Graduate School doctoral hooding ceremony is May 8

Graduate School doctoral hooding ceremony is May 8April 28, 2009Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s Graduate School will hold its annual doctoral hooding ceremony, honoring the 2009 doctoral degree candidates, on Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. Doctoral degrees will be presented to more than 120 students at Commencement on May 10.

The invitation-only event will begin with opening remarks by Ben Ware, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. The 2009 William Wasserstrom Prize for the Teaching of Graduate Students will be awarded to Mark Bowick, professor of physics in The College of Arts and Sciences. George Langford, dean of The College of Arts and Sciences, will present the award.

Doctoral prizes will be presented by Gabby Chapman, associate dean of the Graduate School, followed by the hooding ceremony and a reception. This year’s Graduate School marshal is Jeffrey J. Oxman.

The Wasserstrom Prize is presented annually by The College of Arts and Sciences in memory of Professor William Wasserstrom, a former faculty member in the Department of English. The award, which carries a cash prize, recognizes a tenured faculty member who, in the view of students and colleagues, best exemplifies the following qualities: being a recognized scholar whose work is characterized by its originality and distinctive character; having an outstanding record of effective training of graduate students; and actively participating in the intellectual and institutional life of the University, college and department.

Bowick has been associated with SU since 1987 and was promoted to full professor in 1998. One of his former students notes that he is “an excellent physicist devoted to being in the front line of the current research in theoretical high-energy and condensed-matter physics.” The nominating letter notes that he is a “courageous scientist” and has shifted subfields when his scientific vision has diverged from conventional approaches.

Bowick is director of graduate studies for the physics department, a role where he displays a genuine and deep interest in every student. His classroom approach encompasses both the weakest and the strongest students, challenging the latter while making material clear to the former. His own students note that he has been an inspiring and dedicated mentor. One says, “His passion and commitment to science served me many times as a guide.” He goes on to say, “Mark Bowick stands out as an exceptional scientist, educator and human being.”