Student Government president’s 2025 Academic Convocation address

Student Government President Alex Shuron, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student, addressed the crowd at the Gordon Field House during RIT's annual Academic Convocation ceremony on May 9. The full text of his speech is below:

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the celebration of the Class of 2025!

Class of 2025, when you first started at orientation, it was likely that either the student to the left or right of you did not make it here, for various reasons. Do not make light of the momentous accomplishment through you sitting here today.

Over the past few weeks, I have pondered how I can impart wisdom on moving towards the next chapter of your life when I am not actually graduating myself this year. However, though I am not walking across the stage later today, I am no stranger to the constant change of life, as well as having to say many goodbyes this weekend. So today, instead of reminiscing on the culmination of your college experience, I have some requests for you as you go out into the world.

First, continue to be kind. For many of us, our relationships start anew in college. Those first months trying to find your community on campus, reaching out to others in class to form a study group, joining your peers in the dorm lounge late on a Saturday night. Through connecting on campus, I am sure someone extended a hand to you, or maybe you were that welcoming hand. In a world continually changing and divided, continue to be that outstretched hand for the individuals and communities seeking kindness, and do not let go of the connections that you have made during your time here.

Second, continue to be curious. RIT students are no stranger to this. I am sure many of you came here for your technology major, only to find yourself doing something like juggling in the campus center every week. Staying explorative about new people, new hobbies, new places, and the like will continue to help you in your growth and your character. Keeping an open mind has led me to some of my favorite memories, and I am now more appreciative of being open to new experiences. Staying curious allows you to dive directly in and figure things out as you go.

Above all else, continue to be resilient. The unspoken challenges we face are what continues to shape our character through life. Finding new passions on campus after having to leave old ones back home, living in a new state or country and going on a co-op or study abroad by yourself, countless hours spent dedicated to your discipline, friends leaving and entering your life. I am no stranger to the nights wondering if you are good enough, wondering if all the difficulty will be worth it. In the end, you continue to meet the new sun each morning. No matter what you have gone through, you have overcome it to find yourself sitting here today. The ever-changing landscape that lays ahead will continue to impose seemingly insurmountable odds, but you must continue to persevere.

Finally, remember to stay connected to peers and to campus. 

You know, a great way to stay connected is to always take a photo to let friends know what you’re up to. SMILE!

Now, it is your decision whether or not to carry out these requests. You may tell yourselves that you will continue to be kind, curious, and resilient, but only time will tell. As a close friend has said to me many times, “Words don’t mean anything, actions prove intent.”

Continue to prove to the world your intent through actions, and you will be the change that you want to see. Good luck on navigating the next chapter of your life, and I cannot wait to join you as an alum next year!

Congratulations again to the Graduating Class of 2025 and go RIT Tigers!