Commencement Ceremony
WATCH THE SPRING 2021 VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES,
HUMANITIES AND ARTS
STUDENT COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS
Sean Nguyen
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Sean is graduating with a major in Chemistry from the School of Natural Sciences. He came to Merced from San Jose, California. During his time here at UC Merced he has been involved with the INTRO Movement Dance Team and the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) where one of his most memorable projects was being the lead of the VSA Culture Show where he organized the entire event.
This is where he learned so much about his Vietnamese culture, teamwork and networking and his leadership skills. After college Sean would like to get into a clinical research associate position to increase his research experience and eventually obtain a Ph.D. in chemistry and become a professor.
Habibatu Mboka
SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Habibatu is graduating with a major in Computer Science and Engineering, and came all the way from Turlock, California to attend UC Merced. To add to her college experiences, Habibatu was involved in several organizations which include The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC), the California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) program, and Habibatu was lucky enough to get to conduct research at the Mechatronics, Embedded Systems and Automation (MESA) Lab under Dr. Yang Quan Chen and Ph.D. student mentor Guoxiang Zhang. This experience was very challenging, but nothing could stop Habibatu from completing it. After graduating Habibatu plans on visiting family in West Africa and while there, will decide about whether to pursue a Ph.D. in the fall of 2022 or work in the computer industry as a software engineer.
Keanu Velasquez
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES AND ARTS
Keanu is graduating with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. He came to Merced from San Francisco, California and has been very involved in several organizations during his time here at UC Merced. The Filipino-American Alliance, Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity and several dance organizations have added to his wonderful college experience and kept him very busy.
One of his most memorable projects during his time here included being a lead peer instructor for the Summer Bridge Program where on top of all of his extracurricular activities he was able to mentor new students on how to succeed and have the best experience at UC Merced. After graduation Keanu hopes to be working in higher education or as a recruiting coordinator in the private sector.
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NATIONAL ANTHEM
Featuring UC Merced students and an alumna
Special recognition to fellow Bobcats: Matthew Campos, Cathryn Flores, Baudelio Perez, Carlin Coleman and Sierra Carpenter, and community member Geoffory Felver for his music direction.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Carrie L. Byington, Executive Vice President of UC Health
FACULTY CONGRATULATES BOBCATS
UC Merced Faculty celebrates the Class of 2021
UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
President Michael V. Drake congratulates the Class of 2021
Virtual Ph.D. Hooding Celebration
Graduates hooded by family and friends at home while being celebrated by their faculty advisors and Graduate Dean
