Students in the Class of 2013 will conclude their college careers at Syracuse University on May 12, 2013, inside the Carrier Dome, the very same place they first started their journeys four years ago.

As the newly selected 2013 senior class marshals, Stephanie Kranz and Kishauna Soljour will carry the class banner to begin SU’s 159th commencement ceremony.

Kranz, a mathematics and policy studies dual major, and Soljour, a television, radio and film and African-American studies dual major, will both fulfill the newly expanded role of representing the Class of 2013.

Along with carrying the banner into the Dome for commencement, both students will now represent their class by meeting with administrators, networking with alumni, attending special campus-wide events and assisting in the decision process to choose the commencement speaker, according to a Feb. 27 SU news release.

This prestigious position honors accomplished individuals on campus who ‘exemplify the spirit of the senior class,’ according to the release.

A selection committee elects class marshals based on the students’ academic achievements, organization involvement, community service and essay responses, according to the release.

Sylvia Langford, associate vice president for Student Affairs and chair of the senior marshal selection committee, said in the release that this year’s applicant pool was outstanding. Langford could not be reached for comment.

Kranz is a Founders’ Scholarship recipient who served as co-executive director and treasurer for Habitat for Humanity and as a dispatcher, EMT and personnel supervisor for SU Ambulance.

Soljour is a Golden Key International Honor Society Scholar who acts as president of the SU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Literacy Corps volunteer and member of the Renee Crown University Honors Program.

‘I could not be more excited or humbled,’ Kranz said on the honor of being a class marshal.

Kranz said the main reason she applied for the honor was to represent her time of transition at SU.

‘My freshman year at SU, I didn’t feel like I fit in,’ said Kranz, who considered transferring from the university during her freshman year.

As she became more involved during her first spring semester, her sentiments changed, Kranz said.

‘My view shifted from feeling like an oddball at SU to realizing I am a lot like everyone here, with the drive for the common good and helping others,’ she said.

When Langford told Kranz the final news of her selection in the Schine Student Center, all Kranz could do was hug her.

Soljour, a self-proclaimed introvert, said she didn’t believe the news of her selection at first, which she received in a computer lab on campus.

Soljour said she is excited and honored to carry the Class of 2013 banner and to represent her fellow classmates. As a shy person, getting involved on campus completely changed her outlook, she said.

Both students will be able to share their unique experiences with university officials, such as Chancellor Nancy Cantor, to better SU in the future.

Although people have been saying congratulations, Kranz said the news has not sunk in yet.

Said Kranz: ‘I don’t think it will until I am standing with the banner, entering the Carrier Dome.’

jbundy@syr.edu

Published on March 4, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Jen: jbundy@syr.edu