Congratulations, Graduates!

Classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 celebrate Commencement

Family, friends and Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences faculty and staff celebrated the classes of 2022, 2021 and 2020 at Carnegie Mellon University’s 124^th Commencement in Gesling Stadium, May 13-15.

Dietrich College conferred 390 undergraduate degrees, 113 master’s degrees and 39 doctorates this year. In addition, 11 Science and Humanities Scholars received undergraduate degrees from the college.

“Congratulations to all of the graduates of the Class of 2022, as well as members of the classes of 2020 and 2021 who could not join us until now. A Carnegie Mellon education is regarded as among the most rigorous in the world, and our graduates are regarded as among the best prepared in the world,” said Richard Scheines, Bess Family Dean of the Dietrich College. “Huge thanks to the families and friends who supported our graduates before they came to CMU and throughout their collegiate experience.”

More than 300 graduating seniors received University and/or College Honors. Undergraduates with a 3.5 or higher quality point average (QPA) received University Honors, and students who completed an honors thesis as part of the college’s Senior Honors Program received College Honors.

Friday, May 13, nearly 60 graduates were honored at the university’s Senior Leadership Recognition Awards. 

Lisa Oguike — who earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and politics with an additional major in science technology and public policy — was the undergraduate student speaker at Sunday’s conferral of degrees. After graduation, Oguike will pursue a master’s degree in international politics at SOAS University of London.

“Though we leave Carnegie Mellon today as alumni and no longer students, I hope that you all keep your hearts in the work, because there’s so much of it to be done,” Oguike said. “Use the privilege this degree affords you to stand up for something and make a true change in the lives of people.”

View University Honors recipients

View College Honors recipients

View Senior Leadership Recognition Awards recipients

Parker Felterman left CMU this spring with four degrees: a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy, a BFA in drama and bachelor’s degree in social and political history. Felterman also co-founded an education technology company called Thales Education, LLC, with fellow CMU students and alumni Carl Young and Emily Knott. 

“Carnegie Mellon has both helped me develop into who I’ve always wanted to be and led me down paths I had not previously envisioned. Prior to arriving at CMU, for example, I could not have known that a few years later I would be an Army Intelligence Officer, as well as a business owner,” Felterman said. “I feel confident I can accomplish any task set before me, and if I don’t know how to accomplish it, I have the skills necessary to learn how. I believe I can hold my own intellectually and culturally in most debates or discussions, and can speak intelligently on a variety of disciplines. There is no task too difficult nor challenge too daunting considering the tasks and challenges CMU has had me complete and prepare for. I further feel prepared to academically and professionally explore whatever areas of interest I come across, which CMU especially assisted in as I don’t know of many other universities that would allow a student three majors and two minors. Carnegie Mellon has helped me grow as a leader, thinker and member of society, and for that I will forever owe my thanks and gratitude.”

The journey that Shrila Senthil — a 2022 graduate of the Department of Psychology — had at CMU has helped prepare her for her job post-graduation. Senthil will be a product manager at the tech company Alteryx in New York City.

“It's hard to put into words how grateful I am for having these last four years at CMU. I've learned more about diversity, patience, novelty, determination and the list goes on. This school has quite literally seen my blood, sweat, and tears, and every victory and challenge has shaped the person I am today,” Senthil said. “Whether it was doing research at the ‘Baby Lab,’ pulling all-nighters at Hunt Library, or making lifelong friends during ‘O-week,’ I'll hold on tight to each and every memory I've made here.”

Department of History graduate Emma Reed also made the most out of her CMU career. During her junior year, Reed dropped her civil engineering major to pursue a major in global studies.

“What has most prepared me for life after graduation is the idea that paths can — and most likely will — change. I started off my time at CMU as a civil engineering major, dead-set on becoming a city planner. However, after many things that life threw at me, I realized that that was not the path that was for me,” Reed said. “Now, I will be heading to George Washington University in Washington D.C. to pursue my master's in mental health counseling. I think that I — like a lot of 18-year-olds heading to college — thought that I had to have everything immediately figured out. I found out that that is not the case. I'm grateful that I had this wild academic journey to show me that life can take you in many fulfilling directions.”