Education (Colleges & Universities)
Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
15 High Schools Across Idaho Showcase Theatre Talent at ISU's Two-Day One-Act Competition
POCATELLO, Idaho, May 15 -- Idaho State University posted the following news:* * *
15 High Schools Across Idaho Showcase Theatre Talent at ISU's Two-Day One-Act Competition
*
As the Bistline Theatre went quiet and lights came up on stage, 15 high schools across Idaho showcased their theatre talents while competing in Idaho State University's annual One-Act Competition, held April 24-25 at Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Students performed short, 30-minute theatrical productions that ranged from humorous tones to more serious and emotional. An evaluation took place afterward for constructive ... Show Full Article POCATELLO, Idaho, May 15 -- Idaho State University posted the following news: * * * 15 High Schools Across Idaho Showcase Theatre Talent at ISU's Two-Day One-Act Competition * As the Bistline Theatre went quiet and lights came up on stage, 15 high schools across Idaho showcased their theatre talents while competing in Idaho State University's annual One-Act Competition, held April 24-25 at Stephens Performing Arts Center. Students performed short, 30-minute theatrical productions that ranged from humorous tones to more serious and emotional. An evaluation took place afterward for constructivefeedback from a panel of three judges: Molly Seremet, director, devised theatremaker, writer, educator, and associate professor and chair of theatre at Mary Baldwin University ; Jacob Claflin, English and theatre instructor at the College of Eastern Idaho with a background in Shakespeare studies and technical theatre; and Sarah Hymes, ISU faculty member and artist, director, and educator with experience in regional and international theatre.
In addition to the competition, various workshops were led by ISU students, faculty, and guests that explored different aspects of theatre, including stage makeup, playwriting, music, improv, costume design, lighting design, and more. A smaller competition called Tech Olympics invited small teams of students for a technical theatre race. Students were also invited to attend ISU's production of "Emme and the Taking of the Woods," written and directed by ISU faculty member Jef Petersen.
"It's really exciting to see kids in high school who are interested or passionate about theatre and to see the work that they are capable of doing," said Hunter Angus, an ISU junior minoring in theatre. "It's people who are potentially going into college to do theatre or getting involved in community theatre, and it's exciting to see that trajectory. With the workshops, they give them tools to go further into theatre. There are so many facets in theatre, and we want to help nurture whatever these kids are interested in doing."
"It's so fun to see people who are going to be you in a few years," said Hannah Jensen, an ISU theatre student and president of Alpha Psi Omega, a theatre fraternity. "You get to lead things like this and go into all these workshops and have an extra chance within the year to perform with your friends."
As students went from workshop to workshop, the hallways were filled with laughter and smiles, and energy remained high during each performance as the crowd reacted to their peers.
"The workshops were so fun, and I'm so glad I got to experience them as a senior. One of the plays was phenomenal, and I don't think I'll ever forget it," said Beighlie Ely, a senior at Highland High School.
Some students were participating for the first time, while others returned for multiple years, including Canyon Ridge High School student Lexie Lewis, in her second year at One-Act. "It's always been a really good experience. I really love performing on thrust stages with multiple audiences. It's just much more interactive."
For Skyline High School students Harper McDevitt and Lilly Nichols, visiting with other high schools was a big highlight of the event, allowing them to make new connections and learn more about what other schools are doing.
"I've learned that theatre is a very widespread and great community. Everybody here is supportive and kind to each other. It's a great place for everyone," said McDevitt.
The One-Act Competition is held annually in April by the Department of Theatre and Dance at Idaho State University. Those interested in learning more can visit the department's website.
2026 One-Act Competition Award Winners
Best in Show
Garden Valley High School - Future, Here
Top Three One-Acts
Century High School - The Rhinoceros
Skyline High School - The Mousetrap
Thunder Ridge High School - Almost, Maine
Best Ensemble
Idaho Falls High School - La Corregidora
Best Leading Performers
Leif Anderson - Century High School
Cass Smith - Highland High School
Best Supporting Performers
Brooklyn Dooley - Thunder Ridge High School
Lina Budge - Skyline High School
Judge's Choice Original Play
Mylee Martin - Highland High School
Tech Olympics
Thunder Ridge High School
All-Star Cast Medallion Recipients
Matthew Myers - Canyon Ridge High School
Ashlynn Morris - Emmett High School
Pepper Kelm - Twin Falls High School
Tyson Corry - Blackfoot High School
Carsyn Forrest - Castleford High School
Sasha Durtschi - Skyline High School
Benjamin Strock - Thunder Ridge High School
Nadia Cisneros - Bliss High School
Callee Entzel - Snake River High School
Kelsie Cox - Idaho Falls High School
Allan Riley - Century High School
Haylee Merriam - Line Point Academy
Lexi Neilsen - Line Point Academy
Pilot Bulak - Highland High School
Milo Dixon - Sandpoint High School
Mayzie Mathiason - Garden Valley High School
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Original text here: https://www.isu.edu/news/2026-spring/15-high-schools-across-idaho-showcase-theatre-talent-at-isus-two-day-one-act-competition.html
Two to receive SUNY honorary degree and deliver address at 154th Commencement celebration
BUFFALO, New York, May 14 -- Buffalo State University issued the following news release:* * *
Two to receive SUNY honorary degree and deliver address at 154th Commencement celebration
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Buffalo State University will bestow a SUNY honorary degree on two notable individuals who will address the Class of 2026 during the university's 154th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, in the campus Sports Arena.
Bobbie Chase, comics and graphic novel publishing executive, will deliver the Commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. School of Arts and Sciences ceremony; Rebekah A. Williams, community ... Show Full Article BUFFALO, New York, May 14 -- Buffalo State University issued the following news release: * * * Two to receive SUNY honorary degree and deliver address at 154th Commencement celebration * Buffalo State University will bestow a SUNY honorary degree on two notable individuals who will address the Class of 2026 during the university's 154th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, in the campus Sports Arena. Bobbie Chase, comics and graphic novel publishing executive, will deliver the Commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. School of Arts and Sciences ceremony; Rebekah A. Williams, communityactivist, strategic planner, and facilitator, and co-founding director of Food for the Spirit, will deliver the Commencement address at the 5:00 p.m. Master's and Advanced Graduate Certificates ceremony.
The honorary doctorate degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the State University of New York to persons of exceptional distinction. Its purpose is to recognize those whose lives and significant achievements are widely known and highly regarded.
Bobbie Chase
SUNY HONORARY DOCTOR OF LETTERS
School of Arts and Sciences Commencement Address | 1:00 p.m. Ceremony
Bobbie Chase is a comics and graphic novel publishing executive with over 40 years of experience in publishing. Her most recent position was as executive editor of graphic novels at Wattpad Webtoon Studios, the publishing arm of a global company based in Korea that produces phone-based digital comics-the most popular global comics platform today.
Prior to this, Chase spent a decade at DC Entertainment/Warner Bros., where she held three different vice president positions, most recently as vice president of global publishing initiatives and digital strategy at DC Comics, in which she was charged with creating new global initiatives and partnerships, most successfully with Webtoons in Korea (Marvel Webtoons) and Kodansha, Japan (Marvel Manga). Prior to that, she was vice president and executive editor of a new middle grade and young adult (YA) graphic novel line. As vice president of talent development, she was responsible for creating The DC Talent Development Workshops, which launched in 2015. The program received thousands of applicants and was designed to give access and a voice to comic book writers and artists by providing educational and training programs for current and emerging talent. She joined DC in 2011, editing titles in the Batman Group such as Batgirl and Nightwing and then went on to become editorial director of the entire DC line.
Prior to joining DC, she spent 17 years at Marvel Comics, rising from assistant editor to editor-in-chief of Marvel Edge in 1994-1995. After years of editing almost every major character in the Marvel line, from The Avengers to the Incredible Hulk to G.I. Joe, Chase launched a new line of horror comics, elevating such characters as Ghost Rider, Blade, and Spirits of Vengeance, and was herself elevated to a position as one of Marvel Group's editors-in-chief, the highest level a female editor has ever achieved at the company. In the years following, she worked for Disney Publishing and Stabenfeldt International, developing and writing middle grade and YA books and magazines.
Some of Chase's awards and honors include Entertainment Industries Council in partnership with National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation PRISM AWARD; Several Magazine and Bookseller Newsstand Cover Competition Awards; Will Eisner and Harvey (Comic Industry Awards) nominations; Diamond GEM (Industry) Awards; and GLAAD Media Awards nomination. For many years, she was consistently ranked as one of the industry's "Top 10 Comic Book Editors" by Comics Buyers Guide, a consumer magazine.
Chase graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in English. She also studied at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, and studied design and illustration at the Parsons School of Design and the New School for Social Research.
Chase is a native New Yorker, currently enjoying the hidden gem that is Buffalo. She loves to garden, enjoys traveling, hiking, and the theater, and is currently working on a memoir of her years at Marvel.
Rebekah A. Williams
SUNY HONORARY DOCTOR OF SCIENCE
Master's and Advanced Graduate Certificates Commencement Address | 5:00 p.m. Ceremony
Rebekah Williams is a community activist, strategic planner, and facilitator from Western New York. As co-founding director of Food for the Spirit, she collaborates with colleagues and community partners to build collective power and advance food systems change, centering dignity and justice in all aspects of her work.
