what is the greek root for thesis

1.1 Etymology
1.2 Pronunciation
1.3.1 Inflection
1.3.2 Derived terms
1.3.3 Descendants
1.4 References

Ancient Greek [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ].

From τίθημι ( títhēmi , “ I put, place ” ) +‎ -σις ( -sis ) , although it could either have been formed in Greek or go back earlier. In the latter case, would be from a Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁tis , from *dʰeh₁- (root of τίθημι ( títhēmi ) ). Cognates include Sanskrit अपिहिति ( ápihiti ) , Avestan 𐬀𐬭𐬋𐬌𐬛𐬍𐬙𐬌 ( arōidīti ) , Latin conditiō , and Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌳𐌴𐌸𐍃 ( gadēþs ) . More at deed .

Pronunciation [ edit ]

IPA ( key ) : /tʰé.sis/ → /ˈθe.sis/ → /ˈθe.sis/
( 5 th BCE Attic ) IPA ( key ) : /tʰé.sis/
( 1 st CE Egyptian ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈtʰe.sis/
( 4 th CE Koine ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθe.sis/
( 10 th CE Byzantine ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθe.sis/
( 15 th CE Constantinopolitan ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθe.sis/

Noun [ edit ]

θέσῐς • ( thésis ) f ( genitive θέσεως ) ; third declension

a setting , placement , arrangement
adoption (of a child)
adoption (in the more general sense of accepting as one's own)
( philosophy ) position , conclusion , thesis
( dance ) putting down the foot
( metre ) the last half of the foot
( rhetoric ) affirmation
( grammar ) stop

Inflection [ edit ]

Derived terms [ edit ].

ἀνάθεσις ( anáthesis )
ἀντένθεσις ( anténthesis )
ἀντεπίθεσις ( antepíthesis )
ἀντίθεσις ( antíthesis )
ἀντιμετάθεσις ( antimetáthesis )
ἀντιπαράθεσις ( antiparáthesis )
ἀπόθεσις ( apóthesis )
διάθεσις ( diáthesis )
εἴσθεσις ( eísthesis )
ἔκθεσις ( ékthesis )
ἐναπόθεσις ( enapóthesis )
ἔνθεσις ( énthesis )
ἐπείσθεσις ( epeísthesis )
ἐπέκθεσις ( epékthesis )
ἐπένθεσις ( epénthesis )
ἐπίθεσις ( epíthesis )
ἐπιπρόσθεσις ( epiprósthesis )
ἐπισύνθεσις ( episúnthesis )
ἡμισύνθεσις ( hēmisúnthesis )
κατάθεσις ( katáthesis )
μετάθεσις ( metáthesis )
παράθεσις ( paráthesis )
παρέκθεσις ( parékthesis )
παρένθεσις ( parénthesis )
περίθεσις ( períthesis )
προδιάθεσις ( prodiáthesis )
προέκθεσις ( proékthesis )
πρόθεσις ( próthesis )
πρόσθεσις ( prósthesis )
συγκατάθεσις ( sunkatáthesis )
συναντίθεσις ( sunantíthesis )
συνεπίθεσις ( sunepíthesis )
σύνθεσις ( súnthesis )
ὑπέκθεσις ( hupékthesis )
ὑπέρθεσις ( hupérthesis )
ὑπόθεσις ( hupóthesis )

Descendants [ edit ]

References [ edit ].

“ θέσις ”, in Liddell & Scott ( 1940 ) A Greek–English Lexicon , Oxford: Clarendon Press
“ θέσις ”, in Liddell & Scott ( 1889 ) An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon , New York: Harper & Brothers
θέσις in Bailly, Anatole ( 1935 ) Le Grand Bailly: Dictionnaire grec-français , Paris: Hachette
Bauer, Walter et al. ( 2001 ) A Greek–English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature , Third edition, Chicago: University of Chicago Press
“ θέσις ”, in Slater, William J. ( 1969 ) Lexicon to Pindar , Berlin: Walter de Gruyter
θέσις in Trapp, Erich, et al. ( 1994–2007 ) Lexikon zur byzantinischen Gräzität besonders des 9.-12. Jahrhunderts [ the Lexicon of Byzantine Hellenism, Particularly the 9th–12th Centuries ], Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
assumption idem, page 48.
caution idem, page 119.
deposit idem, page 212.
earnest idem, page 259.
hypothesis idem, page 412.
place idem, page 616.
position idem, page 628.
site idem, page 779.
situation idem, page 780.
station idem, page 813.
supposition idem, page 842.
thesis idem, page 865.
Beekes, Robert S. P. ( 2010 ) Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10 ), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN

