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UVA’s School of Data Science Celebrates 2025 Graduates in Heartfelt Ceremony
On a bright spring afternoon in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium, the University of Virginia School of Data Science honored the 2025 graduates of its Master of Science and Ph.D. programs in Data Science. Families, friends, faculty, staff, and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of a diverse and dynamic cohort of data-driven scholars, innovators, and leaders.
The 2025 commencement ceremony began with opening remarks from Jeffrey Blume, Quantitative Foundation Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, who served as master of ceremonies. Blume welcomed the audience with a brief and engaging history of graduation traditions, noting that the word commencement—derived from Old French—marks a beginning, not an end.
Blume then shifted to a poetic tribute to the graduating class—crafted with help from “a friend whose initials are GPT.” Channeling the cadence of Dr. Seuss, he celebrated the graduates’ accomplishments in data visualization, machine learning, and ethical AI.
“In this realm of complexity, you found your role, unearthing new wisdom and regularizing your goal,” he rhymed, drawing laughter and applause. He closed with a call to action: “Use your powers wisely, be fair and be just… build algorithms we trust.”
Renée Cummings Urges Graduates to Lead with Purpose and Responsibility
Assistant Professor of Practice Renée Cummings followed with a powerful welcome, celebrating not just the academic achievements of the Class of 2025 but their role in shaping the School of Data Science’s community and culture.
“You didn’t just earn a degree,” she said. “You helped build a community.” Cummings praised students for balancing rigorous coursework with leadership, inclusion, and joy. Emphasizing the ethical responsibilities that come with data, she reminded graduates: “Data is not neutral. Data is not passive. Data has power—and so do you.” Her message challenged students to lead with courage and compassion as they use data to make meaningful change.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Michael Macfarlan
During a moving moment of the ceremony, Jonathan Kropko, program director of the online M.S. in Data Science, honored the late Michael Macfarlan, an online student who passed away in February after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. Kropko reflected on Macfarlan’s unwavering commitment to his faith, his family, and his pursuit of knowledge—values that defined his life and inspired all who knew him.
Macfarlan began his master’s degree even as he underwent cancer treatment, determined to apply data science to cancer research. His strength, intellect, and optimism left a lasting impact on the School of Data Science community. “Though the last three years of his life were marked by suffering,” Kropko shared from Michael’s obituary, “he did not struggle without hope or humor.”
In a tribute to Michael’s enduring spirit, Kropko read a quote selected by his wife, Jody: “The road goes ever on and on, out from the door where it began... but I, at last, with weary feet, will turn toward the lighted inn, my evening rest and sleep to meet.”
Though Michael would have graduated in the summer of 2025, he was honored posthumously with a Master of Science in Data Science degree. His wife, Jody, along with his children, parents, and extended family, joined the stage to accept the degree on his behalf—an emotional and inspiring reminder of a life lived with purpose, resilience, and hope.
Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony Celebrates Innovation and Impact
The conferral of doctoral degrees was led by Thomas Stewart, associate professor of data science and program director of the Ph.D. in Data Science. In his remarks, Stewart emphasized the significance of the Ph.D. as the School’s highest academic degree—one that stands for innovation, creativity, and enduring impact on the practice of data science.
He underscored how scholarly contributions—such as Zachary Blanks' dissertation on “Entropy Analysis of Short Time-Series Data: Advancements and Applications” and Jade Preston's on “Advancement of Hyper Spectral Image Unmixing And Analysis, An Application In Mineral Detection And Identification”—can shape the field in lasting and meaningful ways.
“Because of the research of Zach or Jade, someone, somewhere will collect or analyze or interpret data differently,” Stewart said.
He also recognized the dedication and perseverance required to reach this milestone—years of training, countless hours of reading, coding, recoding, and refining ideas. Stewart acknowledged both graduates for their audacity in joining the Ph.D. program during its formative years and for helping the School of Data Science grow alongside their own scholarship.
Degrees Conferred and Distinctions Awarded
The degree conferral was conducted by Prince Afriyie, director of the residential MSDS program. 141 M.S. in Data Science graduates were listed in this year's May commencement program, including students who earned degrees in August and December of 2024. Afriyie read the names of those attending in person and, as they walked across the stage, they received their diploma from Stephenson Dean Phil Bourne.
