Commencement celebrations started Friday, May 19, with the traditional School of Social Work barbecue on the front lawn.

The School of Social Work 2016 convocation ceremony took place in Bass Concert Hall on Saturday, May 20. The convocation speakers for the ceremony were Anthony Orion Nunez, BSW ’17, and Maya Angelica Williams, MSSW’17.

Class speaker Maya Williams

In her speech, Williams encouraged her graduating classmates to find and use their voices in their future social work practice: “Now that we have learned valuable social work skills, we are sitting among future therapists, directors, counselors, policy makers, and university professors. We will be able to promote policies that reflect the needs of minority groups, work with diverse clients, and contribute to organizations that fight for community change. We must give back as we have committed ourselves to the social work code of ethics that can guide us through our practice (…) As former President Obama once said ‘Your voice can change the world!’ So go out there and lift your voice!” (read the full speech).

See more pictures of the convocation ceremony on the School of Social Work Facebook page. See coverage of the convocation ceremony of  Fox News 7.