Congratulations to Abhi Joseph for being selected as the Department of Art and Art History’s Banner Carrier for the Fall 2024 commencement!

Being a banner carrier is a prestigious honor that each department bestows upon one graduating student in recognition of outstanding academic achievement. Joseph achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA while earning a BFA in Art Education, graduating Summa Cum Laude. His leadership as a First-Generation student and his dedication to fostering community within the department’s visual arts program were key factors in his selection.

“While in the art department, I learned to embrace life with boundless curiosity and an open heart,” says Joseph. “I discovered the wisdom of philosophers, poets, and scientists—voices echoing across time—that art does not exist in a void but emerges as a dialogue with the world, a collective striving toward beauty and justice. Thanks to the gentle guidance of Marius Lehene, Jeffery Cornwall, and all the other amazing professors, I now carry the spirit of a child—full of wonder, humility, and the ability to see beauty in all things. This spirit has become my compass.”

After graduating on Saturday, December 14, Joseph is looking toward the future with optimism. “With a degree in Art Education, I am preparing to step into classrooms alongside children as both teacher and learner. Together, we will explore art not as a mere technique but as a living, breathing force—one that connects us to ourselves, each other, and the world. In my students’ wonder, I hope to find my own reflection and keep creating for a better tomorrow.”

The banner carrier holds a decorative banner displaying the name of their department and leads their department’s procession into Moby Arena. This symbolic role marks the entrance of all graduates from a specific department, signifying the beginning of the ceremony for their group.