2016 Price Sacramento MPA graduates established a new student scholarship. (Photo by Brandon Manning)
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During his address to the 2016 graduating class from the Master of Public Administration program in Sacramento, USC Price School of Public Policy Dean Jack H. Knott reminded the audience how Price students are “inspired by their passion to tackle today’s most pressing problems.”
“Through your graduate studies,” he added, “you are now prepared to do just that. You are ready to turn your ideas into meaningful action, in service to our communities and to society.”
Knott delivered this message at Price’s Sacramento graduation ceremony and dinner, held at the Sterling Hotel on May 6, in front of 20 newly minted MPA graduates, their family and friends, as well as alumni, faculty and staff.
The graduates wasted no time beginning their legacy of service and impact, announcing that evening their pledge to contribute to an annual scholarship for the next five years in partnership with the USC Sacramento Alumni Association Foundation. The USC Sacramento MPA Class of 2016 Scholarship Award has a yearly value of $3,000 and will be awarded to a Sacramento-area student in the incoming class of 2018.
Inspiring the next generation of leaders
Robert Rodriguez – CEO of Cambria Solutions, USC Sacramento Advisory Board member and Price MPA alumnus – gave the keynote remarks, highlighting the significance of public service and the value of achieving a graduate degree from USC. Rodriguez encouraged graduates to continue to lead change and drive progress through good, responsible policy throughout the communities in which they serve.
In addition, degrees were presented by Knott, Janet Denhardt, director of the USC Price School in Sacramento, Professor Peter Robertson and Carol Rush, associate dean for student affairs.
“USC Price is proud to continue fostering and advancing the public service leaders of today and tomorrow at their State Capital Center in Sacramento,” Denhardt noted.
The Sacramento graduation ceremony marks the 45th year that USC has offered graduate programs – including the MPA degree – in the state capital, serving as a bridge between academic theory and the community of practice.