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Prelude

Daniel E. Schwandt
University Organist and Lecturer of Music

Land Acknowledgement

Carter Robinson
Director of Community Values,
Engagement, & Sustainability

Musical Selection

Sonata for Flute and Piano, I. Giocoso
Jindřich Feld (1925-2007)

Call to Prayer

Cole A. Brower ’26 and Annika R. Schmidt ’26 – Christianity
Ujjwal Acharya ’26 and Nadika Sharma ’26 – Hinduism
Mehdi Ehsani ’26 – Islam
Shoshana N. Schmit ’26 – Judaism

Musical Selection

“Der Müller und der Bach” from Die schöne Müllerin
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Welcome and Introduction of the Speaker

Laurie A. Carter
President of �������ý��Ƶ

Address to the Class of 2026

Dr. Constance Kassor
Chair of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel
Humanities Center at Cuyahoga Community College

Musical Selection

Intermezzo, op. 118, no. 2
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Closing Reflection

Terra R. Winston-Sage ’00
Julie Esch Hurvis Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life

Postlude

Daniel E. Schwandt

Dr. Constance Kassor

Dr. Constance Kassor is a former �������ý��Ƶ professor of Religious Studies and current chair of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Humanities Center at Cuyahoga Community College. A scholar of Buddhist thought and Asian religious traditions, her work often explores the value of slowing down and doing less in a world that constantly asks us to do more.

Kassor garnered national attention for her immensely popular “Doing Nothing” course that focused on showing students how to disconnect from daily pressures to be fully present mentally, physically, and emotionally. Her forthcoming book, “Awakened Awareness,” examines the nature of knowledge through the work of a 15th-century Tibetan Buddhist philosopher.

Featured Musicians

Rebecca J. Reynolds ’27 is a flutist from Michigan in her 4th year at �������ý��Ƶ, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Her performances at �������ý��Ƶ have included over a dozen world premieres of new works, with groups including the �������ý��Ƶ New Music Ensemble, �������ý��Ƶ Opera Orchestra, Millennium Composers’ Initiative, and American Composers Orchestra’s Earshot readings. She was recently featured as a guest soloist with the Gaylord Community Orchestra.

Qiaochuhan Li ’26 is a pianist born in Ürümqi, China. Qiaochuhan is an avid chamber musician whose repertoire ranges from J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Four Harpsichords to George Crumb’s Vox Balaenae. Her piano trio, with violinist Ben Frueh and cellist David Smith, was a national finalist in the 2026 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. Qiaochuhan recently completed an honors project examining Mo Zhou’s contemporary reimagining of Madama Butterfly while finishing her undergraduate studies in piano performance, global studies, and East Asian studies. This fall, Qiaochuhan will begin her master’s degree in chamber music at the Tianjin Juilliard School on a full scholarship.

Annika R. Schmidt ’26 is a dual-degree student from Appleton, WI. She is a cellist from the studio of Kivie Cahn-Lipman and is also a linguist. With a passion for chamber music, Annika enjoys performing with her piano quintet, the �������ý��Ƶ Symphony Orchestra, and the worship team at her local church. When she is not playing cello, she likes to bake, study languages, and spend time with family. Annika plans to attend graduate school at the Eastman School of Music in the fall, where she will pursue a master’s degree in cello performance.

ASL Interpretation provided by ASL Partners, LLC

Music Acknowledgement

Jindřich Feld’s Sonata for Flute and Piano is frequently performed by virtuoso flautists. Composed in 1957, the Sonata is elaborate and quirky, and movement I, Giocoso (playful), is known for its fast semiquaver (16th note) flourishes. Feld’s style is deeply rooted in the Czech musical tradition, but he also integrated the main styles of 20th-century Western music.

Production Acknowledgements

A very special thank you to the following:

Alvina J. Tan ’06 and Brent T. Hauer ’10 for their assistance with production.
Christopher S. Jenkins, Samantha George, and Andrew Mast for organizing our musicians.