Commencement Speech at Loyola University
Me, giving speech at the commencement
I had the honor to give the commencement speech at the College of Arts and Science at Loyola University (LU) on Friday, May 13th.
Joyce and Laurie, who I had been in communication with, greeted me upon my arrival and took me to the room where all the faculty members who would be seated on stage were waiting for their line-up. I had the opportunity to meet President Garanzini, Dean Fennell, and others. Although I had obtained two graduate and one undergraduate degrees, I had never attended any commencement ceremony dressed in academic apparels. I was quite excited.
Dean Fennell giving greeting
It was great to see students getting ready for their defining moment with excitement. The auditorium was full when we walked in. The proud graduating students were seated in the middle, and their family members and friends were seated on both sides of the raised benches. My husband Francis, daughter Lisa, and close friends Jing, Gillian and Ellis were also among the audience. I felt like I were one of the students ready to embark on a new phase in life.
Me, speaking at the commencement
At 10 a.m., the commencement ceremony started as planned. Dean Fennell gave the greeting, followed by student speaker Erica Grandados-De La Rosa, and me, giving the keynote speech. After the conferring of degrees to nearly 600 students majoring different fields in arts, Father Garanzini gave the blessing. When Rob Bucholz, MC and Professor of History, announced the closing of the ceremony, I was still immersed in the spirit of celebration.
Faculty, students, and families at the commencement
The key points I’d like to have them walk away with include 1) embrace different cultures and people of different ethnic origins; 2) be strong and resilient; and 3) dream big dreams no matter how improbable they seem.
I was moved when many members of the faculty came over to give me their positive feedback on my speech. I felt very honored and privileged to have this opportunity, sharing a few life lessons I had learned living in two countries and two cultures.
Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.moraquest.com, www.mulberrychild.com for more information. Mulberry Child has been made into a feature-length documentary film and will be released in 2011.
Tags: College of Arts and Science, Commencement speech, Graduation, Jian Ping, keynote speaker, Loyola University Chicago, mulberry child
