WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.316 --> 00:00:04.346 align:middle >> Welcome to the iSchool's fifth annual convocation ceremony. 00:00:04.546 --> 00:00:08.566 align:middle I'm Dr. Sandy Hirsh, and it is my privilege to serve as professor 00:00:08.566 --> 00:00:10.806 align:middle and Director of the School of Information. 00:00:10.806 --> 00:00:15.076 align:middle Today represents the culmination of all of your hard work, 00:00:15.076 --> 00:00:17.876 align:middle and I'm extremely proud of each and every one of you. 00:00:18.326 --> 00:00:22.666 align:middle Today we are gathered for a convocation, which is a calling together. 00:00:23.196 --> 00:00:26.936 align:middle I am joined by graduating student speaker, Jean-Luc Christiansen, 00:00:26.936 --> 00:00:30.166 align:middle and our innovated convocation speaker, Luis Herrera. 00:00:30.166 --> 00:00:34.146 align:middle I am delighted to have them both be part of this ceremony today. 00:00:34.396 --> 00:00:39.916 align:middle We will end today's convocation with a special video dedicated to our graduates 00:00:39.916 --> 00:00:42.166 align:middle that was prepared by our student leaders. 00:00:43.096 --> 00:00:48.036 align:middle We are here today together to celebrate your achievements, which you accomplished 00:00:48.036 --> 00:00:52.046 align:middle with the love and support of dear family, friends, and colleagues. 00:00:52.046 --> 00:00:56.356 align:middle Many of you thanked your parents, siblings, spouses, partners and children, 00:00:56.356 --> 00:01:01.846 align:middle and even your pets on your graduate profile page of the virtual convocation website. 00:01:01.996 --> 00:01:05.876 align:middle It was really heartwarming to read your posts. 00:01:05.876 --> 00:01:10.156 align:middle I hope that those special to you have joined the session to celebrate with you today. 00:01:10.566 --> 00:01:14.826 align:middle Family and friends who are online, please post a congratulatory message 00:01:14.826 --> 00:01:17.286 align:middle on your graduate's page after the ceremony. 00:01:17.286 --> 00:01:21.156 align:middle You can also hear each graduate's name read out with their degree 00:01:21.156 --> 00:01:23.646 align:middle on the virtual convocation website. 00:01:23.646 --> 00:01:25.696 align:middle You will find the recordings of the speeches 00:01:25.696 --> 00:01:28.926 align:middle on the virtual convocation website within the next couple of days. 00:01:29.576 --> 00:01:36.066 align:middle This is our school's 50th convocation since we first achieved accreditation 00:01:36.066 --> 00:01:38.086 align:middle from the American Library Association. 00:01:38.826 --> 00:01:44.156 align:middle Our mission is to educate information professionals who contribute to the wellbeing 00:01:44.196 --> 00:01:49.076 align:middle of our global communities and to expand the library and information science knowledge base 00:01:49.076 --> 00:01:51.066 align:middle through research and scholarship. 00:01:51.426 --> 00:01:53.846 align:middle There is so much to celebrate as a school. 00:01:54.606 --> 00:01:59.996 align:middle One of the many highlights of this academic year is that our school became the 97th member 00:01:59.996 --> 00:02:05.936 align:middle of the iSchools Organization, a consortium of global information schools dedicated 00:02:05.936 --> 00:02:10.786 align:middle to advancing the information profession and supporting the iSchool movement. 00:02:10.786 --> 00:02:15.016 align:middle As part of the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant 00:02:15.086 --> 00:02:19.336 align:middle to investigate the potential blockchain technology, we offered a MOOC, 00:02:19.336 --> 00:02:22.566 align:middle which is a massive open online course, on blockchain 00:02:22.566 --> 00:02:26.316 align:middle and decentralization for the information industries. 00:02:26.316 --> 00:02:31.346 align:middle And we had an enrollment of nearly 1,000 participants from all around the world. 00:02:31.756 --> 00:02:35.806 align:middle We also expanded our programs with the addition of a third masters degree, 00:02:35.966 --> 00:02:38.836 align:middle an MS in informatics, which will begin this fall. 00:02:39.066 --> 00:02:45.146 align:middle Our students, under the direction of Professor Bernier, founded a new student group focused 00:02:45.146 --> 00:02:49.096 align:middle on helping first generation students navigate graduate school. 00:02:49.226 --> 00:02:54.586 align:middle Today's student speaker, Jean-Luc Christiansen, was also instrumental in the formation 00:02:54.586 --> 00:02:58.536 align:middle of this group, serving as its first student president. 00:02:58.536 --> 00:03:03.816 align:middle Another highlight is the publishing of the international directory of national archives, 00:03:03.816 --> 00:03:07.946 align:middle a feat tirelessly worked on by faculty, alumni, and students. 