Born in 1978 in Buffalo, New York, Williams was raised in the University Heights neighborhood alongside her sisters, Rachael and Eve. Her upbringing was shaped by a strong academic legacy and a deep appreciation for culture and community. Her father, Scott Williams, was a mathematics professor at the University at Buffalo, and her grandparents were professors at Morgan State University. Her mother, Karen Williams Powell, fostered in her an entrepreneurial spirit and curiosity about diverse cultures. Together, her parents instilled a lifelong commitment to learning, equity, and human connection.
Williams attended Bennett Park Montessori Center, where she experienced an education grounded in shared leadership and respect for all people. Time spent at the Rochester Folk Art Guild nurtured her love of nature and cooperation. She later attended Hutchinson Central Technical High School and City Honors, graduating in 1996, and began her studies at the University at Buffalo. After the birth of her son, Bhakti Williams-Brown, in 1999, she deepened her commitment to family and community, earning a bachelor of arts degree in social structure, theory, and change from SUNY Empire State College.
A pivotal moment in 1998 solidified her dedication to justice. While serving on the Western New York Peace Center board of directors, she participated in a protest supporting farmworkers and was arrested alongside others, including United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez. Witnessing the collective support that followed affirmed her commitment to organizing and coalition-building.
Williams has built her career in mission-driven nonprofit work. From 2012 to 2021, she worked at Massachusetts Avenue Project, helping to co-found the Good Food Buffalo Coalition. She has participated in national leadership programs, co-authored work on reparations and food justice, and held numerous board and advisory roles. Since 2021, she has led Food for the Spirit, working with frontline communities to advance food sovereignty.
Williams lives in the Finger Lakes region with her partner, Peter O'Biso. She remains deeply connected to Buffalo and is committed to building a more just and equitable food system for future generations.
Top photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer; headshots courtesy of subjects.
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Original text here: https://suny.buffalostate.edu/news/two-receive-suny-honorary-degree-and-deliver-address-154th-commencement-celebration
ETSU to host leadership conference on building effective workplaces
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, May 14 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news:* * *
ETSU to host leadership conference on building effective workplaces
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East Tennessee State University will host a one-day conference, "Building Workplaces that Work: Practical Leadership Strategies for Today's Challenges and Tomorrow's Workforce," on Thursday, June 11.
The conference, which will take place from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Brinkley Center, will bring together business and industry leaders, community partners and university faculty to explore practical approaches to strengthening ... Show Full Article JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, May 14 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * ETSU to host leadership conference on building effective workplaces * East Tennessee State University will host a one-day conference, "Building Workplaces that Work: Practical Leadership Strategies for Today's Challenges and Tomorrow's Workforce," on Thursday, June 11. The conference, which will take place from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Brinkley Center, will bring together business and industry leaders, community partners and university faculty to explore practical approaches to strengtheningworkplace culture, leadership and employee well-being.
Sessions will focus on evidence-informed strategies that organizations can use to support their workforce, improve team functioning and respond effectively to today's evolving workplace challenges.
The event is supported by multiple university and community partners, including the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, the ETSU President's Office and the ETSU College of Business and Technology.
"This conference is designed to translate research into practical leadership strategies," said Dr. Wally Dixon, conference organizer and professor of psychology at ETSU. "We want participants to leave with concrete ideas they can apply immediately within their organizations."
The program features speakers from across industry, government and academia, with sessions addressing various topics, such as building psychologically safe work environments, supporting employees under stress and implementing system-level approaches to workforce well-being.
The conference is free to attend, but advance registration is required by May 31.
This conference focused on strengthening workplaces throughout the region is one example of ETSU's leadership as the flagship institution of Appalachia.
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Original text here: https://news.etsu.edu/articles/leadership-conference-on-building-effective-workplaces
Three to receive President's Distinguished Service Award; one to receive University Council Medal at 154th Commencement celebration
BUFFALO, New York, May 12 -- Buffalo State University issued the following news release:* * *
Three to receive President's Distinguished Service Award; one to receive University Council Medal at 154th Commencement celebration
*
Buffalo State University will bestow the President's Distinguished Service Award on three notable individuals during the university's 154th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, in the campus Sports Arena.
The President's Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals or groups who have made significant sustained contributions to Buffalo State University ... Show Full Article BUFFALO, New York, May 12 -- Buffalo State University issued the following news release: * * * Three to receive President's Distinguished Service Award; one to receive University Council Medal at 154th Commencement celebration * Buffalo State University will bestow the President's Distinguished Service Award on three notable individuals during the university's 154th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, in the campus Sports Arena. The President's Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals or groups who have made significant sustained contributions to Buffalo State Universityor the larger community that educate the individual, serve the public good, and enrich the broader community.
In addition, Buffalo State University alumnus and Buffalo State University Council Member Emeritus Charles J. Naughton, '85, will receive the University Council Medal. The University Council Medal recognizes individuals who have made significant, sustained contributions to Buffalo State University and the community through their service on the Buffalo State Council. Recipients are selected by the President, upon recommendation of a committee of faculty and staff. The President considers the following criteria in making the award: educating the individual, serving the public, and enriching the community.
Judy Elliott, Ph.D., '82
PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND APPLIED PROFESSIONS COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
9:00 a.m. Ceremony | School of Education and Applied Professions
Judy Elliott, Ph.D., is the former chief academic officer of the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she was responsible for curriculum and instruction from early childhood through adult, professional development, innovation, accountability, assessment, afterschool programs, state and federal programs, health and human services, magnet programs language acquisition for both English and Standard English learners, parent outreach, and intervention programs for all students.
Before that, she was the chief of teaching and learning in the Portland Public Schools (Oregon) and, prior to that, an assistant superintendent of student support services in the Long Beach Unified School District in California. Elliott also worked as a senior researcher at the National Center on Educational Outcomes at the University of Minnesota.
She started her career as a special education classroom teacher and then school psychologist. During this time, she was an adjunct professor at Buffalo State University, where she taught graduate courses in curriculum and instruction and applied behavior analysis in the Exceptional Education Department. In 2012, she was appointed by Commissioner John King as the first New York State "Distinguished Educator" to help support and oversee the Buffalo City School District Priority Schools.
Elliott continues to assist districts, cooperatives, schools, national organizations, and state departments of education in their efforts to update and realign systems and infrastructures around curriculum, instruction, assessment, data use, leadership, and accountability that includes all students and renders a return on investment. Her research interests focus on systems change and leadership, equitable and accessible effective instruction for all students, data-based decision making, and accelerated student achievement.
She has trained thousands of staff, teachers, and administrators in the U.S. and abroad in areas of integrated service delivery systems, multi-tiered system of supports, effective use of data, linking assessment to district and classroom instruction and intervention, strategies and tactics for effective instruction, curriculum adaptation, collaborative teaching, and behavior management.
Elliott has published more than 51 articles, book chapters, technical/research reports, and books. She sits on editorial boards for professional journals and is active in many professional organizations. She is nationally known for her work in multi-tiered system of supports/response to instruction and intervention. She has led many successful projects in this area and actively continues to support school districts and national organizations in this work.
Scott Bieler
PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
1:00 p.m. Ceremony | School of Arts and Sciences
Scott Bieler, a native of Orchard Park, New York, began his career with the West Herr Automotive Group in 1975 as a salesman and was promoted to sales management in 1980. In 1981, when he was promoted to general manager, the group had only one dealership-West Herr Ford of Hamburg. He was named president in 1997 and has been principal majority owner since 2000, along with his partners, Brad Hafner, John Wabick, and Bill Loecher. Employing more than 3,100 people, he has helped grow the company to become the largest automotive group in New York State and one of the largest privately owned auto groups in the country.
Bieler's community involvement has been extensive through the years. He currently serves as vice chair of the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Board; member of the board of directors of Invest Buffalo Niagara; member of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable; member of the board of director at Daemen University, where he received the honorary degree of doctor of humane letters. His past board positions include the Upstate New York Federal Reserve Regional Advisory Board for five years; Buffalo Zoo; Buffalo Niagara Partnership; Hilbert College, where he received the honorary degree of doctor of humane letters; and the Invest Buffalo Niagara board of directors.
His civic efforts have been recognized numerous times, including the Theodore Roosevelt Exemplary Citizenship Award; Outstanding Citizen by the Buffalo News; Canisius University Distinguished Citizen Award; Roswell Park's Katherine Anne Gioia Inspiration Award; National Conference for Just Communities Citation Award; Outstanding Philanthropist through the Association of Fundraising Professionals; Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo's Hope, Care & Dignity Award; Ford Dealer Hall of Fame Inductee; Business First Hall of Fame; Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Man of the Year; Buffalo History Museum Red Jacket Award; and University at Buffalo Executive of the Year.
West Herr was founded in 1950 and since then has sold over 1.5 million vehicles with 41 dealerships in Erie, Niagara, Monroe, Ontario, and Onondaga counties, representing 27 franchises and over 3,100 employees. West Herr has been awarded Buffalo Business First's "Best Places to Work in WNY" recognition for the last 24 years, has been named the "Top Workplace" by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, and also has been honored by the Better Business Bureau. The West Herr Automotive Group is dedicated to absolute excellence in customer service provided by honest, responsible, and respectful people. West Herr supports individual pride, company spirit, and community involvement.