Ancient Greek terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
Ancient Greek terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
Ancient Greek terms suffixed with -σις
Ancient Greek terms inherited from Proto-Indo-European
Ancient Greek 2-syllable words
Ancient Greek terms with IPA pronunciation
Ancient Greek lemmas
Ancient Greek nouns
Ancient Greek paroxytone terms
Ancient Greek feminine nouns
Ancient Greek third-declension nouns
Ancient Greek feminine nouns in the third declension
grc:Philosophy
grc:Rhetoric
grc:Grammar
Sanskrit terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
Avestan terms with redundant transliterations
Ancient Greek terms with redundant script codes

Definition of thesis

Did you know.

In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation ). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.

Examples of thesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

Dictionary Entries Near thesis

the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

thesis novel

Cite this Entry

“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesis. Accessed 16 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of thesis, more from merriam-webster on thesis.

Nglish: Translation of thesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of thesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thesis

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Greek Roots

Many Greek roots have entered English, both directly (especially in medical and scientific vocabulary) and by way of Latin. Recognizing a few of their common bases (combined with a few prefixes) will increase your reading comprehension. Besides, they’re fun!

A large percentage of English words for math, sciences and social sciences (as well as music and other performance arts) come originally from Greek.

There's a list of some very common Greek roots below, followed by more individual words with Greek origins,

Common Greek Roots for English Words

Picture of the Parthenon in Greece, with text: From demographics to sympathy and telescopes to chronology, a lot of English words have come from Greek. How many can you recognize? Try our quiz!

Here’s a list of some of the most common Greek roots, in their usual combining form. (Most end in ‘o.’ You just drop the ‘o’ if the following syllable begins in a vowel.)

anthropo- man, human : anthropology, anthropomorphic, philanthropy
bio- life : antibiotic, biology, biosphere, probiotic, symbiosis
chrono- time : chronic, chronology, chronometer
cris, crit- judge or decide : crisis, criteria (standards to use to judge something), critical, hypocrisy
geo- earth : geologist, geometry, geographic
graph (from graphein - to write or draw, & graphia - a description of) : calligraphy, demographic, digraph, graph, (a chart showing information in the form of a picture), graphic, photograph
hydro- water: dehydrate, hydraulic, hydroelectric, hydrogen, hydrophobia, hydrothermal
logo- (often logy- study of, from logia - a speaking about, logos - word or thought) : biological, cardiology, dermatologist, ecology, ideology, logic, mythology, psychological, theological
lexis- word: lexical, lexicography (dictionary writing)
metron- measure : metric, speedometer, thermometer
morpho- form or shape : metamorphosis, morphology
patho- feeling , suffering, disease : antipathy, apathetic, empathy, pathogen, pathological, sympathetic
philo- love (of) : philanthropy, philosophical, technophile
phobia- fear : agoraphobia, hydrophobia, technophobia
phone- sound : phonics, phonological, phonograph, symphony, telephone
photo- light : photography, photosynthesis
polis- city : metropolis, policy, political, politician
psych- (via Latin)-soul, mind : psychiatrist, psychic, psychology
scope- to look at : microscopic, scope (now the breadth and size of a project or vision, enough space to work), stethoscope, telescope
sphere- ball : atmosphere, hemisphere, sphere, spherical
techno- art, skill : technique, technology
tele- far : telegram, telegraph, telephoto, telescope
thermo- hot : thermal, thermodynamic, thermostat
thesis (plural theses) - a proposition (idea proposed for debate) : antithesis, hypothesis, synthesis, thesis

More English Words from Greek Roots

Here are some more English words and their relatives that came from Greek (often via Latin):

chorus (& choir)

Practice with Greek Roots

Two Greek suffixes and a few prefixes that you might need:

-ic, -al = pertaining to, related to;
a- = without,
anti- = against,
hemi- = half,
hypo- = under,
sym- or syn- = with

Instructions : Choose the best answer to each question, then press the right arrow to move to the next question.