00:03:08.096 --> 00:03:14.406 align:middle Our program offerings cover the gamut of career opportunities in information professions. 00:03:14.756 --> 00:03:20.346 align:middle We offer a nationally ranked and accredited MLIS degree, the teacher librarian credential, 00:03:20.346 --> 00:03:25.156 align:middle an advanced certificate in strategic management of digital assets and services, 00:03:25.156 --> 00:03:31.236 align:middle a post-masters certificate in library and information science, and a gateway PhD program. 00:03:31.726 --> 00:03:36.476 align:middle This is the third year that we have graduates who have earned the MLIS or MARA degree 00:03:36.476 --> 00:03:41.186 align:middle and the advanced certificate in digital assets and services at the same time. 00:03:41.186 --> 00:03:44.916 align:middle Today, we honor graduates from all of these programs. 00:03:46.006 --> 00:03:52.106 align:middle We are celebrating the achievements of 580 students who are graduating today. 00:03:52.166 --> 00:03:54.626 align:middle Since all of our programs are delivered online, 00:03:54.666 --> 00:03:58.086 align:middle we have students from all 50 states and six countries. 00:03:58.416 --> 00:04:01.996 align:middle We are grateful that they have interested their education to us. 00:04:02.086 --> 00:04:06.786 align:middle Our graduates today represent a good cross section of the overall student body, 00:04:06.886 --> 00:04:10.366 align:middle representing the United States, Canada, and Lebanon. 00:04:10.576 --> 00:04:15.366 align:middle Our graduates frequently commented on their graduation profiles 00:04:15.366 --> 00:04:18.916 align:middle that they enjoyed having the opportunity to meet people from all 00:04:18.916 --> 00:04:20.806 align:middle around the world in their classes. 00:04:21.296 --> 00:04:26.316 align:middle One student explained, "while in the program, I had the opportunity of working with students 00:04:26.316 --> 00:04:29.426 align:middle from around the world, especially from the United States and Korea. 00:04:30.106 --> 00:04:35.016 align:middle We respected and learned from each other's diverse cultures, we shared our experiences, 00:04:35.016 --> 00:04:38.536 align:middle and shared different work environments and career pathways." 00:04:39.406 --> 00:04:43.526 align:middle Another student shared how learning with students from all around the world helped her 00:04:43.526 --> 00:04:47.246 align:middle to understand the ways public libraries are similar and differ 00:04:47.246 --> 00:04:48.876 align:middle in different areas of the country. 00:04:49.826 --> 00:04:51.986 align:middle The diversity of perspectives present 00:04:51.986 --> 00:04:56.156 align:middle in our online programs is also a unique benefit for our students. 00:04:56.156 --> 00:05:00.096 align:middle A graduate explained that, "the breadth of exposure to new ideas 00:05:00.096 --> 00:05:03.906 align:middle and differing worldviews has greatly broadened my own field of thought." 00:05:04.096 --> 00:05:09.706 align:middle It is gratifying to see how well prepared our graduates are to serve our global communities. 00:05:10.556 --> 00:05:15.576 align:middle Graduates also expressed that if it weren't for the flexibility of the online format, 00:05:15.576 --> 00:05:18.726 align:middle they would have not been able to obtain their educational goals. 00:05:18.916 --> 00:05:22.256 align:middle For example, graduates shared some of the things that they liked best 00:05:22.256 --> 00:05:27.046 align:middle about online learning were being able to work a full-time job in the evenings 00:05:27.046 --> 00:05:30.256 align:middle and complete coursework at the early hours of 3 am. 00:05:30.816 --> 00:05:36.106 align:middle "Listening to lectures in bed and meeting people I would never have connected with otherwise." 00:05:36.386 --> 00:05:40.186 align:middle Getting to know some incredibly brilliantly fellow students and learning 00:05:40.186 --> 00:05:42.836 align:middle from very supportive and creative professors. 00:05:43.206 --> 00:05:48.206 align:middle "Finishing my MLIS at the pace I chose and during the hours that worked for me." 00:05:48.916 --> 00:05:51.806 align:middle And also "being able to complete internships 00:05:51.806 --> 00:05:56.786 align:middle and gain valuable experience while completing my coursework." 00:05:56.786 --> 00:05:59.836 align:middle I also appreciated our graduates' honesty in their comments 00:05:59.836 --> 00:06:04.116 align:middle about what they're looking forward next now that they've completed the program. 00:06:04.216 --> 00:06:10.376 align:middle Common responses included relaxing, reading for pleasure, "free time with my family," 00:06:10.646 --> 00:06:14.126 align:middle no homework, catching up on sleep, and traveling. 00:06:14.206 --> 00:06:19.316 align:middle I hope you will visit our virtual convocation website and browse their graduate profiles. 