Drexel CCI's University Class of 2020 is a historic group of Dragons, as they are the first graduating class in the University's history to have a virtual commencement, due to the coronavirus pandemic. As we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2020 during a virtual Commencement ceremony (to premiere on YouTube on Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m. EDT), the College asked graduates to share their favorite memory from their time at CCI:
Medard Azandegbe
BS Computing & Security Technology
"First project in CCI to create a website for a DU student to help with organizing their classes."
Antigone Bellanich
BS Information Systems, Concentration in Human Computer Interaction, Minor in Technology Innovation Management
"Learning about the field of Human Computer Interaction with Dr. Marcu because I was able to finally put an industry name to the type of work I want to pursue in my professional career."
Gaurang Bham
BS Software Engineering, Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
"All the time I spent working on my startup, Phoodie. Also any conversation with Prof. Salvage!"
William Harkness
BS Computing and Security Technology, Concentration in Computing Security
"Working with other industry professionals."
Maria Dominguez
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in Software Engineering & Human-Computer Interaction, Minors in Chemistry and Interactive Digital Media
"Working at the CLC with friends."
Daniel Schwartz
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in AI and Intelligent Systems
"Working on an awesome project at Philly Codefest and winning almost every award."
Lauren Shartle
BS Computing & Security Technology
"Being an online student while becoming a mom of two kids in the process!"
Andrea Mathew
BS Software Engineering
"During freshman year, I attended CCI day during Welcome Week. There were games and we played mini golf - and I got to meet a lot of peers in the College!"
Robert E. LaBreche
BS Computing & Security Technology, Concentration in Computing Security
"Senior Project: I got to work with two students who I've gotten to know during my time at Drexel to build something that we are all really proud of. It certainly was the highlight of my time at Drexel."
Brian Kitchell
BS Information Systems, Minor in Business Administration
"Walking into the new classrooms for the first time."
Abraham Philip
BS Information Systems, Pennoni Honors College, Minor in Technology Innovation Management
"Attending workshops on cybersecurity with my peers."
Tejas Shah
BS Computer Science
"Working on my Senior Design project with an amazing advisor and even better teammates!!!"
Samridh Prasad
BS/MS Software Engineering
"Becoming a teaching assistant after my first co-op and all the interactions I had because of that part-time job."
Kishan Joshi
BS Computing & Security Technology
"Collaborating with students and professors from various backgrounds."
Osato Nosakhare
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence
"I enjoyed all the time I spent in the Cyber Learning Center, chatting with my peers about classes, frustrations that come with being a Computer Science student and also brainstorming on class assignments! I met some really cool people there and I’ll forever cherish my time spent with them!"
Amira Mefteh
BS Computer Science. Minor in Mathematics
"My first day as a CCI Course Assistant."
Adam Feldscher
BS/MS Computer Science
"Hanging out with friends at the CLC."
Victoria Ta
BS in Software Engineering, Minor in Digital Media
"From Rush to the 3675 Market Street location, spending time in the iCommons with friends and even strangers has always been a highlight of my time at CCI. You end up meeting so many new people and getting to interact with the wonderful community that both the faculty and students of CCI worked hard to create over these years. Really any class that I have taken alongside my fellow CCI classmates has been my favorite. It has been wonderful delving into the world of computing with both those that had prior experience and those that did not. I came into Drexel not particularly excited or certain about where I was headed with the computing field since I previously aspired to do something in the art field. But after going through it all, I have truly gained so much experience and more importantly became friends with the best people I have ever met. I am looking forward to the future and I hope all my classmates experience the best future post-graduation. Thanks for all the wonderful memories, CCI."
Alexander Hutchinson
BS Computer Science
"My roommate once drank a whole carton of chocolate milk while we were cramming for an exam."
Jennifer Drager
BS Information Systems, Minor in Legal Studies
"My favorite memory of CCI is all the students and faculty I have gotten to meet or work with. They have taught me many skills while on my professional and educational journeys and my CCI experience would have been very different without them."
Sara Nichterlein
BS Computer Science, Concentration in Game Programming and Development, Minor in Screenwriting
"My favorite memory definitely has to spending the late hours of the night working on game design projects with my friends. The weird conversations we'd all have while being sleep deprived were the funniest."
