School Notes: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
July/August 2018

Congratulations, graduates!

The peal of bells from Harkness Tower, a flourish of heraldic trumpets, and the skirl of a bagpipe signaled the start of Commencement 2018. Student bagpiper Duncan Keller ’21PhD (geology and geophysics) and banner bearers led the festive procession from the Hall of Graduate Studies to Old Campus. Following the university commencement ceremonies and the awarding of diplomas in Woolsey Hall, about 2,000 graduates and their guests enjoyed a picnic lunch at HGS. This year, GSAS awarded a total of 1,298 degrees. Of those, 400 were PhDs and 359 were MPhil degrees. Master’s degrees were granted as follows: 263 MS; 275 MA; and one MAS. Dean Emeritus Thomas Pollard assisted, since Dean Lynn Cooley’s daughter was graduating from Yale College at the same time.

Faculty members honored at convocation

The Graduate Student Assembly and GSAS collaborate every year to name three Graduate Mentor Award winners—one from each academic division—who are nominated by students for their extraordinary professional, scholarly, and personal support. This year honors were given to Claire Bowern, professor of linguistics; Crystal Feimster, associate professor of African American studies, history, and American studies; and Valentina Greco, associate professor of genetics and of dermatology and cell biology.

In nominating Bowern, one student wrote,  “Through work in her lab, I’ve learned new approaches and been part of projects that have made me a better scholar and a more competitive applicant for the academic market.” A student of Feimster’s said, “Professor Feimster has helped me to shape my intellectual questions, to pay attention to my strengths and challenges, and to see the work I am doing as a graduate student as part of a cumulative advancement towards a scholarly career.” One of Greco’s students said, “Her recognition of our individuality, as well as her amazing efforts to support us professionally and personally, have made my PhD journey very productive, but more importantly to me, it has also made my journey happy.”