To the Class of 2020:
A warm congratulations! Your time is quickly approaching and it is super exciting. This is the time for celebration and reunions, so please take it as such. While it may seem like an uneasy, turbulent moment for everybody right now, the one thing that is steady and certain is your graduation. Nobody and nothing can take that from you. This is your time. You did the work for the last four years (or more depending on your degree!), and now it is time to celebrate. Nobody and nothing can take away the hard work you did, the hardships you endured, and the accomplishments you surpassed.
Now, I want to take this time to give a special congratulations to those breaking barriers at a university like UIUC. You know who you are. My first-generation students, my students of color, my DREAMERs, my DACA-mented students – you are remarkable. When I say nothing can take away your accomplishments, I mean NOTHING can take it away. You have surpassed and overcome barriers placed in your path. When you felt like you were at the bottom, you remembered your reason for trudging forward. And if you have not heard it yet, then allow me the privilege of saying it first: I am so proud of you, and you are my inspiration for pursuing my degree. People like you are paving the way for future generations, and nothing is more uplifting than that.
It may seem a little rough for a bit because the time that you were supposed to be spending with your loved ones was taken away from you, but I want to remind you that these individuals are still there for you. When all this is over (or at least things become a bit more normal), they will be ready with open arms to celebrate you. To celebrate every little thing you have succeeded in and to toast to your future endeavors. Your graduation was paused for a little bit, but when it is time to celebrate it, it will be grand and it will be a reunion like no other. Trust me, we are all very thrilled to celebrate this moment with you. We are all very proud of everything you have accomplished and will continue to do.
