Class of 2015 cherishes Brandeis moments, anticipates future

Photo/Allison Milligan

Sean Judkins-Boeri '15

In the hour before Brandeis’ 64th Commencement got underway, small and large groups of the Class of 2015 mugged for the camera as friends and family clicked away exuberantly, indifferent to the morning heat.

Clustered outside of Gosman, the soon-to-be alumni recounted their Brandeis experience with affection, a note of sadness and huge pride. They included Roosevelt Fellows, summa cum laude graduates, medical school admits, an ultimate Frisbee player, the founder of a cyber security company, and students from around the world.

Michelle Wexler’s attitude about graduation seemed representative: “I’ve loved every minute of Brandeis, but I suppose, if they tell me I need to do something else, I will.” Wexler, from Scarsdale, NY, heads to Amsterdam in a few days to intern at the Anne Frank House over the summer. In September, she begins a master’s in social work at Columbia University.

Nearby, a cluster of friends, all Health: Science, Society and Policy majors, showed just how versatile the degree is. Bronx natives Mariella Tejada and Helen Lee landed jobs in health administration and market research, while another HSSP major, Sarah Brugge, from Albuquerque, will start a master’s in social work at Boston College in August.

Brugge summed up their favorite collective Brandeis experience: “The nights you stay up with friends and talk about everything and nothing.”

Lee added that being an Orientation leader, sharing her love and knowledge of Brandeis, was also special. Sean Judkins-Boeri’s most Brandeisian moment was playing on the men’s ultimate Frisbee team, which today competes for the national championship in Chicago. Judkins-Boeri, on the team for one year, opted to attend Commencement.

Roosevelt Fellow Karan Malik said his favorite moment occurred when he successfully defended his thesis, for which he received highest honors. “Graduation is about achievement and celebrating achievement,” said Malik, who is applying to dual MD/PhD programs.

Amid the celebratory atmosphere, seniors said they were ready for the next step, but would not leave Brandeis behind. Said Roy Fan, an economics and politics double major who plans to attend law school: “I’ve never felt more at home than here.”