Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Commencement

December 14, 2024

Order of Ceremony

Processional – Colorado State Brass Quintet

Presentation of Colors – Air Force ROTC Wing Walker Honor Guard

National Anthem – Nathan Messina-Anderson and Audience

Welcome – Dean Allen Robinson

Land Acknowledgment – Dr. Melissa Burt

Introduction of the Platform Party – Dean Robinson

Announcement of Newly Commissioned Officer(s) – Capt Allen Plack

Recognition of First Generation Graduates – Dr. Burt

Recognition of Honorary Society Members and University Honors Program Scholars  – Dr. Sam Bechara

Student Speaker – Mikayla Cox

Commencement Address – Susan Benzel

Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees

Presentation of Class – Dr. Bechara

Conferring of Degrees – Dr. Marion Underwood

Diploma Distribution – Dean Robinson and Department Heads

Charge to the Graduates – Dean Robinson

Welcome to the Alumni Association – Amanda Mohrlang

Alma Mater – Nathan Messina-Anderson and Audience

Recessional – Colorado State Brass Quintet

On the Platform

Dr. Dan Baker, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Dr. Sam Bechara, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Affairs

Susan Benzel, Director, Scott Scholars Program

Dr. Melissa Burt, Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion

Dr. V. Chandrasekar, Associate Dean, International Programs

Mikayla Cox, ’24, Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biological Engineering

Dr. Seth Dillard, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Matt Kipper, Associate Dean, Graduate Programs

Amanda Mohrlang, Cathode Engineer and Technician, Prieto Battery

Dr. Cassandra Moseley, Vice President for Research

Dr. Christie Peebles, Interim Department Head, Chemical and Biological Engineering

Dr. Ali Pezeshki, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Capt Allen Plack, Air Force ROTC and Assistant Professor, Aerospace Studies

Dr. Christian Puttlitz, Department Head, Mechanical Engineering

Eric Ray, Vice President for Human Resources

Dr. Kenneth Reardon, Associate Dean, Research

Dr. Allen Robinson, Dean

Dr. Charles Shackelford, Department Head, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Dr. Marion Underwood, Provost and Executive Vice President

College Marshals

Marshal: Dr. Dan Baker
Assistant Marshals: Chase Jackson, Betty Sims

Mikayla Cox, Student Speaker

Mikayla is a first-generation student graduating with majors in Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biological Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. During her time at CSU, she has worked in supportive roles for the Engineering Success Center and the Engineering Residential Learning Community to provide guidance and mentorship to incoming engineering students. Her dedication to healthcare innovation was recognized when her team won first place at Engineering Days for a biomedical project developing a point-of-care breast cancer diagnostic, inspiring her to pursue a career in women’s health diagnostics and biotechnology.

Susan Benzel, Commencement Speaker

After graduating with her degree in Electrical Engineering from CSU, Susan spent the first 30 years of her career at Hewlett Packard/Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Her roles spanned many areas of high tech, culminating as the Execution Program Manager for The Machine to drive their artificial intelligence strategy. She returned to CSU in the fall of 2018 as the director of the Scott Scholars Program where she assisted students in engaging fully with the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, connected students with research and career opportunities, and helped foster student success.