Berkeley Psychology Commencement. I got the department citation and gave a speech.
Showing posts with label UC Berkeley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UC Berkeley. Show all posts
Berkeley Psychology Commencement
I got the Departmental Citation Award which came with the privilege of giving a commencement speech.
First 2 sentences and last sentence are in "my own voice")
Video excerpt includes intro about me by faculty (I hardly recognize myself!!), my talk and also the keynote speech by Prof Keltner where I got 2x mention.
Clip of just my talk.
https://youtu.be/ES3VSf_0zJg
With Professor Linda Wilbrecht
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Calbear becomes a grad - Commencement
Receiving Cert of Distinction from Chancellor Carol Christ
Highlights I'm at 0:31 seconds
The four finalists
The Haas Scholars logo on the stole
my fellow Haas Scholar Johan
At the university club on top of Memorial Stadium
(incredible view of the bay)
View from where I was seated on stage.
I'm on from 1:25-1:27 https://youtu.be/1ePTPC4AC80
My berkeley experience not complete without my best buddy David
Last Column
My LAST COLUMN for the Daily Cal
Full article: https://www.dailycal.org/2022/05/13/a-golden-bear-song/
I realized what defined my undergrad experience was not only recognizing some of these opportunities but that it was the support and encouragement at Berkeley that gave me the confidence to pursue them.
I never felt impostor syndrome at UC Berkeley. Rather it was whether I, as a disabled student, would even be allowed access to the opportunities college offers. ....
For much of my life, my disability has meant significant gatekeeping of opportunities. Would I be allowed to thrive here?
....
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel,” said Socrates.
Most importantly, my UC Berkeley education kindled the Socratic flame, inspiring me to study what I am passionate about along with new kinds of experiences and knowledge. (Speaking of new experiences, I even got to model for the Cal Student Store. Who would have thought of “Model Hari”?)
“Life is full of change and uncertainty and that’s what makes it a great adventure,” Filippenko said at the lecture.
I am both nervous and excited about what’s ahead. As the Bhagavad Gita explains, change is the only constant in our lives, and one is better off focusing on the action (the sure) and not the results (the unsure). Inaction is not an option.
The Gita also points out that results do not solely depend on my actions. I hope the next stage of my educational journey will be one filled with kindness, compassion, patience and empathy from others and one of personal, endless curiosity and positive action so I can continue to learn and add those pebbles that widen the ripples in the pond of knowledge and change.
OMG, I get congratulated by the Chancellor
This is just too cool!! I get congratulated by the Chancellor
University Medal Finalist
Another piece of good news. I'm a university medal finalist; in the graduating class of 11,000 students across all disciplines. Berkeley has been good to me.
https://news.berkeley.edu/2022/05/09/in-times-of-crisis-2022-university-medal-finalists-summoned-resilience-hope/
What character or experience sets the Class of 2022 apart?
“Resilience in readjusting back to a world of many new normals and new possibilities. For instance, it has been a bit harder to sit in a physical classroom now; it’s like many social skills built up over the years got lost in the void of a two-year lockdown. My motor system is in an uncertain state, at best, so there is a bit of a relearning curve involved for many like me. There are, however, many positives in our new normal, such as the possibility for remote or hybrid employment and education, which will benefit so many disabled folks like me.”
What has been a challenge you faced at Berkeley and how did you address it? “I loved that at Berkeley I was surrounded by non-judgmental peers who were open to inclusion, except they often didn’t know how to include, a major reason being they have not been exposed to many spoken communication-challenged autistics like me at the college level. My navigating Cal meant thinking of solutions from two ends — for me, personally, and strategies as to how others in that group could go about including me. An example is that I took on the introduction part in the debate team in professor David Presti’s introduction to neuroscience class instead of attempting the later rounds, which required more rapid responses. So I was part of the team, contributing, instead of just existing on the sidelines. This has obviously been easier in structured academic situations than in social settings.
Last Lecture
As a graduating senior I got to attend a college tradition, a very motivational, Last Lecture by Astrophysics professor, Alexei Filipenko of the exploding supernova and black holes fame. Berkeley has all these amazing faculty who are just so interesting and engaging to listen to. You are just swept away when listening to them. For instance, when Prof Filippenko explains hawking radiation in class, he comes dressed as a black hole, and scatters shiny candy around class. And of course his t-shirt says, Dark Energy is the new black.
