Doreen’s Script:  Start at 10:30
WELCOME
Thank you to the Un-kit-a-wa Drummers and to MPA graduate Tayna Marceau for providing such a beautiful beginning to our ceremony.
My name is Doreen Swetkis, and I am a member of the faculty and Director of the Master of Public Administration program.  I will serve as Master of Ceremony for this morning’s celebration.  I begin our time together today by acknowledging the Medicine Creek Treaty Tribes of Squaxin Island, Nisqually, and Puyallup, upon whose land the Evergreen State College stands.  I extend respect to all Native peoples from the many Native Nations present.
I would like to introduce Tina Kuckkahn Miller, Ojibwe, Evergreen’s Vice President of Indigenous Arts and Education. Tina received her juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Madison Law School, and has served as the founding director of the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center since 1996. Please welcome Vice President Tina Kuckkahn Miller to the podium. 
[Tina welcomes us to the Longhouse]
[Applause]
Thank you, Tina, for welcoming us to this beautiful space.  
Graduates, you are about to join an amazing community of people who have completed Evergreen's MPA Program and are making change in their organizations, communities, and governments.  We do not do this work alone, and so I want to acknowledge our honored guests who have helped our graduates reach this wonderful moment in their academic careers, as well as those who could not be here with us this morning to celebrate. 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
First, the restrooms are located…
Shauna, our photographer for this ceremony, will be taking a group photo immediately FOLLOWING the Hooding Ceremony.  So graduates, please work with Shauna and gather for the group photo immediately following closing remarks.  Don’t worry, your guests will be enjoying some food and refreshments while they wait for you to finish with the group photo!  

OPENING REMARKS  
Next, I would like to introduce Evergreen’s President, Dr. George Bridges.
George Bridges came to Evergreen in 2015, after serving for ten years as president of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. He previously served as Dean and Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education at the University of Washington, where he also served as Professor of Sociology. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, George pursued his graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. There he earned his M.A. in criminology and Ph.D. in sociology. Please welcome President George Bridges.
[APPLAUSE]
[GEORGE’S SPEECH]
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you George.  
[PAUSE]
Next, I would like to introduce Evergreen’s Provost, Dr. Jennifer Drake.
Jennifer Drake assumed the duties of Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Evergreen in July of 2017. Jen received a bachelor degree in religious studies from Brown University and a Master's and PhD in English from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Prior to her tenure as Provost, she joined the Indiana State University faculty in 1996, and moved to the University of Indianapolis in 2004 as an associate professor. In 2008 she was named director of the University's Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship Program. She served as interim dean of the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences from 2011-2013.  Please welcome Provost Jennifer Drake.
[APPLAUSE]
[JEN’S SPEECH]
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you, Jen.  Welcome to Evergreen.
[PAUSE]
[STUDENT INTRODUCTIONS]
Now, I have the great privilege of introducing our student speakers. These three amazing students were chosen by their peers in their respective cohorts, through a peer-lead process.  We have two graduates representing the Public & Nonprofit Administration and Public Policy concentrations:  Vincent Perez and Shirley Siloi.
Vincent is the son of Yolanda Ramirez and Rudy Perez. He is the husband of Kim Jansen and father of Tristan, Chase, and Devon. He is the brother of Marla Madrid, Rudy Perez and Rebecca Perez. While at Evergreen Vincent curated a focus on culturally responsive organizations, ethnic studies, and crafted an Equity Audit that is shaping his career. The Equity Audit is already being used in school buildings in Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and in a University of Washington Special Education Leadership program.
Shirley was born in Hawaii and grew up as the eldest and only daughter and humbly took on the roles she needed to. Growing up as a military brat, many characteristics she possesses stem from always being “the new kid”. Resiliency, self-advocacy, and the power of observation, to name a few. She is quiet, but one of the most sarcastic people you will ever meet. She proudly describes herself as a passionate servant leader, and someone who never thought they’d graduate from high school, let alone earn a master’s degree. Her heart’s calling is in education, and always through the lens of equity and inclusion. She works hard to represent her family well and continuously live her best life. Please welcome Vincent and Shirley to the stage.
[APPLAUSE]
[VINCENT’S SPEECH; SHIRLEY’S SPEECH]
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you both.  It was a pleasure to be one of your professors.  
[PAUSE]
To represent the Tribal Governance concentration, the cohort chose Brandon Morris.
Brandon graduated from Northwest Indian College in 2016 with a Bachelors in Native Studies and Leadership. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Brandon has been blessed and honored with the opportunity to serve as a Faculty member at NWIC in the Native Studies and Leadership program. Brandon pursued his MPA at Evergreen as part of his journey towards leadership, and to increase his capacity to build leaders and support the vision of Tribal Colleges and Universities. 
Please welcome Brandon to the stage.
[APPLAUSE]
[BRANDON’S SPEECH]
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you Brandon.  
JOHN McCOY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Now we are going to take a few moments for something that is not in the program.  
As Director of the MPA Program these last three years, I have had the honor of working with Senator John McCoy as one of our adjunct professors. John is one of the founders of our MPA Tribal Governance concentration, and has always put our students as a priority in his work.  He has developed curriculum, taught in Core, Capstone, Tribal Economics, Intergovernmental Relations, Tribal Policy, recruited students to the program, supported students through internships, and the list goes on. I am sad to announce that John has retired from teaching with us in the MPA program and, since we have John with us here today, I wanted to take a moment and thank him for all he has given to the MPA Program over the years.  Thank you, Senator John McCoy.
[Give Gifts & Hugs]
[Applause]
HOODING
[PAUSE]
And now…all of the hard work and dedication each of you have exhibited over the last few years culminates in this moment, where you, graduates, our welcomed into the Academy having become a Master of Public Administration.  Let’s get started!
Graduates! You will be called to the stage row by row, starting with the Tribal Governance cohort.  Puanani Nihoa, Assistant Director for the Tribal Governance concentration, will be reading your names. Would Row 1 please stand and make your way to this set of stairs, in the order you were seated.  When Puanani calls your name, please come forward onto the stage with your hood in hand, and with the person or persons who will be hooding you.  Walk to the middle of the stage, stop, and have those who you have chosen, place the hood over your head.  Then proceed off the stage using the other set of stairs and return to your seat.
[PUANANI READ NAMES OF TG CONCENTRATION]
[PAUSE]
Now, Anna Rhoads, Asst. Director for the Public & Nonprofit Administration and Public Policy concentrations, will announce the names of the students in the PNAPP cohort.  We will follow the same process as we did for Tribal Governance.  Will Row 1 please stand and make your way to this set of stairs, in the order you were seated.
[ANNA READS NAMES OF PNAPP CONCENTRATION]
Will Evergreen’s MPA Program, Class of 2018, please stand and turn around to receive congratulations from the audience!
[LONG APPLAUSE]
[CLOSING REMARKS]
I want to acknowledge and thank the staff of the MPA Program, without whom this event could not have taken place: My gratitude goes to Puanani Nihoa, Anna Rhoads, and Jan Hays.
I also want to thank the MPA faculty who have helped our graduates become new masters of the dynamic field of public administration.
GRADUATES, please join Shauna, our photographer, here at the stage.  Shauna will be taking a group photo IN JUST A MINUTE. 
HONORED GUESTS, please enjoy some food and refreshments served in the hall of the Longhouse. [POINT]
Finally, if you are a graduate attending Commencement on Red Square,  you need to be between the bike shop and below the CAB – behind Sem II E and you should be there no later than 12:55pm since the procession starts at 1pm. 
This concludes our Class of 2018 Master of Public Administration Hooding Ceremony. Go forth, and be the change! Thank you.