The College of Sciences Spring 2025 commencement ceremony featured a special guest speaker, alumna Yvette Kanouff, who received one of the highest honors bestowed by 麻豆原创, an honorary doctoral degree. Kanouff earned both her 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 and 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degrees in mathematics from 麻豆原创 and has remained engaged with 麻豆原创 in the subsequent years, currently serving on the College of Sciences Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board.
鈥淚 am so humbled by this honor,鈥� Kanouff says. 鈥淲hen I received my 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree, Dr. Ahmed Zayed 鈥� my 鈥榯hesis father鈥� and mentor 鈥� told me that my work in math was worthy of a doctorate. However, I was not in a position to pursue that level of education at the time. I am so grateful, proud and honored to stand here now and receive this degree from 麻豆原创.鈥�
Her continued commitment to the university has made an impact on students, faculty and staff.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a rare opportunity for students to interact and learn from a person as passionate and successful as Yvette 鈥� yet she took the time from her busy schedule this spring to teach a calculus class while she was visiting campus for meetings,鈥� says Anthony Pomonis, executive director of advancement at the College of Sciences. 鈥淪he is truly devoted to the people around her and makes an incredible difference through her professional contributions and her volunteer leadership.鈥�
Kanouff is a partner in JC2 Ventures, a venture capital firm reimagining the power of investment. Through this work, she helps address challenges around the globe, encouraging startups that can drive economic growth, job creation and innovation through digital technologies.
She drew on this experience in her commencement speech, inspiring the graduating students.
鈥淲e are in an era of innovation and transformation in technology and in how we work, play and live. I am fortunate to have started my career during times of great innovation, and you have such an opportunity today,鈥� Kanouff said during the ceremony.
Kanouff offered lessons from life to the students, speaking of the power of bringing 鈥渄rive and grit鈥� to work and the importance of giving back.
She previously received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in Engineering and Technology, the National Cable and Television Association’s Vanguard Award for Leadership in Science and Technology, and was named one of the most influential people in the television industry.
Kanouff has left a legacy in a number of industries, helping to create on demand video, contributing to everyday technologies and spearheading the technology behind the streaming services that most people utilize and enjoy today. However, she came from humble beginnings, working to pay her tuition while going to school
鈥淚 had to put myself through college and am proud of having done that for my undergraduate and graduate degrees,鈥� Kanouff says. 鈥淚 worked while going to school and consistently focused on innovation, and disruptive technology and mathematics.鈥�
In her commencement remarks, she expressed appreciation to her family and friends and spoke to the power of mentorship in her life, encouraging graduates to give back, especially to their alma mater.
鈥淚t鈥檚 up to you to create something more and to help future students and others accomplish what you have accomplished today,鈥� Kanouff said to graduates. 鈥溌槎乖� has always welcomed me, as well as other alumni, and that鈥檚 a relationship that will continue [for you] after this [ceremony] 鈥� continue to be a part of this special place wherever life takes you.鈥�
