Speakers at the commencement ceremony for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Friday night told graduates that although their skills are technical, they should always remember the social impact of engineering and computer science.

At the ceremony, selected students were presented with awards from the school before the dean of the school, David Dolling, thanked parents, siblings, friends and spouses for helping graduates make it through what he called one of the most challenging programs at the University.

1. Have a positive impact

Emilio Fernandez, an alumnus, former member of the Board of Trustees and founder of Pulse Electronics, recalled during his keynote address seeing his father flee oppression in Cuba to come to the United States with nothing but a few papers in his possession.

“All he had when he arrived in this great land was his desire to provide a better live for his family. His diploma was one of the paper’s he carried and it gave us hope and a path to a new life,” he said.

Now, Fernandez said his father’s diploma hangs in his office “as a reminder of the permanency of higher education.”

He urged the graduates while they pursue difficult and demanding work to everyday “take a refreshing deep breathe and reflect on the social implications of your work.”

“It will make your careers more enjoyable and meaningful. Having a positive impact on the world is fun,” he said.

2. Taking flight

Maria Stroukoff, who is graduating with her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, encouraged graduates to make decisions that will lead to new and surprising adventures.

She reminisced about a piece of advice her aunt gave her as a senior in high school that compelled her to leave her home in Oklahoma to study at GW.

“She said, ‘Maria, take the flight.’ That meant go for the unknown, take a leap of faith, start a journey,” she said. “I followed through on that advice the last four years and it has never failed to led the most incredible adventures.”

Stroukoff encouraged her fellow graduates take the flight as they went out into the world.

“I think you’ll find the path truly rewarding in the most unexpected ways,” she said.

3. A life changing gift

Katherine Stasaski, who received the distinguished scholar award and a bachelor’s degree in computer science at the ceremony, reflected on the societal impact of technology and engineering.

She recalled being part of a team that went to the Washington Literacy Center to install software that would help illiterate adults learn to read.

“This one woman came up and hugged our team and said we were changing her life and giving her the gift of  literacy,” she said. “It is that powerful experience that made me realize the true potential engineering has to positively impact society.”

4. From D.C. to Doha

Dolling saluted the diversity of SEAS students, noting that many are international students and that 40 percent of the graduating class were women.

“Whether they hail from D.C. to Doha, from Bethesda to Beijing, or New York to New Delhi, they all share a love of learning and a desire to master their discipline and challenge themselves,” he said.

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