The Scott Bieler Family Foundation was established by Bieler to support causes that make a meaningful impact on the lives of Western New Yorkers. The foundation focuses its giving on health care, education, and services for vulnerable populations, especially children and families. Through thoughtful philanthropy, the foundation aims to build a stronger, more compassionate community for all.
Hon. Rose H. Sconiers
PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
5:00 p.m. Ceremony | Master's and Advanced Graduate Certificates
Honorable Rose H. Sconiers was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. She attended Howard University for two years and received her bachelor of arts degree in political science from Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. She received her juris doctor degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) Law School and has taught undergraduate courses at UB and Niagara University.
On July 8, 2010, she was appointed as a judge on the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department; she retired from that position in 2016. Over the years, Justice Sconiers has enjoyed the distinction of being many "firsts" in her profession: first African American female outside of New York City elected to the New York State Supreme Court; first African American female outside of New York City appointed by the Governor of New York State to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department; first female appointed by the Chief Judge of New York State to chair the statewide Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission on Minorities; first African American female to serve in the Corporation Counsel's Office in the City of Buffalo; and first female CEO of the 70-year-old Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Inc.
Justice Sconiers has served in numerous leadership positions including, but limited to, chair of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission on Minorities in the Unified Court System; past president of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; past presiding officer of the New York State Bar Association, Council of Judicial Associations; past president of the Supreme Court Justice Association-Eighth Judicial District; past president of the Buffalo Law Alumni Association, UB; past president of the National Bar Association, Buffalo Chapter; and past president of the Erie County Chapter of The Links Incorporated.
Active in the community, she has served on the board of directors/trustees for the American Heart Association, Buffalo/Niagara Chapter; Artpark & Company Inc.; Council for Unity; Children's Hospital of Buffalo; St. Mary's School for the Deaf; New York State Defenders Association; American Red Cross, Buffalo Chapter; Longview Protestant Home for Children Vestry Board; and St. Philip's Episcopal Church.
She has earned a wide array of awards for her community service including induction into Western New York Women's Hall of Fame; UB Law School Alumni Distinguished Service Award; G.W. Carver High School Alumni Award; Judicial Excellence Award from the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of New York State; Outstanding Jurist from the Bar Association of Erie County; and Woman of the Year Civil Rights Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., among others.
Charles J. Naughton, Class of 1985
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL MEDAL
9:00 a.m. Ceremony
Charles J. Naughton, Esq., is a distinguished attorney, public servant, and alumnus of Buffalo State University whose career spans more than four decades of leadership in municipal government, labor relations, public safety, and private legal practice.
Naughton earned his bachelor of arts in political science, summa cum laude, from Buffalo State College while working full time as a firefighter with the City of Niagara Falls Fire Department. He went on to earn his juris doctor, cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1988. Following his admission to the New York Bar, his legal practice focused on family and governmental law, along with broader experience in civil, criminal, and administrative matters.
Naughton served the Niagara Falls Fire Department for 25 years, rising through the ranks to battalion chief before retiring in 2003. In that role, he directed fireground operations and led the department's Training Division, overseeing firefighter education, safety compliance, and emergency preparedness initiatives. Notably, he balanced his legal career with active duty in the fire service for many years.
In public service, Naughton held numerous senior leadership positions. He served as Niagara County human resources director, overseeing personnel and labor relations for more than 1,800 employees, and as Niagara County risk manager, administering self-funded insurance and safety programs. He also served as town attorney for the Town of Wheatfield, director of labor relations for the Town of Tonawanda, and labor relations consultant for the Town of Hamburg, providing counsel on municipal, labor, and land use matters, collective bargaining, and employment compliance.
A committed advocate for education and public service, Naughton served on the Buffalo State College Council, now the University Council, from 2008 until January 2025. His contributions supported student affairs, governance, and the continued advancement of the institution.
Naughton is married to Deborah Deuro-Naughton, who holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Buffalo State and is a teacher in the Niagara Falls School District. Together, they have raised two children, one of whom is also a graduate of Buffalo State.
Naughton's career reflects a lifelong dedication to public service, professional excellence, and his community.
Bieler and Sconier headshots courtesy of subjects; Elliott and Naughton headshots by Buffalo State Marketing & Communications.
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Original text here: https://suny.buffalostate.edu/news/three-receive-presidents-distinguished-service-award-one-receive-university-council-medal
How digital platforms are changing political parties
WURZBURG, Germany, May 12 -- The University of Wurzburg issued the following news release:* * *
How digital platforms are changing political parties
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What are the consequences for our democracy when parties increasingly communicate and mobilise supporters via social media and apps? Geographers from The University of Wurzburg and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg raise this question in a recently published study.
Digital change reaches party headquarters
With the term "platformisation", the researchers apply an analytical approach to the transformation of political work: while ... Show Full Article WURZBURG, Germany, May 12 -- The University of Wurzburg issued the following news release: * * * How digital platforms are changing political parties * What are the consequences for our democracy when parties increasingly communicate and mobilise supporters via social media and apps? Geographers from The University of Wurzburg and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg raise this question in a recently published study. Digital change reaches party headquarters With the term "platformisation", the researchers apply an analytical approach to the transformation of political work: whileparties and other political groups used to focus on face-to-face meetings, for example in local associations or at information stands, they are now increasingly relying on online platforms and digital strategies. They now mobilise their supporters directly via their own apps or online channels.
"Our study shows: Digital platforms are changing how political actors emerge and organise themselves," explains Matthias Naumann from the Chair of Human Geography at the University of Wurzburg, one of the authors of the studies. "Political groups and parties are increasingly using social networks to reach supporters and organise election campaigns."
For their analysis, the researchers examined the political science debate on election events in 2024 and 2025: the European elections, the state elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg and the federal elections.
Digital strategies have different effects in different regions
Another finding: the digitalisation of party work is not proceeding in the same way everywhere. Depending on the context - e.g. country-city - the importance of digital platforms differs alongside other communication channels.
How parties use digital platforms also depends heavily on their strategic orientation. The authors demonstrate this using electoral research on the 2024 state elections in eastern Germany, in which the investments in online advertising and the strategic success achieved differed greatly. The article thus shows that geography needs to focus more on the importance of digital platforms for parties, even beyond the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD).
Other parties are pursuing a hybrid approach. Die Linke, for example, uses digital applications to organise traditional door-to-door campaigning: Volunteers are coordinated via an app and deployed to specific neighbourhoods to hold face-to-face conversations with citizens.
Outlook: How digital party structures are evolving
In future studies, the researchers now want to investigate in more detail how digital platforms develop in different regions. The focus will be on how stable new digital party structures are in the long term and what consequences they have for political dynamics in Germany.
Original publication
Towards a platformization of politics? Fragmentation, digitalization, and new geographies of the political party. Yannick Ecker and Matthias Naumann. April 2026. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. DOI: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23996544261443900
Contact
Prof. Dr Matthias Naumann, Head of the Chair of Human Geography, Phone +49 931 31-83237, matthias.naumann@uni-wuerzburg.de
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Original text here: https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/news-and-events/news/detail/news/how-digital-platforms-are-changing-political-parties-1/
DNA 'barcodes' help NUS researchers pinpoint gold nanoparticles that can strike cancer at its power source
SINGAPORE, May 12 -- The National University of Singapore issued the following news release:* * *
DNA 'barcodes' help NUS researchers pinpoint gold nanoparticles that can strike cancer at its power source
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A new high-throughput platform screens dozens of nanoparticle designs in living systems to identify those that reach tumour mitochondria, enabling more precise and effective cancer therapies
Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a high-throughput method to identify gold nanoparticles capable of delivering therapies directly to mitochondria (the energy ... Show Full Article SINGAPORE, May 12 -- The National University of Singapore issued the following news release: * * * DNA 'barcodes' help NUS researchers pinpoint gold nanoparticles that can strike cancer at its power source * A new high-throughput platform screens dozens of nanoparticle designs in living systems to identify those that reach tumour mitochondria, enabling more precise and effective cancer therapies Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a high-throughput method to identify gold nanoparticles capable of delivering therapies directly to mitochondria (the energycentres inside cancer cells). By tagging nanoparticles with unique DNA "barcodes", the team was able to track and compare dozens of designs simultaneously in living tumour models, rapidly identifying those most effective at reaching this critical subcellular target.
The approach enables researchers to systematically evaluate how nanoparticle design, including shape, size and surface chemistry, influences their ability to accumulate in tumours and reach mitochondria. Among the candidates tested, two formulations emerged as standout performers. One, a folic acid-modified cubic gold nanoparticle, achieved 99 per cent tumour regression in preclinical studies when used in a combined treatment involving mitochondria-targeted RNA therapy and mild photothermal therapy.
Led by Assistant Professor Andy Tay from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering and the Institute for Health Innovation & Technology at NUS, the study demonstrates how large libraries of nanomaterials can be screened efficiently inside living systems, providing a rational framework for designing nanoparticles that deliver drugs with far greater precision. The study was published in Advanced Materials on 17 February 2026.