Show all questions

? apathy
? antipathy
? empathy
? sympathy
? calligraphy
? criteria
? hypotheses
? techniques
? writes well
? feels deeply
? thinks clearly
? studies the mind intensely
? north of Europe in geography books
? a geographic line on the globe
? the northern half of the earth
? the Americas
? antithesis
? logic
? synthetic
? thesis
? chronometer
? stethoscope
? thermometer
? thermostat
? pathetic
? pathologist
? psychiatrist
? psychologist
? fears technology
? studies technology
? loves technology
? works with technology
? the study of money
? the love of philosophy
? the love of mankind
? the study of mankind
? the whole living world
? a representation of life together with death
? anything that works against life
? two forms of life working together for mutual benefit

Practice these Greek roots more with the Greek and Latin Roots Quiz .

Related Root & Prefix Pages

Greek & Latin Prefixes: a list of Latin & Greek prefixes arranged by English meanings with a picture of a Greek temple & the start of the list of prefixes: meanings, Latin, & Greek prefixes.

This is a useful list of the English meanings and then the Latin prefixes and Greek prefixes that mean the same thing.

A spreading oak tree with extensive roots in a circle design

Find the pages to study or practice over 100 root words on EnglishHints. This reference table gives meanings, examples, & links.

tree with fall leaves & text: These 50+ Word Roots Can Help You Learn over 370 English Words (just on this page)

You know words made from these roots. Learn the Latin word roots themselves for a big boost in vocabulary!

See also Medical Prefixes , Medical Suffixes , (both almost all from Greek) & Medical Vocabulary .

Still want more? For stories about unexpected words that come from Greek (as well as some from above), see this article from Babble .

Home > Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes > Greek Roots.

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Definition of thesis noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Students must submit a thesis on an agreed subject within four years.
He presented this thesis for his PhD.
a thesis for a master's degree
He's doing a doctoral thesis on the early works of Shostakovich.
Many departments require their students to do a thesis defense.
She completed an MSc by thesis.
her thesis adviser at MIT
in a/the thesis
thesis about

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Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

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Chapter 22: Greek Verbs and their Derivatives

§135. A Sampling of Greek Verb Roots

To illustrate our approach, let us take five different Greek verbs and show how a knowledge of their roots alone will help us understand a lot of English vocabulary. The present infinitive forms will also be listed, if only to prove that they are really irrelevant to English. Much more importantly, you’ll be given a few simple rules for creating Greek nouns and adjectives from verb roots. Though you will not gain any grammatical insight into the Greek verb, you will emerge from this short experiment with the basic equipment that you need to cope with Greek verb derivatives in English.

As always, the root is the minimal element of meaning. Though θε- and δο- could not stand alone in Greek speech, they were the sounds that made the Greek ear register the idea of “placing” and “giving,” respectively. The infinitives τιθεναι and διδοναι are examples of actual words formed from verb roots—you can see the two roots at their heart. One may well ask, however, whether there is any point in learning these complicated Greek forms (unless it is to recognize them when they occur in major English dictionaries). From our examples above, it would appear that the Greek present infinitive may end either in -ναι or in -ειν. Greek τιθεναι is the equivalent, in form and meaning, of Latin ponere , whereas Greek διδοναι corresponds with Latin dare . (The roots δο- and da- are cognate.)

We’ll completely ignore the question, “How did the Greeks use these roots to express verbal concepts?” Instead, let’s ask, “How did the Greeks form other parts of speech in which these verb roots have affected English?” Here is one answer. It was common practice in Greek to add the suffix -σις (- sis ) to a verb root in order to create an abstract noun. Therefore Greek had a noun θεσις ( the-sis ) that meant “a placing.” We may compare it with its Latin parallel from ponere , the abstract noun positio ( posit-io ). Although they are not really synonyms, thesis and position —English words with the same etymological meaning—do have some semantic relationship. The Greek form may be adapted in English: δοσις ( do-sis ), “a giving,” is the etymon of English dose .

