“Shirley Collado, the keynote speaker for the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences ceremony on Saturday, spoke about the importance and incredible value of the degree that these students have finally earned.
‘We are at a time in our history when the value of a bachelor’s degree is being called into question — when education in America is being dramatically reconfigured. But the impact of your degree is undeniable. Earning a bachelor’s degree not only creates social and economic mobility, it prepares you to succeed in the workforce, to combine the expertise you’ve gained in your field of study with the opportunities you have had on this campus to develop your confidence, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. This is what employers are looking for and it makes each one of you a major contributor to the future of work in this country. In this way, higher education doesn’t just fuel the fire of individual dreams, it fuels the American dream.’”