Yuvraj Sharma
BS Informatics, Minor in Psychology
"There are way too many to write here, from meeting with Will (Best Advisor EVER!!) almost every week to hanging out with friends at iCommons, and then eventually working there. However, the best one would be getting a chance to do a Senior Thesis instead of senior design. I'm really glad CCI (especially, Will Ahern, Dr. Jake Williams, and Dr. William Mongan) supported me to pursue my research goals, despite the fact that no undergrad student at CCI had done it before. I still remember jumping with excitement when I heard that CCI had approved my senior plans."
Layla Phills
BS Computing & Security Technology, Concentration in Security, Minor in Data Science
"Competing at DragonHacks my freshman year. I showed up without a project idea, team or much coding knowledge; just enthusiasm and a desire to learn something new. I ended up working on a really awesome VR project with two new friends."
David Proctor
BS Computing & Security Technology
"Learning programming and web design with others, also many other classes."
Nicole Itchon
BS Computer Science
"Getting to meet the brilliant professors and students at CCI."
Fiker Waldemeskel
BS Computer & Security Technology
"All the networking opportunity events that were held, involving great companies. The new location at 3675 is also one my favorite things from CCI."
Lucas Vitalos
BS Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics
"Several of the group projects that I participated in during my time at CCI were among my favorite experiences as a student."
Merlin Cherian
BS/MS Computer Science
"I have a ton of memories from CCI to cherish for life. I remember sitting in one of the hardest CS classes, taking a final and I had no clue what I was doing. I could see the fear on my friends’ faces. After all, the questions were easy, but the answers were not! At that exact moment, the fire alarm rings, everyone had to evacuate the building and the exam turns into a take home. The rest is history :). These past five years, I have grown so much, experienced my biggest of achievements and failures. Yet, it is remembering such little moments with friends that makes me happy. To all my dear friends from CCI, you guys have my <3, wishing you all the success in life!"
Alexis Martin
BS Information Technology & BS Cybersecurity
"Participating in Philly Codefest which was hosted right on campus in the DAC."
M.J. Tranchitella
BS Computing & Security Technology, Concentration in Security, Minor in Computer Crime
"Working as a Senior Dean’s Ambassador and seeing those students start as freshmen the next year."
Idan Hershcovich
BS Computer Science, Concentration in Game Programming and Development
"Staying up late inside the 3675 Market building with teammates and just working and listening to music with food in the meeting rooms since we had the whole building to ourselves."
Hieu Le
BS Computer Science
"Sitting and working at CCI tutoring."
Haley Lee
BS Computer Science
"2018 Philly Codefest."
Chris McCole
BS Computer Science, Concentration in Game Programming and Development, Minor in Mathematics
"Working in the CLC and meeting and talking with people who come in."
Kediel Morales
BS Computing & Security Technology, Minor in Data Science
"Walking into the iCommons for the first time in the Rush building and having the voice deny my ID scan!"
Daniel Goldschmidt
BS Computer Science
"My favorite memory from CCI was being in the CCI learning community in Myers Hall freshman year and making friendships which will last way beyond my time at Drexel."
Sean Cummings
BS Information Technology, Minor in Business Administration
"CCI Learning Community on the third floor of Myers Hall freshman year. Made friends for life!"
Tehina Otare
BS Information Systems, Minors in Computer Crime and Fine Arts
"Sitting outside in Rush Garden during a nice day. While the building itself wasn't....it, the garden was always beautiful and I have fond memories of watching the squirrels run around."
Dhruv Sachdeva
BS in Information Systems, Minor in Business Administration
"My favorite memory at CCI has to be the free pizza that was provided in the weekly University-101 classes. The pizza wasn't exactly the best, but when you're with your classmates in an easy, social-type 1-hour class, it just completes the experience."
Walimuni Tharindu Mendis
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Network Security
"My Senior Design class. After four years of learning and practicing various aspects of Computer Science and Software Engineering; this was the chance to put it all together. And working through Senior Design, I realized how easy some of the work was, given everything that my team and I had learned during our time at Drexel."
