The 2021听livestreamed commencement ceremony听is Thursday, May 6. Be part of the story by tagging听#ForeverBuffs听on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!
This year, students听had听a unique opportunity to process into Folsom Field as a way to commemorate the occasion of graduation prior to the campuswide ceremony鈥撯��watch the recordings. Find additional resources on听the听2021听commencement site.
Below, read from a few of the many talented, motivated and innovative students who are graduating and starting on their next adventure. As they become Forever Buffs, they leave their inspirational legacies鈥撯�搘ith advice and reflection鈥撯�揻or those who follow.听
What you'll carry forth
I am leaving CU with a treasure trove of skills and experiences, an exciting job at Apple and an incredible array of friends. Earning my graduate degree was a long-held goal and one that I wish my mother could have seen. Graduation will be a proud moment and a reminder of the many sacrifices my parents made so I could pursue my passions.鈥�
鈥揟haala Loper (MBA鈥�21)
Show up. Show up for others, show up for your community, show up for yourself. It鈥檚 incredible how rewarding that is. Just show up. The rest will take care of itself.鈥�
鈥揘athan Bala (Dance鈥�21)
I will carry forward with me the realization that my impact on the world as an engineer is just as important as my contributions in the small slice of research I have focused on. My five years at CU have been some of the most tumultuous in our country's recent history, and there are many challenges to help solve moving forward. After my time at CU, I feel empowered to make positive change by translating my research skills to real world problems.鈥�
鈥揔atya Arquilla (PhDAeroEngr鈥�21)
I was fascinated by the art history classes I took from Professor Albert Alhadeff, where he would meticulously describe a painting, but also the artists intent, the political intrigue of the time, and all the layers of backstory that brought the image to life. From his classes I learned about the power of art to communicate simple and complex ideas, and as my career began to unfold over the years, I always incorporate the arts in my projects because I learned to appreciate them from my time at CU.鈥�
鈥揇avid Clark (DistSt鈥�21)
听
I have learned that doing good scholarship and being a good person are two sides of the same coin. It鈥檚 commonplace for people in the academy to focus on the academic project and lose the basic understanding that we are all just human beings who thrive if we center basic care for each other鈥撯�搘hat we call 鈥榰buntu鈥� back in Southern Africa. In my experiences with faculty and staff at 兔子先生传媒文化作品, particularly in the School of Education, people care about academic rigor as much as they care about being great human beings.鈥�
鈥揟afadzwa Tivaringe (PhDEdu鈥�21)
I think the most important thing I've learned from CU that I will carry with me is to be true and authentic to who I am, and to always stand up for what is right, especially against the people we are most scared to speak out against. My career and my 鈥榗onnections鈥櫶齛re never more important than the fight for equity in the arts.鈥�
鈥揜ita DiSibio (Thtr鈥�21)
My experiences within the 兔子先生传媒文化作品 education program helped make me aware of how the standard American public school curriculum has maintained race, class听and gender divisions within society through the use of the hidden curriculum. I have used the knowledge gained from the program to help establish a tribally controlled charter school in southwestern Oklahoma that will attempt to decolonize Native American education by promoting Comanche culture and language.鈥�
鈥揓ustin Boos (MEdu鈥�21)
My professors have made my experience at CU so wonderful because I truly feel like they have prepared me to be successful in whatever role I take on post-grad. I have also made the most amazing lifelong friends here and will carry the memories we have with me forever.鈥�
鈥揈mily Reno (Comm鈥�21)
As I make my next career move into the gaming industry, I will carry forward three things.听The first is a commitment to listen to, represent, include and highlight diverse voices in the stories and games I will be creating. The second is a resolution to prioritize community and the beautiful things that can happen when people connect, share and empathize with each other. And the last is a continual sense of gratitude for everyone who supported me throughout my journey.鈥�
鈥揌arrison Bolin (CTD鈥�21)