A barcode system for navigating the body
Mitochondria are attractive targets in cancer therapy because they regulate key processes such as energy production and programmed cell death. Delivering drugs directly to these organelles can disrupt tumour metabolism and trigger cancer cell death. However, nanoparticles must overcome a series of biological barriers before reaching mitochondria: travelling through the bloodstream, entering tumours, penetrating cells and escaping cellular compartments that would otherwise degrade therapeutic cargo.
"Getting nanoparticles to the right place inside the body involves putting them through a complicated obstacle course," said Asst Prof Tay. "Harnessing DNA barcodes enables us to track many nanoparticle designs simultaneously in living systems and quickly identify which ones can jump through various biological hoops successfully."
In the study, each gold nanoparticle formulation was tagged with a unique DNA sequence, allowing the researchers to trace its distribution using next-generation sequencing. The team tested a library of 30 nanoparticle designs that varied in shape, size and targeting ligands. After administering the pooled nanoparticles to tumour-bearing preclinical models, the researchers analysed where each design accumulated -from whole organs to specific tumour cell types and ultimately to mitochondria.
This multiplexed approach generated more than 1,000 in vivo data points while requiring around 30-fold fewer in vivo models than conventional one-by-one screening experiments.
The work builds on the team's earlier study published in November 2024, which first demonstrated the use of DNA barcoding to track nanoparticle biodistribution in tumours. While the previous study compared six nanoparticle designs at the tissue level, this new one greatly expands the library and extends the platform to analyse behaviour at cellular and subcellular scales.
"The results revealed an important insight: nanoparticles that accumulated efficiently in tumours were also far more likely to reach mitochondria," added Asst Prof Tay. "In other words, successful tumour targeting appears to be a prerequisite for effective subcellular delivery."
Among the nanoparticle formulations tested, two caught the team's attention. Large spherical particles modified with folic acid accumulated strongly in tumours, partly due to a protective protein layer that prolonged circulation in the bloodstream. Meanwhile, large cubic nanoparticles entered tumour cells more efficiently through clathrin-mediated endocytosis -a cellular uptake pathway -enabling effective mitochondrial delivery.
A step towards precision nanomedicine
To explore the therapeutic potential of these findings, the researchers tested the cubic nanoparticle formulation in a combined treatment strategy. The particles were engineered to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) that disrupts mitochondrial gene expression, while also generating heat under near-infrared light through photothermal therapy.
This dual approach produced strong anticancer effects in preclinical studies. When applied together, the treatments led to almost complete tumour elimination after a single dose.
Beyond killing cancer cells directly, the nanoparticles also interacted with tumour-associated macrophages (immune cells that normally support tumour growth). The therapy appeared to shift these cells toward a tumour-fighting state, suggesting the approach may help reshape the tumour immune environment.
"Our findings show that nanoparticle design is not governed by a single factor such as shape or size," added Asst Prof Tay. "Instead, multiple properties interact in complex ways. High-throughput screening platforms like ours allow us to uncover these relationships and move beyond trial-and-error in nanomedicine design."
The platform could accelerate the development of precision nanomedicine by enabling researchers to rapidly identify nanoparticle designs suited for specific biological targets. Potential applications include targeted delivery of RNA therapies, gene-silencing treatments and photothermal agents for cancer and other diseases.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to expand the nanoparticle library further and integrate automation and artificial intelligence tools to analyse the large datasets generated by the screening platform. The researchers also aim to extend the method to target other cellular organelles, opening new possibilities for highly specific drug delivery within cells.
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Original text here: https://news.nus.edu.sg/dna-barcodes-help-nus-researchers-pinpoint-gold-nanoparticles/
2nd annual Start with Leadership Conference brings more than 300 professionals to UMSL for afternoon of learning, networking
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, May 11 -- The University of Missouri St. Louis campus posted the following news:* * *
2nd annual Start with Leadership Conference brings more than 300 professionals to UMSL for afternoon of learning, networking
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Chancellor Kristin Sobolik (center) speaks during a panel discussion on "Leading Through Turbulent Times" during the 2026 Start with Leadership Conference last Thursday at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)
University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and FOCUS St. Louis President and CEO Yemi Akande-Bartsch ... Show Full Article ST. LOUIS, Missouri, May 11 -- The University of Missouri St. Louis campus posted the following news: * * * 2nd annual Start with Leadership Conference brings more than 300 professionals to UMSL for afternoon of learning, networking * Chancellor Kristin Sobolik (center) speaks during a panel discussion on "Leading Through Turbulent Times" during the 2026 Start with Leadership Conference last Thursday at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. (Photos by Derik Holtmann) University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and FOCUS St. Louis President and CEO Yemi Akande-Bartschstood together on stage, gazing out over the audience in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall Thursday afternoon at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.
Looking back at them were some 300 professionals from across the St. Louis region, eager to kick off the second annual Start with Leadership Conference.
The half-day event, hosted jointly by FOCUS St. Louis and UMSL, was designed as an opportunity to help leaders at all levels foster personal leadership growth while promoting regional collaboration and development.
UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and FOCUS St. Louis President and CEO Yemi Akande-Bartsch welcome attendees to the 2026 Start with Leadership Conference
"We're so glad that you've taken the time out of your busy schedule for your own personal development, and we have a lineup of wonderful St. Louis leaders taking part in the program," Sobolik said during her welcoming remarks.
"What excites me most about today are the possibilities, the conversations, the education and also the action," Akande-Bartsch added. "And if it's just one action that you are going to take after listening to our speakers today, it's about building an ecosystem. It's about the ecosystem where leadership is accessible, leadership is collaborative and it is rooted in the future of our region. That's why we're here today, and I'm really excited."
Matt Herzberg opened the event with a plenary presentation on "The Power of Creating Vision and Opportunity." Herzberg, who serves as co-founder and managing partner of Principled Transformation, described how leaders must combine vision with action.
He shared the story of his late wife, who redesigned the yard of their home overlooking the Mississippi River with a tree at the center. About a week after they completed the work of the redesign, a storm swept in and damaged the tree. Rather than lament its destruction, his wife saw the moment as an opportunity to make the yard even better and went to work selecting a new tree to plant at the center of the space. She also showed patience when that tree didn't bloom as hoped for several years and others might have been tempted to replace it.
"The reason I tell that story is because I think it's a wonderful metaphor for how we can think about what we do as leaders, to have that vision and to understand the impact of that vision," said Herzberg, who displayed a photo from early last week of the tree in full bloom. "Because it's not just about us as leaders. It impacts everyone else around us, that vision and how we realize that vision to make the world a better place."
Herzberg also used his time to discuss the concept of "confident vulnerability," with which leaders balance confidence with humility and openness as they work to drive high performance from their teams.
The next two hours featured breakout sessions held in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall as well as the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater and Whitaker Hall. They were designed to offer something for everyone, and UMSL was well-represented among the featured speakers.
Alum Joseph Blanner, a past president of the UMSL Alumni Association Governing Board and a partner at McCarthy, Leonard and Kaemmerer, moderated a panel titled "Innovation Across Sectors - Breaking Silos for Regional Progress." He shared the stage with Missouri Partnership CEO Subash Alias, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis President and CEO Martha Garcia Kampen, PGAV Chairman and Principal Mike Konzen, Asian American Chamber of Commerce President Dio Maranan and St. Louis Sports Commission President Marc Schreiber, and they discussed ways to increase collaboration to spur progress.
Cindy Goodwin-Sak, an assistant teaching professor and director of executive education in the Ed G. Smith College of Business, moderated a panel titled "Future-Ready Leadership - Navigating AI, Climate and Workforce Transformation."
Alum Charli Cooksey, the founder and CEO of WEPOWER, led another discussion titled "Next-Gen Leaderhsip Voices - Shaping the Vision for Tomorrow." Fellow alum Sam Moore, the managing director of public history at the Missouri Historical Society, also took part in that conversation.
UMSL political science major Kaine Koehler, recently elected president of the Student Government Association, served as a panelist for "The Next 250: How Young Leaders Define Civic Leadership, Belonging and Responsibility." He joined Washington University law student John Yeldham and Ismail Botchway, the founder of Community St. Louis, in discussing what has kept them in the region and how they want to go about strengthening its future.
"When I think to the future of St. Louis, what I see is a city that's finally taking the time to break down the separations that we've had," Koehler said. "But I also see a city that is pushing forward with development. During my time here at UMSL, I've been very involved with our Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center 's Anchor Accelerator, which helps accelerate small businesses here in St. Louis. Bringing more business and commerce back to St. Louis is so important, but I think that really starts with supporting small businesses. I took a lot of pride in the work I did there, and I'd love to see more of that, because I feel that's where the future of our city lies."
Sobolik returned to the stage for the closing session as one of four panelists in conversation titled "Leading Through Turbulent Times." Kathy O'Neill, the former first vice president and chief operating officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and now the president and CEO of O'Neill Advisers, LLC, moderated the panel, which also included SSM Health Chief Community Health Officer Dr. Alexander Garza, United Way of Greater St. Louis President and CEO Michelle Tucker and The St. Louis American Executive Editor Rod Hicks.
When facing crises, Sobolik stressed the importance of keeping calm and empowering the team around you.
"It's not going to be good for me as a leader to have my hair on fire, running up and down the aisles," she said. "You need to have that team around you and trust that they know what they're doing. It's important to have the right people around you so that you are a full functioning group leadership team, and then you have to trust those people when things are happening."
That was just one of the many valuable insights attendees could take away from the afternoon.