Bassey Duke
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in AI and HCI, Minor in Business Administration
"My favorite was CS380 with Professor Dario Salvucci."
Enioluwa Segun
BS Computer Science
"Chilling and studying with friends at the CCI Cybercafe when it was still at UCross."
Walt Gottlieb
BS Computer Science
"Senior project! I joined my senior project group after they had formed and they already had an idea for a game they wanted to make for the project. One day in the fall semester of my senior year, we all got together and threw around ideas for our game for about an hour, and then we had pizza and played Smash Bros and board games for another several hours. It was great."
Alexandru Cristian
BS Computer Science
"Traveling to many new, different places on Co-op and sharing those moments with my friends!"
Duc Tran
BS Computer Science
"I used to spend lots of time in the Cyber Learning Center (CLC) to work on homework. I had shared lots of memories there and my most favorite one is the 1 a.m. coffee walk with my friends during Winter [term] after we finished our work. We had many interesting conversations while enjoying with our warm cup of coffee. It is the best way to cool our heads after a long and challenging day."
Jose Dominic Arguelles
BS Software Engineering
"Working on Senior Design on the 9th floor of 3675, with the view of the city."
Brian Jopling
BS Computer Science, Concentration Computer Security
"The freedom to learn, explore, and grow during Senior Design."
Gerald DiBello
BS Computer Science
"Professor Stuart and his fun but very hard classes."
Amira Mefteh
BS Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics
"My first day as a Teaching Assistant is very special memory to me. I felt proud because I was giving back to the community that has supported me throughout my Drexel journey. It was a rewarding experience because I was contributing my acquired knowledge and skills to help my fellow students."
Shuyi Gu
BS Computer Science
"Working as a teaching assistant at CCI. I get a chance to hone my understanding of computer science and meet more people and help them."
Kishan Joshi
BS Computing & Security Technology, Minor in Business Administration
"I loved meeting students from around the world at CCI."
Jose Dominic Arguelles
BS Software Engineering, Minor in Business Administration
"Anytime I got to spend working at 3675 was a good memory. There's just something about coding with a good view and tunes."
Melvin Nunez
BS Computing & Security Technology
"Crossing the finish line."
Ariana J Bernstein
BSMS Information Systems, Interactive Digital Media Minor
"Getting involved in research with some great professors!"
Maria Dominguez
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in Human-Computer Interaction and Software Engineering, Minors in Interactive Digital Media and Chemistry
"Working in the CLC with friends."
Zhan Li
BS Computing & Security Technology
"Waiting for the class begin outside the corridor at Rush Building."
Robert Roche
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in AI and Game Programming and Development
"CS 350 with Prof. Salvage."
Ankit Patel
BS Computing & Security Technology
"During my college years, Drexel has prepared me for cutting edge computer security technology that will take me to my ultimate career goal!"
Amal Mathew
BS Software Engineering, Minor in Business Administration
"Spending time at the CCI building with friends throughout the year and getting to enjoy the views from the 10th and 11th floors of the building before graduating!"
Jefferson Bonilla
BS Software Engineering, Minor in Business Administration
"Meeting my mentor Sandesh Bhandari."
Fiker Waldemeskel
BS Computing & Security Technology
"All the beautiful views from the 3675 building and interacting with classmates and professors."
Harsh Patel
BS Computing & Security Technology
"When I had my first-ever class in Rush building."
John Tuszl
BS Computing & Security Technology, Concentration in Computer Security
"Walking around freshman year when everything was shut down due to the Pope visiting."
Jennifer Drager
BS Information Systems, Minor in Legal Studies
"All the students and faculty I have gotten to meet or work with. They have taught me many skills while on my professional and educational journeys and my CCI experience would have been very different without them."
Samridh Prasad
BS/MS Software Engineering
"All the students and faculty I got to work with as a Teaching Assistant for three years. I also cherish all the espresso runs from Elixr while working in the CS labs."
Daniel Goldschmidt
BS Computer Science
"Being in the CCI learning community in Myers Hall freshman year and making friendships which will last way beyond my time at Drexel."
Saasha Bhojwani
BS Information Systems
"Being able to meet and connect with diverse students who share the same passions as me."
