winter commencement monterey, california saturday, december 17, 2022
MIDDLEBURY INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AT MONTEREY
Commencement Exercises and Conferring of Degrees
5
PROCESSIONAL
Please rise for the processional
WELCOME
Jeff Dayton-Johnson
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute
Laurie L. Patton Middlebury President
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Xiaoyan (Grace) Shen Associate Professor
STUDENT SPEAKER
Heba Mohamednor MATESOL ’22
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
President Laurie L. Patton
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Patricia Szasz
Dean of Academic Innovation
CLOSING
REMARKS
Vice President Jeff Dayton-Johnson
Please remain seated for the recessional RECEPTION
Please join us for a celebration at the Samson Student Center
PRESIDENT’S PARTY
5Laurie L. Patton
Jeff Dayton-Johnson Xiaoyan (Grace) Shen Heba Mohamednor Fernando DePaolis Patricia Szasz
GRAND
MARSHAL
Katherine Punteney Professor and Program Co-chair International Education Management
FACULTY MARSHAL
Andrea Hofmann-Miller Faculty Senate President and Associate Professor
RECESSIONAL
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL POLICY
Miles D. Burgin 1 Santa Rosa, California
Jonathan Andre Chen 2 Cupertino, California
Naomi Lyles1 Houma, Louisiana
Sami Shihadeh3 Carmel, California
MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION MANAGEMENT
Christy L. Bomba South Portland, Maine
Kirsten Dominique Bourne* New York, New York
Yolanda Adjeley Cobblah Stafford, Virginia
Amanda J. Doherty Abington, Massachusetts
Nicholas Alexander Garbacz Carpentersville, Illinois
Juliette Chantelle Green* Anchorage, Alaska
Jamila Nicole Hawkins* San Jose, California Kindra Hurlbert Northfield, Minnesota
Annalea A. Kamplain* Bozeman, Montana
Todd Jonathan Kimball Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jeffrey Krohn Kurnick Northbrook, Illinois
Laura Regina Manczewski Cleveland, Ohio
Kevin J. Mascitelli Chester County, Pennsylvania Ryutaro Miyabe* Sagamihara, Japan Hashim I. Muhammad District Heights, Maryland
Danielle Ohemeng San Bruno, California
Robin Hope Riebman* Charleston, South Carolina Tremaine N. Smith The Bronx, New York
Dana Sprole* San Francisco, California
Annemarie R. Stanojevikj Pescadero, California
Maia Stewart Charlotte, North Carolina
Wesley Richard James Wright* Ann Arbor, Michigan
Colin Yamaguchi* Portland, Oregon
MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Noemi Cristinee Agagianian* Sunland, California
Kacy C. Cooper* Monterey, California
Nicholas Andres Gil Santiago, Chile
Mackenzie Harrison Livesay Monterey, California
Shane Machover Saratoga, California
Claire Leslie Rachael Morgan London, United Kingdom
Cacie L. Russell Monterey, California
Madison Springfield* Jaffrey, New Hampshire
Cecilia L. Vega-Mayer* Seattle, Washington
Emily Irene Zimmerman Monterey, California
MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT
Jonathan Andre Chen Cupertino, California
Kyle A. Dexheimer
Jacob Farber Monterey, California
Alexandro Antonio Granata East Hanover, New Jersey
Delia M. Leal Seaside, California
Cory James Lowe Salt Lake City, Utah
Dion J. Miller Woodinville, Washington
Isabelle J. Morse Monterey, California
Kaitlyn Tierney Monterey, California
MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY
Daniel Dobson Roswell, Georgia
Jacob Faber Monterey, California
Shawn Marie Gayner Meridian, Idaho
Aiko Aleena Gonzalez Arnold, California
Felipe Hermosillo Sacramento, California
Dwight Largie Naschitti, New Mexico
Cory James Lowe Salt Lake City, Utah
Greyson C. Mann Washington, D.C. Morgan Michelle Moore Duncanville, Texas
MASTER OF ARTS IN NONPROLIFERATION AND TERRORISM STUDIES
Sanaa Alvira Monterey, California
Brandon James Brown Sacramento, California
Veronica Elise Chinchilla Albany, California
John N. Ford Chicago, Illinois
Matthew Theodore Goldenberg Atlanta, Georgia
Carlos Emanuel Guzman Carvajal Orlando, Florida
Daria Kheirie Astrakhan, Russia
Tyler Quinn Kirkham Rexburg, Idaho
Zachary A. Klein Liberty, Missouri
Anastasia Lisina Moscow, Russia
Gerry R. Moss Stagecoach, Nevada
Benjamin P. Mueller Hillsboro, North Dakota
Alexandra Munro Newark, Delaware
Jared Carl George Roth Concord, New Hampshire
Sami Shihadeh Carmel, California
Hasumi Tani* Tokyo, Japan
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES
Bridget Kiara Alexander Indianapolis, Indiana
Justin Zhao-Jia Huang Monterey, California
Kei Lam Rosemead, California
Heba M. Mohamednor Chicago, Illinois
Soleil Aida Turell Virginia
Holly Nicole Walsh East Greenwich, Rhode Island
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Giulia Beccarelli Parma, Italy
Francesca Lamei Cenzatti* Berkeley, California
Kukjin Cheon* Incheon, Republic of Korea
Eun Hye Cho Republic of Korea
Lydia E. Emory* Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Margaret L. Kwasnik* South Burlington, Vermont
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Miles D. Burgin
Santa Rosa, California
Yolanda Adjeley Cobblah Stafford, Virginia