If θεσις means “a placing,” then συνθεσις ( syn-thesis ) is “a placing together,” ἀντιθεσις ( anti-thesis ) is “a placing against,” and ὑποθεσις ( hypo-thesis ) is “a placing beneath.” Would you agree that the Greek derivatives synthesis and hypothesis have semantic links with the parallel Latin derivatives composition and supposition ? A metathesis is a “change” (μετα-) in placement—for instance, a transposition of two letters of the aplhabet—oops, I meant alphabet. A prosthesis (cf. §133 ) is something “placed in addition” (προσ-), like an artificial limb. We see two Greek prefixes at work in the noun παρενθεσις ( par-en-thesis ), a device for placing something in and beside.

Moving down our experimental list of verb roots, we can assume that the same noun suffix will be added to στα- to produce στασις, “a standing”; and we may be familiar with the English word stasis (used, for instance, of a fluid stoppage in human physiology). More interesting, perhaps, is ἐκστασις ( ek-stasis ), source of the English word ecstasy . In Greek mystery religions, you achieved the state of ecstasy when you had the feeling that you were “standing outside” your body, thus allowing the god to come inside (ἐνθυσιασμος, E enthusiasm ). The medical term μεταστασις ( meta-stasis ) describes the “change of standing” when a cancer moves from one part of the body to another.

From the verb root κρι- ( kri- , “divide,” “judge”) there is only one noun of this type—κρισις; a crisis is a moment of division or judgement. (Note also criterion < κριτηριον). However, from the verb root λυ- ( ly- , “loosen”) we have a bonanza of English noun derivatives (all pure Greek): analysis, catalysis, paralysis, dialysis, and psychoanalysis. Several of these were discussed in the last chapter, but now you will be better equipped to understand their form. If the Latin translation of λυειν (“to loosen”) is solvere , then an analysis is perhaps equivalent to a resolution ( resolutio ).

Before we leave our trial group of verb roots, let us become acquainted with two other Greek suffixes used in verb derivatives.

Whereas the suffix -sis was added to verbs to form abstract nouns, the suffix -ma ( -ma ) was similarly used to create concrete nouns. The only example apparent in our trial group is θεμα ( the-ma ), source of English theme . There are some other verbal derivatives of this type that have entered English without change: drama (< δρα-, “do”), dogma (< δοκ-, “think”), and cinema (κινη-, “move”). Others have been adapted in spelling, like poem (< ποιν-, “make”; cf. ποιν-της > L poeta , “maker”).

Finally, you should meet the suffix -τικος ( -tikos ), which will turn a Greek verb root (or base) into an adjective. Don’t confuse it with the suffix -ικος ( -ikos ), which converts a Greek noun base into an adjective. From our list of sample verbs, we can at once spot English words like synthetic (συνθετικος, syn-the-tikos ), hypothetical (ὑποθετικος, hyp-o-the-tikos + L -alis ), critic (κριτικος, cri-tikos ), static (στατικος, sta-tikos ), ecstatic (ἐκστατικος, ek-sta-tikos ), analytic (ἀναλυτικος, ana-ly-tikos ), catalytic (καταλυτικος, kata-ly-tikos ), and paralytic (παραλυτικος, para-ly-tikos ).

With this theoretical and practical [1] knowledge at our disposal, we can now survey a number of common Greek roots, trying out each of these suffixes in turn.

E theoretical < θεωρη-, "observe," "speculate"; practical < πραγ-, "do," the source also of pragmatic . ↵

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Plural of Thesis

The Quick Answer

The Plural of Thesis

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hypothesis (n.)

1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis , from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a placing under," from hypo- "under" (see hypo- ) + thesis "a placing, proposition" (from reduplicated form of PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). A term in logic; narrower scientific sense is from 1640s.

Entries linking to hypothesis

1530s, "action, a thing performed, anything done, a deed," good or evil but in 16c.-17c. commonly "evil deed, crime;" from Latin factum "an event, occurrence, deed, achievement," in Medieval Latin also "state, condition, circumstance" (source also of Old French fait , Spanish hecho , Italian fatto ), etymologically "a thing done," noun use of neuter of factus , past participle of facere "to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").

An earlier adaptation of the Old French word that also became feat . The older senses are mostly obsolete but somewhat preserved in such phrases as after the fact , originally legal, "after the crime." Also compare matter-of-fact .