Colleen Erin Kovar
BS Computer Science, Concentrations in HCI and Computer Vision
"Working for iCommons and meeting/helping people."
Tehina Otare
BS Information System, Minors in Computer Crime & Fine Arts
"I enjoyed hanging out in Rush Garden on a nice day. While most of my time was spent in iCommons, I liked seeing the flower beds and squirrels when I walked passed or stared out the window."
Dariia Kovpak
BS Data Science, Minor in Business Administration
"Getting to know more students through my part-time job at CCI Commons!"
Bryan Bolesta
BS Computing & Security Technology, Concentration in Computer Security
"Stress drinking half a gallon of chocolate milk while cramming for a CS final exam with my roommate in Towers during Freshman year."
Robert E. LaBreche
BS Computing & Security Technology
"Senior Project certainly is the highlight of my time as a student at Drexel. I get to work with 2 students who I've gotten to know during my time at Drexel to build something that we're really proud of."
Sean Cummings
BS Information Technology, Minor in Business Administration
"CCI Learning Community in the third floor of Myers Hall our freshman year. Made friends for life!"
Elijah Lorenz
BS Computing & Security Technology, Concentration in Computer Security, Minor in Computer Science
"Freshman year, there was a group of about 10 fellow CCI students living in the CCI dorm, specifically in the corner hallway. We all became close friends and talk to this day."
Ryan Murphy
BS Information Technology
"Seeing the end results of Senior Design Projects."
Sita Robinson
BS Data Science, Minor in Computer Science
"Serving as the Treasurer and President of WiCS during my time here and all the relationships gained through those experiences."
Gerald Dibello
BS Computer Science
"Professor Stuart's classes."
Siyi Lin
MS Information Systems
"Spent lots of time at CCI building doing projects."
Cassandra Morris
MS Library and Information Science
"As an online student, I enjoyed being able to virtually participate in DULASA's talks via zoom, such as when Martha Cornog stopped in to talk about graphic novels."
Kimberly Pottinger
MS Information Systems, Minor in Healthcare Informatics
"Getting to meet and work with so many talented individuals remotely. I made a lot of great memories working on group projects. I learned so much from my classmates, as we all have come from such different backgrounds - both personally and professionally."
Leah Kulp
PhD Information Science
"Getting the opportunity to travel internationally to present my research paper at CHI 2019 in Glasgow, UK with fellow CCI student and friend, Swathi Jagannath."
Sana Daher
MS Library and Information Science
"The many sleepless nights I spent to working with my group in the U.S. on INFO508 group work. The feeling of having friends across the world that I have never met in person but that I grew to be so close to because they were the only ones that understood what I was going through: the assignment challenges, the group logistics and dynamics, the time zone difference. Each of us was in a different time zone with me being 9hrs ahead, the challenge to meet and work together was not an easy one. We each had an episode of serious health emergencies that had kept us away and at times were down to half the group or just a single member "standing". We had to weather them all together but that made us mesh together into a strong team and made us even more determined to do well. This is one that I will never forget."
Michael Kaufman
MS in Data Science
"Creating a predictive distribution model of the spotted lanternfly."
Monique Mallory-Seigler
MS Information Systems
"Meeting so many diverse people online."
Ehsan Baradaran Khosroshahi
PhD in Computer Science
"When I received the graduate teaching assistant award from the department in 2013. This was my first major award at Drexel, and I was pleased and honored to receive the award from Ali Shokoufandeh and Dario Salvucci. They played an essential role in my journey at Drexel as mentors."
Anubha Barve
MS in Computer Science
"The sunset view from CCI's new building - 3675 Market 10th Floor :)"
Shubhra Mahey
MS Software Engineering, Minor in Data Science
"CCI has just been so supportive and loving, playing its part as a stepping stone to my career, like my friends and family. I just want to thank the amazing people I met along the journey, friends that pushed me through hard times, and my family for their constant support and love. Here's to a Quarantined Graduation for the class of 2020! Cheers!"
Lucy Wang
MS Library and Information Science
"In INFO 590 when we were exploring information organization, I evaluated my library's shared drive and realized that it was a bit of a mess. This led to a small task force to re-organize our J-Drive. Now it's so much easier to use and find documents!"