Following the conference, FOCUS St. Louis again hosted its annual What's Right with the Region Awards Thursday evening at the Touhill.
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Original text here: https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2026/05/11/start-with-leadership-conference-2026/
'News will find me' mindset makes people trust algorithms and online networks
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, May 11 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news:* * *
'News will find me' mindset makes people trust algorithms and online networks
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One in three people believe they don't have to seek the news from traditional outlets like newspapers and television. Instead, they think the "news will find me" (NFM), relying on algorithms and social networks to get their information. A research team led by Penn State scholars recently found that these individuals often consider their online networks to be as trustworthy as professional editors and journalists.
This ... Show Full Article UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, May 11 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news: * * * 'News will find me' mindset makes people trust algorithms and online networks * One in three people believe they don't have to seek the news from traditional outlets like newspapers and television. Instead, they think the "news will find me" (NFM), relying on algorithms and social networks to get their information. A research team led by Penn State scholars recently found that these individuals often consider their online networks to be as trustworthy as professional editors and journalists. Thismindset may make people more vulnerable to believing and sharing misinformation, according to the researchers, who published their findings in the journal Social Media & Society.
To understand news consumption behavior, the researchers designed an experiment that allowed them to observe how individuals with different levels of NFM engage with news. The researchers found users with higher NFM considered news recommended by algorithms or shared by others in their social network to be just as credible as news recommended by editors and reporters.
However, mid- and low-NFM individuals more critically evaluated news sources and placed higher value on stories from editors and reporters.
"The good news is that, overall, professionals are still valued," said corresponding author S. Shyam Sundar, Evan Pugh University Professor and James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects at Penn State. "But people with this tendency to rely on news coming to them -which is becoming more and more people -are trusting algorithms and social media friends to be their news sources."
When readers grant algorithms and social networks the same authority as journalists, it's easy for bad actors to manipulate that digital space versus imitating a trusted news source, the researchers said.
"The underlying psychological mechanism was not parsed out in previous studies," said first author Mengqi Liao, assistant professor at the University of Georgia who completed her doctoral studies with Sundar at Penn State. "We did this experiment to understand and explain why respondents evaluate the recommended news the way they do."
The web-based experiment included 244 participants. Each user completed a pre-questionnaire that measured NFM level using a standardized survey scale. Then participants were randomly assigned to one of three simulated news feeds, which recommended content by a news editor, social media friends or an algorithm.
The content stayed the same across news feeds, only the source of the recommendation -algorithm, friends or editors -changed. This allowed the researchers to examine how each source prompted participants to rely on different heuristics: "mental shortcuts," or rules of thumb that people use to make quick judgments.
For example, when a news article is recommended by an editor, this activates the authority heuristic, prompting readers to trust the information because it comes from professional journalists.
When content is recommended by an algorithm, it triggers the machine heuristic. Articles recommended by social media friends activate the homophily heuristic, meaning people are more likely to trust information shared by individuals they see as similar to themselves.
"For some people, the algorithm now carries the same weight as a journalist," said co-author Homero Gil De Zuniga, distinguished professor of media studies at Penn State. "We're seeing a flattening of authority so that algorithms and social media feeds are being trusted like professional journalism."
Sundar said the fact that this makes people with high NFM more vulnerable to misinformation and less informed overall is especially problematic with more people adopting an NFM approach to their news and information.
Liao added that it "would be a really big problem" if social media friends and algorithms are recommending very biased or even false information.
"Subscriptions are going down; people are not actually seeking news," Sundar said. "Machine as a source is now becoming predominant, undermining the more traditional professional sources, and that's worrisome."
Sundar suggested possible strategies for combating the phenomenon, such as targeting high NFM people with customized media literacy interventions. These interventions could inform readers where information originated from, as well as the steps journalists took to uncover the information.
Yuan Sun, assistant professor at the University of Florida who earned a doctorate in mass communication and media studies from Penn State in 2023, and Timilehin Durotoye, doctoral candidate in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State, were authors on the paper as well.
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Original text here: https://www.psu.edu/news/bellisario-college-communications/story/news-will-find-me-mindset-makes-people-trust-algorithms-and
'A Special Bond': Class of 2026 Graduates Reflect on Finding Belonging through Mentorship
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- Georgetown University Law Center posted the following news:* * *
'A Special Bond': Class of 2026 Graduates Reflect on Finding Belonging through Mentorship
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That breadth also creates more opportunities for belonging on campus, where students pursue a range of academic and extracurricular activities -and form tight-knit communities around common interests -as part of more than 150 campus mentorship programs, journals, organizations, societies and affinity groups.
"Our hope is that every student gains meaningful connections and a sense of community at Georgetown Law, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 11 -- Georgetown University Law Center posted the following news: * * * 'A Special Bond': Class of 2026 Graduates Reflect on Finding Belonging through Mentorship * That breadth also creates more opportunities for belonging on campus, where students pursue a range of academic and extracurricular activities -and form tight-knit communities around common interests -as part of more than 150 campus mentorship programs, journals, organizations, societies and affinity groups. "Our hope is that every student gains meaningful connections and a sense of community at Georgetown Law,no matter their background or interests," says Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Mitch Bailin, whose office helps oversee student organizations in which members explore everything from cyberlaw and civil rights to softball and a cappella singing.
"There can be a misconception that law students are competitive, that they don't support one another," he says. "But we see our students uplift each other every step of the way."
Below, three Class of 2026 graduates reflect on building community on campus, mentorship in the classroom and beyond and how they've given back to the next generation of Hoyas.
Kiarra Alleyne, L'26
Kiarra Alleyne, L'26, supported -and learned from -1L students during her year as an upper-division Legal Practice law fellow. "You're mentoring the students, and then they're mentoring you," she says.
As a graduate student at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Kiarra Alleyne's background in policy and research sparked an interest in legal advocacy. At Georgetown Law, that interest grew into a passion for legal writing.
"There's a hard learning curve, but once you get it, you start seeing it in every single case that you read," says Alleyne of learning to write -and think -like a lawyer in the first-year Legal Practice program, which teaches 1L students the foundations of legal writing and analysis through assignments that mimic real-world practice.
In addition to learning how to craft memos and persuasive briefs, first-year students receive guidance from upper-class law fellows, who offer substantive feedback to small groups of 10 or so students through office hours, one-on-one conferencing and written comments on assignments.
For Alleyne, that guidance was formative. "My law fellow was the sweetest, kindest person," she says of the support she received from Erika Sloan, L'25. "From the first day, she [made it clear]: I'm here for you inside of the classroom, but also outside of the classroom -you can ask me anything."
Thanks to Sloan's example and encouragement, Alleyne applied to become a law fellow the following year. "Being a law fellow was my favorite experience about 2L," Alleyne says, noting that she still keeps in touch with her former students -many of whom she now considers friends -to offer advice about classes, externships and more.
In her experience, the peer relationship between 1Ls and law fellows allows a special kind of mentorship to flourish. "It shows the 1Ls how quickly they're going to be able to pick things up," she says. "When the people that are helping you and giving you feedback are 2Ls, it helps students realize what they're going to be able to accomplish in a year."
Alleyne credits the Legal Practice program with motivating her to pursue a range of other activities during her time on campus, including serving as editor-in-chief of The Georgetown Journal of Gender and the Law and joining the Barristers' Council moot court team. This semester, she took part in the Appellate Courts Immersion Clinic -and says the communication and collaboration skills she learned as a law fellow set her up for success in hands-on legal practice.
After graduation, Alleyne will remain in D.C. as a litigation association at Latham & Watkins LLP. As graduation approaches, she reflects on another upside of mentorship: the lasting bond she formed with her "fellow fellows" as they supported the first-year students in their respective cohorts.
"That's an experience that you don't typically get in law school, especially a school as big as Georgetown," she says. "When you have 600 people in your class, the opportunity to work really closely with six people is unmatched."
Taha Syed, L'26
"If you find your community, they'll be able to help you in ways that only students who have been through what you've been through can," says Taha Syed, L'26, who has been involved in the Muslim Law Students Association and RISE program since his 1L year.
For Taha Syed, understanding the importance of giving back to his classmates means looking to the tenets of his Muslim faith.
"We have a saying: 'God helps you as long as you're in the service of His servants,'" says Syed, who has taken on mentorship roles through the Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) and the RISE and Peer Advisor programs at Georgetown Law. "You can never repay the people who helped you, but you can pay it forward."
After graduating from the University of Michigan in 2021 with a B.A. in economics, Syed worked in a sales and marketing role at Google, where his exposure to the overlap between issues in technology and the legal field spurred the decision to attend law school.
Syed recalls that he didn't have much familiarity with the practice of law before coming to Georgetown Law. But taking part in RISE, which is designed to serve students who may have had less exposure to the legal profession before law school, filled that gap.
Through a robust pre-orientation program and formal and informal mentorship opportunities throughout the year, RISE students develop their academic and professional skills while building long-lasting connections with alumni, staff and classmates.
"A lot of people make their best friends in RISE... it's a special bond," Syed says, remembering how his RISE mentor, Rich Reynolds, L'24, and Reynolds's twin brother, Ed Reynolds, L'24, took Syed on a walking tour of campus and Capitol Hill before orientation, stopping to take photos along the way. "[Rich] said, take these pictures and you'll look back three years later and be reminded where you started."
