On June 26, Shandong University held its 2015 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony at the gymnasium of Centre Campus. There are 7,169 undergraduate students going to leave the University this year. Moreover, 1,144 graduates have been awarded the title of “SDU Graduate with Excellence”.

Li Shouxin, Chairman of SDU Council, Zhang Rong, President of SDU, Zeng Fanren, Tenured Professor at SDU, as well as Wen Rumin, First Grade Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences at SDU, Yang Haikun, First Grade Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences at SDU, Prof. Zhang Gongyun, Chairman of the Himile Group and alumnus of SDU, and university leaders including Prof. Li Jianjun, Prof. Fang Hongjian, Prof. Zhang Yongbing, Prof. Chen Yan, Prof. Jialei, and Prof. Zhang Shiqiang, as well as other faculty members, staff, alumni representatives and other guests were present at the ceremony.

Zhang first asked the graduates to think back upon what they harvested at SDU and what they will take away from SDU. Then He said that what he considered to be the most important answer would be that the mark of SDU, which is noble spirit, was etched in the hearts of graduates.

He shared SDU Honorary Doctor Cheng Baoyi’s life experiences and spiritual pursuit, and explained the unique connotation and character of noble spirit. He hoped every graduate will remember the mark of SDU while passing down this cultural gene; and use a lifetime to understand it, to practice, to interpret, to enrich it, to be a SDU Alumni with noble spirit and to go out into the world by virtue of it.

Zhang also expressed his hope that they will commit to investing in the innovation and entrepreneurship, and gave advice with three sentences: “Entrepreneurship starts from the heart and the heart here means entrepreneurial determination, confidence and perseverance.” “Innovation leads to success, don't give up any rich spiritual thoughts, when they solidify a little bit, they may grow into great trees in the global innovation garden.” “Innovative achievements in the future require keeping up with the pace of the knowledge, and learning continuously from society and the world.”

"Graduation is the end of university time, is also the starting point of a new life; it is the real start,” Zhang said, “I hope you remember: You will always belong to SDU, you represent SDU, you are SDU; your Alma Mater forever cares for you and will always be your harbor any time.”

Zhang Gongyun introduced his experience in leading the Himile Group to grow up to be the one of world's largest tire mold manufacturer, and shared his innovative ideas of the Himile Group.

He shared with the graduates three reflections on his life and hoped they can bring the graduates certain positive and beneficial inspiration: embrace your dream and keep your feet on the ground; giving others confidence will give yourself opportunities; thinking that allows one to stand in another’s place is a shortcut to enrich experience.

Teacher Representative Chen Yanjun, professor of Engineering Training Center at SDU, recalled the experience of working with students who attended innovation training, and shared his understanding of innovation activities.

"With innovation activities, the more important thing is to cultivate people's problem consciousness, innovative interests, habit of scientific research and scientific literacy,” he said in his speech, “at present, the government, schools, enterprises and society are actively providing a good environment and a wide stage for aspiring students who are interested in innovative undertaking, and he hopes the graduates will develop the lifelong habit of sticking to truth and justice.”

Graduate Representative Yun Fan, a student from the School of Literature and Journalism, recalled his four years on campus, and expressed immense gratitude to his Alma Mater, teachers and classmates.

On behalf of all graduates, he promised that they will use their knowledge learned from Alma Mater in the past four years to contribute to national development and prosperity, and will walk more calmly and confidently in their future life with the knowledge and character given by SDU.

On the ceremony, Zhang Yongbing, Vice President of SDU, read a decision of recognition of outstanding graduates. Chen Yan, Vice President of SDU, read the decision to award the degree to the graduates. All deans of schools of SDU respectively commented to express their best wishes to the graduates.

During the ceremony, the graduates also watched video, which recorded the greeting messages from their parents, teachers and alumni.

Source:www.view.sdu.edu.cn