Down at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus on May 3, more than 30 grads from the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts attended an in-person get-together in the breezeway of Santa Catalina Hall, which was decked out with tables holding bouquets and cookies.
Robed grads wandered in and out, having their photos taken with Dean Duane Roen in his academic regalia.
The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts hosted several events for its graduates: in-person receptions, virtual events and Zoom receptions for online students.
“The virtual events are fun,” Roen said. “People get to chat with each other.”
Roen beckoned grads to pose with him. “Come on down,” he said.
Troy Anderson, the Polytechnic campus student body president, posed with Roen, capping off earning a BS in political science and a BA in philosophy. The low-key sendoff didn’t bother Anderson in the slightest.
“I think it’s fine,” he said. “I’m not a big graduation person anyway. I’ve finished my four years and I’m done.”
Anderson doesn’t plan to go far. He’s looking for a job at ASU.
Nathan Reed celebrated earning his BS in applied biological sciences, which he earned at age 18. He plans to go to medical school and become an osteopath.
“It’s a little bit different,” he said of the graduation get-together. “I enjoyed all the YouTubes, taking them at my own pace.”
Reed said he missed all the activity of a typical graduation, but as a medical school candidate he understood why things were the way they were.
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Dean Duane Roen makes a point while talking to a staff member at the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts in-person graduation celebration May 3. Faculty members wearing face coverings came to celebrate the accomplishments of their students and extend best wishes.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Caitlin Johnson earned a BS in applied biological sciences with an emphasis in preveterinary medicine. She says, "Don't be afraid to live by your own timeline. Just go for it!" She's took several years off before returning to complete her bachelor's degree.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Polytechnic campus student body president Troy Anderson earned a BS in political science and a BA in philosophy and plans to apply to law schools. Nearly 1,100 students are graduating from the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts in spring 2021.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Eighteen-year-old Nathan Reed attended the in-person celebration at the Polytechnic campus. He earned a BS in applied biological sciences and plans to attend the A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Dean Duane Roen and graduate Abid Uddin flash their pitchforks during the photo session on the Polytechnic campus on May 3. Uddin earned his BS in applied biological sciences.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
The Gilbert native enjoyed spending time at the Polytechnic campus with different people from different backgrounds, having had a challenging time in high school at his age.
“Here it was acceptance and doing things differently, and that’s what made it interesting,” he said.
Faculty attended as well, seeing students off. Rafael Martinez just finished his first year teaching Southwestern history and English at ASU. He graduated from the University of New Mexico last year.
“I’m loving ASU,” he said. “I’m super excited that CISA is meeting students’ needs and celebrating their accomplishments. … I’m sure parents appreciate we’re keeping it safe.”
Vanessa Fonseca Chávez teaches Chicano and Indigenous literature and Southwest studies. She attended the in-person reception and a virtual event, and had more virtual events planned for the next day. Her office is in Santa Catalina Hall.
“The space is really great,” she said. “The breezeway is an underutilized space. I appreciate they were able to do this. Students really wanted to do something.”
More Polytechnic celebrations
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
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Systems engineering PhD graduate Mohammad Sharifzadeh bumps elbows with his faculty adviser, Assistant Professor Dan Aukes, at a graduation celebration in Cooley Ballroom on the Polytechnic campus on May 4. Family and friends joined the event via Zoom.
Photo by Sona Srinarayana
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Human systems engineering master’s graduate Katreena Thomas poses outside Cooley Ballroom on the Polytechnic campus before celebrating in person with her peers and professors May 4.
Photo by Sona Srinarayana
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Aviation graduates celebrate their achievements at a World War II hangar at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona, on May 5, 2021.
Photo by Sona Srinarayana
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Engineering graduate Jake Piper (top left) celebrates his graduation alongside his family at The Polytechnic School’s drive-thru celebration on Friday, April 30, 2021.
Photo by Sona Srinarayana/Fulton Schools
More campus celebrations
Top photo: (From left) Faculty members Assistant Professor Rafael Martinez, Assistant Professor Vanessa Fonseca Chávez, Lecturer Laurie Ralston and Dean Duane Roen flash pitchforks at the COVID-19-modified College of Integrative Sciences and Arts celebration on May 3, in the Santa Catalina Hall breezeway on the Polytechnic campus. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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