As a 3L, Syed has since mentored other RISE participants, helping them polish cover letters and resumes and reviewing course outlines. He also serves as an advisor to some 30 first-year students through the Office of Student Life's Peer Advisor program, which pairs each 1L student with an upper-division advisor for individualized support starting at orientation.
Syed also points to MLSA as an invaluable source of support during his time on campus. In addition to hosting social events and holiday celebrations, MLSA provides a forum for Muslim students to navigate issues at the intersection of faith and legal practice, such as religious accommodations in the workplace.
"I can't understate how important it was to receive recruiting and interviewing advice from [my] MLSA mentors Mohammad Shazeb, L'25, and Humza Yousuf, L'24," says Syed, who has served as the group's co-president this year. "When you're in this type of affinity group, you get to know the upperclassmen really well. That creates a lot of channels for informal mentorship."
After graduation, Syed will serve as a judicial clerk on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland before joining the New York offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP as an associate. But first, he is looking forward to delivering the invocation to prayer on behalf of Muslim students at Commencement on May 17.
"It's a big honor," he says, noting that he will be following in the footsteps of another MLSA mentor, Azam Chaudry, L'24, who delivered the invocation in 2024. "I'm excited about being able to openly represent my community at graduation."
Hannah Holden, L'26
For Hannah Holden, L'26, the concept of "sympathetic joy" -rejoicing in the success and well-being of others -is at the core of her commitment to supporting other military-connected students on campus through the Military Law Society.
Hannah Holden long knew she wanted to pursue a career of service -and her time as a U.S. Army officer stationed in Germany and Poland galvanized her desire to become a lawyer.
"My soldiers were a huge motivation for me. I loved having their back no matter what," says Holden, who earned a B.A. in applied linguistics in 2019 from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she trained as a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadet.
At Georgetown Law, Holden found her place among the tight-knit community of military service members and veterans, which includes a record-breaking fall 2025 1L class and students in both the full-time and evening programs who have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.
For military-connected students, the transition to law school can pose unique challenges. But Holden and others point to the Military Law Society (MLS) -which offers academic and career support and social and networking events, such as monthly happy hours -as a lifeline for its some 100 members.
In Holden's case, the support started before her 1L classes began. At an orientation breakfast for military-connected students, Holden met then-MLS President Lucas Baker, F'24, L'24 -and discovered the two had been stationed in the same place during their Army service.
"He really took me under his wing," she recalls of Baker's mentorship. "I could reach out to him at any point and ask for advice. He took what precious little time he had to help me out -and others."
Holden has since followed in Baker's footsteps: Since the spring of her 2L year she has served as MLS president for full-time students, making her a go-to person in that community (the MLS group message chat is another key resource for questions and advice, she says). She has also led larger efforts, such as promoting evening student inclusion at MLS events and working with administrators to address military-specific financial aid concerns.
"Basically, I introduce myself to everyone I come across and give them my number," she says. "You don't have to come [to me], but I am always here. You can always reach out."
Holden has also taken on leadership roles outside of the military-connected community, serving as the senior citations editor for the Georgetown Journal of International Law (a position she was inspired to take on thanks to the mentorship of the citations editor who preceded her) and a 1L property law tutor through the J.D. peer tutoring program.
"However you can help someone succeed -whether it's lessening stress for an upcoming exam or working through a breakup -you can help by being a mentor," says Holden, who after graduation will remain in D.C. as a litigation associate at Ropes & Gray LLP. "That's where I experience sympathetic joy the most in my life."
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Original text here: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/news/a-special-bond-class-of-2026-graduates-reflect-on-finding-belonging-through-mentorship/
$2.1M Initiative Expands Early Learning Opportunities for Young Children in Rural Utah
LOGAN, Utah, May 11 -- Utah State University issued the following news:* * *
$2.1M Initiative Expands Early Learning Opportunities for Young Children in Rural Utah
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A $2.1 million investment from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services is helping experts expand early childhood education and STEM opportunities in some of Utah's most rural communities.
Led by Lisa Boyce, professor in Human Development and Family Studies and executive director of the Dolores Dore Eccles Center for Early Care and Education at Utah State University, the one-year grant, "Utah Preschool Development Grant ... Show Full Article LOGAN, Utah, May 11 -- Utah State University issued the following news: * * * $2.1M Initiative Expands Early Learning Opportunities for Young Children in Rural Utah * A $2.1 million investment from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services is helping experts expand early childhood education and STEM opportunities in some of Utah's most rural communities. Led by Lisa Boyce, professor in Human Development and Family Studies and executive director of the Dolores Dore Eccles Center for Early Care and Education at Utah State University, the one-year grant, "Utah Preschool Development GrantB-5," focuses on improving preschool classrooms, expanding summer STEM camps, and strengthening family engagement to address student attendance -all with a specific emphasis on rural Utah, where access to educational resources can be limited.
"We are thrilled by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services' commitment to expanding high-quality STEM education across childhood," said Shawn Whiteman, executive associate dean of CEHS. "Dr. Boyce and her team have developed an ambitious, visionary project to transform learning opportunities for children across Utah, especially in rural communities. This new investment and bold programming underscore the impact of research and services in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. They further reflect pride in extending our reach, strengthening communities, and enriching the lives of children and families throughout the state."
The initiative builds on ongoing collaborative projects designed to support children from preschool through early elementary school in rural school districts, including San Juan, Duchesne, Morgan and Uintah counties, as well as Rural Utah Child Development Head Start. It is led by a team that includes Boyce, program manager Anne Brown, faculty members Diana Meter and Sophia D'Agostino, and a group of USU graduate students who will play a key role in implementation and evaluation.
"This funding allows us to bring resources directly to those communities and build on partnerships that are already in place," Boyce said. "It is a true team effort. Our faculty, graduate students and community partners are all working together to support children and families in meaningful, practical ways."
One of the project's primary focuses is improving preschool learning experiences. Rather than emphasizing memorization of letter sounds, the project centers on developing executive functioning -skills like memory, attention and flexible thinking that are critical for long-term learning.
"Those early years are when the brain is developing most rapidly," Boyce said. "If we focus only on rote skills, we miss the opportunity to build the cognitive foundation that supports all future learning."
In practice, that approach often looks like guided, play-based learning, according to Boyce. In a classroom, children might gather around a set of wooden blocks. At first glance, they appear to be simply building towers or roads. But with teacher support, the activity can become a rich learning experience.
A teacher might ask, "What do you think will happen if we make the base wider?" or "How could we make this bridge strong enough to hold a toy truck?" As children test their ideas, they begin to plan, solve problems, and adjust their thinking. At the same time, they are learning how to take turns, communicate with peers, and navigate social situations.
"From the child's perspective, they're playing," Boyce said. "But they're actually learning how to think, solve problems and work with others."
To support this kind of learning, the team will provide classrooms with high-quality, open-ended materials -such as building sets, dramatic play items and hands-on science tools -along with professional development to help teachers engage with children in meaningful ways and use the new resources effectively.
Sophia D'Agostino, assistant professor in Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, will lead the coaching efforts, working with teachers to translate research-based strategies into everyday classroom practice. Graduate students will also work alongside educators, offering support and providing evaluations.
Beyond the classroom, the project expands summer STEM camps in rural communities that offer hands-on learning opportunities for elementary students. In these camps, students might build solar ovens to make s'mores, experiment with making ice cream to learn about states of matter, or explore engineering concepts through simple machines. Activities are designed and led by local teachers the children are familiar with, making learning both relevant and engaging.
"Teachers know their communities best," Boyce said. "They're able to design experiences that really resonate with their students."
A connection between home and school is the focus of another component of the project led by Diana Meter, assistant professor in Human Development and Family Studies. Meter will address student attendance, which is an ongoing challenge in many rural areas, particularly since the pandemic.
In some communities, logistical barriers such as long bus routes or limited transportation options can make consistent attendance difficult. The project will pilot supportive strategies -such as family outreach and home visits -to better understand those challenges and help families find solutions.
A defining feature of the project is its community-based approach. Rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all model, the team will work closely with each partner and tailor support where it is most needed.
The work is grounded in evidence from previous and ongoing projects, which have demonstrated measurable improvements in teaching practices and student learning. That track record helped the team secure the award from DHHS and is guiding its expansion into new communities.
"This funding allows us to take what we know works and bring it to more places," Boyce said. "We're building on success, not starting over."
Ultimately, the goal is to create stronger, more connected support systems for young children and their families in rural Utah -ensuring that where children live does not limit their access to high-quality early learning opportunities.
Disclaimer: This project was made possible by grant number 90TP0152 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, or the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
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Original text here: https://www.usu.edu//today/story/21m-initiative-expands-early-learning-opportunities-for-young-children-in-rural-utah
Student Commencement Address by Jackson Tyler Price '26
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:* * *
Student Commencement Address by Jackson Tyler Price '26
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These are the student remarks delivered by Jackson Tyler Price '26 at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony.
When people describe Furman, they often talk about how quickly four years pass. And they're not wrong. But Furman has taught me that each phase of life is much less like a sprint... and much more like the distance races this university has become famous for.
