![Class Day 2024 A group photo of all graduates.](https://sotp.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Class-Day-2024-1_Jennifer-Genrich-650x488.jpg)
On May 10th, Columbia Climate School's third class of graduates gathered to celebrate their accomplishments in 2024. class day ceremony.students of MSc in Climate and Society The program brings together people from all over the world with diverse academic backgrounds, including anthropology, astrophysics, biochemistry, engineering, finance, hotel and tourism, international relations, sociology, theater, and environmental science.
“It goes without saying that this has been a difficult academic year,” Interim Dean Jeffrey Sherman said. climate schoolHe said this in his opening address to the graduates and their families. “Yet, despite the tension, it is all too human for us to come together and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of you, the students of the Climate School, Climate and Society Program. „Even in, and perhaps especially in, difficult times, community, culture and connection remain fundamental to human well-being,“ he said.
“I am heartened to know that the Class of 2024 will be agents of change on our planet in the coming years. I look forward to that in the coming years,“ Sherman added.
While most students don't officially graduate until they complete their summer internships in August, May is the culmination of their coursework and an opportunity to celebrate with their peers.
„It's been such a joy watching you all grow and develop over the past year,“ he said. Minfang Ting, Co-Director of the Climate and Society Program. „Climate change is felt keenly by everyone, everywhere. But I strongly believe that our future is bright,“ she said. “We are definitely much stronger when we come together and we can overcome any challenge together, including this huge challenge we are facing called the climate crisis.”
lisa daleCo-Director of the Climate and Society Programme, said: “Our students are showing us the path to a transformed status quo, on campuses, in classrooms, in climate schools, and across the country and around the world. What does that look like? What will that future look like? I can't wait to find out.“
At this celebration, which celebrates both individual and collaborative achievements, Class Day speakers acknowledged the enormous challenges facing the world when it comes to climate change and environmental justice, but also the challenges of adaptation, resilience, and collective action. championed a huge opportunity. These were recurring themes throughout the class day. formula.
Tamara Rasamny, 2024 student speaker for the MSc Climate and Society, said: “We know the irreparable damage that has happened and we need to address some of these challenges and move them forward. We know how to integrate. This is mainly due to climate school.“ said to her friends. “We have all decided to come here because we are setting very lofty goals to tackle one of the greatest existential threats of our time. I would like to thank you.”
The keynote speech was Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice CenterThere, she works to build solutions through partnerships that address the overlapping challenges of water and sanitation infrastructure, economic development, and public health. She told the graduates that the message she wanted to leave them with was one of hope.
„If you don't remember anything I said tonight, it's that I will always fight for justice,“ Flowers said. „I'm so happy to be here to hear your enthusiasm and determination. I know the world will be a better place because of you.“