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Over 140 UCLA IoES students turn their tassels
On Sunday, June 16, the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability celebrated its commencement ceremony, honoring the Class of 2024.
The event took place at Ackerman Grand Ballroom, where 143 students were awarded their diplomas.
The graduating class featured a diverse group of students, including 135 Environmental Science B.S. diploma candidates, 5 recipients of the Environmental Science & Engineering D. Env. diploma and 3 recipients of the Environment and Sustainability Ph.D. diploma.
The ceremony welcomed several distinguished guests, such as Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Officer and Commencement Keynote Speaker Rita Kampalath. Presenters from UCLA IoES included Director Marilyn Raphael, Associate Director Cully Nordby, Emeritus Adjunct Professor Carl Maida, ESE Co-Chairs Thomas Gillespie and Travis Longcore, Ph.D. Chair Stephanie Pincetl, and Environmental Science Practicum Director Noah Garrison.
The Environmental Science Student Address was delivered by Michelle Wang. Her speech reflected on cherished memories and expressed heartfelt gratitude towards IoES, supportive loved ones and her fellow graduates. Associate Director Nordby announced the 2024 Environmental Science Major Awards, with Samantha Low receiving the Academic Achievement Award and Elon Morris receiving the Outstanding Service Award.
After Director Raphael formally accepted the Class of 2024, acknowledging they had met all requirements for graduation, she then instructed the graduates to move their tassels from right to left. The ballroom erupted in cheers, and some newly graduated Bruins tossed their caps into the air, marking the conclusion of their academic journey.
This commencement ceremony signifies the emergence of a generation well-equipped to solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. UCLA IoES celebrates the graduates’ strides and looks forward to see them pave the way for a more sustainable future. Congratulations, Class of 2024!
Click here to view the 2024 Senior Practicum Presentations on IoES’s Youtube Channel.
