The inaugural awarding of Derry-Crouse Emerging Leader honorees highlighted the UNMC Graduate Studies annual matriculation ceremony.
More than 230 incoming graduate students began their respective MS and PhD degree journeys at the Aug. 20 event.
Please enjoy a photo album from the matriculation ceremony at this link.
The new Derry-Crouse Emerging Leader Awards are sponsored by a gift from David Crouse, PhD, professor emeritus, and his wife, Sara, whose family name is Derry. The Crouses are enthusiastic supporters of UNMC Graduate Studies. Dr. Crouse led UNMC Graduate Studies three separate times on an interim basis.
Sakshi Khairnar is the first winner of the Derry-Crouse Emerging Student Organization Leader Award. She does crucial work in social media for the UNMC International Student Association, keeping the community informed and engaged. She also takes on key roles in inclusion and in the student senate.
Annant Bir Kaur is the Derry-Crouse Emerging Campus Community Leader. She contributes to a welcoming environment and sense of belonging through outreach and peer mentoring. She is an international student ambassador and vice president of the Graduate Student Association.
Ann Anderson Berry, MD, PhD, professor and chief of neonatology and executive director of the Child Health Research Institute, served as the matriculation ceremony’s featured speaker. Dr. Anderson Berry earned the honor by having been named outstanding graduate student mentor last spring.
Dr. Anderson Berry shared an array of advice that she hoped would be helpful to the incoming students.
Dr. Anderson Berry told the incoming students they are responsible for their education. And while she is supportive of her students, “I don’t nag them at all. I empower them to be the adults that they are.”
She encouraged balance: “You’re not giving up your life to be a graduate student,” she said. “You are adding to your life.”
And, “trust yourself,” she said, “and try and learn from failure.”
She continued: “Maintain curiosity and maintain humility, and you can learn so much.”
The new students also heard from Evie Ehrhorn, president of the Graduate Student Association, and Alice Schumaker, PhD, of the UNMC alumni council.
Kendra Schmid, PhD, interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and interim dean for graduate studies, gave the official welcome on behalf of UNMC Graduate Studies.
“The people in this room will become your classmates, your colleagues, your future friends and who knows, maybe a spouse,” she said.