The Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (ND Energy) presented certificates to nineteen students who completed the Energy Studies Minor during the 2017-18 academic year at a ceremony on Friday, May 18, in the Atrium of Stinson-Remick Hall. The ceremony and reception kicked off a busy and exciting Commencement Weekend for the graduates and their families.
The invocation was led by Rev. Terrence Ehrman, C.S.C., Assistant Director for Life Sciences Research and Outreach in the Center for Theology, Science, and Human Flourishing. The graduates were then addressed by Michael Ryan, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs from the College of Engineering.
Following the conferral of certificates, Ginger Sigmon, Managing Director of ND Energy, highlighted a few of the energy experiences in which students participated for their capstone credits. Projects ranged from working with Student Government to increasing green energy knowledge here on campus to studying energy topics worldwide in places such as Iceland, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic.
Sigmon also read a testimonial from one of the students, describing the value of the minor in the student’s own words:
“Pursuing the Energy Studies minor has been one of the best choices I have made at Notre Dame....The courses I took from the Energy Studies minor piqued my interest in these topics, and alerted me to their societal importance...The courses in the energy minor have shaped my interest in energy, and encouraged me to continue energy research into graduate school.”
This year’s graduates have a variety of paths mapped out for their future. Whether they enter an energy-based career, or move forward in life as more informed, passionate citizens, ND Energy hopes that their experiences here will guide them to make a difference in the world.
“All of us at ND Energy wish you, our graduates, the very best as you move out into the real world. We hope that you will all keep in touch and help us in our quest to mentor the next generation of energy leaders,” Sigmon said at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The Energy Studies Minor is housed in the College of Engineering, yet it is open to undergraduate students in all majors and colleges at the University of Notre Dame. Students may draw from both technical and non-technical resources to learn how to help move our country and the world toward a more sustainable energy future.
The academically diverse class of 2018 is listed below.
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Gustavo Alberto Ariza Matos Majors: Finance, Economics |
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Rodrigo Benavides Martinez Major: Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics |
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Andrew James Boushka Major: Accountancy |
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Rory T. Burke Major: Mechanical Engineering |
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Spencer Charles Clark Major: Physics, Glynn Family Honors Program,concentration in Advanced Physics |
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John Higham Major: Chemical Engineering |
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Joseph Charles Jared Major: Environmental Engineering |
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Robert Leo Lucian Major: Finance |
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Austin W. Matheny-Kawesch Major: Economics (minor in the Hesburgh Program in Public Service) |
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Kevin Michael Mickan Major: Finance |
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Abigail B. Mines Major: Finance |
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Julia Christine Pucillo Major: Finance |
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John Julian Salvadore Major: Mechanical Engineering |
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Benjamin William Schultz Majors: Chemical Engineering, Political Science |
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Michael Robert Sinanian Major: Mechanical Engineering |
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Kala Rene Sperbeck Major: Science-Business |
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Declan Thomas Zidar Major: Accountancy |
| The following students were unable to attend the Certificate Ceremony: | |
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Robert Georges Courtadon Major: Political Science |
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John T. Feger Major: Neuroscience Behavior |
