Talking Points

Ph.D. candidate awarded DAAD grant for dissertation research in Germany

Victoria Rizo Lenshyn, a doctoral candidate in German and Scandinavian Studies, has been awarded a research grant by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to support her dissertation research at the Academy for Film and Television (HFF “Konrad Wolf”) in Potsdam/Babelsberg, Germany.
 
During the next academic year, Rizo Lenshyn will conduct research on the stars and star culture in the cinema of socialist East Germany.
 
The campus nominating committee praised Rizo Lenshyn’s project on stardom in East Germany’s socialist context as “extremely rich and well-conceived.” They added, “By

21st Century Leaders, Welch Scholars to be recognized at Commencement

The exemplary achievement, initiative and leadership of some of the university’s most talented and accomplished graduating seniors will be recognized during Undergraduate Commencement on May 10 beginning at 5 p.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
 
Eleven graduating seniors have been named 21st Century Leaders and will be honored for far-ranging achievement, initiative and social awareness. Ten of those being recognized are members of Commonwealth Honors College.

  • Zachary Robert Bemis, a Civil Engineering major with a minor in Geology, is from Southborough.

Senior Caroline Conena honored at State House

Senior Caroline Conena of East Sandwich was honored May 2 at the State House as one of “29 Who Shine,” a group of outstanding students from each of the community colleges, state universities and UMass campuses.

A double major in Public Health and Business Management, Conena is graduating with a 4.0 GPA. As a peer mentor, she provided crucial academic support to first-year students. As an Commonwealth Honors College peer ambassador, she met with Massachusetts high school students to acquaint them with the colleges programs and opportunities.

For two years, Conena has interned at

Honorary degrees, awards to be presented at Commencement ceremonies

Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 10 will feature a keynote address by Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express. He will speak to 5,500 graduating seniors at McGuirk Alumni Stadium where friends, family and alumni will gather to take part in a full day’s schedule of commencement observances. The ceremony runs from 5-6:30 p.m.
 
Chenault will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremony.

Outstanding teaching, research and outreach honored

The highest standards in teaching, research, outreach and invention among members of the faculty were recognized April 29 at the UMass Honors dinner held as part of Founders Week.

Four faculty members and two graduate students have been chosen to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award, the highest honor awarded on campus for excellence in teaching and learning.

The tenure system faculty winners are Christian Appy, History, Elizabeth Connor, Biology, and Robert Nakosteen, Operations and Information Management.

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