Photo by David Woods

Commencement is Rollins' final chance to honor the many accomplishments of its graduating seniors, as parents, friends and the Rollins community gather together to celebrate the Class of 2012 and witness the conferring of diplomas.

Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Professional Studies | Crummer Graduate School of Business | Hamilton Holt School

Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Professional Studies Commencement Ceremony

In a commencement ceremony rich with pomp and grandeur held on May 13 in the Warden Arena, more than 350 graduates of the Rollins Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Professional Studies received diplomas, awards, and recognition for the successful completion of their undergraduate academic careers.

Rollins President Lewis Duncan presided over the ceremony and opened with a quote from celebrated Rollin alumnus Fred Rogers '51, taken from his book Life's Journes According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way. "All I can say is, it's worth the struggle to discover who you really are and how you, in your own way, can put life together as something that means a lot to you."

Class of 2012 Valedictorians Michael van den Berg, an English and economics major, and Christian Bromley, an art history major, urged their fellow graduates to never give up when faced with rejection, find strength in hard work and to take a universal approach to lifelong learning. "You are not special," van den Berg said, quoting from the 1999 American film based on the 1996 novel Fight Club. "I stand here, not just to congratulate everyone on their graduation, but to challenge you: challenge you to not view this as the end of your journey, but as the beginning; challenge you to not expect anything but to struggle for everything; challenge you to not be defined by the things you own but by the things you do. I want to conclude by telling you that you will fail. But you will also succeed." Bromley also concluded his speech with words of inspiration. Quoting the father of his friend Andrea Luongo ’13, Bromely ended his speech by reminding the Class of 2012 that, "success, like the future, is in the direction of the ceiling." Read Christian Bromley's full speech... Read Michael van den Berg's full speech...

Delivering a passionate a moving keynote address, Martha J. Kanter, under secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, commented on the high standard for communications at Rollins and praised the graduates for making the best possible investment in their future by obtaining a degree from an institutation at the forefront of higher education. "It's evident that the entire Rollins community cares deeply about what it takes to equip you with the knowledge and skills for success as leaders in our increasingly competitive global economy that surrounds our hyper-connected knowledge society," Kanter said. She then went on to share the stories of a few students from the graduating class that have given her inspiration. Citing the accomplishments of Aislynn Betancourt '12, Aditya Mahara '12, Ian Wallace '12, and Fabia Rothenfluh '12, Kanter said, "These are just a few of the hundreds of examples of the spirit of excellence and service that characterizes each of you in the Class of 2012."

Kanter then asked the graduating class to share their stories of hard work and success with the word so that they can encourage young people and older generations to pursue and educated life. "I ask you to make the commitment to help others work hard to set and achieve challenging educational goals for themselves as you have done. By graduating here today, you will now become the role models who will move our nation forward."

In closing, Kanter left the Class of 2012 with a few parting words of advice. "Face head-on and cast off the fears that lay ahead of you, rely on your inner strength, use the knowledge and skills that Rollins has given you to make a difference and to make life better for others, and don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t bright enough or up to the challenge. You are!" Read Martha Kanter's full speech...

The ceremony also included the presentation of Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters to Rick Goings, chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands Corporation, and Winifred Warden '45, celebrated philanthropist and patron to the arts.

Faculty Awards

Arthur Vining Davis Awards
Daniel Chong
Yudit Greenberg
Robert Moore

Cornell Distinguished Service Award
John Houston

Cornell Distinguished Teaching Award
Lee Lines

Elevation to Emeritus Status
Larry Holt
Richard James
James Small
Larry Van Sickle
Edna McClellan

Student Awards

General Charles McCormick Reeve Awards
Cory Baden
Christian Bromley
Maria Maag
Kara Trapp
Darian Tucker


Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion
Jennifer Collins
Aditya Mahara

A Day in Pictures

Anticipation gave way to celebration as more than 350 students graduated during the commencement ceremony

Commencement Video

Relive the pomp and circumstance of Commencement 2012.

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Photo by David Woods

Hamilton Holt School Commencement Ceremony

The Hamilton Holt School's commencement ceremony was held on Saturday, May 12. Bachelor’s or master’s degrees were awarded to 277 graduates, ages 22 to 62. Under Secretary of Education Martha J. Kanter, gave the keynote address. Psychology major Traci Campana, who was chosen as this year’s outstanding graduating senior, also addressed the graduates.

Hamilton Holt School Faculty Awards

John Sinclair, John M. Tiedtke Professor of Music received the Walter E. Barden Distinguished Teaching Award, an award presented by the Hamilton Holt School Student Government Association to a faculty member who has demonstrated innovation and creativity in teaching and responsiveness and commitment to adult learning.

Elevation to Emeritus Status
Larry Holt

Hamilton Holt School Student Awards

Outstanding Graduating Senior
Traci Campana

Outstanding Graduate Student in Counseling Award
Olivia Riches

Kappa Delta Pi Award
Leah Zaguroli

Dean’s Award
Eric Moser

A Day in Pictures

Anticipation gave way to celebration as nearly 300 students graduated during the commencement ceremony.

Commencement Video

Relive the pomp and circumstance of Commencement 2012.

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Photo by Eric Blackmore

Crummer Graduate School of Business Commencement

The Rollins MBA held commencement ceremonies honoring 176 graduates of the school’s Early Advantage MBA and Professional MBA programs on Saturday, April 28. This year’s commencement address was given by Harvey L. Massey, Chairman and CEO of Massey Services, who inspired the graduating class to "walk the talk" by being responsible leaders in the business world. Read more about Rollins MBA Commencement...

Crummer Graduate School of Business Faculty Awards

The Cornell Distinguished Faculty in Crummer Award recognizes a faculty member in the Crummer Graduate School of Business who has distinguished his or herself and the college through outstanding teaching, research, and service. This year, the honor was awarded to highly respected Rollins MBA Professor of Accounting and Management Ralph Drtina.

Bornstein Award for Faculty Scholarship 
Greg Marshall

Elevation to Emeritus Status
E. Theodore Veit

Commencement Video

Relive the pomp and circumstance of Commencement 2012.

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