Graduating Binghamton University students listened to two of their peers speak at the third annual fall commencement ceremony Sunday.
Anthony Corvino, a senior majoring in political science, spoke on behalf of the undergraduate students, while Ida Jones, who is obtaining her doctorate in translation studies, spoke on behalf of the graduate-level students.
Corvino, who is hoping to eventually teach elementary education, said he applied for the opportunity to be a commencement speaker when the announcement was first posted on B-Line.
According to Corvino, to apply, he was asked to provide two professor recommendations and take an interview where he was asked to read a rough copy of his final speech.
At the time of print, Corvino hoped his speech communicated many aspects that he felt were important to his success at the University, such as friends, family and identity-searching.
“I was told [the commencement speakers] are supposed to come up with a speech that makes everyone laugh, moms cry and leave everyone with a warm feeling on the inside,” he added.
As a stand-up comedian, Corvino was hoping to hit all of these points, especially making everyone laugh.
One of Corvino’s various pastimes at BU includes performing with and writing for The Wad, a comedy magazine started by BU’s English professor Ryan Vaughan.
In his spare time Corvino also enjoys roller hockey, an activity he has been actively participating in through the Binghamton Roller Hockey Team.
“I started out joining roller hockey my freshman year and it’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “We get to play in tournaments and it’s a great bonding experience.”
Overall, Corvino is very thankful for his experiences at Binghamton University.
Corvino will be coming back to BU to take courses during the spring 2010 semester as an unregistered student, in order to prepare for a degree in education.
Jones, who spoke for the graduate studies students, was asked if she would like to be the commencement speaker.
Her doctorate in translation studies comes after a long educational career.
Jones received her bachelor’s degree in French with a minor in computer science in 1998 from the State University of New York at Oswego.
She later obtained her master’s degree in computer science from the Watson School of Engineering at BU in 2004 and began her doctoral work in the fall of that year.
According to Jones, she actually finished her doctoral degree work in August 2009, but had to enroll this semester to properly apply for her degree and receive the diploma.
Despite her creative choice of studies, her doctorate in translations is not much of a stretch for her.
“Getting a translation studies degree was not really a jump from computer science,” she said. “I’ve always felt as though I have been walking between the two fields.”
In her spare time on campus, Jones is quite involved.
She actively participated in the Binghamton University ballroom dance team from 2002 to 2008, captaining the team from 2004 to 2006.
Jones also continues to participate in the Binghamton University chorus.
“I didn’t enroll for credit but it is really a wonderful opportunity to perform,” she said.
Jones is hoping to go into the field of translations before possibly continuing work in academia.
“If I decide to teach, then I would like to have a good wealth of experience in the industry,” she said.
Corvino and Jones joined their class at graduation on Sunday, Dec. 13. at noon in the Events Center.