The courage to change the world is something more valuable than the knowledge itself. During my time at 兔子先生传媒文化作品, especially at the ATLAS Institute, I have learned that through our work, we can create opportunities for more people and contribute to social equality, and I am committed to doing so.鈥�
鈥揜uhan Yang (MCTD鈥�21)
My time at CU has given me a lot to appreciate. Lessons on the importance of adaptability, innovation and collaboration have shaped my experience and will continue to influence my future. Through the supportive relationships I have developed with faculty members, professors and peers who have become my mentors and friends, I've learned the power of always asking myself how I can improve and the importance of working with others to accomplish these goals. I am so grateful to have been part of a community that encouraged me to dream big鈥撯�搃t's this type of hope and passion that I aim to always carry with me.鈥�
鈥揟ayler Shaw (Jour, Span鈥�21)
We are all better teachers when we learn from each other. My professors and peers all had different styles and strengths. From the inspirational writing community Wendy Glenn guided in Processes in Writing听to the incredible support network Silvia Nogueron-Liu created in Digital Literacies听when we all literally went digital for the pandemic, I had the privilege of learning new strategies and skills from the dozens of creative and experienced teachers who were my classmates.鈥�
鈥揈rica Bednar听(MEdu鈥�21)
Everyone鈥檚 time comes differently. Some students will be able to complete within the traditional four years, but for others, it may take longer and that within itself is also valid. Some flowers only bloom on the night of a full moon. Only those who are patient enough to wait for it will see its true potential.鈥�
鈥揔yle Lee听(Dance鈥�21)
I cherish all the amazing professors I was able to learn from. I will carry their wisdom, teachings听and advice with me for the rest of my life...I do not take lightly the hard work, sacrifice and risk all of these mentors took so I could听step听into/ create听a world I love and desire.鈥�
鈥揝ara Swain (Edu鈥�21)
Beyond everything I learned throughout my master's coursework, research and practicum, I also gained many valuable connections with individuals I met along the way. From professors who have become friends to peers who have become mentors, I am very grateful for all the incredible individuals who came into my life during this time. I hold especially dear the tight-knit relationship formed with my two cohort-mates and am eager to see not only where we all go from here, but also when our paths may cross again as professionals!鈥�
鈥揔earney Newman (MCTD鈥�21)
听I have met mentors who have forever changed my life. They have helped me grow into the person I am today. They taught me about myself and gave me inspiration as I entered the next stages in my professional and personal life. Another thing I'll take away is a mindset鈥撯�搃n college I learned a lot about my work ethic, strengths听and weaknesses. So I'll definitely take away those nuggets of information as I pursue my professional aspirations and develop personal relationships.鈥�
鈥揝arah Lurie (Bus鈥�21)
听I loved getting to work with the communities I was designing for, both within and outside of the classroom. I got to meet with industry professionals and community members in my studios, but I also got to meet with 兔子先生传媒文化作品 students I was representing as a member of CUSG's Legislative Council. I've learned a lot about how important it is to talk to the people you serve and introduce plans they support.鈥�
鈥揝arah 鈥淪kitch鈥澨齂itchen (EnvDes鈥�21)
听My student-teaching semester was an experience I鈥檒l never forget. In the face of immense adversity during online learning and throughout the pandemic, my students taught me the true meaning of resilience and determination. Despite being physically separated online, we built relationships and created a sense of classroom community that reframed my view of what is possible with online education.鈥�
鈥揕auren Gaona (MEdu鈥�21)
Your best piece of advice
听Life鈥檚 full of strikes and gutters, ups and downs. Try to just take it easy and not stress about things that are out of your control.鈥�
鈥揅lark Mousaw (InfoSci鈥�21)
I would advise all students to take their health seriously, both physical and mental. Graduate school is tough, and it's very easy to stop sleeping, survive on tortilla chips, and ignore your imposter syndrome just to get more work done. From personal experience, that ends up hurting both you and your productivity. Your work takes longer to do and it becomes worse in quality. If you take care of yourself first, you give yourself the best opportunity to do amazing work efficiently. Good luck, you're capable of pulling this off.鈥�
鈥揂roob Abdelhamid (PhDChem鈥�20)
Be your true self in college. Follow your own interests and passions and embrace your identity in terms of both academic and social settings. Following the paths of others will only set you back;听and I have learned you have the most fun when you are your true, genuine self.鈥�
鈥揜achel Emmitt (Edu鈥�21)
My advice for other students is to remember that your fellow CU students possess mastery and knowledge of topics that you do not. Never underestimate the amazing resources you have within your fellow students, make friends, do not be threatened by each other's brilliance, and be generous with what you know.鈥�
鈥揝arah Rose Mauney (MFA鈥�21)
听Do not forget the passion that made you apply to your program in the first place, and make sure that passion continues to be reflected in your studies and work. For me, that meant teaching as much as possible while I was a PhD student, even though some academics suggested I needed to prioritize research and writing.鈥�
鈥揥ill Lindsay (PhDEdu鈥�21)
If you don鈥檛 know what you鈥檙e doing, it's OK鈥撯�搈ost people don鈥檛 know what they鈥檙e doing either. We can understand what we鈥檝e done in the past and apply those lessons in the present moment, but the process of figuring things out is all very confusing and based on trial and error. The best way to learn is to dive right in and make some mistakes.鈥�
鈥揘ina Williams (Comm鈥�21)
The advice I would give to other students is to not compare yourself to others...You are enough. You belong at CU. If you put in the work and believe in yourself, you will succeed!鈥�
鈥揟aylor Christiansen (IntPhys鈥�21)
Always read the books that are assigned. You鈥檒l never regret reading a book but you might regret not reading it鈥撯�揺specially when finals come around.鈥�
鈥揋race Dearnley (Engl鈥�21)
I think some of the most brilliant students spend their whole college career looking ahead to 鈥榓fter graduation鈥櫶齱ithout taking the time to enjoy what they have already. Everything in life is a process, and you can鈥檛 spend every moment waiting for a feeling of finality. I think a lot of students need to hear they are already on the path to wherever they need to be, even if something different or unexpected lies ahead. If I could go back to my first year and tell myself anything, it would be, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e still here. You have already made it.鈥欌��
鈥揂llen Means (Engl, Jpn鈥�21)
Make sure you are studying something you are passionate about. College is rewarding, but it鈥檚 also challenging. No matter what you major in, you will always be confronted with hard work. But if you study something you are passionate about, that work will be worth it in the end.鈥�
鈥揗egan Cunninghame (MediaSt鈥�21)
Use college to develop your true interests and passions, and use it to explore potential fields of interest. This means looking into independent studies and internships that you actually get value from鈥撯�搉ot just for a r茅sum茅. Take classes normally outside of your scope, like courses on Vikings or printmaking, and join a club or community of some kind. The community doesn鈥檛 have to be strictly through CU, either. For me, this meant joining the martial arts gym, Easton, in Boulder to build a sense of community. School can be very difficult and we all go through real-life hardships while getting our degrees. Giving yourself a spark of excitement to look forward to every week truly helps.鈥�
鈥揅era Kocher (CritMedia, Comm鈥�21)
I think the best piece of advice I could give to younger students is to fake it until you make it. It can seem really intimidating coming into college and seeing so many people who seem like they have their life together while you are completely lost, but honestly they鈥檙e trying to make it just like you. So do your best and fake confidence until you make it, and then you鈥檒l find yourself exactly where you always wanted to be.鈥�
鈥揘adyah Spahn (IntlAf鈥�21)
I have a few short, simple pieces of advice for other acting students: Listen. Be on time. Know your lines. Don't stretch yourself too thin. Drink water. Try something different every rehearsal. Read a new play and watch a new film every week. Live a full life outside of the theatre. Have fun. Be yourself.鈥�
鈥揋rant Bowman (Thtr鈥�21)
