Jennifer Tomas's Commencement address, was delivered at the Binghamton University Graduate School Ceremony at the Events Center on May 19. 

Tomas, a former high school social studies teacher who is graduating with her doctorate in history, earned her bachelor's degree in history from Wells College. She came to Binghamton University to earn her master's degree in history as part of New York state's teacher certification requirements. "I fell in love with the History Department," she said, and stayed for her doctorate. She has taught at Binghamton and SUNY Oneonta, and served as a reviewer for the Journal of Women's History and for Women and Social Movements in the United States.

Following Commencement, Tomas will be working to pull an article or two from her dissertation—"The Women's History Movement in the United States: Professional and Political Roots of the Field, 1922-1987" -- for publication, and teach women's and gender history on campus for the next academic year.

"Binghamton students at both the undergraduate and graduate level have made my years studying and teaching here very engaging," she said. "They are really top-notch for the most part and who you're sitting next to in a seminar can add so much to your education. I feel a little humbled to be speaking before so many talented, smart people."