Celebrating the Class of 2020
Congratulatory Remarks
Tamal Bose, Department Head
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Congratulations! You made it.
Today is the day you join an elite group of University of Arizona ECE alumni. You worked hard to get here, and you deserve the recognition. ECE is one of the toughest majors on campus ̶ long hours poring over homework, persevering in the lab, studying for exams, designing projects and running computer program after computer program.
You pressed on and overcame all the challenges, some like we’ve never seen before. I am deeply sorry the COVID-19 pandemic has caused such hardship and loss. And I regret that traditional 2020 convocation ceremonies were canceled. Everyone in ECE is so very proud of you. We are celebrating your achievements and cheering you on, even if from a distance.
Now is the time to look forward and discover new opportunities, no matter how difficult things may seem. Keep following your passion, find your line of work, and make people’s lives better. The world is counting on you!
You are among graduates pursuing exciting careers not only in engineering but also in medicine, law, business, finance, and even politics. Our alumni are successful scientists, engineers, explorers and entrepreneurs working in government and industry and for themselves across the entire spectrum of professions.
So in a sense, this degree is actually the beginning of your journey. You triumphed academically, and no doubt you will do well professionally. After all, you have an ECE degree, and you are a Wildcat! You may even become rich and famous. But ultimately you will be known for how you treat others ̶ for your kindness, humility and service.
Be sure to thank everyone who has been there for you along the way, and show your appreciation for their crucial support and guidance.
We look forward to you visiting soon and can’t wait to hear all about your endeavors.
Bear Down!
Tamal Bose, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Head
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Celebrating the ECE Class of 2020 Booklet
Congratulations ECE Class of 2020. We will miss you. Keep your heads high, stay safe, and Bear Down!
Acknowledgements and Awards
Outstanding Students
Each semester, the College of Engineering honors outstanding students nominated by their professors and department heads.
Outstanding Senior
Michael Bullock
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant
Konor Klein
Outstanding Graduate Student
Ao Li
Outstanding Graduate Student
Berk Akgun
ECE Engineering Ambassadors
Engineering Ambassadors (EA) share information about the College and their passion for Engineering – all from a student’s perspective. They are chosen based on their outstanding academic performance, involvement in research and internships, leadership experiences, and enthusiasm for engineering and education.
Jessica Sofka
- Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Minor: Mathematics
- Years as EA: 3 years
- Involved in Phi Sigma Rho, Society of Women Engineers, and Women in Engineering Programming Board
- Held internships with Iridium Satellite in Tempe and at Walt Disney Imagineering in CA
- Plans after graduation: accepted a position with Target as a Software Engineer in Minneapolis, MN
Diana Thurgood
- Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Years as EA: 2 years
- Member of officer board for the Society of Women Engineers
- Served as an Engineering Peer Mentor
- Held internships with Principal Financial Group in IA and Garmin International in Tucson, AZ
- Plans after graduation: accepted a position with Garmin International as a Software Engineer here in Tucson
Awards for Excellent Performance at the Student Interface
The annual Student Interface Awards for Excellence recognize ECE faculty, staff and teaching assistants who support our students by making them feel they are essential and valued members of the university community.
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant
Connor Fuhrman
Outstanding Staff
Alexis Vasquez
Undergraduate Advisor
Outstanding Faculty, Junior
Kay Thamvichai
Professor
Outstanding Faculty, Senior
Michael Marcellin
Regents’ Professor
With questions about access or to request any disability-related accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this convocation celebration such as ASL interpreting, CART captioning, captioned videos, Braille, or electronic text, etc., please contact: Ariel Fisher, Events Coordinator, College of Engineering, Office of Academic Affairs: 520.621.4018 or arielfisher@email.arizona.edu.