Bard College Berlin News
Bard College Berlin’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony Celebrates Graduates During Its 25th Anniversary
In Managing Director Dr. Florian Becker’s opening, he remarked upon Bard College Berlin’s continual evolution since its founding in 1999, noting that “for a quarter of a century, we have kept alive, developed, and grown what began as an experiment in higher education that was as fragile as it was bold.” Becker went on to state, “What makes [BCB] special is the range, originality, and quality of our students’ and professors’ academic, intellectual, and artistic work and engagements. It is the debates and arguments you, students and professors, have with each other, in writing and orally, and the patience and respect with which you conduct them.”
This year’s keynote address was given by Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, President Emeritus and University Professor at the University of Richmond and member of Bard College Berlin’s Board of Governors. Crutcher writes and speaks widely on the democratic purposes of higher education and free expression on college campuses, and during his 45-year career in higher education has consulted with higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and corporations in the USA and abroad on issues related to organizational culture, especially bridging racial and cultural divides. His thematic memoir, I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership, was published in February 2021. Crutcher told graduates, “I truly believe that your Bard College Berlin education has prepared you well for the task of participating effectively as global citizens in liberal democracies… You leave here today with the civic capacity, social responsibility, empathy, and the understanding needed to address the questions that our world will need you to answer in order for it to survive.”
In addition, two students were chosen by their peers to address the graduating class: Salma Barakat and Héctor Miró Beltrán. Barakat, from Palestine, graduated from the degree program in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought (HAST) with a concentration in Ethics and Politics. Beltrán, from Spain, graduated from the Ethics, Politics, and Social Thought (EPST) program with a concentration in Politics.
As part of the commencement ceremony, senior thesis awards were issued to Jasmine Ahmed for her thesis “Making Waves in the Pacific: Examining the Reasons behind the Chinese Naval Build Up; and the Potential US response” and Lara Habboub for her thesis “The Algorithmic Oracle: Decoding the Human-Machine Feedback Loop of Value Capture.” Students are nominated for the thesis prize by their academic advisors, and the prizewinners for each BA degree are chosen by a committee that includes members of the Faculty, the University Leadership, and the Board of Governors.
Completed with a faculty advisor and presented to the BCB community, BA theses are an essential step toward graduation for each student. The various research topics of this year’s class reflect the diversity and breadth of experience of the students themselves, with topics ranging from democracy in Turkey, government-subsidized psychotherapy in Finland, motherhood in art, indigenous cultural heritage, microfinance in North Africa, Yiddishism and labor unions, among many other engaging works that resulted from months of hard work and dedication. This year’s graduating class is the first to publish its thesis projects in Bard College’s Stevenson Library Digital Commons.
Hailing from 33 nationalities, this year’s graduating cohort consists of a diverse group of highly accomplished students. Their post-graduate plans include graduate study at The University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics, Hertie School of Governance, Freie Universität Berlin, and Bard College, among others, as well as employment with Teach First Deutschland, Earlybird Venture Capital, and the Democracy and Belonging Forum.
In addition to graduates’ academic and professional achievements, the Class of 2024 has persevered through difficult world events during their years of study: They “began their studies in lockdown during the global pandemic,” as Dean Catherine Toal remarked in her address to the graduates. In addition, their time at university has been marked by such events as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the October 7 attack on Israel, the war in Gaza, as well as conflict and natural disasters that have displaced many in Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar, and other regions. These world events have shaped the educational experience of the Class of 2024, and, as noted by Ronald A. Crutcher in his commencement address, “the last four years have provided an unprecedented springboard from which to launch into this evolving world of ours.”
Newly-appointed Professor of Art John Kleckner and newly-tenured Professor of Politics Dr. Gale Raj-Reichert participated in the awarding of diplomas and gifts to the graduating students. Additional remarks were made by Dr. James Harker, Prof. Dr. Catherine Toal, and Prof. Dr. Kerry Bystrom. Renowned pianist Benjamin Hochman played the “Presto” movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10, No. 3. The ceremony took place at Ballhaus Pankow, a historic ballroom originally built in 1880. Following the ceremony, graduates and guests were invited to enjoy a festive reception at the Bard College Berlin campus.
Congratulations to the Bard College Berlin Class of 2024, and best of luck as they embark on their post-grad journeys!
Post Date: 05-24-2024