Thousands attend annual convocation ceremony at ASU's West campus

On Friday, thousands of students, friends and family members converged upon Arizona State University’s West campus to attend spring convocation. In total, 1,004 students from the West campus graduated with master’s or undergraduate degrees distributed among 40 diverse programs. The spring class joins nearly 18,000 West campus alumni from around the world.

Convocation ceremonies started at 9 a.m. on May 11 for the School of Global Management and Leadership (Multipurpose Field), and the College of Human Services (Fletcher Library Lawn).  At 6 p.m., ceremonies will begin for the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (Fletcher Library Lawn) and the College of Teacher Education and Leadership (Multipurpose Field). All four ceremonies are held at ASU’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix.

Women account for 69 percent of the 829 students graduating this spring with their bachelor’s degree, and 82 percent of the 175 graduate students. The top five undergraduate degrees to be conferred are: (1) Global Business; (2) Elementary Education; (3) Criminal Justice and Criminology; (4) Psychology; and (5) Communication Studies.

The College of Teacher Education and Leadership will award graduate degrees to 80 students; 78 College of Human Services graduate students will be awarded master’s degrees; 15 graduate students will receive master’s degrees from the School of Global Management and Leadership; and two graduate students will earn their degrees from the New College.  

The diversity of ASU’s degrees is only one small reflection of the diversity of their stories. ASU students come from all over the world. Some come to the West campus the direct route: after graduating from high school. Others put in some time in the working world, returning to complete their degree later in life. Some were raised with the expectation that they were destined for the highest professional levels. Others had to create and pursue that dream themselves.

Teaming with award-winning, nationally recognized faculty, ASU students are making an impact on the state’s most challenging issues. On Friday, the following students will receive the 2007 Outstanding Graduate award, the highest general distinction conferred on an ASU student.

Amelia Warren-Sifuentes, Glendale, Ariz. Graduating with a degree in criminology from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the College of Human Services, Warren-Sifuentes will receive top honors for her academic excellence. She is a member of Barrett, The Honors College, and a two-time scholarship recipient. She served in two internships – one with a local lobbying firm, another with the Arizona House of Representatives. After graduation, Warren-Sifuentes hopes to serve as a White House intern, then attend law school.

Edmundo Aranda, Peoria, Ariz. A graduate from the College of Teacher Education and Leadership, Aranda was will receive the Outstanding Graduate award for his academic success, leadership qualities and work in the community. Currently he serves as a tutor to Valley Boys and Girls Clubs and is actively involved in the Children’s Ministry.

Elizabeth Reusch, Glendale, Ariz. Graduating with her Master’s of Business Administration, Reusch currently serves as a research assistant for two professors in the School of Global Management and Leadership. Beginning this fall, Reusch will begin her doctorate program at Purdue University. Active in the community, the mother of three young girls serves as an elementary education volunteer and a leader for a military family support group.