Greetings President Tang, Professor Jia, faculty members, the graduating class, ladies, and gentlemen,
I'm Dave, a member of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Media Program. I have to admit that I may not be the most qualified student to represent this wonderful class, because we have so many excellent peers with outstanding academic achievements. The reason why I am standing here, is because I'm a thick-skinned English speaker.
But this is my greatest honor so far! My family moved to Zhuhai when I was 5; my elder cousin attended UIC as an undergraduate; and now my first higher education experience in China, after 11 years of study and work in the United States, is also UIC. Zhuhai is my home and UIC is the center of my universe. I have encountered so many incredible people here, who have made this community so special and inclusive--The New Year's Party, the basketball match, among others. There are so many unforgettable memories we have created within the last 300 days. One thing special about this class, is that we are accommodated out of campus. Although off our campus, it has brought my classmates closer together. There is a lifelong bonding between us.
I have met people asking me: Is there a big difference between China and the US in education? It may be true elsewhere, but At UIC, my answer is, not really. Instructors are equally knowledgeable, course setup is equally disciplined, students in class are equally engaged, and the Honor Code is equally alive. The school I attended in the US is Emory University, a mature academic institution with a history of over 150 years. UIC, is a young but energetic school, and is growing rapidly to match the standard and reputation of much older schools. I am really proud to be a student, and now an alumnus, and hopefully a future contributor to UIC. Oh by the way, I studied Applied Mathematics at Emory, President Tang, so maybe one day I'm good enough, I'm gonna apply to your PhD program.
Why did I make UIC my first choice, after coming back to the motherland? Initially, I was looking for a buffer, to get myself prepared for life in China, and once again to adapt to the culture that I used to know but only as a child. But there is more than that: I have met mentors that enlightened my ways of thinking, friends that enriched my life, and girls, um, never mind. But all unique at UIC.
"Commencement" is a strange word which means both a graduation ceremony and a new beginning. Just like some of you, I choose to stay in the Greater Bay Area after graduation. Since January, I commuted between Zhuhai and Shenzhen every week, switching between school coursework and internship. It is a huge blessing that I can see my future now, and I do hope and believe that my fellow students can see your future as well. Please, let's keep in touch, and flourish together.
UIC, you are my springboard to my future. This one year at UIC, is just as meaningful as the 11 years I had spent overseas. I wanna express my most sincere gratitude to Ms. Ashura Lam, Professor Su Weifeng, Professor Qu Bingqing, Mr Yue Baochuan, and many others who promoted our growth. Thank you all, and thank you UIC! I am sure that one day a lot of us will come back here, as VIPs.
Thank you all! And farewell, my friends.