The modern, empirical, sense of "thing known to be true, a real state of things, what has really occurred or is actually the case," as distinguished from statement or belief , is from 1630s, from the notion of "something that has actually occurred." The particular concept of the scientific, empirical fact ("a truth known by observation or authentic testimony") emerged in English 1660s, via Hooke, Boyle, etc., in The Royal Society, as part of the creation of the modern vocabulary of knowledge (along with theory , hypothesis , etc.); in early 18c. it was associated with the philosophical writings of Hume. Middle English thus lacked the noun and the idea of it; the closest expression being perhaps thing proved (c.1500).

Hence facts "real state of things;" in fact "in reality" (1707). By 1729, fact was being used of "something presented as a fact but which might be or is false."

By fact is also often meant a true statement, a truth, or truth in general ; but this seems to be a mere inexactness of language .... Fact , as being special, is sometimes opposed to truth , as being universal ; and in such cases there is an implication that facts are minute matters ascertained by research, and often inferior in their importance for the formation of general opinions, or for the general description of phenomena, to other matters which are of familiar experience. [Century Dictionary]

Facts of life is by 1854 as "the stark realities of existence;" by 1913 it had also acquired a more specific sense of "knowledge of human sexual functions." The alliterative pairing of facts and figures for "precise information" is by 1727.

Facts and Figures are the most stubborn Evidences; they neither yield to the most persuasive Eloquence, nor bend to the most imperious Authority. [Abel Boyer, "The Political State of Great Britain," 1727]

plural of hypothesis .

hypothesize

hypothetical

supposition
See all related words ( 8 ) >

Trends of hypothesis

More to explore, share hypothesis.

updated on December 08, 2020

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Dictionary entries near hypothesis

hypothalamus

hypothecate

hypothermia

hypothesise

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the-; them-, themat-, thes-, thet-

(latin: placing, setting; to place, to put).

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8.3: §136. Greek Verb Roots and English Derivatives

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§136. Greek Verb Roots and English Derivatives

This section will consist of a series of Greek verb roots, presented in tabular form. Try to relate each verb’s original meaning to the semantic force of its English derivatives—the connection may not always be apparent. Don’t be surprised if a Greek verb has more than one root form; often these are different ABLAUT grades, as in English swim, swam, swum .

cf. Latin gen- , as in genus , generis ; progeny and progenitor are Latin derivatives. ↵

Sanford Celebrates the Class of 2024

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Our newest graduates join more than 9,500 Duke Sanford alumni worldwide.

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For undergraduates, public policy is a liberal arts major. Students learn to read critically, think analytically, and write concisely.

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The celebrations coincided with Duke University's centennial celebration .

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Families joined us from around the world.

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Duke Sanford is one of the nation's premier schools of public policy, recognized both nationally and abroad for teaching, policy engagement and research.

The Sanford School of Public Policy graduation ceremonies on May 10 recognized more than 300 graduates from six academic programs this spring:

Executive Master of National Security Policy (MNSP);
International Master of Environmental Policy (IMEP);
Master of International Development Policy (MIDP);
Master of Public Policy (MPP);
Public Policy doctoral program (PhD); and
Public Policy undergraduate major (PPS).

Graduate Degree Ceremony Overview

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Both the graduate (9AM) and undergraduate (1PM) ceremonies were introduced by Sanford Dean Judith Kelley. She began her remarks by connecting the graduating students to an ancient story of the “red thread” told through ancient Greek mythology, relating it to the thread of community that will always guide Sanford graduates back to their common roots.

As new members of the 9,500-plus Sanford alumni population that spans over 100 countries, Kelley reminded graduates of the lifetime of aspirations and expectations that await Sanford students.

Her address was punctuated by the inclusion of an actual red ribbon in each student program, a reminder not only of the Greek reference but also of her own Danish heritage, “The story of Theseus and Adriadne’s thread was part of the inspiration for what has become a concept in Scandinavian countries, including Denmark, my home country. “Den røde tråd.” The red thread,” said Kelley.