Stephanie Fuentes Alvarez Corona, California
Nicholas Alexander Garbacz Carpentersville, Illinois
Shawn Marie Gayner Meridian, Idaho
Aiko Aleena Gonzalez Arnold, California Regina Gutierrez De Alzua Monterey, California
Sarah Sandweiss Horowitz* Albuquerque, New Mexico
Kindra Hurlbert Northfield, Minnesota
Dwight Largie Naschitti, New Mexico
Naomi Lyles Houma, Louisiana
Laura Regina Manczewski Cleveland, Ohio
Morgan Michelle Moore Duncanville, Texas
Danielle Ohemeng San Bruno, California
Tremaine N. Smith The Bronx, New York
Annemarie R. Stanojevikj Pescadero, California
Maia Stewart Charlotte, North Carolina
Taylor Anne-Marie Zerby Newberry, Michigan * With distinction 1—Summa cum laude
2—Magna cum laude 3—Cum laude
FLAGS OF MANY HOMELANDS
Today’s color guard represents 83 students from 10 homelands.
Chile India Italy Japan Portugal Republic of Korea Russia Sudan United Kingdom United States
FACULTY COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
XIAOYAN (GRACE) SHEN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Professor Xiaoyan Shen teaches both interpretation and translation courses in the Chinese Translation and Interpretation program. Prior to joining MIIS, she taught at Beijing International Studies University for 10 years, during which time she became chair of the Interpretation Department. Between 2001 and 2007, Professor Shen taught at Xi’an International Studies University.
Over the years, Professor Shen has worked extensively as a conference interpreter for government agencies, multinational corporations, NGOs, and major events. She has also lectured at numerous translation and interpretation training programs in China and overseas.
Professor Shen sees translation and interpretation as the ultimate demonstration of the craftsmanship and art of languages, though in fact the outcome of translation and interpretation is also the result of an often-agonizing decision-making process. She has been, therefore, dedicated to helping students develop a holistic and critical view of translation and interpretation emphasizing more discourse than words. Principles and coping strategies of translation and interpretation are woven into discussions of specific texts and various heuristic tasks in her classes.
Professor Shen was awarded the Institute’s Faculty Excellence Award for Academic Year 2021–22.
STUDENT SPEAKER
HEBA MOHAMEDNOR MATESOL ’22
Heba Mohamednor is graduating from the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program at MIIS. Born in Doha, Qatar, and raised in both Chicago and Doha, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Georgetown University in Qatar, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in foreign service in culture and politics, with a concentration on the political and cultural effects of language. She also studied Korean at the Middlebury School of Korean and Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.
With a passion to better the communities of which she is a part, Heba works constantly to learn how to improve herself as a peer, colleague, and individual. During her time at MIIS, she served as the TESOL/TFL student representative on the 2021–2022 Student Council, working on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Community Engagement, and Housing Committees; was president of the Shades at MIIS (SAM) Club, dedicated to raising awareness of and providing various social and professional opportunities for BIPOC students on campus; and joined the Institute-wide DEI Advisory Committee, working to implement DEI initiatives on campus. Heba also taught at the Middlebury English Language School on digital media literacy and held graduate assistant positions in the Admissions and Language and Professional Programs Departments at MIIS.
Outside of academic life, Heba enjoys creative writing and literature, and hopes to research how marginalized communities can be better represented in literature and other forms of media.
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE 2022–2023
PRESIDENT Laurie L. PattonCHARTER TRUSTEES
Kirtley Horton Cameron ’95
Allan R. Dragone Jr. ’78
Catherine Lee ’92 George C. Lee II ’88
Caroline Sneath McBride ’75
Belinda L. Badcock
Joseph W. Brown ’90
Dennis D. Parker ’77
Helen Riess
Richard T. Scanlon ’93
Karen A. Stolley ’77 William F. Truscott ’83
TERM TRUSTEES
Alice Jane Murphy ’98
Suzanne Reider ’87
Leilani McClellan Brown ’93
Barbara G. Cole
Janine Feng ’92
Graham Goldsmith ’89
Parker Harris III ’89
Lucienne M. Ide ’97
Carol L. Jones
Koby Altman ’04
Zachary Bourque ’01 Denver G. Edwards ’88
Henry J. Simonds ’97
Elizabeth Cromwell Speers ’86
Mark D. Spence ’98
John S. Weinberg
Larry Yarbrough Kashif Zafar ’92
ALUMNI TRUSTEES
Anne Davis Peterson ’85
Shawn P. Ryan ’88 Danielle S. Virtue ’82
TRUSTEES EMERITI
Dort A. Cameron III ’67
James S. Davis ’66
Churchill G. Franklin ’71
Frederick M. Fritz ’68
Nancy Coffrin Furlong ’75
Claire Waterhouse Gargalli ’64
Robert C. Graham Jr. ’63
Willard T. Jackson ’51
William H. Kieffer III ’64
Roxanne McCormick
Leighton ’67
John M. McCardell Jr.
