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2019 Commencement Speakers

 

Glass-Kreuter Award Winner (Faculty)

Peter Pece, PhD

Peter Pece photoDr. Peter Pece has been an educator for over four decades, first as a teacher and administrator, and then as a lecturer for the School of Professional Development, where he teaches foundation courses for our Liberal Studies and teacher education programs.

Dr. Pece earned his PhD in the field of Neuromusicology, and he shares this expertise in his very popular course, “Music and the Brain” – a course that examines issues involved in how the brain processes music, memory and language. He is also a professional musician, having performed at Lincoln Center, and for world leaders and noted dignitaries.

Since 1993, he has been the musical director of the Children’s Theater at Gateway Playhouse. His experience as a musical director – where he leads people through formal play – undoubtedly informs his teaching. He has an entertaining style that endears him to his students and encourages them to engage in the material from both a personal and professional perspective.

According to one student, “He is passionate about what he does and it shows through his instruction. Dr. Pece made each learning experience unique and entertaining. I had him my first semester at Stony Brook, and three years later, he still sticks out in my mind as the best professor I've had!”

In addition to teaching, Peter has provided many years of service to SPD’s Curriculum Committee, where he gives constructive feedback on course proposals and offers his strong academic perspective on all of our graduate offerings.

 

Dean's Choice Award Winners (Students)

 

Ilysse Blatt, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies

Ilysse Blatt PhotoIlysse Blatt is a graduate from SPD’s first cohort of students from Family Residences and Essential Enterprises. This is an organization that supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. Ilysse and her colleagues completed the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program with a concentration in Human Services.

One of her professors, Judy Weissman, characterizes Ilysse as “a very caring individual, which comes through in her work.” She is also “a diligent, involved student who exhibits leadership qualities and is an excellent communicator…When Ilysse speaks, people listen. Her combination of intelligence, drive, competence and people skills have earned Ilysse respect from all who know her.”

 

 

 


 Bisma Khan, Master of Science in Human Resource Management

Bisma Khan PhotoBisma Khan arrived from Pakistan in August 2017 to study Human Resource Management at Stony Brook University. Her path to pursuing higher education was not a straight, upward trajectory. It was characterized by a language barrier and some false starts. Bisma, however, was determined to succeed. When an internship opportunity took her to New York City, she commuted to campus four evenings a week for class. Each night, she would return to her apartment at 1 am just to get up a few hours later to start all over again. Bisma not only managed these challenges, she excelled. She went on to distinguish herself academically, earning a 3.83 GPA and co-authoring two journal articles.

Of her journey, she said, “Getting here was not easy, but it was a dream come true.”

Program director Dr. John Coverdale, offered these thoughts on Bisma: “In all my years of teaching in the program, I don’t recall any other student who traveled a greater distance in terms of maturity, mastery of content, purpose, and clarity of thought. Unquestionably, Bisma’s future, will be exceptionally bright.”