The majors in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development are as varied as media, education, health and arts, yet the speakers at this year’s commencement ceremony, held on Monday at Madison Square Garden, united the diverse group of students under themes of history and learning.

Punctuated with performances by the Steinhardt Singers and the Steinhardt Dancing Educators, the ceremony featured remarks from Steinhardt administrators, faculty, alumni and student speaker Olivia Hanson.

Dean Dominic Brewer said the history of Steinhardt, founded in 1890 as the first school of pedagogy in the nation, serves as a guiding principle for all areas of study in the school.

“Wherever life takes you, remember you are a piece of our history,” Brewer said. “You are the pride of the men and women who came together in 1890 to create our school. They broke new ground, and you will too.”

Before the graduating class was called onstage to receive recognition from Steinhardt administration, vice dean for academic affairs Ted Magder traced the history and significance of the bachelor’s degree in higher education.

“The most important thing about the baccalaureate is the state of mind it instills,” Magder said. “The willingness and the capacity to challenge and interrogate subtle truths and traditions, the ability not just to learn, but to teach, to create new forms of expression in media, art and music, and to improve the health and well being of individuals and whole communities.”