Carnegie Mellon University

Dietrich College Sophomores Celebrating at the First Declaration Dinner

May 04, 2018

Dietrich College Sophomores Celebrated at the First Declaration Dinner

By Stefanie Johndrow

The first-ever Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Sophomore Declaration Dinner took place this spring to mark the students’ halfway point in their undergraduate careers. 

“We felt it was important to bring the class together to recognize the importance of reaching the midpoint in their academic journeys and to celebrate together as a Dietrich College community,” said Ana Maria Ulloa-Shields, assistant dean and director of the Academic Advisory Center. “Before this, the entire class was only brought together during orientation and graduation,”

Dean Richard Schienes

From classes on neuroscience, ethics and artificial intelligence and behavioral economics to classes on the rhetoric of climate change and Spanish and French culture, Dietrich College Dean Richard Scheines encouraged students to continue taking advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities within the college. 

“So you’ve made it halfway. You’ve proven you belong. You have two years left, make the most of them. Go abroad, do research with one of our great professors. Dietrich College is on the rise in every way,” Scheines said. 

Joel Greenhouse

The idea for the Sophomore Declaration Dinner came from Joel Greenhouse, professor of statistics and data science. 

“The end of the sophomore year and the declaration of a major is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate our students' accomplishments and to welcome them into their new academic homes,” Greenhouse said. “I am thrilled that the students and faculty of the Dietrich College have embraced this new tradition with such enthusiasm and commitment.”

Ricky Law

Assistant Professor of History Ricky Law delivered the keynote address.

“An education from the Dietrich College doesn’t just help you develop a skillset, it helps you develop a mindset. As artificial intelligence and automation play a bigger and bigger role in our society, I’m convinced that there will be a premium place for workers who can speak, act and think humanly,” Law said. 

QSSS students

Fun photo stations were available for students to show their Dietrich College pride by writing down their declared majors and favorite parts of being a student in the college.

Students with Joel Greenhouse

Sophomore Shreya Nandi, a member of the event planning committee, was excited to spend a night with the Dietrich College community. 

"Having this event meant celebrating a cohesive Dietrich College identity where appreciating one discipline doesn't mean taking away the spotlight from another discipline,” said Nandi, who has a primary major in economics and an additional major in international relations and politics.

Student at event

Jorge Alvarez, a primary major in professional writing with an additional major in social and political history, attended the dinner to show his Dietrich College pride.

"I am a Dietrich College student because of the college's vision of being a hub for innovation,” Alvarez said. “In today's technological society, we need to study the humanities to celebrate the beauty of the human condition. Dietrich College moors our understanding of the world through our human senses."

Student at event

Students from all academic disciplines in the Dietrich College joined their favorite faculty members for a night of celebration.