CAMD Graduation 2017

This year, Northeastern University’s College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) held its first-ever graduation ceremony on May 4, 2017 to honor its graduates and celebrate their remarkable achievements. Hosted at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center, the event attracted more than 1,200 guests as CAMD graduates, both at the undergrad and graduate level, took the time to reflect upon and acknowledge their productive and meaningful careers as students while looking forward to their future impacts.

The event began with opening remarks from Adam Smith, Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, who welcomed the graduates to march into the hall by department. Once the procession, followed by the national anthem, was complete, Dean Elizabeth Hudson offered welcoming remarks.

“I am so proud to have such an amazing group of graduates in front of me. You are here to be feted for your fantastic achievements, today and tomorrow – and rightly so,” said Dean Hudson as she addressed the crowd. “But as you get ready to be applauded, I want you to take a moment to look around you, to note the family and friends who have supported you through your years in school, and will continue to support you in what comes. You can also see many of the faculty and advisors who have been central to your journey here at Northeastern.”

As students took the time to reflect on their experiences and give thanks to their support systems, the energy inside the room was absolutely radiant.

“Work hard, of course, and later it will all make more sense than you can imagine. So I hope that is what you take away, as you go on to your various futures; and what you will remember about your time at CAMD. To carry your experiences forward and lean on the knowledge and skills that you developed here. And to have fun doing great and serious things,” Dean Hudson concluded.

The ceremony moved forward with faculty awards, recognizing Scott Edmiston, Theatre, with the Excellence in Research and Creative Activity Award; Sam Choi, Architecture with the Distinguished Service Award; and Pedro Cruz, Art + Design, and Brooke Foucault Welles, Communication Studies, with the Excellence in Teaching Awards. Brooke Foucault Welles was also recognized with the University’s Excellence in Teaching Award, alongside Nancy Kindelan, Theatre, who was recognized with the University’s John Portz Faculty Excellence Award.

At the student level, CAMD honored four students with Undergraduate Awards for Outstanding Scholarly and Creative Excellence and Achievement: Brian Fountaine, Kitty Cheung, Margaret Quick, and Hanne Larsen. The Graduate Award for Outstanding Scholarly and Creative Excellence and Achievement went to Emily Hopkins, while the Experiential Learning Award went to Nathaniel Hulsey.

Congratulations to all of the CAMD faculty and students who won awards!

Before the awarding of certificates, CAMD’s Class of 2017 heard from fellow student, Aneri Pattani, who has an exciting summer ahead working with The New York Times.

“Over the past four years, I’ve come to realize that being an artist is less about creating a beautiful product and more about engaging in a beautiful process. Being an artist means participating in acts of radical empathy. You not only have to consider your own perspective, but that of your subjects and your audience. You not only have to think of one way to convey your message, but consider many different options and choose the best one,” said Aneri to the crowd. “When I think about the pros that make graduating so worth it, it’s not the lack of exams or the idea of making money. What it is for me, and what I hope it is for you, is the opportunity to sculpt society through our art. Artists have always been changemakers. And today we get to join that special cohort and use our artistry to paint the world.”

CAMD’s inaugural 2017 Graduation Celebration was a historic day for the College, and we thank all of the graduates and their families and friends for joining us. Please check out some photographs from the special day below!

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