Distinguished Alumni Speaker Ryan Smith, MPP’14

The Distinguished Alumni Speaker was Ryan Smith, MPP’14. Currently serving as the Innovation Team Project Manager for the City of Durham, Smith delivered a poignant speech to the graduating class of 2024, reflecting on his journey and sharing insights gleaned from his experiences. Smith, who leads a rapidly growing department, expressed his deep honor in addressing the class and welcomed them as fellow alumni. He compared the graduates to his own team and welcomed them as alums. "I’m so glad you’re a part of our team. And I’m excited for what we can accomplish with the addition of your heart, talents, and experience that we could not have otherwise,” said Smith.

Reflecting on his own journey, Smith shared instances where he found purpose and joy in serving his community. He recounted initiatives such as the development of a legal services program, collaboration with formerly incarcerated individuals, and leading a branch of public safety focused on compassionate responses to behavioral health crises. Through these experiences, Smith emphasized the fulfillment derived from making a positive impact on society.

Smith acknowledged the inevitability of facing difficult days and encouraged the graduates to embrace them. He shared two guiding principles for navigating challenging times: drawing near to those impacted by their work and taking action despite limitations. "When you are working on really challenging issues, you have to make sure you’re taking time to draw close and center those most impacted and marginalized,” Smith expressed.

Drawing from his work with the Durham Community Safety Department, Smith emphasized the importance of empathizing with marginalized communities and centering their experiences in policymaking. He shared the story of Martin, a homeless individual struggling with mental illness, to illustrate the significance of understanding individual needs and addressing systemic barriers.

Smith emphasized the role of leadership in mobilizing collective efforts to address societal challenges. He recounted how his team collaborated with various stakeholders to establish emergency shelters for the homeless during cold weather, demonstrating the power of unified action in effecting change. "Leadership is about the ability to bring people together around a common challenge and finding a way forward, drawing upon the group’s collective power, resources, and talent."

Finally, Smith encouraged the graduates to celebrate small victories and to remain connected to their support networks. He emphasized the importance of cherishing every step forward and expressed optimism for the graduates' future endeavors.

"Don’t take the small wins for granted. Celebrate every step you can along the way."

2024 Richard Stubbing Award: Professor Mallory SoRelle

Mallory SoRelle with Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Manoj Mohanan.

Professor Mallory SoRelle won the 2024 Stubbing Award for teaching and mentoring graduate students. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the school's graduate programs and commitment to the personal and professional development of their students.

Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Manoj Mohanan announced the award during the 2024 Graduate Commencement ceremony, congratulating SoRelle for her extraordinary care for students and the greater Sanford community.

This award, established in honor of the late Richard Stubbing (a celebrated Sanford professor), is nominated by graduate students. SoRelle received numerous nominations, one of which included this summary of SoRelle's excellence in teaching.

“Professor Mallory SoRelle is deeply committed to teaching at all levels. This semester, she created a new undergraduate course on policy feedback with a hands-on survey lab component. She also teaches a core course for PhD first-year students, laying the foundation for a successful PhD journey. For me personally, she has been invaluable in terms of my professional and personal development. I would not be finishing my PhD this year with a tenure-track position without her.”

Read more about SoRelle and the Stubbing Award.

3 PhDs awarded

Two women in cap and gown, one with diploma

Public Policy: Xinyue "Alison" Pei | Essays on Labor Market Dynamics and Innovation. Advisor: Prof Matthew S. Johnson. Posing with: Prof Kate Bundorf.

man and woman in caps and gowns, woman with diploma

Environmental Policy: Maya Chandrasekaran| Energy Access, Time Use, and Women’s Empowerment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Advisor: Prof Marc Jeuland. Posing with Prof Subhrendu Pattanayak.

Man in blue cap and gown standing with two professors in red.

Environmental Policy: Zhenxuan Wang | The Economics of Energy Infrastructure and Climate Change. Advisor: Prof Robyn Meeks. Posing with: Robyn Meeks and Prof Billy Pizer.

Undergraduate Degree Ceremony Overview

Undergraduate speaker: laya sathyan.

Undergraduate speaker Laya Sathyan emphasized potential for positive change.

Laya Sathyan delivered Sanford’s 2024 student address. As a graduating student focused on Public Policy and Global Health, she began by expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to address her fellow graduates, faculty, and guests, reflecting on her journey since arriving at Duke in 2020. "If you're like me, you graduated high school by reaching for your diploma out of your car window, like picking up a hashbrown at the McDonalds drive-through,” said Sathyan, eliciting laughter from her classmates.

