Alumna Katherine Lyon Daniel delivered the 2019 School of Social Ecology commencement address. Photo by Patricia DeVoe
More than 1,000 School of Social Ecology students complete degrees
By Mimi Ko Cruz
Katherine Lyon Daniel, who has a Ph.D. in social ecology, advised more than 1,000 graduates at the School of Social Ecology commencement June 16 about making life meaningful.
“Find an injustice, a problem, a challenge, and make a choice for change, make a statement for good and make a difference forever,” said Daniel, communications director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In making a first job choice, she said, “chances are you’ll move on in a few years with experience and lessons learned. Choice sets you on a path.”
When something is wrong, Daniel stressed, “speak up. When something needs change, speak out. Make every word count. Our words have power. Use your voice, and even your disagreements, with compassion and respect. Most importantly, use your voice for people who need it. Never forget your statements matter.”
The best choices and best statements, she said, “make a difference.”
Daniel recited a 100-year-old quote from Helen Keller: “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”
Choosing a social ecology degree is the first step because it’s about action, compassion and making a difference, Daniel told the graduates. “I try to make a difference every day. If you do that, your life will be meaningful and your path will take you places you never imagined. You have everything you need. You’ve got this.”
The entire ceremony is available online.
Of the more than 8,000 who make up UCI’s Class of 2019, the School of Social Ecology graduates — 1,033 in total — include: 901 B.A. recipients, 118 M.A. recipients and 14 Ph.D. recipients.
View commencement photo album on Flickr.
