The College of Technology hosted a celebratory brunch before commencement on May 9. Banner bearers from the College were among the honorees. Department chairs and associate deans extended their congratulations.
The momentum for growth and expansion of the University of Houston College of Technology continues at an invigorating pace as demonstrated by the number of degrees awarded to exceptional students. The College celebrated another phenomenal commencement season with more than 740 graduating students on Thursday, May 9, which took place at the Fertitta Center. In his opening welcome, Dr. Anthony Ambler, dean of the College of Technology, greeted graduates, proud family members and friends, the distinguished platform party, and introduced the commencement speaker, Eric Starkloff.
As president and chief operating officer of National Instruments, Starkloff leads the company’s global sales, marketing, and research and development organizations. Starkloff encouraged the graduates as “higher level thinkers” to think about the opportunities afforded to them with the exponential progression of innovation and technology. “No previous generation has had access to this level of technology and this creates an amazing opportunity,” he said. In a speech filled with motivating advice, Starkloff shared his perspective on the meaning of real innovation. Challenging the concept of pursuing the ‘eureka moment’ or big idea, he said, “Ideas are plentiful. It’s about the hard work of iterating on an idea, persisting through every hurdle that prevents success.”
Among the University of Houston’s recognition of students who graduated with academic honors, were nearly 100 College of Technology students earning the “cum laude distinction,” 86 earning “magna cum laude,” and twenty-two distinguished as “summa cum laude.”
Matthew Moorhead, the College of Technology banner bearer, achieved summa cum laude and a 4.0 grade point average. As the honorary overall banner bearer, he led the procession into the commencement ceremony. Moorhead, also a Dean’s Medal recipient and College of Technology outstanding undergraduate student, earned his bachelor’s degree in construction management. In addition, the department banner bearers were Christopher Ryan Willoughby, B.S. supply chain and logistics technology (Construction Management department); Umair M. Rehman, B. S. Biotechnology (Engineering Technology department); Loren Ashley Baughman B.S., Human Resource Development (Human Development and Consumer Sciences department); Rosa Cornejo, B.S. Digital Media (Information and Logistics Technology department); and, Shimona Kavdia, M.S., Engineering Technology (Graduate Programs).
A hallmark of the College of Technology is the preparation of graduates to succeed in their career aspirations. An estimated seventy two percent of students graduate with a job or job offer.