Convocation highlights largest ASU Polytechnic graduating class
<p>In addition to the university commencement, students graduating from programs offered at ASU's Polytechnic campus will be recognized by family and friends at convocation May 11, at 5:30 p.m., in Wells Fargo Arena. This spring's graduating class is the largest from ASU's Polytechnic campus, where more than 575 students will attend.</p><separator></separator><p>Each semester, the Alumni Association recognizes Outstanding Graduates. This year, three Polytechnic campus students were among the 19 recipients university wide:</p><separator></separator><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px">Tinsae Babo</h4> <p style="margin-top: 0px">Tinsae Babo is graduating with her master of science in agribusiness degree from the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness. She earned her B.A. in accounting and served on the faculty of business and economics at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. She was a recipient of the James J. Sweitzer Memorial Scholarship for Graduate Education. She has been a graduate research assistant for agribusiness faculty, working with both undergraduate students and particularly with faculty associates who come to give special courses at the Polytechnic campus. Since 1997 she has successfully managed the Café Lalibela in Tempe, seeing it grow consistently in both sales and profits over an eight-year period. Tinsae also finds time to mentor a group of young adults from very diverse backgrounds at a local church.</p><separator></separator><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px">Antonio Gutierrez</h4> <p style="margin-top: 0px">Tony is graduating with a bachelor of science in electronics engineering technology from the College Technology and Applied Sciences. He has held summer and part-time positions at Lockheed Martin Space Company in Sunnyvale, Calif., and at Arizona Public Service in Phoenix while completing his degree. He was a research apprentice on juice sterilization research using electrical pulses. His work was presented in the FEMLAB international conference, and he gave a presentation in ASU's Western Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities workshop. Tony is an ASU Presidential Scholarship award recipient and a Hispanic College Fund Scholar. In addition, he has made the dean's list from 2002 to 2005. He also is a student member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and a member of the Tau Alpha Pi, the national honor society for engineering technology.</p><separator></separator><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px">Steven W. Hare</h4> <p style="margin-top: 0px">Steven, a curriculum and instruction/instructional media major, will receive his master of education (M.Ed.) from the School of Educational Innovation and Teacher Preparation. This is his second M.Ed. — he received his first one in curriculum and instruction/English as a second language. For Steven, teaching is his second career; he worked in industry for 25 years. Steven is very involved with his church, having served four missions to Mexico. He also has served in his church's "Serve Chandler Campaign" to provide service where it is needed in Chandler. Steven plans to teach, using technology and other non-traditional strategies to help start students off on a lifelong journey of learning that is not in their native language.</p><separator></separator><p>In addition to Outstanding Graduates, each of the colleges at the Polytechnic campus recognizes Outstanding Seniors. The following students were nominated and selected:</p><separator></separator><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px">Anika (Ah-nee-ka) Enos</h4> <p style="margin-top: 0px">Anika is graduating with a degree in agribusiness and a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. She is an appointed member of the board of directors of the Gila River Telecommunications Corporation. She is the only woman serving on this board composed of male elders from the Gila River Indian Community. As an appointed member of the board of directors she serves as vice chairperson. When she was treasurer, she met with members of Congress and their staffs in Washington, D.C., to discuss telecommunications issues affecting Native Americans. She serves in an advisory capacity to the Gila River Indian Community to implement a telecommunications system in accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996. She also was active in the Morrison School's Pre-vet Club.</p><separator></separator><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px">Jessica Monk</h4> <p style="margin-top: 0px">Jessica is a dietetics major who will receive her bachelor's degree in nutrition. She was admitted to ASU at only 17 years old, and was able to complete her studies in three years. Jessica is the recipient of the ASU Provost Scholarship and the Department of Nutrition Scholarship. She has made the dean's list every year. Jessica is active in professional, university and community organizations and activities. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the Student Nutrition Council, having served both as treasurer and secretary of the council. She also has served as a Campus Ambassador and a volunteer research assistant. She has volunteered at the United Food Bank, Arizona Families for Home Education, the local science fair and as a member of the Grace Community Bible Mission team.</p><separator></separator><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px">Jared Tompkinson</h4> <p style="margin-top: 0px">Jared is a Mechanical Engineering Technology major and a Society of Manufacturing Engineers student member and scholarship recipient. He has been on the dean's list several semesters. In addition, he serves as vice president for the Society of Automotive Engineers. He volunteers in his community as a Sunday school teacher and also is a volunteer Boy Scouts of America merit badge counselor. While going to school, he has worked part-time for an engineering firm in the Phoenix area.</p><separator></separator><p>All of these students will be recognized during the convocation ceremony on May 11.</p><separator></separator><p>If you plan to attend convocation, leave plenty of time to reach Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. Construction and street closures around the arena are expected to cause delays. Free parking is available in Lot 59 and in Parking Structures 5 and 7. For information about the Polytechnic convocation and construction updates, visit <a href="http://www.poly.asu.edu/academics/convocation/">http://www.poly.asu.edu…;