In distance running, success rarely comes from speed alone. It comes ... Show Full Article GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news: * * * Student Commencement Address by Jackson Tyler Price '26 * These are the student remarks delivered by Jackson Tyler Price '26 at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony. When people describe Furman, they often talk about how quickly four years pass. And they're not wrong. But Furman has taught me that each phase of life is much less like a sprint... and much more like the distance races this university has become famous for. In distance running, success rarely comes from speed alone. It comesfrom patience, rhythm, and the people who run alongside you. Looking back, my time at Furman followed that same pattern - moments of momentum, moments where I was forced to slow down, and moments where this community carried me forward when I could not do it alone.
Jackson Price '26 gave the student address at Furman University's 2026 commencement ceremony on May 9. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
I first understood the power of the Furman community during my freshman year as a member of the Men's Soccer team. In the spring of 2023, we traveled to the United Kingdom. Several of our alumni financed the trip and went with us. Watching them leave their families and support us wholeheartedly, taught me two things. First, that being part of Furman means becoming part of something that stretches far beyond four years. And second, that the alumni network is more than just a list of names - it's a community that heavily invests in those who come after them.
The following spring, I walked onto the track team. Something I never imagined myself doing. But training alongside one of the nation's elite running programs pushed me to reconsider what I believed possible. A mindset shift that would only benefit my Furman experience.
After my sophomore year, I traveled to Italy for the Slow Food MayX program. That experience gave me new friendships and changed my relationship with food, teaching my classmates and I to slow down and see food as something intentional. Something that is connected to both community and well-being.
Later that year, in September, we found out how Furman could shape us in quieter moments. When Hurricane Helene knocked out power across campus we cooked on charcoal grills, took cold showers and ate dinner in the dark. For a few nights, the pace of college life slowed and allowed us to simply be present with one another.
Then came October 2024. A season that tested everything I thought I knew about resilience.
I tore my ACL during one of our away games. Overnight, I went from playing the sport I love to relearning how to walk. It was the lowest point of my time here, but it revealed the clearest example of how special this community is. Teammates, athletic trainers, professors, friends, and students I had never previously encountered offered a helping hand. Many of those people are sitting in front of me today. And as a result of their kindness, I was able to rebuild not just my knee, but my confidence and identity as well.
Slowing down in my recovery only created space for new growth.
In March 2025, I began working with the Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to develop the idea that became GoldRush Energy, an all-natural supplement inspired by that Slow Food trip. One month later, I stood on stage and won the Rinker Paladin Pitch. And soon after that, Furman helped me turn my idea into a real company.
Finally, this past fall, I made it back onto the field and became part of the most decorated soccer team this university has ever produced. As we danced all the way to the Final Four, I watched waves of purple pour into stadiums, both home and away, in support of the Paladins.
Which reminded me that above all, Furman gave us the people who make this place feel like home. It's given us relationships that will last far beyond this campus.
There's a saying I love which says: "If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together." And together, we have gone far. We were here when our men's basketball team won a March Madness game. We were here when the famous Blackwell Hall was torn down. And we were here when snow covered Furman in a way most of us had never seen before. It's moments like these which remind us that we did not just attend this university at the same time. We experienced it together.
And if Furman has taught me anything, it is that the most important races are not about how fast you start, but about how you sustain effort, respond to setbacks, and rely on the people around you.
Furman has prepared us for the races that lie ahead.
It has shown us that slowing down is not falling behind. Rather, slowing down is what allows us to grow, connect, and discover who we are becoming.
And as we leave this campus, we carry more than a degree. We carry the relationships, the resilience and the perspective Furman has given us - tools that will guide us long after today.
Thank you.
Commencement >
***
Original text here: https://www.furman.edu/news/student-commencement-address-by-jackson-tyler-price-26/
NVIDIA Founder, CEO Jensen Huang to Carnegie Mellon University Graduates: 'Shape What Comes Next'
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, May 10 -- Carnegie Mellon University posted the following news:* * *
NVIDIA Founder, CEO Jensen Huang to Carnegie Mellon University Graduates: 'Shape What Comes Next'
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Carnegie Mellon University conferred more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its 128th Commencement (opens in new window) ceremony on Sunday, May 10. Bridging the gap between technological innovation and the transformative power of the arts, these new alumni are ready to address society's most urgent needs with the bold, collaborative spirit that defines the Carnegie Mellon experience. ... Show Full Article PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, May 10 -- Carnegie Mellon University posted the following news: * * * NVIDIA Founder, CEO Jensen Huang to Carnegie Mellon University Graduates: 'Shape What Comes Next' * Carnegie Mellon University conferred more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its 128th Commencement (opens in new window) ceremony on Sunday, May 10. Bridging the gap between technological innovation and the transformative power of the arts, these new alumni are ready to address society's most urgent needs with the bold, collaborative spirit that defines the Carnegie Mellon experience.
Founder and CEO of NVIDIA Jensen Huang received an honorary Doctor of Science and Technology degree and delivered an inspiring keynote address, articulating lessons learned and offering advice to graduates entering a world of accelerating change.
"You are entering the world at an extraordinary moment. A new industry is being born. A new era of science and discovery is beginning. AI will accelerate the expansion of human knowledge and help solve problems once beyond our reach," he said. "No generation has entered the world with more powerful tools -or greater opportunities -than you. We are all standing at the same starting line. This is your moment to help shape what comes next. So run. Don't walk."
Huang, who has earned a spot on multiple "most influential people" lists in recent years, shared stories from his more than three decades at NVIDIA -a powerhouse underpinning the world's most advanced AI and accelerated computing. He met with a group of Carnegie Mellon University students prior to the ceremony to learn about their interests and to see research projects they've helped to develop during their time at CMU.
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Original text here: https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2026/may/nvidia-founder-ceo-jensen-huang-to-carnegie-mellon-university-graduates-shape-what-comes-next
Furman graduates 560 from the Class of 2026 in its Bicentennial year
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:* * *
Furman graduates 560 from the Class of 2026 in its Bicentennial year
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To watch the full convocation ceremony, click here.
The Furman University Class of 2026 had 200 years of history behind them as they crossed the stage to receive their degrees in Paladin Stadium on May 9.
"Tonight, you join 200 years of Furman graduates," said President Elizabeth Davis. "Classes who graduated during civil war, world wars, depressions and pandemics. Classes who had to imagine what came next without a clear map."
The ... Show Full Article GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news: * * * Furman graduates 560 from the Class of 2026 in its Bicentennial year * To watch the full convocation ceremony, click here. The Furman University Class of 2026 had 200 years of history behind them as they crossed the stage to receive their degrees in Paladin Stadium on May 9. "Tonight, you join 200 years of Furman graduates," said President Elizabeth Davis. "Classes who graduated during civil war, world wars, depressions and pandemics. Classes who had to imagine what came next without a clear map." Thegraduating class contained 560 undergraduates and 46 graduate students. They were joined by members of the Class of 1976, who returned to campus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their own graduation. Half a century ago, they were the students gathered for fireworks over the lake, cutting into a giant birthday cake in a campus-wide convocation to celebrate Furman's 150th anniversary.
"Remember: Furman is your forever community," Davis told the graduating class. "We will be here for you, and we hope you come back."
Students sit listening to a speaker during Saturday's commencement ceremony at Furman University. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
Giving Back
For senior class representative and psychology major Meghan Madretzke '26, commencement isn't only the end of their time as undergraduate students, but the start of their role as part of the university's network of alumni mentors and supporters.
The next chapter of their lives offers the chance to enter the workforce, provide internships and mentorship for future Paladins, build peer relationships with their favorite professors and join local alumni FAN Clubs. The opportunities to connect with the extended Furman community are endless.
"Our time on campus may only be four incredible years, but the responsibility, leadership and community created and expected by Furman alumni are for life," she said. "Now it's our turn."
Madretzke and other senior Student Government Association representatives presented the class gift: $21,905 raised by 225 seniors to go toward various campus funds.
Furman honored several students, faculty and staff with awards for their service and accomplishments and celebrated 10 retiring faculty members. To read about the honorees, click here.
Jackson Price '26 gave the student address at Furman University's 2026 commencement ceremony on May 9. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
Student address - Jackson Tyler Price '26
While four years can pass quickly, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon race, said business administration major Jackson Tyler Price '26. Price will pursue a master's degree in business administration at Babson College in Boston this fall, but on Saturday he reflected on the moments at Furman that taught him to slow down and enjoy the journey.
As a member of the men's soccer team, he saw how long-term support from alumni gave students the opportunity to explore their own paths. He pushed his own limits of what was possible when he joined the track and field team, and engaged learning experiences like his MayX trip to Italy taught him to pace himself and be intentional with how he spent his time.
The power outages during 2024's Hurricane Helene were an exercise in patience, and a masterclass in presence, as students cooked for one another on charcoal grills and learned to slow the pace of campus life to make space for one another.
But the greatest test of these lessons for Price was when he tore his ACL in October 2024. It was a low point in Price's life, "but it revealed the clearest example of how special this community is." Teammates, trainers, professors, friends and strangers alike supported him as he rebuilt his strength, confidence and sense of identity.
Slowing down gave him the room he needed to grow. Through 2025, Price built GoldRush Energy - a company producing an energy gel to help athletes recover from exertion, inspired by his own recovery and physical therapy. His company won the 2025 Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition, and the next year Price was back on the men's soccer team as they danced their way to the Final Four.
