Summa Cum Laude = One Smart Cookie!

On Saturday San Diego State University held their 2013 Commencement Ceremony... and I had the honor of attending to watch Rebekah Leah Stein Banner not only graduate to get her B.A. degree in Statistics (with Emphasis in Actuarial Sciences), but to be selected as the Department of Science's Student of the Year  ~ fyi I checked it out and there were over 9,000 students who graduated this year from SDSU... so that makes her 1 our of 9000!!!

All that done in less than 3 years! Not to mention, Rebekah is just 21 years old..  Also during this time she managed, just to mention a few,  to serve at Hope Worldwide International Summer Programs, assist  in leading the Teen Ministry at our church, and  squeeze in a wedding to marry my awesome nephew Caleb!

Summa Cum Laude - with Highest Praise

Graduating With Honors Requirements: Graduation with honors cum laude requirements vary. Cum laude grade point average estimates: gpa for cum laude - 3.5 to 3.7; gpa for magna cum laude - 3.8 to 3.9; gpa for summa cum laude - 4.0+. 

Rebekah graduated Summa Cum Laude in her class ... along with only about 40 others.. and from those few she was selected as  Honorary Student of the Year! I'm sure she could tell you what the probability of that was!! ... hee hee hee

Afterwards about a dozen of us went out to Fish Market in Del Mar for an awesome time of fun, food and fellowship after such an accomplishing day together!

Rebekah we are all soooo very proud of you... 

I can't even image what you went through to accomplish this....  

I couldn't even get through basic Geometry....

 But here's one probability I can predict..

chances are you are going to have an incredible career 

and abundant life ahead of you because of this major accomplishment!

God Bless You & Keep You!

** Stay Awesome **

PS - I didn't really know what Actuarial Science was but am learning... this helped understand (of course I had to Google it!)....


Probability and statistics is an important scientific discipline essential to all fields of study that rely on information obtained from data. In a world bombarded with numerical information, informed decisions rely on the ability to separate fact from fiction by applying valid statistical analyses. Statisticians can provide crucial guidance in determining what information is reliable and which predictions may be trusted. They often help search for clues to the solution of a scientific mystery and sometimes keep investigators from being misled by false impressions.

The work of a statistician may range from the theoretical (developing new methodologies and statistical theory) to the applied (working with scientists and decision makers to collect, analyze, and interpret data). Regardless of the areas in which they work, statisticians need a strong background in mathematics and computer use. Because uncertainty and data arise in many settings, statisticians have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects in industry, education, government, and research. Thousands of statisticians work in medicine, law, agriculture, public policy, marketing, manufacturing, engineering, and other fields in the social and natural sciences. The diversity of applications is an exciting aspect of the field and is one reason why the demand for well-trained statisticians continues to be strong.

An actuary is a business executive, professionally trained in the mathematical sciences. Actuaries specialize in the evaluation of financial risk—most often in the context of life, health, and casualty insurance, where they design, analyze, and refine varied programs to meet the insurance needs of society. Most actuaries are employed by insurance companies, where they have responsibilities for all phases of the development and maintenance of their company's products. They have considerable influence on the financial soundness of their company through work in pricing insurance policies and in compiling data for financial statements.

A growing number of actuaries work in the areas of asset/liability management and risk management. Some of these actuaries are employed by investment and consulting firms; others are employed by insurance companies.Actuaries have been called financial architects and social mathematicians, because their combined analytical and business skills help solve a growing variety of financial and social problems. The actuarial profession is a demanding yet rewarding career choice.