well prepared for what is ahead of you \u2014 and poised to make a tremendous impact in our community, in the state of Washington and around the world.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Photo Gallery: 2025 Commencement – Purple Ceremony<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n
\n UW Bothell 2025 Purple Commencement Ceremony<\/a>