"If Furman has taught me anything, it is that the most important races are not about how fast you start, but about how you sustain effort, respond to setbacks and rely on the people around you," he said.
To read Price's full remarks, click here.
Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, acclaimed musician and volunteer, gave the commencement keynote address at Paladin Stadium on May 9. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
Keynote address - Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96
Acclaimed musician, musical arranger, educator and orchestrator Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96 gave the keynote address at Saturday's ceremony. She is founder and president of ArtsIgnite, an organization that trains artists to teach life skills through the arts to young people throughout the world, as well as a founding member of Musicians United for Social Equity.
Campbell was recently announced as the 2026 winner of the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, recognizing her humanitarian and arts advocacy work.
But Campbell's first crash course in leadership came when she was pursuing her bachelor's degree in music at Furman. She wanted to perform and organize musical theater productions, but there was no such program at the university. She built it from scratch, and with the help of her fellow students and mentors she founded the Furman Pauper Players theater company, a student organization dedicated to making musical theater accessible for all students, regardless of their major or level of experience. Campbell used their productions to raise funds for local charities, putting her on the path to use her art for good.
"The things you're building right now, the thing that might feel small or uncertain or a little scrappy, it might matter more than you can possibly imagine," she said. "It might impact more lives than you could dream."
To read Campbell's full remarks, click here.
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Original text here: https://www.furman.edu/news/furman-graduates-560-from-the-class-of-2026-in-its-bicentennial-year/
Commencement Address by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, musician and volunteer
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:* * *
Commencement Address by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, musician and volunteer
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These are remarks delivered by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, acclaimed musician and volunteer, at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony.
Good evening, Furman graduates.
You made it! Congratulations - that's got to feel pretty good.
To the faculty, family, and friends - and especially the Class of 2026 - thank you for welcoming me home for this. It's a joy and an honor to be back here with you all.
Mary-Mitchell ... Show Full Article GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news: * * * Commencement Address by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, musician and volunteer * These are remarks delivered by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, acclaimed musician and volunteer, at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony. Good evening, Furman graduates. You made it! Congratulations - that's got to feel pretty good. To the faculty, family, and friends - and especially the Class of 2026 - thank you for welcoming me home for this. It's a joy and an honor to be back here with you all. Mary-MitchellCampbell '96
I remember sitting right where you are - so excited to be done with school, counting down the minutes until someone handed me a diploma and said, "You're free."
I was absolutely convinced I had my life figured out.
That...turned out not to be the case.
But look how much you HAVE figured out! You did it. You've graduated from college, and that is a profound accomplishment. You have worked hard for this moment, and you deserve to celebrate it.
But let's be honest - none of us got here alone. We are all a patchwork quilt of people who loved us, supported us, pushed us, and believed in us when we couldn't yet believe in ourselves.
If those people are here with you today, I hope you find them and thank them. Some of the people who helped me get here are here tonight, and I want them to know how much I appreciate them.
It's also worth noting that I was a scholarship student, and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Furman over the years. Because of you, students like me - who couldn't have afforded this education otherwise - got to be here. That's a big deal.
I grew up in eastern North Carolina, on a farm with pigs, tobacco, and corn. I'm a little surprised no one mentioned this, but I did win the 4H county fair pig showmanship award for Wilson, North Carolina.
That's pronounced "WilTson," even though there is no T.
We just...added one.
My bio might sound a little fancy, but I promise you the road that led me here was anything but. It had some tough turns, some detours, and a few moments where I most certainly didn't have it all figured out.
But along the way, there were teachers and classes here that changed my life. Again, I extend my gratitude to those special folks.
Something I did have going for me: I was always curious, always eager to learn, and I was also the kind of kid who thought, " Yeah, yeah, I hear you, but what if I try it anyway?"
That was me.
Still is, if I'm being honest.
And that 'what if?', my friends, has been a game changer. A life changer.
I arrived as a piano performance major, and pretty quickly realized I wanted to pursue musical theater.
There was just one problem: There was no musical theater program.
So I started one.
That's right, I pulled together some fellow students and announced I was going to put on a show.
Now, to be clear, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.
But I figured it out as I went. I started putting on productions where I was the director, the music director, the choreographer, the producer, floor mopper, ticket taker...I did it ALL.
So basically, if something went wrong, it was my fault.
And honestly, I probably learned more doing that - trying, failing, trying again - than I would have in a formal program.
And while I was busy doing ALL that, I took a sociology class called "Social Problems" that ignited a passion in me for helping others. And somehow, those two disparate things - musical theater making and being of service - collided in my brain. The result: The Furman Pauper Players.
We produced musicals as fundraisers for community organizations. My sophomore year, we did "The Fantasticks" with all of the proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity. I even convinced Nick Radel, my wonderful English professor, to be in the show.
Which, looking back, was either leadership...or a complete lack of boundaries.
Probably a little of both.
After the success of "The Fantastiks," the Pauper Players were on a roll. I worked with the chaplains to raise funds for United Ministries by performing "Godspell" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on Parents Weekends.
And here's the wild thing: At the time, I had no idea I was building the foundation for what would become my life's work.
But years later, those same ideas - bringing people together, using music and storytelling to serve others - became what I do every day through Arts Ignite, the nonprofit I founded to support young people, now celebrating its 20th year.
And over time, that work has reached more than 45,000 kids. 45,000. That's just a skosh smaller than Wilson, North Carolina.
That's 45,000 kids who maybe didn't think they were creative.
Kids who didn't always feel seen.
Kids who just needed someone to say, "Your voice matters."
I think about one student in particular: a kid who didn't speak much English, wouldn't make eye contact, and spent most of the first day hiding in the back of the room.
And by the end of the program, that same student was the first one to arrive every day, asking if they could lead the warm-ups, standing in front of the group, stepping into leadership.
And I remember thinking that student is why this work matters.
And I can draw a straight line from that moment right back to a college student standing on this campus, with a big idea and absolutely no idea how to pull it off.
Which is why I want you to hear this: The things you're building right now, the thing that might feel small or uncertain or a little scrappy, it might matter more than you can possibly imagine.
It might impact more lives than you could dream.
Because here's the weird thing about life and the passage of time: You often don't know what is changing your life while it's happening. You only see it when you look back.
And a gentle watchpoint - when you're taking all those big swings, and experiencing those changes in real time, well-meaning people who care deeply about you will want to protect you.
After graduation, I moved to New York City to pursue musical theater.
People genuinely tried to be supportive, but they had watched enough Law & Order to be fairly certain this was not going to end well for me.
And when I told them what I wanted to do, I got a lot of, "That's so...brave."
You know the vibe.
It sounds a whole lot like "bless your heart."
One of my favorite mentors sat me down before I left. He knew my financial situation was tight, and he told me he was worried about me.
He said, "I know how talented you are. But I've seen a lot of talented people try this and fail. I think you might fail. And if you do, you'll regret not taking the safer opportunities in front of you."
And every once in a while in life you get a moment of clarity. You just know something, even if you can't fully explain why.
I told my mentor, "I know you care about me. And I know what you're saying is true.
But I'm not afraid of failing.
I'm afraid of not trying."
And just to be clear, I have failed. Many times.
Just...not permanently.
So I'll say this to you: When you hear that voice inside you, when you've got a big idea, when you're making a big decision...listen to that deep-down voice.
Even when it doesn't make perfect sense.
Sometimes especially then.
And please, please, don't be afraid to fail.
Because you will. You are going to fail. You'll be bad at something. You'll embarrass yourself. I still do, regularly.
At this point, I've decided to call it "growth." Doesn't that sound evolved?
Failure is not the opposite of success.
Failure is an absolutely necessary and inevitable part of the journey.
It's part of the path.
If I could go back and talk to the version of myself sitting where you are, here's a few things I would say to younger me:
Whatever you think your life is going to be...it won't be exactly that.
And that's okay.
It might be more exciting. It might also be harder. There will be unexpected turns - some joyful, some painful.
Embrace all of it.
Oh yeah, and find your people, the ones who will stand with you through all of it.
And this - we are wired to look at the people who have what we want and wonder what we're doing wrong.
We rarely take stock of what we are doing right. We talk about counting our blessings but rarely actually do.
Remember to do both.
It will keep you grounded. And it will keep you grateful.
And if you have the chance to help someone along the way, take it.
And another thing, there is no finish line where everything suddenly clicks into place.
No job, no relationship, no achievement, no amount of money is going to make you permanently happy.
If it did, somebody would have written a book about it, and we'd all have bought it.
So don't wait for your life to begin.
You are already in it.
It's happening right now!
Live it fully.
As you leave here today, know that you don't need to have it all figured out.
You probably won't. I still don't.
Some things you CAN count on: Your life will surprise you. It will challenge you. It will break your heart sometimes.
And it may also be more beautiful than you can possibly imagine.
And finally, I encourage you to pay close attention when something deep inside you says, "this matters."
Be brave enough to listen.
Because the truth is, the people who build meaningful lives aren't the ones who never fail...they're the ones who dared to try.
Congratulations, Class of 2026.
Go make the world a better place for the rest of us.
Commencement 2026 >
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Original text here: https://www.furman.edu/news/commencement-address-by-mary-mitchell-campbell-96-musician-and-volunteer/