From there, Sathyan acknowledged the transformative power of her education at Duke and Sanford, emphasizing the importance of embracing change. She highlighted the impact of the pandemic on their academic journey and personal growth, noting the resilience required to navigate through unfamiliar circumstances. She compared her personal change to the potential for change in all people. "Sanford has changed all of us, in our maturity, capabilities, and understandings of the world,” she pointed out. "I hope we can all run towards [change] rather than away."

To illustrate this, Sathyan shared a powerful anecdote about Durham racial justice advocate Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis, the former leader of the Durham Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating the transformative potential of forgiveness in overcoming deep-seated differences. She emphasized the importance of forgiveness as a catalyst for progress and unity in a divided world.

"Society has become more divisive and fragmented than ever before. We are encouraged to hate and to hate blindly with no compassion for those on the other side. As Sanford graduates, we have the power to either further this divide or bridge it."

In her closing remarks, Sathyan urged her fellow graduates to honor their education and continue the legacy of Sanford by advocating for positive change. She emphasized the importance of forgiveness, self-reflection, and the belief in the capacity for personal and societal transformation. "In a world that is marked by division, to love and forgive is a radical act,” said Sathyan.

She finished again encouraging the audience to embrace change. “I ask my classmates, the class of 2024, for one thing. Do not leave Sanford behind. This graduation marks our transformation from students into policymakers, advocates, and leaders. As you move forward into the next stage of your lives, I ask you to honor the gift that was our education here, and to carry Sanford, and everything this school stands for into the future. I ask you to remember the importance of forgiveness, to others and to yourself. And I ask you to remember that everyone has the capacity to change.”

Fleishman Award Winner (Highest Grade Point Average)

Katie Heath, Hannah Galdes, Grace Endrud and Anisha Reddy posing with Sanford's founding director Joel Fleishman for whom the award is named.

Best Honors Thesis: Christina Wang

Christina Wang is Sanford’s 2024 Best Thesis winner with an Honors Thesis titled "What Do Americans Think Democracy Means?” which includes research that reflects her dedication to understanding democratic principles and amplifying the voices of the American people. Read more about Christina and her research.

2024 Terry Sanford Leadership Award Winner: Grace Endrud

Grace is one of two 2024 Terry Sanford Leadership Award winners, a prestigious award for public policy undergraduates at Duke. She says when she first came to Duke, she didn’t see herself as a leader, instead she focused on her work in the classroom. But when she applied for Duke’s Nakayama Public Service Scholars program, something clicked.

2024 Terry Sanford Leadership Award Winner: Chloe Nguyen

Chloe Nguyen is one of two winners of the 2024 Terry Sanford Leadership Award. Chloe is passionate about understanding the psychological drivers of intergroup conflict like political polarization and developing interventions to address them.

More awards

Charles B. Rangel Fellowship : Manon Fuchs
Critical Language Scholarship : Manon Fuchs, Charles Hester and Samyuktha Sreeram
Schwarzman Scholarship: Sejal Mayer-Patel
Gaither Junior Fellowship: Kristin Zhu
Fulbright Scholarship: Andrew Greene

Watch Fleishman and Terry Sanford Leadership Award Winners on stage.

Tifft Teaching Award: Lisa Gennetian

Named after the esteemed Susan Tifft, the Eugene C. Patterson Professor of the Practice of Communications and Journalism, this award celebrates educators who excel in guiding and nurturing undergraduate students.

Students nominated Lisa Gennetian for the 2024 award, and the praise for her instruction was glowing. Gennetian is Pritzker Professor of Early Learning Policy Studies at Sanford and is an applied economist who studies how poverty and policy interventions to alleviate it affect children’s development, education, and other outcomes.

Gennetian teaches the core microeconomics course for Sanford undergraduates. The many students who nominated her for this award praised her ability to make economics less daunting by engaging the class with accessible real-world examples, including from her own research.

The nominations called her a “phenomenal” and “passionate” teacher who cares deeply about her students, always wanting them to see how economic principles matter to understanding and addressing the policy problems they care about. Students appreciated her flexibility, accessibility, and sense of humor, as well as the welcoming and lively environment she created in the classroom.

Read more about Lisa Gennetian and the Tifft Teaching Award. | Watch her receive the award