Undergraduate and Graduate Journalism Convocation
June 11, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Program
Announcements
Kennedy Chase (MSJ23)
Land Acknowledgement
Gabrielle Rancifer (BSJ22, MSJ23)
Native Pacific Islander (Samoan and Kānaka Maoli) and Cherokee descent
Amelia Schafer (MSJ23)
Wampanoag and Montauk-Brothertown Indian Nation descent
Introduction of Dean
Jenny Huh (BSJ23)
Welcome
Dean Charles Whitaker (BSJ80, MSJ81)
Bachelor of Science in Journalism Student Speaker
Andrew Rowan (BSJ23)
Master of Science in Journalism Student Speaker
Chelsea Zhao (MSJ23)
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Ryan Hayes-Owens (MSJ23)
Keynote Speaker
Mara Brock Akil (BSJ92)
Presentation of BSJ Degrees
Dorina Aguilar Rasmussen
Presentation of MSJ Degrees
Dorina Aguilar Rasmussen
Closing Remarks
Julia Richardson (BSJ23)
Maia Spoto (BSJ23)
Recessional
Medill Administration
Charles Whitaker (BSJ80, MSJ81)
Medill Dean
Tim Franklin
John M. Mutz Chair in Local News and Senior Associate Dean
Beth Bennett (MSJ97)
Professor and Associate Dean of Journalism
Vijay Viswanathan
Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications and Associate Dean of IMC
Stephanie Edgerly
Professor and Associate Dean of Research
Sara Nelson
Associate Dean of Administration and Chief of Staff
Dorina Aguilar Rasmussen
Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Academic Advising
Julie Collins
Assistant Dean of Graduate Admissions & Financial Aid
Speaker Biography
Mara Brock Akil has written and produced 400+ episodes of television, leaving a tremendous impact on Hollywood. Brock Akil created the seminal television series Girlfriends, a witty and honest exploration of the multi-faceted nature of Black womanhood, and from there, went on to develop the spin-off series The Game. Since then, she has produced multiple culture shifting series that celebrate the complexity and vulnerability of humanity. She was honored with the prestigious Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award by NATPE in 2019, and in 2017, she was inducted into Medill’s Hall of Achievement. Other accolades include: Essence Visionary Award; Variety and The Hollywood Reporter Showrunner Power Lists and Women in Entertainment Power100. In 2020, Brock Akil signed a deal with Netflix to exclusively produce television shows for the streaming platform under her new banner, story27 Productions, where she continues to expand her accomplished legacy and uplift the talent of tomorrow.
BSJ Student Speaker
Andrew Rowan (BSJ23), a journalism major with minors in data science and business institutions, is the 2023 Medill convocation undergraduate student speaker. Rowan was the News Director of the Northwestern News Network and also served as an executive producer, reporter and anchor. He held leadership roles at Northwestern Hillel and in the Medill Undergraduate Student Advisory Council.
MSJ Student Speaker
Chelsea Zhao (MSJ23), a health, science and environment specialization student, is the 2023 Medill convocation graduate student speaker. Zhao was a Medill Student Ambassador and a member of both the Chicago Journalists Association and Asian American Journalists Association. She was a member of the first cohort of Chicago Reader’s Racial Justice Writer’s Cohort and a freelance contributor to many publications including South Side Weekly, Cicero Independiente and Chicago Health.
Northwestern Alma Mater
Hail to Alma Mater!
We will sing thy praise forever;
All thy sons and daughters
Pledge thee victory and honor.
Alma Mater, praise be thine,
May thy name forever shine!
Hail to Purple! Hail to White!
Hail to thee, Northwestern!
Music Credits
Music courtesy of the Bienen School of Music for all selections except:
Pomp and Circumstance
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by
Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra 2020-21
Dr. Robert G. Hasty, Conductor
~
Northwestern University Alma Mater
Quacumque sunt vera
Words by J. Scott Clark (NU Professor) after Philippians 4:8
Music by Peter Christian Lutkin (NU Dean), after Franz Joseph Haydn
English version by Thomas Tyra (54)
Arranged by Kevin Vondrak (MM 17)
Commissioned by the Bienen School of Music and Donald Nally for the 60th reunion of the Class of 1959
The Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble 2019-2020
Donald Nally, conductor