Qing Ping
PhD Information Science
"There are so many cherished memories with my time at CCI -- night classes at Rush building for junior year PhD classes, the annual CCI happy hours at bar for PhD students, the casual workshop sessions to talk with senior students, the empowering group lessons at Recreation Center, and the final defense!"
Murtaza Godhrawala
MS Computer Science
"Getting a Course Assistant position at CCI and the feeling of being able to contribute to CCI students' learning."
Albert Lin
MS Library and Information Science, Minor in Healthcare Informatics
"Attending seminars and networking events at CCI."
Stephanie Dillbeck
MS Information Systems
"My very first class during my very first semester. Dr. Mo (Maureen Kinkela) shared that she was an English major for undergrad (just like me!). It was a very simple similarity, but I knew at that moment that I was in the right place. Throughout my time at Drexel, Dr. Mo was a caring and dedicated teacher that really helped me adjust to graduate student life!"
Jane Lippman
MS Information, Dual Majors in Library and Information Science and Digital Content Management
"During my first quarter, a group of us in the LIS graduate program visited Eastern State Penitentiary for their Terror Behind the Walls haunted house."
Romit Nahar
MS Computer Science
"My favorite memory in CCI was my course with Prof. Boris Valerstein. This course not only helped me learn new things that are actually used in industries where I want to work but also helped me decide what is my interest and the work I will like. This is what I was looking for in Drexel and I found it. Thanking, I know it is small word to express but I have no other words for the same, all the professors, mentors, advisors, TAs and everyone who helped me educationally, emotionally mentally and financially in my journey at Drexel University."
Mary Krebs
MS Information Systems
"Learning HTML and Javascript in my first MSIS Course - INFO-532."
Rohith Lakshminarayana
MS Information Systems
"Potluck lunch."
Oishika Vaid
MS Computer Science
"Studying for exams late night in the library with some of the most amazing people I have had the opportunity to meet."
Brennan Twardowski
MS Library and Information Science
"My favorite memory of my time at Drexel includes any experience where I was learning. All of the professors were so wonderful but the classes I took with Dr. Agosto and Dr. Collins were the most memorable. Each class I learned more and I was never bored of the information. The ways they approached teaching these graduate classes were not only informational but also enjoyable; I really appreciated all of those experiences. I am extremely grateful for all of their knowledge and guidance during my time at Drexel."
Sa-de Brown
MS Library and Information Science
"Seeing the new campus for CCI for the first time."
Daniel Zuccarelli
MS Library and Information Science
"My final quarter here has been doing an independent study and having 10 solid weeks of time to dive deep into a topic that I am personally interested in. I feel like I am laying the ground work for future work and that leaves me at the end of my MLIS program only wanting more."
Anirban Das
MS Computer Science
"The time we spent in CCI Commons brainstorming and discussing about various subjects."
Ashley Diaz
MS Library and Information Science
"The entire duration of my Capstone, working at the O'Grady Library for Saint Martin's University. Having the opportunity to learn, first-hand, what the inner workings of an academic library and the relationships with other departments. The experience was invaluable to my program, and it was an incredible opportunity."
Scott Haag
PhD Computer Science
"Working with my advisor, Dr. Shokfoudandeh."
Kay Hahn
MS Library and Information Science, Concentration in Archival Science
"Learning Metadata - now the structures behind everything are revealed."
Khushali Patel
MS Information Systems
"The view from the windows of CCI."
Duy Tran
MS Library and Information Science
"My teachers and guidance counselor were amazing and supportive. I couldn’t have gotten through school without them."
Aishwarya Mundhe
MS Data Science
"You know how there is always a class that makes you fall in love with the subject. My first class DSCI 511 was that class for me taught by Prof. Jake Williams. I will always remember it as the time I fell in love with data science."
Sylvia Abobor
MS Information Systems
"The times that I worked on different projects with like minded people from all walks of life."
Geethanjali Krishnappa
MS Data Science
"My first quarter where I met many people and made new friends and learned lot of things, which I was not aware about and I would like to carry through my life. Proud to be a DRAGON."