Get involved in all the things CU has to offer鈥撯�揻rom rigorous clubs in STEM to the hammocking club, there is something for everyone. It is equally important to find things you like within your major听as it is to find hobbies outside of school. Getting involved and meeting new people of different types opens many doors and creates connections that will last a lifetime.鈥�
鈥揚erry Hayman (IntPhys鈥�21)
There will be things you find challenging. Don鈥檛 immediately look for the easy way out鈥撯�搒trength is built through struggle. There鈥檚 a sweet spot between giving up way before you鈥檙e supposed to, and knowing when you鈥檙e stuck. Find that place!鈥�
鈥揗arvin Gonzalez (ChemBioEngr鈥�21)
It sounds very clich茅, but don't lose sight of your strengths and your passions. I think those are really key drivers, and sometimes in academia, we can lose ourselves within it. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done in how we protect ourselves in the academy. Allow yourself to explore.鈥�
鈥揕ianna Nixon (MEdu鈥�21)
Listen to your gut and take care of yourself. It's OK to say no to things.鈥�
鈥揂ubrey Prestwich (EnvDes鈥�21)
Find other students you care about and want to see succeed, and then help them succeed. Then no matter what happens, you will have done something good with your time here.鈥�
鈥揓ason Buell (PhDEdu鈥�21)
You belong here. It can be hard as marginalized students to feel welcomed into institutions that weren't built for us, but we need to be here for ourselves and others...Once I found other queer students, staff听and faculty, I found real community for the first time in my life. The care you receive from that community will change your life. Don't be afraid to lean on each other and offer support when others struggle in your community. You belong here and your presence makes space for yourself and others.鈥�
鈥揔iar Rickert (WomSt鈥�21)
Network as much as possible! Networking got me all of my internships and jobs throughout college. You might be surprised that you are only a few connections away from your dream company or role.鈥�
鈥揌enry Kvietok (CTD鈥�21)
The experiences I had in student organizations helped shape me into the person I am today. I had opportunities to work on my leadership skills, create lasting connections with many people听and meet some of my closest friends. I know at times it can seem like there is no possible way for you to fit things outside of school into your schedule, but I encourage everyone to step outside of your comfort zone and get involved.鈥�
鈥揝asha Hall (CompSci鈥�21)
My best piece of advice听is to put in just a bit more effort鈥撯�搕he effort you put in is the experience you鈥檒l get out. Becoming a learning assistant听was one of the best decisions I made in college.听It took time and effort, but working closely with students and faculty taught me many things I couldn鈥檛 have learned from my classes, and I cultivated friendships I will have forever.鈥�
鈥揘oelle Ireland (CTD鈥�21)
Try new things and find what you're passionate about鈥攚hatever it is you're interested in, chances are CU has something for you. Go on the career treks, join a club that interests you, take a class that sounds fun听and really branch out. The best part about being in a school with so many different opportunities is that you have a lot of chances to discover what you're passionate about and connect with other people who are passionate about the same thing.鈥�
鈥揂nanya Tyagi (Fin鈥�21)
My best advice to other students is to get involved in things you care about, both on campus and in the community. Reach out to organizations doing work that is meaningful to you and see how you can fit in! Often times they are happy to involve you, and you can develop your skills and make meaningful connections. These experiences taught me a lot, and I was able to help causes that I cared about.鈥�
鈥揂nna Lynton (CTD鈥�21)
What graduation means to you
I am graduating college in a monumental time: the storming of the capitol, fights for racial equality, a mass shooting in our hometown听and a global pandemic. There was a lot of growing up we had to do, but I am thankful for it. Graduating feels like creating an independence for myself for the first time following a series of challenges we could have never prepared for. Our whole life has been leading up to this moment...we are ready to do whatever fulfills us, as we are in the most complete stage of 鈥榝inding ourselves鈥� that we ever have before.鈥�
鈥揓ulia Merten (CritMedia鈥�21)
As a professional driven to make a lasting impact in this world, finishing grad school represents a pivotal step in helping me achieve this goal. The education and connections I received at 兔子先生传媒文化作品 helped me tremendously thus far, and this accomplishment will only bolster my abilities to continue pushing forward with my career.鈥�
鈥揜icky Marton (MCTD鈥�21)
Graduating from college represents many things for me. As a first-generation college student, it brings a multitude of significance as the hard work of my family is coming together toward听this goal that once seemed like a distant future. As an individual who values education, graduation brings reflection on my academic journey and excitement for what is to come. Importantly though, officially graduating from college allows me to continue moving forward to follow my passions and enact change on my passion areas.鈥�
鈥揈yob Abai (Bus鈥�21)
Graduating from this program is an act of social justice in and of itself. The lucha (or struggle) toward truth can sometimes feel overwhelming and daunting, but it can light the path toward unity and harmony. Completing this program represents a fight for what is right, and I am proud to lead others in the same direction.鈥�
鈥揗ichelle Lopez (MEdu鈥�21)
I will always cherish my time spent at CU. I look back at my time in Boulder as a moment of self growth and wonderful hikes. I鈥檓 grateful to have met so many unique, diverse, wise and beautiful people.鈥�
鈥揂arjav (MCTD鈥�21)
As a first-generation college student, I'm proud to say听I also will become the first member of my family to attain a master鈥檚 degree. But, most importantly, graduating from 兔子先生传媒文化作品 represents one more step completed in my journey toward becoming a professor of Japanese literature. My experience here will form the foundation of a lifetime of language and literature teaching and learning, so I am proud to call myself a graduate of 兔子先生传媒文化作品.鈥�
鈥揇ean Leininger (MJpn鈥�21)
I love adventure stories鈥攏othing feels more exciting and meaningful than exploring what life has to offer. For me, college has been a pretty good story. The worst part about a good story is that the ending is always bittersweet. But, if you're lucky, the next story is already well underway. I'm feeling pretty lucky.鈥�
鈥揈van Clark听(Mgmt鈥�21)
The end of my classes and time at CU does not mean my opportunity or drive for learning has come to a close. It is my community that has really inspired me to ask questions and keep going. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I鈥檝e had to walk along beside them and grow as a community.鈥�
鈥揔ate Kelly (WomSt鈥�21)
Graduating from college represents the hard work, sacrifices and accomplishments of my family. I could not have done this without them and the eternal love and support I have. This is as much theirs as it is mine.鈥�
鈥揓asey Joohi Kim (Span, Fin鈥�21)
Graduating from CU is a reminder of all the things my family and I had to go through to be able to get here. When I was a kid, my family and I didn't have many options, but graduating from CU opens up options I never imagined I would ever have.鈥�
鈥揘iama Al-Nima (Phil, Film鈥�21)
Graduating from college represents a chance to put my skills to the test. I鈥檝e spent the last four years anticipating this opportunity, and now I can prove it to myself that I鈥檓 ready to build my life however I see fit.鈥�
鈥揗ichael Marcoux听(Mgmt鈥�21)
Having been in schooling of some kind for the past 20 years, graduating to me represents the first time the path in front of me is completely open-ended鈥撯�揳 prospect both intimidating and exciting.鈥�
鈥揨oe Fischoff (Thtr鈥�21)
As a first-generation college student, this is for my family. This is also is for anyone who thinks they can't go back to school and accomplish their dreams or for anyone who was told they wouldn't.鈥�
鈥揓effrey Barnett (EnvDes鈥�21)
Read More About This Outstanding, Distinguished Undergraduate
It is a time to reflect on the knowledge and experiences gained and feel proud to be a 兔子先生传媒文化作品 graduate.鈥�
鈥揂nya Berlova (Fin鈥�21)
I'm the first in my family to graduate. It's very much a big deal, but I also wanted to have this as a beginning to another chapter. The official next step for me.鈥�
鈥揔elsey Hernandez (EnvDes鈥�21)
Graduating from college represents a stepping stone to a world of opportunities. There have been many obstacles in my path, both physical and mental, but getting my diploma gave me proof I'm capable of more. If I set my mind to it, I can accomplish great things.鈥�
鈥揕izzy听Corona Jimenez (Span, IntlAf鈥�21)
Editor鈥檚 note: Quotes may include minimal edits for length and clarity. See a听list of degree abbreviations.
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