Clarkson Magazine

Clarkson's 112th Commencement

On May 8, Clarkson's 112th Commencement began with a colorful processional led by the Royal Canadian Legion's City of Brockville Pipe Band. As faculty members in academic regalia took seats behind the stage, family and friends watched more than 700 graduating students in caps and gowns enter Cheel Arena.

In his commencement address, President Tony Collins congratulated not only Clarkson's graduates, but also family members and friends whose support had meant so much to the students during their college years. "Human values drive our mission," he said, "and those values begin in the hearts and minds of those who come here to teach and those who come to learn, and those who are most important to our students – their families."

President Collins also reflected on the spiritual legacy of Thomas S. Clarkson, after whom the institution is named. Then he closed with a charge to the Class of 2005: "Let the humanitarian spirit that created Clarkson guide and energize your life beyond this campus and this day."

Also addressing the students were honorary degree recipients Kathryn S. Fuller, president and chief executive officer of the World Wildlife Fund; Dr. Andreas "Andy" Acrivos, Albert Einstein Professor Emeritus of Science & Engineering at the City College of the City University of New York (CUNY) and Professor Emeritus at Stanford University; and Russell Banks, a renowned author.

Those receiving bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees that day represented 31 states and 27 countries. Nearly 5,500 parents, relatives and friends attended the ceremony. The weekend was also marked by the commissioning of United States Army and Air Force Officers on Saturday, May 7.

Two graduating seniors and four faculty members were also honored during the ceremony.

Nadeeka Yapa '05 and President
Tony Collins

Nadeeka D. Yapa (EE) of Hannawa Falls, NY, received the Levinus Clarkson Award, in recognition of her scholarship and promise of outstanding achievement.

Nadeeka, a member of the Honors Program, minored in mathematics and graduated from Clarkson with a perfect cumulative grade-point average of 4.0. She has been a Presidential Scholar for eight semesters and vice president of the Society of Engineers on campus. She was named a Goldwater Scholar in 2003.

Student Body President Daniel S. Cohen (Financial Information and Analysis) of Minetto, NY, was recognized for outstanding achievement with the Frederica Clarkson Award. Dan graduated Clarkson as a Presidential Scholar with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.93. He is also a member of Phalanx Society; Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honors society; and Phi Kappa Phi. Dan was the CFO of a student-run business in 2002-03. In 2003, he served as a Foreign Policy Intern with the United States Senate.

Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Ratneshwar Jha was awarded the John W. Graham Jr. Faculty Award. The award is presented to "a faculty member who has shown promise in engineering, business, liberal arts, or scientific research."

Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Norbert L. Ackermann was awarded the Clarkson University Distinguished Teaching Award.

The status of Professor Emeritus, an honor bestowed on retiring faculty members who have served the University with distinction, was awarded to M. Lawrence Glasser, professor of Physics and professor of Mathematics and Computer Science for 28 years, and Samuel B. Feitelberg, professor of Physical Therapy and founding dean of Health Sciences and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy for nine years.

Clarkson Legacies — Front row: Chase
Gerbig '05, Stella Baker Brink '27,
Mike Yellin '71, Wesley Yellin '05,
Jacqueline Kesselring '05 and Mark
Kesselring '72. Center row: Ellery
Willett '76, Clark Willett '05, Kevin
Ashcroft '04, '05 and Richard
Ashcroft '56. Back row: Richard Cohen
'74, Dan Cohen '05, John Rhodes '78,
Aaron Rhodes '05, Don Lee '69/'73
and Andrew Lee '05.

A proud tradition: Clarkson "legacies"

"It was mandatory that I at least look at Clarkson," recalls Chase Gerbig (CEE). "Whether I went was up to me." Chase's great-grandfather, Gordon C. "Stub" Baker, was a member of the Class of 1927. Ever since then, a Clarkson education has been a feature of the extended Baker family. "In the end I did choose Clarkson and it has been a great fit for me."

Chase, who will enter a doctoral program in environmental engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder this fall, was one of 30 Class of 2005 legacies. He and his mother, stepfather and grandmother, joined other families at a special outdoor reception held for legacies during commencement weekend. The event was hosted by the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations and the Office of University Outreach and Student Affairs.

Jacqueline Kesserling (Biomolecular science) was joined by her family including father Mark Kesserling '72 (ID), who reminisced about his own days at Clarkson. "I was one of the first residents of Ormsby, which had just been built when I entered as a freshman. I have great memories of the dormitory and the people I lived with. I was also very involved in the local community and I still have ties here. My four years at Clarkson were a wonderful time for me."

Jacquie followed in her father's footsteps making the most of her Clarkson experience. She graduated with Great Distinction and a 3.76 grade-point average. In the fall she begins a three-year doctoral degree program in physical therapy at Duke University.