The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) recently celebrated the commencement ceremonies for Spring 2024 graduates, which took place on May 10th and 11th.
More than 4,000 UTRGV graduates received their diplomas from nine different colleges, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Sciences, and the Mathematics and Science Academy.
One of the graduates was Intisar Qubbaj, a first-generation American, who received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Her father, Dr. Ala Qubbaj, who also happens to be the dean of the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science, proudly handed her the diploma during the ceremony.
Intisar is planning to continue her education at Rice University in Houston, where she will work towards a PhD in Materials Science.
For Intisar, this was a momentous occasion.
She said, “Having my father hand me my diploma feels full circle. It’s a moment I’ve worked hard for, and having him there to share it with me means everything.”
Her father expressed his pride in her as both a father and dean. While he had handed out thousands of diplomas to students before, this was the first time he had the honor of handing one to his daughter.
Intisar also shared her experience at UTRGV, including her research with the Partnership for Research and Education in Materials Science (PREM) and the lifelong friends she made.
She believes that embracing new ideas and experiences, while not being afraid to fail, is the key to success.
When asked about her message to current students pursuing their degrees, Intisar had an inspiring response: “Don’t let fear of failure hold you back from taking challenges. Always stay curious, ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek new experiences.“
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