The Watts College of Public Service of Community Solutions celebrated in person with nearly 450 graduates May 3 for a part-virtual, part-live spring convocation event that enabled every participant to have their name called and to cross a stage to receive official congratulations for their achievements.
Alumni
Geoffrey Gonsher has no doubt collected his fair share of accolades during a public-sector career that has spanned more than five decades serving four Arizona governors and several Phoenix mayors. But a recent teaching award, granted at the urging of his ASU public policy students, may be among his most treasured.
Arizona State University student veterans were able to celebrate their graduation in a special way this year — from the comfort of their cars.
While many other ASU convocation ceremonies this spring were held on Zoom or other streaming platforms, nearly 200 veterans zoomed over to Lot 59 on ASU’s Tempe campus on May 1 for an in-person experience.
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.
“If you want something done, ask a busy person.”
That advice, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, characterizes well the lived experience of ASU spring 2021 graduate Leah Elise Thompson, whose involvement beyond academics only seemed to grow her capacity for leadership and serving others.
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.
Danielle Bosma’s journey into the study of social work began about 10 years ago, when she began to question her church’s view of people identifying as LGBTQ.
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.
Just two weeks before she moved into her freshman dorm at ASU, Carson Swisher surprised her mother with an announcement that would alter the course of her future: She was changing majors. She wanted to study criminal justice.
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.
Jose Pelaez was in the Middle East as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve when he realized he wanted to be more involved in emergency management and homeland security planning.
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.
Stephanie Pham says she never doubted her decision to take six years off from school and work to be a full-time caregiver to her parents, each of whom had been diagnosed with different forms of cancer. When she enrolled at ASU as an undergraduate, at first the student from Temecula, California, felt alone.
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.
Cyrus Commissariat grew up in Los Angeles but moved to Arizona when he was in middle school and has called it home ever since. He is the grandchild and child of immigrants and his family taught him that the value of a good education was critical for succeeding.
James Herbert Williams plans to keep a full schedule that includes editing two books and traveling to Africa once he concludes his four years as director of the Arizona State University School of Social Work this summer.
“Prior to coming to ASU I had several collaborations in eastern and southern Africa, and I would like to reconnect with my African colleagues. I spent the last decade working with tribes in Africa on conflict mediation and sustainable development,” Williams said.