C. Irving Meeker ’50
Garrett M. Moran ’76
Patricia Judah Palmer ’57
Kimberly Collins Parizeau ’79
Elisabeth Robert ’78
Frank W. Sesno ’77
Deborah G. Thomas ’75
John R. Tormondsen ’82
J. Edward Virtue ’82 Marna C. Whittington
Linda Foster Whitton ’80
Kendrick R. Wilson III
MIDDLEBURY INSTITUTE BOARD OF ADVISORS 2022–2023
TRUSTEES
Catherine Lee ’92, Chair
Lucienne M. Ide ’97, Vice Chair
Kirtley Horton Cameron ’95 Parker Harris III ’89 Caroline Sneath McBride ’75 Henry J. Simonds ’97
Karen A. Stolley ’77 John S. Weinberg
EMERITI
Churchill G. Franklin ’71
Frederick M. Fritz ’68 William H. Kieffer III ’64 Kimberly Collins Parizeau ’79 Frank W. Sesno ’77 Linda Foster Whitton ’80
PARTNERS
Alison Geballe
Deborah Hicks Elaine White Gómez ’93 Rich Wolfson
CONSTITUENTS
Mahabat Baimyrzaeva
Helen Jiang Jill Stoffers ’00
A FEW NOTES
GRADUATION WITH HONORS
Undergraduate students completing all degree requirements with a record of high academic achievement are awarded traditional Latin honors: cum laude (3.50–3.74), magna cum laude (3.75–3.89), and summa cum laude (3.9–4.0). Master’s degree recipients completing with a cumulative GPA of 4.00 graduate with distinction. Recipients of distinction honors and summa cum laude are awarded honors cords.
COMMENCEMENT RECEPTION
The Middlebury Institute has a long tradition of sustainable practices and innovative initiatives. In 2015, we adopted a policy of featuring at least 50 percent plant-based food at all official Institute events where food is served. In that spirit, and in an effort to meet our sustainability policy goals, we are proud to serve 100 percent plant-based foods at today’s Commencement reception.
PHOTOS
For safety reasons, please remain in your seats during the ceremony. We have arranged for a photographer to take photos as each graduate crosses the stage. Photos can be viewed and downloaded at go.miis. edu/gradphotosdec22. An opportunity to take photos with Vice President Jeff Dayton-Johnson at a photo station will be available during the reception on the Samson Center patio following the ceremony.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Special thanks to Professor Mike Gillen for playing the bagpipes leading the processional.
SUPPORTING THE MIDDLEBURY INSTITUTE ANNUAL FUND
We are grateful to the generous alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends who support the many facets of an Institute education by donating to the Annual Fund. Your contributions allow future students the opportunity to pursue their dreams and lead purposeful lives. Visit go.miis.edu/give to learn more about how to make a gift.
GAMALIEL PAINTER’S CANE
Gamaliel Painter’s cane is one of the most treasured artifacts of Middlebury. Once the walking stick of the founder of both the town of Middlebury and the College, today it is carried by the president in the Commencement ceremony. It serves as a symbol of institutional strength and character.
MIDDLEBURY INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
The Middlebury Institute of International Studies educates professionals to advance understanding, promote peace, and drive change in pursuit of a more just world. The Institute’s 650 students come from more than 45 countries, joining a faculty and global network of alumni who are actively addressing some of the most critical issues of our time—including climate change, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation. Through a range of both in-person and online degree programs, students build critical in-demand skills in public policy, intercultural communication, mixed methods and open source data analysis and research, leadership and administration, education and language translation, and interpretation and localization.
The Institute is also home to a wide range of research centers and initiatives, including the renowned James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, the Center for the Blue Economy, and the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, as well as the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies.
Founded in 1955, the Institute became affiliated with Middlebury College in 2005 and was fully integrated as a graduate school of Middlebury in 2010.
Middlebury is anchored by the undergraduate college in Vermont, which was founded in 1800 and has long been recognized as one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country. Today Middlebury is also a graduate school for international studies; a home for immersive language study; a graduate school for the study of literature, literacy, and pedagogy; a leader of schools abroad sites that span the globe; and a home for the oldest and most prestigious writers’ conference in the world. Middlebury is an institution that prepares students to address the world’s most challenging problems, and it does so by engaging them in the life of the mind and soul.
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