Drexel Engineering Celebrates the Class of 2023

More than 850 undergraduate, graduate and PhD students were recognized for their achievements during the College of Engineering 2023 Commencement, held on Thursday, June 15 at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

Darrell Omo-Lamai, who earned his BS/MS in materials science and engineering, delivered remarks as the undergraduate student speaker. He recalled the transformative power of a Drexel education.

“Let us remember the challenges we have overcome, the friendships we have forged, and the memories we have made here, and let us carry them with us through the coming chapters of our lives,” he said. “We can take pride in the fact that many of us will soon be positioned in a diversity of industrial and academic settings, both domestically and internationally, to tackle critical challenges facing humanity through cutting-edge research and innovation, from engineering life-saving therapeutics at the molecular level to developing the next generation of space technologies.”

As the graduate student speaker, Arkita Chakrabarti, a PhD graduate in chemical engineering, acknowledged the people who had supported every student on their journey to the day.

“We must recognize that we did not make the journey to this day alone,” she said. “We had the support of our parents, partners, friends, colleagues, pets, and every person who made us believe in ourselves when we thought we couldn’t. Above them all, we had our mentors.” She further recognized her advisor Aaron Fafarman, PhD, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering.

Margaret C. “Peggy” Burns, a member of Drexel’s Class of 1979, an engineering leader whose career has included influential roles at IBM and Lockheed Martin and who is a dedicated advocate for increasing diversity in STEM fields, presented the commencement address, encouraging students to remember the hard work that had gone into their degrees.

“Never say that you received your degree,” she said. “Always remember that you earned it.”

Burns recalled the moment she realized something that all engineers have in common – she would often see them tear up, reach for a tissue, or get choked up, and inevitably, claim that they had allergies.

“Of course, it’s not allergies,” she said. “It is the sudden and powerful realization of the impact, knowledge and passion of one or more engineers to whom you are a witness. My hope for you is that you have frequently occurring engineering ‘allergy’ experiences. I hope you use your education to do great things yourself and to recognize the impact of other engineers. I hope your knowledge is applied to impact lives one by one and millions by millions.”


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