“Class of 2021 has demonstrated some of the finest qualities of an engineer,” says SJSU engineering dean

 

POSTED ON May 28, 2021

 

San Jose State University celebrated the graduating Class of 2021 this week. According to SJSU, following the live-streamed kick-off event, recognition websites, one for each college, opened to the public for on-demand view.

Dr. Sheryl Ehrman, dean of the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering, posted a video message to the engineering spring class of 2021. She encouraged the graduates to look forward to crossing the stage when things return to normal. Below is an excerpt from her speech.

“Here we are at the end of the academic year, a year that seems to have surprises around every bend,” said Dean Ehrman in her video message. “In the spring semester last year, the world threw a stunning curveball into your plans and into the plans of your families and the community. Since then, all of us have had experiences and shouldered burdens that we had not encountered before. Nevertheless, you arrived here at the finish line.

“It is my honor to recognize you. Although you represent thousands of personalities, experiences, and perspectives, you as a class share three essential characteristics: Your ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances under pressure, your resourcefulness in figuring how the new ways work and how to make them work for you. And finally, your determination to finish. 

“You have met and cleared every hurdle, both within our rigorous academic programs and hurdles imposed by our current circumstances. Class of 2021, you have demonstrated some of the finest qualities of an engineer. You are problem solvers, I know you will go very far, and you will take our society with you,” she said.

Dr. Ehrman has served as the Don Beall Dean of the College of Engineering at San Jose State University since 2017. As dean, she oversees 26 academic programs that serve 6500+ students, as well as the college of engineering’s research enterprise