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Two prestigious awards were presented during the ceremony. Oscar Wood, UVA alumnus, Advisory Board member, and founder of NNData, presented the Wood Family Award for Excellence in Data Science, which honors top-performing M.S. in Data Science students for outstanding academics and leadership. With warmth and encouragement, he recognized this year’s recipients: Disha Trivedi and Abner Casillas-Colon. Both were selected based on exceptional academic performance and strong endorsements from faculty and staff.
Chrissie Holt-Hull, administrative generalist, presented the Wanda Sanford Team Spirit Award, named for one of the School’s most beloved early team members known for her warmth, generosity, and dedication to student support. The award honors a residential MSDS student who exemplifies collaboration and community spirit. This year’s recipient, Hannah Valenty, was celebrated for her peer-nominated leadership, enthusiasm, and tireless efforts to build an inclusive student experience as a program ambassador.
Graduate Council Reflects on Community and Purpose
Representing the Graduate Data Science Council, President Jonathan Swap and Vice President Finn Mokrzycki delivered heartfelt remarks reflecting on the MSDS student journey. Mokrzycki celebrated the class’s shared purpose and community, saying, “We crossed paths rather than moving in parallel, developing relationships in projects and forming our own academical village like Jefferson’s.” Swap emphasized the responsibility that comes with a data science education, urging graduates to “put your useful knowledge into action—responsibly, respectfully, and purposefully—in an age of misinformation and mistrust.” Their remarks honored the council’s commitment to collaboration, leadership, and carrying forward the School’s mission in the world.
Commencement Address: Leading with Purpose in a Data-Driven World
In a thoughtful and inspiring address, Scott Stephenson, founder of SGS Capital and former CEO of Verisk Analytics, urged the School of Data Science Class of 2025 to embrace both the promise and responsibility that come with their technical skills. Framing the moment as one of disruption and rapid innovation, he encouraged graduates to stay grounded through purpose, ethics, and leadership.
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Stephenson reflected on past technological revolutions and cautioned that powerful tools like AI and quantum computing, much like nuclear energy, can be used for both great good and great harm. He challenged graduates to practice "good magic" by prioritizing transparency, ethics, and human well-being in their work. He offered two practical disciplines: regularly explain your work to your grandparents to foster clarity and purpose, and ask yourself whether you'd be proud to see your work described in public forums like The Economist.
Concluding with leadership advice drawn from General George Marshall, Stephenson reminded students that optimism, accountability, loyalty, and courage are timeless virtues essential to leading in times of uncertainty. “You can lead,” he said. “And I very sincerely hope that you will.”
Honoring Excellence: The Edgar F. Shannon Award
Each year, the Z Society—one of UVA’s oldest and most distinguished secret societies—presents the Edgar F. Shannon Award to the most outstanding graduating student from each school. Named for UVA’s fourth president, the award honors academic excellence, leadership, and service. President Shannon led the University through a pivotal era of modernization, desegregation, and coeducation. His legacy lives on through this prestigious recognition of students who embody the highest ideals of the University.
Dean Bourne presented this year’s Edgar F. Shannon Award to Jonathan Swap for his academic achievement and commitment to community and leadership. Recognized for his warmth, humility, and impact both inside and outside the classroom, Jonathan served as president of the Graduate Data Science Council.
Closing Remarks by Dean Bourne
Dean Bourne closed out the ceremony by expressing his deep honor in leading the School of Data Science and congratulating the Class of 2025, along with their families and supporters, on their remarkable achievement. Reflecting on the School’s growth—from building a dedicated team to creating a vibrant academic home—he emphasized that the greatest accomplishment is the graduating class itself. Looking into the graduates’ eyes, he said he saw pride, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of responsibility as they prepare to enter a world in need of their skills and leadership.
He reminded graduates to carry forward the School’s guiding values of excellence, inclusivity, and openness, applying them with humility and purpose as ambassadors of a “School Without Walls.” To close, Dean Bourne shared a memorable line from the Eagles’ 1976 hit song Hotel California, encouraging graduates to remember that "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.” He invited them to remain connected, share their successes, and influence future generations of data scientists—all while taking care of themselves and those around them.
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As the newly minted graduates stepped into the next chapter of their lives, the 2025 commencement stood as a powerful reminder of the School of Data Science’s unwavering commitment to teaching and practicing responsible data science for the common good. Grounded in the University of Virginia’s Great and Good strategic plan, this mission is not only central to the School’s identity, it is vital to the future of the field itself. In an age where data drives decisions at every level of society, the call to use it ethically, equitably, and transparently has never been more urgent—or more important.
