UCLA Henry Samueli School
of Engineering and Applied Science Holds 2004 Commencement
Date: June 21, 2004
Contact: Chris Sutton ( chris@ea.ucla.edu
)
Phone: 310-206-0540
Almost 900 students received their bachelor of
science degrees, master's of science degrees or PhDs at the 2004
commencement ceremonies for the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering
and Applied Science. Pauley Pavilion was filled almost to capacity
on Saturday, June 19, with family, friends and other well-wishers.
The guests and graduates were in a very festive mood; some guests
beat pans with spoons or shook large tin foil plates to make noise
- a few guests even brought ear-splitting air horns.
Down on the floor of Pauley Pavilion, graduates
tossed soft tortilla shells and beach balls, and several students
stood out from the crowd with brightly decorated mortarboards
upon their heads or personalized leis around their necks. Perhaps
the most coordinated act of showmanship came from nine graduates
from the mechanical and aerospace engineering department. They
had placed bright orange letters on their mortarboards that spelled
out "UCLA Mech. E," a well-known acronym (among engineers)
for the mechanical engineering major.
Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive officer
of HP, delivered the commencement address.
Fiorina holds a bachelor's degree in medieval
history and philosophy from Stanford University; a master's degree
in business administration from the Robert H. Smith School of
Business at the University of Maryland at College Park, Md.; and
a master's of science degree from MIT's Sloan School. At HP, Fiorina
successfully led her company's controversial merger with Compaq
Computer Corp., now recognized as the most successful high-tech
merger in history. (Read the UCLA
press release for more on Fiorina's background.)
"...Science and engineering and technology
are the language of the 21st century," said Fiorina in her
address. "I honestly believe that for all the scientific
advancements that we have seen the past 100 years, we will look
back on the 20th century as a warm up act for the era we are moving
into now. From biomedicine to telecommunications to information
technology to digital entertainment, we are moving into the main
event of science and innovation and engineering, a time when these
disciplines can change lives and solve fundamental problems that
have plagued humanity for centuries…."
Fiorina continued:
"...I see every day what technology, when
combined with the aspirations and capabilities of talented people,
can do to solve real human problems… the best part about
it is that the people bringing this change aren't politicians
or philanthropists or CEOs; they're computer scientists, and engineers,
in other words, it's you." Read Fiorina's whole
commencement address.
UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale, who holds bachelor's
and master's degrees in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D. in
nuclear engineering, also attended the commencement ceremony.
"Graduation is an important and unforgettable
life event," said Chancellor Carnesale in his welcome address.
"It honors a significant accomplishment [and] signals the
end of a very special and formative period in your life."
The School of Engineering's dean, Vijay K. Dhir,
also congratulated the students:
"When the School of Engineering first opened
its doors for instruction almost 60 years ago, fewer than 400
students enrolled. Now, more than 4,000 students study here, conducting
research in the most advanced technologies, and finding new solutions
to some of this planet's most pressing problems."
Dean Dhir continued:
"Today you, the graduating class of 2004,
take your place in our School's history of achievement, a history
that includes being home to the first node of the Internet and
the first reverse-osmosis membrane for desalination. You have
been tested personally and intellectually, and now you are graduating
from one of the top engineering schools in the country...Congratulations!"
Professor Steve Jacobsen, associate dean for academic
and student affairs, announced the names of this year's student
award recipients. A full list of the winners can be viewed here.
In his closing remarks, Dean Dhir asked the graduating
class of 2004 to continue their relationship with the School of
Engineering.
"As you leave UCLA, I hope you also remember
the people whose lives you have touched," said Dhir. "Remember
the experiences you have shared. You are the next generation of
engineers, and though you all go your separate ways now, a common
bond made here at UCLA will always unite you."
The Dean ended by paraphrasing a poem written
by the British poet Christopher Logue:
Come to the edge
We might fall!
Come to the edge
It's too high!
Come to the edge
And you came
And we pushed
And you flew.
More information about the 2004Commencement can
be viewed at the Office of Student and Academic Affairs web
site. |
