dialogue

Student crosses the graduation stage, proudly wearing the Haitian flag, while crowd applauds.

Dan Z. Johnson

Destiny Rosulme ’24, a human rights and French & Francophone Studies special major, crosses the stage at the Mann Center.

Momentous Moves: Congratulations Class of 2024!

O

n a warm, hazy, Sunday morning, members of the Class of 2024 received their degrees at Swarthmore College’s 152nd Commencement ceremony May 26.

Of the 413 graduates, 399 received the Bachelor of Arts degree and 28 the Bachelor of Science in engineering degree. Fourteen received dual degrees. A total of 68 students received a level of Honors. Nora Sweeney ’24 offered remarks as the senior class speaker.

After receiving their degrees on stage, the graduating engineers created and closed out on a “Zoom call” for the Swarthmore Engineering Class of 2024 — a nod to the graduates ending their high school experience and beginning college during the pandemic.

At the ceremony, Acting Co-Presidents Rob Goldberg and Tomoko Sakomura awarded two honorary degrees: a Doctor of Arts to documentary filmmaker Louis Massiah and a Doctor of Science to journalist and author Lulu Miller ’05.

Special awards announced at the ceremony included the Oak and Ivy to Seungmin Fruman ’24 and Kyra Roepke ’24, Lang to Nicolas Urick ’24 and Ziming Yuan ’24, and McCabe Engineering to Kevin Murillo ’24.

Associate Professor of Educational Studies Edwin Mayorga and Charisma Hasan ’24 addressed the senior class at Last Collection on May 24. Lisa Smulyan ’76, Henry C. and Charlotte Turner Professor of Educational Studies, addressed the graduating class at Baccalaureate services on May 25 after an introduction from Lucia Navarro ’24.

The event was moved from the planned campus location, to The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, as a result of a student encampment on Parrish Lawn (see pg. 17), which was part of a national pro-Palestinian movement.

While the ceremony included verbal disruptions, it ultimately affirmed the Swarthmore’s commitment to diverse views and freedom of expression. The College community delighted in the amphitheater environs of the Mann Center, with the view of the Philadelphia skyline serving as a perfect backdrop for photo opps on the Big Chair. More importantly, the Mann shares common values with Swarthmore, said Faculty Marshal Sibelan Forrester, “fostering a community marked by openness, fairness, and equality.”

— RYAN DOUGHERTY

swarthmore.edu/commencement-2024

Co-presidents Rob Goldberg (left, standing) and Tomoko Sakomura (standing at podium, speaking)

Dan Z. Johnson

Acting Co-Presidents Rob Goldberg and Tomoko Sakomura bestowed degrees to the graduates. They served as Swarthmore’s acting co-presidents while President Valerie Smith completed her sabbatical.

A graduating student and faculty member embrace.

laurence kesterson

Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Nsoki Mamie Mavinga greets Nelson Dufitimana ’24.

Student wearing a cap, gown, and keffiyah poses with Phinneas, the school mascot.

laurence kesterson

Phineas celebrates with Lang Opportunity Scholar Ariza Nanji ’24.

artful insights

Honorary Degrees Awarded

david needleman

louis massiah is an Emmy- and MacArthur Fellow-winning documentary filmmaker who addresses important but often neglected historical and political subjects with unique insight and artistry. He is the founder and director of Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia, a nonprofit media arts center that seeks to explore, develop, and advance the use of electronic media as artistic media and tools for progressive social change. “The work of making society a better place, dare I say, trying to make the world a better place, is its own reward and will sustain you. You will feel the love as you give love.”

Kristen Finn

lulu miller ’05 is a Peabody Award-winning journalist known for her ability to blend scientific inquiry with compelling storytelling to reveal breaches in expectations — where reality is stranger than our beliefs about it. The self-described “science nerd” has been working in public radio for nearly 20 years and is the co-host of WNYC’s “Radiolab,” a unique podcast that weaves stories about science and curiosity into sound- and music-rich documentaries.”I spend a lot of time looking at nature, trying to learn how other organisms live in harmony and flourish on this planet.”

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