It was a lovely last lecture that led us through his personal journey, and his work, which was quite incredible to hear as well as motivational. He really focused on how how endless curiosity led him to where he is today.
The late Carl Sagan had said there were three important characteristics we needed, kindness, kindness and kindness. Professor Filippenko added empathy and curiosity to that list.
Oh, and the picture on the bottom is a quote from Socrates which says Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel. I think back to what Swami says about character being the end of education.
Thesis Submission
My year long research, my undergrad Honors capstone research as a Haas Scholar, was finally submitted this morning.
All 66 pages of it.....
This is what the cover page looks like.
I got covered by Berkeley Grad Diversity
I got covered by Grad Diversity
Full article: https://grad.berkeley.edu/news/announcements/a-thirst-for-education-and-autism-advocacy/
“Though it was a sense of duty that initially drew me to participate in GiGS as a mentor, it has been my absolute privilege to know Hari and be a small support in his journey to graduate school. I am positive he will accomplish wonderful things at Vanderbilt and beyond.” Lindsey Burnside. Hari's GiGs mentor
...
Hari is very clear about what drives his passion for higher education. “A college degree and above is what gets you a seat at the table, where you get to be part of the conversion about who gets access to spaces, funding, and resources. If we want to see change, belonging, acceptance, and other solutions for autistics, we need to see more autistics in higher ed. And we need to see all profiles of autistics, including the most marginalized autistics, for this change to be meaningful.”But for Hari, just having a seat at the table is not enough. “I want to be able to redefine the table itself, whether it’s academically or in advocacy. A fair and inclusive world does not just have to be a myth. We need to work actively to make the possibility a reality. Everyone deserves the same opportunity of education, inclusion, and belonging.”
Daily Cal covers me
In an about turn, I'm being written about by someone else at the Daily Cal.
Daily Californian: UC Berkeley wins Soros Fellowship to pursue PhD.
Full article: https://www.dailycal.org/2022/04/25/uc-berkeley-senior-hari-srinivasan-wins-soros-fellowship-to-pursue-ph-d/
At Berkeley, Srinivasan has already been conducting undergraduate research in the area of autism as a Haas scholar, according to Haas Scholars program manager and advisor Leah Caroll. Caroll said Srinivasan has looked specifically at how those with autism process emotions differently from non-autistics. In doing so, he has broken down common stereotypes about those with the disability, she added.
“It’s interesting that his scholarship is in itself a form of activism,” Caroll said.
In addition to writing more than 50 articles for The Daily Californian, Srinivasan is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi, leads a DeCal dedicated to educating peers about autism and serves as a national activist for policy reform surrounding disabilities, according to Caroll.
Caroll added that despite his commitments, Srinivasan goes out of his way to help his peers in the Haas Scholars program.
“He’s been extraordinarily generous with his time and expertise,” Caroll said. “He’s taught everyone about different ways of communicating.”
==========
https://flipboard.com/@thedailycal/news-0brl6vv8z/uc-berkeley-senior-hari-srinivasan-wins-soros-fellowship-to-pursue-ph-d/a-A5xuoZcdTBi5nARLAlHynw%3Aa%3A2444082641-b8f0e80a36%2Fdailycal.org
Departmental Citation
An honor. Thank you Professor Dacher Keltner for nominating me.
More than anything, it is super humbling to be recognized by educators, who actually help enable my success through their support and empathy.
The Departmental Citation Award was initiated in 1955 by the Committee on Prizes to recognize distinguished undergraduate work in each department. The Departmental Citation is awarded to the top undergraduate in the Psychology Department based on all aspects of academic life including: research, coursework, writing, and service to the university.
More than anything, it is super humbling to be recognized by educators, who actually help enable my success through their support and empathy.
Campus Lockdown
https://www.dailycal.org/2022/04/21/uc-berkeley-students-advised-to-shelter-in-place-in-person-services-canceled-following-credible-campuswide-threat/
https://abc7news.com/amp/uc-berkeley-shelter-in-place-cal-active-shooter-threat-emergency-near-campus-police/11776955/?fbclid=IwAR1xvGohp9m7gfY6_KA-EBCMc0FjQvhK4HbFkgeJ-y41EoAtQLdfXo6DrgI
https://patch.com/california/berkeley/uc-berkeley-under-shelter-orders-amid-unspecified-emergency-cops?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert
UPDATE: Shelter orders have been lifted at UC Berkeley, campus police announced in a 1:41 p.m. alert.
