Guarini Investiture Honors Graduate Students

Sanyukta Shiv Kumar, a master of liberal arts studies (MALS) graduate, receiving their hood during the Guarini School's 2025 Investiture ceremony. Photo: Eli Burakian

The Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies recognized 273 graduate students during its 2025 Investiture ceremony on Saturday, June 14, on the Dartmouth Green.

Faculty, families, and friends gathered to celebrate the achievements of 123 PhD, 114 Master of Science, 23 Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, ten Master of Arts, and—for the first time—three Master of Fine Arts degree recipients. Rodrigo Martinez Torres, one of the inaugural MFA graduates, served as master's marshal.

Nearly half of this year's graduates came from outside the United States. The international cohort included 120 students from 29 countries—from Albania to Vietnam—reflecting the global reach of Guarini's student population.

Dartmouth leaders including Dean F. Jon Kull '88, Provost David Kotz '86, Trustee Odette Harris '91, Dean Duane Compton, and Dean Elizabeth Smith joined in the celebration. Allison Bailey '87, chair of the Guarini Board of Advisors and a managing director at Boston Consulting Group, delivered the keynote address.

"Science and research, at their core, are an act of hope," Bailey told graduates. "They say: the world is not yet what it could be. And I believe we can make it better. You are not just stepping into that world—you are building it. One idea, one conversation, one bold step at a time."

Dean Kull expressed gratitude to faculty, family members, and mentors, and Provost Kotz, marking his final Guarini Investiture before stepping down, reflected on the meaning of academic work in a time of uncertainty.

"You leave here with more than a diploma: you leave with a voice. A voice the world desperately needs—in labs, in boardrooms, in classrooms, and in community meetings," said Kotz. "Use that voice to defend the freedom to think. To lead with curiosity, not certainty. To be precise in your work, but generous in your spirit."

Recognizing Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Teaching

Each year, the Guarini School honors a select group of graduate students for exemplary achievement.

Luke Fannin, a PhD graduate in ecology, evolution, environment, and society, received the Hannah T. Croasdale Award, which recognizes a graduating doctoral student who best exemplifies the qualities of academic excellence and personal commitment demonstrated by Dr. Croasdale during her career at Dartmouth.

"Luke's approach to science is deeply rigorous and profoundly humane," said Dean Kull. "Whether in the lab, the classroom, or in collaboration with peers, he embodies the values at the heart of the Croasdale Award—intellectual rigor, integrity, and a deep commitment to the academic community."

Xin Li, a graduate in molecular and cellular biology, received the John W. Strohbehn Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research, which recognizes a student whose scientific research is complemented by a strong commitment to teaching.

In the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program, four students received Byam Shaw-Brownstone Thesis Excellence Awards:

Kehinde "Kenny" Aruwajoye (General Liberal Studies)
McIntosh Bazile (Cultural Studies)
Baptiste Gibrat (Globalization Studies)
Rebecca Shepard (Creative Writing)

Following the ceremony, graduates and guests gathered at a reception hosted by the Guarini School to celebrate their accomplishments, enjoy the community, and mark a significant milestone.

Watch the full ceremony.

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