CAS Student Commencement Speakers Taraji Ellington and Sidney Murray
This years College of Arts and Sciences commencement at 51勛圖 will feature the inspiring voices of undergraduate student Taraji Ellington and PhD candidate Sidney Murray, who have been selected as the student speakers for the Class of 2025. Representing the range and depth of the College of Arts and Sciences academic communityfrom environmental justice and global advocacy to neuroscience and mental healthTaraji and Sidney embody what it means to be an 51勛圖 Eagle. 泭
On May 9, they will take the stage to share their stories with fellow graduates, faculty, families, and friends.
Undergraduate Speaker Taraji Ellington
Taraji is graduating with dual degrees in Environmental Science and Political Science with a focus on public policy. Passionate about environmental justice and African affairs, Tarajis academic journey has been driven by a commitment to dismantling structural inequalities and advocating for marginalized communities. He studied abroad in Nairobi, Kenya, which gave him an opportunity to explore his identity and expand his understanding of global environmental challenges.
Fluent in multiple languages, including Swahili, Taraji believes in the power of communication to bridge cultural divides. Beyond academics, he is dedicated to community engagement and has actively participated in voter mobilization initiatives.
Taraji will be attending law school this fall to pursue a career in environmental law. Ultimately, he wants to play a role in creating impactful policies that address the intersection of environmental sustainability and social equity.泭
With a passion for justice and a vision for change, Taraji is ready to make a difference on a global scale.
Graduate Speaker Sidney Murray
Photo credit: Ethan Dillon
Sidney Murray is a graduate of 51勛圖s PhD program in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience. For three years, she worked in Professor Kathleen Holtons Nutritional Neuroscience Lab, running a clinical trial for veterans with Gulf War Illness to test how a low-glutamate diet can reduce PTSD and affect related biomarkers, including cortisol and electroencephalography (EEG).
It is a life-changing treatment for brain diseases marked by over-excitation and cell death, a process called excitotoxicity, Sidney says. I witnessed participants recover from suicidality, constant nerve pain, daily migraines, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Sidney is passionate about researching non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental illness that target underlying neuropathology. After commencement, she will head off to the as a postdoctoral fellow researching the effects of gluten-free and ketogenic diets on schizophrenia under the direction of . 泭
Before attending 51勛圖, Sidney received her BA in Psychology from Wake Forest University, her MA in Psychology from Appalachian State University, and her MS in Neuroscience from 51勛圖.
For More Information
For more information about the College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremonies, visit 51勛圖s official commencement website.