Authorities were seeking a person who "may want to harm specific individual," campus police said in an earlier alert. It is not clear whether the person was located or whether anyone was taken into custody in connection with the disturbance.
"The shelter in place has been lifted," the alert said. "Please leave the campus in a safe and orderly way via the closest route available. UCPD has determined based upon its investigation that it is appropriate to end the shelter in place. Buildings will remain locked."
UC Berkeley has been under lockdown all day Thursday due to an unspecified emergency, campus police said.
Police said they're seeking someone who "may want to harm specific individual."
The Daily Californian reports that the person has barricaded themself at the Cesar E. Chavez Student Center's room 501, and that the person was heard on a UCPD scanner claiming that "I am the reason why this is all happening!"
UPDATE: Berkeleyside's Ally Markovich reported seeing three helicopters flying overhead in a 10:54 a.m. tweet.
A KRON report updated at 10:52 a.m. describes a chaotic scene on campus in which students are still roaming the campus amid admonitions of officers to go inside.
A KRON report updated at 10:52 a.m. describes a chaotic scene on campus in which students are still roaming the campus amid admonitions of officers to go inside.
UPDATE: The campus-wide warning came through on cell phones just as students were heading into their morning classes, prompting hundreds to turn around and run back to their dorms. Students reported huddling down in their dorm rooms while trying to find out if a shooting had occurred or if a shooter was on campus.
UPDATE: An administrator texted the UC Berkeley community advising that the threat is related to a disgruntled student recently suspended for threatening behavior.
"The Warnme that just went out is relative to an emerging active shooter threat situation related to a student who has been placed on interim suspension for threatening behavior. Please encourage people to follow the shelter in place. We will be shutting all the buildings," Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor Andrea Lambert said.
"The Warnme that just went out is relative to an emerging active shooter threat situation related to a student who has been placed on interim suspension for threatening behavior. Please encourage people to follow the shelter in place. We will be shutting all the buildings," Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor Andrea Lambert said.
Update: UC Police at 10:18 a.m. issued an alert that said "there is NOT an active shooter on campus" after rumors floating on social media suggested that was the case.
UC police said: "There is NOT an active shooter on campus. Police are actively looking for a person who may want to harm specific individuals. Please continue to shelter in place at this time. Stay tuned to Twitter for updates."
UC police said: "There is NOT an active shooter on campus. Police are actively looking for a person who may want to harm specific individuals. Please continue to shelter in place at this time. Stay tuned to Twitter for updates."
Countdown to Commencement
The history of Cal Commencement: https://commencement.berkeley.edu/history/
PD Soros in NYT announcement
Holding up a copy of the New York Times with the full page of the PD Soros Cohort.
Alphabetical order, so my pic on on the bottom row. 2022 has been an amazing year of good news for me.
Stoked to join the ranks of PD Soros Fellows
#redefinethetable #redefine_the_table #autism #disability
There are likely to be additional roadblocks to higher education when you are a new american and a disabled new american at that. Know that your life too has worth!! Instead of an unmapped path, think of it as a journey of discovery. The opportunity of higher education means not just the chance to get a seat at the table and make contributions to the table, but perhaps to redefine the table itself where you can be part of the change in who all get included in access to spaces and resources. Let's get in there and help redefine the table.
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Disabled or not, ALL of us new Americans deserve to be, and get to be part of the possibility and opportunity that is America.image 4
image 4
Beyond the color of your skin, race, ethnicity and religion, there also exists a range of (dis)ability in New Americans, who face not just the challenges of assimilating themselves in a new country while maintaining their cultural identity, but also navigating unfamiliar systems around disability. It is triple stigma for not just the disabled new american, but families too, who are excluded by association (“courtesy stigma”), not just from the mainstream community but from their own immigrant community as well. We need not just understanding but also importantly, belonging for all.
Disabled or not, ALL of us new Americans deserve to be, and get to be part of the possibility and opportunity that is America.image 4
image 4
Beyond the color of your skin, race, ethnicity and religion, there also exists a range of (dis)ability in New Americans, who face not just the challenges of assimilating themselves in a new country while maintaining their cultural identity, but also navigating unfamiliar systems around disability. It is triple stigma for not just the disabled new american, but families too, who are excluded by association (“courtesy stigma”), not just from the mainstream community but from their own immigrant community as well. We need not just understanding but also importantly, belonging for all.
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