Graduating Senior Peyton Del Toro has been selected for two high honors within the College of Arts & Letters. She recently was named the 2018 recipient of the College of Arts & Letters Outstanding Senior Achievement Award and also has been selected as the student speaker for the Spring 2018 College of Arts & Letters commencement ceremony.
Del Toro will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies, and cognates in both Spanish and Education. She is the first person in her family to earn a college degree and credits the sacrifices of her family with helping her achieve this goal.
Del Toro isn’t planning on stopping with her bachelor’s degree. In the fall, she will attend The Ohio State University to pursue a master’s degree in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies.
“The faculty members that I’ve had here have inspired me to continue onto grad school,” Del Toro said. “My professors have continued to believe in me and helped guide me through all of the steps.”
The faculty members that I’ve had here have inspired me to continue onto grad school.
PEYTON DEL TORO
One of those professors, Tamar Boyadjian, Assistant Professor of Medieval Literature in the Department of English, who advised Del Toro’s thesis this semester, said that Del Toro’s “personal experiences and her academic excellence gives her the insight into how different cultures throughout time dealt with the question of gender and subjectivity — an asset that I know she will carry with her through grad school and beyond.”
Eventually, Del Toro said she would like to earn a Ph.D. But first, she will celebrate her undergraduate success at the College of Arts & Letters commencement ceremony where she will be presented with the College of Arts & Letters Outstanding Senior Achievement Award and will deliver the student commencement speech.
Outstanding Senior Achievement Award
The College of Arts & Letters Outstanding Senior Achievement Award annually recognizes a graduating senior for academic excellence, service and leadership, commitment to personal and professional development, and commitment to cross-cultural sensitivity and diversity.
Del Toro has spent a lot of time at MSU giving back to the community and other students. She currently works as the Career Peer and Outreach Assistant for the College of Arts & Letters in which she serves as a knowledgeable resource for students seeking resume reviews, study abroad/away options, and internship and career advice.
Del Toro will be recognized on stage with a plaque at the College of Arts & Letters commencement ceremony for receiving this award.
Commencement Speech
Selected from a group of students who applied to be the student commencement speaker, Del Toro also had to go through an interview process. As the student commencement speaker, she will represent the graduating class and inspire her peers as they move on from Michigan State University.
In her speech, Del Toro said she aims to synthesize much of what MSU students have experienced, felt, and achieved this year.
MSU is made of inspiring faculty and staff who work really hard to give students the best experiences.
PEYTON DEL TORO
“There’s been disappointing moments here [at MSU] in 2018. But, I don’t think it needs to signify a disappointing experience,” Del Toro said. “I still want to be proud of the accomplishments of my class during the year of 2018. I don’t want to let the bad parts overshadow the good things we’ve done.”
Del Toro credits faculty and staff with helping her find the right words at this time.
“People are struggling to find ways to tell their stories, especially this year,” Del Toro said. “The College of Arts & Letters is full of faculty and staff who want to help students find the words, methods, or technologies to help share those stories. And, MSU is made of inspiring faculty and staff who work really hard to give students the best experiences.”
The College of Arts & Letters commencement ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 6, at 9:30 a.m. at the Breslin Student Events Center.