00:06:20.566 --> 00:06:24.916 align:middle We offer our students a broad range of courses enabling them to design their curriculum 00:06:24.916 --> 00:06:27.456 align:middle to best meet their needs and trusts. 00:06:27.456 --> 00:06:31.756 align:middle As an example, our courses range from the study of early manuscripts and books 00:06:31.756 --> 00:06:34.946 align:middle to the management and curation of digital assets. 00:06:35.666 --> 00:06:39.816 align:middle We offer many outstanding opportunities for students to get involved in the school, 00:06:39.816 --> 00:06:44.236 align:middle such as serving on the editorial board of the school's student research journal, 00:06:44.236 --> 00:06:47.016 align:middle helping other students as peer mentors, 00:06:47.016 --> 00:06:51.776 align:middle and participating in award winning student chapters of professional associations. 00:06:52.766 --> 00:06:58.586 align:middle Our school offers many ways to engage with other information professionals and to keep current, 00:06:58.586 --> 00:07:03.306 align:middle such as our highly successful Virtual Library 2.0 conferences. 00:07:03.306 --> 00:07:06.546 align:middle As new alumni, it is my hope that you will participate 00:07:06.546 --> 00:07:13.156 align:middle in the upcoming Library 2.0 '19 mini conferences on June 5th focused on open data, 00:07:13.156 --> 00:07:16.676 align:middle and on October 30th focused on emerging technologies. 00:07:16.856 --> 00:07:21.816 align:middle These are great ways to build your professional connections, share your knowledge with others, 00:07:21.816 --> 00:07:23.726 align:middle and continue your lifelong learning. 00:07:23.806 --> 00:07:28.726 align:middle Our open classes program enables professionals to take just a single class 00:07:28.726 --> 00:07:32.246 align:middle or two in our program without being matriculated students. 00:07:32.246 --> 00:07:36.356 align:middle These are all excellent ways that you can continue your professional development 00:07:36.356 --> 00:07:39.336 align:middle and connection with the school after you graduate. 00:07:39.336 --> 00:07:43.666 align:middle We also offer free online webinars featuring experts in the field on a variety 00:07:43.666 --> 00:07:46.306 align:middle of relevant topics, including career guidance. 00:07:46.996 --> 00:07:51.116 align:middle We are very fortunate to have exceptional, award winning faculty, students, 00:07:51.116 --> 00:07:55.236 align:middle and alumni who are influencing the future of the information profession. 00:07:55.236 --> 00:08:00.656 align:middle Just to mention a couple of highlights, this year, our alumni were selected 00:08:00.656 --> 00:08:05.336 align:middle for the American Library Association's coveted "I Love My Librarian" award, 00:08:05.686 --> 00:08:08.726 align:middle and Library Journal's movers and shakers award. 00:08:08.826 --> 00:08:14.396 align:middle 10 of our students were selected as 2018 ALA spectrum scholars. 00:08:14.396 --> 00:08:20.646 align:middle And five alumni and one student are among the ALA emerging leaders class of 2019. 00:08:20.736 --> 00:08:25.206 align:middle I would also like to recognize the four exceptional students who were selected 00:08:25.206 --> 00:08:27.756 align:middle to receive a director's award for excellence 00:08:27.756 --> 00:08:31.946 align:middle for their outstanding efforts during their graduate program. 00:08:31.946 --> 00:08:36.336 align:middle One was awarded an intellectual inquiry to Karen Bliss. 00:08:36.336 --> 00:08:40.306 align:middle One was awarded in diversity and inclusion to Victor Bets. 00:08:40.306 --> 00:08:45.686 align:middle And one was focused on innovation, and that was awarded to Karen Nicewinder. 00:08:46.026 --> 00:08:51.146 align:middle And one was awarded for building community, and that was awarded to Jennifer Castle. 00:08:51.606 --> 00:08:56.766 align:middle I would like to acknowledge our faculty who are joining us today, 00:08:56.766 --> 00:09:01.906 align:middle and our staff who have worked hard to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the iSchool. 00:09:02.406 --> 00:09:07.406 align:middle We all work to support you in your education and as you enter the professional world. 00:09:07.406 --> 00:09:13.236 align:middle As San Jose State University graduates, you bear the responsibility today and tomorrow 00:09:13.236 --> 00:09:19.486 align:middle for demonstrating the impact that librarians and information professionals have on the wellbeing 00:09:19.486 --> 00:09:23.726 align:middle of their communities, whether it's in college and university environments, 00:09:23.816 --> 00:09:26.656 align:middle government environments, school environments, 00:09:26.736 --> 00:09:30.606 align:middle public library environments, or corporate environments. 00:09:30.606 --> 00:09:33.586 align:middle Congratulations to all of you, you've done it. 00:09:33.586 --> 00:09:35.686 align:middle You should be proud of your accomplishments. 00:09:35.686 --> 00:09:38.776 align:middle We certainly are.