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Graduates were awarded degrees in topics ranging from global investment banking to philosophy to artificial intelligence and ethics, showcasing the breadth and depth of Northeastern’s academic offerings.
Xiaoya Huang, a graduate student at Northeastern University’s London campus, admitted to being a little nervous the first semester of her master’s program in artificial intelligence and ethics, having never worked in computer science or AI.
But on Wednesday, Huang thanked her classmates for helping her overcome that nervousness, enabling her to be the student speaker at the 2024 graduate commencement ceremony at the Barbican Centre in London.“I remember starting the first semester, feeling insecure about my background,” Huang said. “I’d never worked in computer science, let alone AI. I began talking to people, and I found that many shared the same anxieties, which made me feel less alone.”
Huang thanked her classmates for inspiring her to keep up.
“(You) were impressively organized and efficient, motivating me to do the same,” she said. “All of you, despite the difficulties of finding a job, continuing to study, or shedding countless tears over assignments and dissertations — and never gave up.
“Congratulations on your perseverance, your kindness to each other, and your willingness to show both your best and your vulnerabilities,” Huang continued. “Without each of you, I know I wouldn’t have made it here or felt so happy today.”
Huang — who called her time at Northeastern “the best experience of my life” — continued the congratulations.
“Now here we are,” Huang said. “We did it.”
Graduates were awarded master’s degrees in majors ranging from global investment banking to philosophy to artificial intelligence and ethics, showcasing the breadth and depth of Northeastern’s academic offerings.
The ceremony also showcased the intelligence and fortitude of Northeastern’s students in London and across all 13 of the university’s global campuses.
Scott Wildman, executive principal and dean of Northeastern’s London campus, praised graduates for their dedication.
“You’ve worked for your futures with focus and dedication and that dedication is demonstrated by the high attainment of this degree,” Wildman said before awarding the degrees to graduates.
After the graduates were welcomed into an alumni network of 300,000 Huskies in nearly 200 countries, Wildman continued the congratulations.
“Our graduating students have proven themselves to be innovative, resourceful, curious and adaptable, which will serve them well in their futures,” Wildman said. “Will everyone join me in congratulating our graduates?”
The audience applauded.
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Anthony C. Grayling, a philosopher and principal of Northeastern in London, told the graduates that in these tumultuous times, the world needs people of intelligence.
“It needs people to step up and really be that intelligent, educated, engaged person,” he said.
Grayling said that a Northeastern graduate degree comes with the responsibility “to make use of that in this world and for our fellows in this world.
“Therefore, I urge you to be that person,” Grayling continued. “Be the person you are, be the person you’re publicly recognized as being on this occasion at this very moment — highly intelligent, highly educated in a world that needs you.”