Nearly a thousand new graduates celebrated their first full day as Arizona State University alumni on May 9 as the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions honored them at its spring 2023 convocation.

Representatives of the college’s leadership, faculty and staff, along with families and friends, gathered to celebrate the hard work of 997 graduates from the Watts College’s four schools at an afternoon ceremony at ASU’s Desert Financial Arena in Tempe. A graduate triumphantly holds a diploma cover at the spring 2023 convocation of ASU's Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions on May 9 at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe. Photo by Mark J. Scarp/ASU Download Full Image

The School of Social Work presented the most spring 2023 graduates, 357, followed by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice with 349, the School of Public Affairs with 214 and the School of Community Services and Development with 77. An estimated 800 graduates participated in the ceremony.

The college’s online graduates totaled 306 during the spring, while 691 immersion, or in-person, learners also earned diplomas. ASU officially conferred 12 doctoral degrees, 408 master’s degrees and 577 bachelor’s degrees upon Watts College graduates at university commencement ceremonies held a day prior in Tempe.

The convocation began with a procession of Watts College faculty, led by college marshal Eric Legg, a School of Community Resources and Development associate professor. Legg was chosen for the role in recognition of his outstanding commitment to undergraduate education.

The college’s four spring Outstanding Graduates also entered at the head of the procession. By carrying a colorful gonfalon behind Legg, each represented their schools: Charles Cooney for the School of Public Affairs, Cassie Harvey for the School of Criminology and Crinimal Justice, Lauren Kuhman for the School of Community Resources and Development, and Makiyah Murray for the School of Social Work.

Associate Dean Chandra Crudup later introduced the Outstanding Graduates with individual accounts of their academic journeys. Read more about them in the college’s spring 2023 convocation program.

In addition to Crudup, other members of the college’s leadership formed the core of the platform party: Dean and President’s Professor Cynthia Lietz, Senior Associate Dean Joanna Lucio and associate deans William Terrill, Gyan Nyaupane and Megha Budruk. Joining the deans were the directors of the Watts College’s four schools: the School of Community Resources and Development's Christine Buzinde, the School of Criminology and Crinimal Justice's Beth Huebner, the School of Social Work's Elizabeth Lightfoot and the School of Public Affairs' Shannon Portillo.

Dean recognizes grads’ ‘passion for making a positive impact’

Lietz welcomed guests and graduates to the celebration and praised the graduates for their dedication to careers in public service.

“You chose to pursue your studies in an academic program from one of our four schools, because of your commitment to serve, your desire to build stronger communities and your passion for making a positive impact in the world,” Lietz said. “This moment is indeed worthy of celebration, so, in that spirit, it is my distinct pleasure to be the first to congratulate this year’s graduating class of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.”

Lietz also complimented the graduates’ guests, family and friends for their important roles in each student’s achievements, pointing out that no degree is realized only through the efforts of the student alone.

Graduates acknowledged the dean’s invitation to recognize the contributions from families, friends, faculty and staff with enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Lietz also asked the crowd to acknowledge contributions from college benefactors Mike and Cindy Watts with more applause and acclamation.

‘Great confidence’ expressed in graduates

Lietz welcomed the graduates into “the company of scholars, with all its rights, honors, privileges and obligations,” as each school director formally presented them to her as degree holders.

Lietz then directly addressed the graduating class, noting the difficult times the world is facing, and that many of the ideals that the graduates highly value are under attack. Nonetheless, Lietz said, she has “great confidence that the graduates of this college are a dramatic contrast to the very things that we fear.”

“When people try to divide us, you bring us together. When others feel discouraged, you inspire. When some might be defeated, you persevere. When others lead with anger, you lead with respect and civility,” Lietz said. “You remind us that higher doses of empathy and courage are needed to respond effectively to the challenges we face.”

Lietz highlighted the graduates’ commitment to meet society’s most difficult challenges head on, with a powerful focus on making the world a better place, which she found personally inspiring.

“Whether you aspire to elected office, work in local government or will respond as a first responder during natural disasters; whether you will keep our neighborhoods safe, preserve our parks, advocate for social justice or meet the needs of vulnerable populations; your mission is complex, important and impactful,” Lietz said. “Your success matters so much to us, because the ability to build more vibrant, healthy, equitable communities is now, in many ways, in your hands. I can tell you that when I start to feel discouraged, you provide a sense of hope that we all need today.”

Hundreds of maroon and gold balloons fell from the rafters at the end of the roughly 90-minute ceremony, a convocation tradition. The band played ASU’s fight song, “Maroon and Gold,” as the balloons floated down upon the gleeful graduates and their friends and families, who tossed them about as they departed the arena.