Professors, faculty, friends, families, and alumni:
I am Zhong Yuyi from Government and International Relations. On behalf of the graduating class of 2022, I sincerely welcome everyone and thank you for spending this unforgettable night with us.
We are a legendary class of students. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no picnic for either job seekers or school applicants. Still, we prosper in the challenging times through our arduous efforts. Before saying a fond farewell to the campus that has witnessed our growth, allow me to invite you to reflect on the meaning and value of the liberal arts education.
I want to share three key lessons from the rich harvest of experiences we have enjoyed. The first is that the definition of excellence is multi-dimensional. Here I think of Jasmine, the president of the UIC Soup Kitchen Charity Association. She did not just spend her time in the library but conducted a field survey at Shengli Primary School, Heyuan City, here in Guangdong Province, and raised 7000 yuan in funding to solve its shortage of drinking water. Number two: what goes around, comes around. My fellow student Beatrice used to complain, in frustration, that she could not digest all the knowledge that her major demanded. But guess what: she applied herself quantitative research methods and ended up with the best Final Year Project of GIR. Lesson number three: think outside the box. I'm one of the students with the highest grade point average in this class. I should have pursued graduate study following the routes, but I did not because I discovered my interest in scouting talents on the internet. Hence, I approached this industry from the top, and in barely one year, I got a special offer from Bilibili that was awarded to the best graduates of their year.
To recap, I summarize all these into one word: empowerment. Liberal arts education does not guide us in one specific direction. Nevertheless, it directs us to explore infinite possibilities; this is critical, especially during this tough time. We will carry forward the self-confidence we have gained and continue to shine in all walks of life. Congratulations to the class of 2022. We nailed it!
