More than 750 freshly minted advanced degree graduates took their well-earned strolls across the stage at Rice University’s Tudor Fieldhouse May 10. Greeted by roars of applause, cheers and a few happy tears from their biggest fans — family, friends, faculty and staff alike — the afternoon ceremony was a celebration of scholarly success.
And while the event was filled with festive undertones, Alois Chipfurutse, who earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, said his graduation reminded him of the sometimes rigorous journey through Rice — first as an undergraduate and now as a graduate student — where he learned not to be afraid of failure.
“Failure is a stepping stone,” Chipfurutse said. “If you don’t try, you won’t make it, so because I had a lot of failures, that actually helped me be stronger and get to where I am today.”
Chipfurutse’s words reflected the spirit of determination and achievement felt throughout the ceremony as graduates from across the university’s wide range of advanced degree disciplines prepared to move into new phases of their lives.
Degrees were awarded from the Brown School of Engineering and Computing, School of Humanities, Wiess School of Natural Sciences, School of Architecture, Shepherd School of Music, Jones Graduate School of Business, School of Social Sciences and Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.
“This moment reflects hours in the lab and late nights with research papers, ideas exchanged in seminars, setbacks turned into breakthroughs and friendships forged across disciplines and borders,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said as he addressed the graduates. “Each one of you is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets determination and when a university invests deeply in both.”
Additional remarks were given by Seiichi Matsuda, dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies, and Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Dittmar told the graduates that while they may face challenges as their future career interests and ambitions grow, “remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.”
“Equipped with your Rice education, you have a responsibility to contribute to the betterment of our world in many ways: building your communities, generating futures for those around you and innovating through so much — in the health profession, in industry, in schools, as teachers and so much more,” she said. “Remember that in each of those endeavors, the hard work is worth it.”
Maya Bokunewicz is a graduate who knows a thing or two about hard work. As a star on the basketball court and in her academic pursuits, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Rice and returned to complete her professional science master’s in bioscience and health policy.
“It’s a lot of looking back and being really proud of yourself for achieving both excellence on the basketball court and in the classroom,” Bokunewicz said. “I think Rice is a champion of both athletics and academics. So I’m just walking away knowing that I gave it all and Rice taught me so many things about life and also about myself.”
Like Bokunewicz, Nma Ejiawoko, a master’s in teaching graduate who currently teaches at Spring Branch Independent School District, reflected on her Rice journey, which was marked by perseverance, growth and unwavering support. At Rice, Ejiawoko said she found a teaching experience that truly prepared her for the real academic world.
“No matter the situation that you’re going through, they got you,” she said.
And while she admitted the journey to get here wasn’t easy, Ejiawoko said the full-circle moment felt rewarding.
“It’s just like, wow. You know, if you really act things into existence, it will happen,” she said.
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