Maria Presti Graduates from Bard College at Simon's Rock

2016 May 24

Maria Presti, 19, of Auburndale, MA, recently graduated magna cum laude from Bard College at Simon's Rock with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. Her thesis "One Question, Two Approaches; An Examination of the Role of Myosin 1e on Focal Adhesion Dynamics in Podocytes," was the culmination of a year-long, self-designed scholarly project. All Simon's Rock seniors must complete a thesis in their areas of study.

Presti was one of one hundred and forty-five students to graduate from the early college on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Fifty-one undergraduates received their BA degrees and ninety-four students received their AA degrees.

Dr. Paul Krugman, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics, gave the College's 47th commencement address. "So go out there, be citizens, and make the world a better place. Don't be complacent, but also don't forget to celebrate the good things both in the public sphere and in your own life, instead of dwelling on the disappointments. And drink some of that 21st-century coffee - like I said, you have no idea how good you have it," said Krugman.