Soochow Bids Farewell to Class of 2025, Wishing Them a Bright Future Ahead

With heartfelt speeches, symbolic ceremonies, and joyful celebrations, Soochow University sent off its Class of 2025 with a series of commencement events on June 7 and 8 at the Waishuanghsi Campus, marking the close of their university years and the start of new journeys.

The ceremonies, divided into two sessions on June 7 for the four Schools of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Foreign Languages and Cultures, Science, and Big Data Management, were complemented by department-led tassel-turning rituals and farewell gatherings, offering graduates a meaningful conclusion to their time on campus and a ceremonious transition into the next stage of life.

In his address to the graduating class, President Chyan-Long Jan reflected on the challenges of learning during the pandemic and emphasized the importance of adaptability in a changing world. He noted that education today demands not only disciplinary expertise, but also interdisciplinary thinking, and that to thrive in an era of uncertainty, graduates must keep learning, stay ambitious, innovate boldly, and adopt a global perspective.”

Board Director Rong-Jou Wang drew from over five decades of public service experience to offer practical guidance: “In any new environment, work hard, observe carefully, and never shy away from tasks others avoid. That’s how you grow and contribute real value to your team.”

President of Soochow Alumni Association Huei-Kuei Chen encouraged graduates to embrace innovation in the age of AI, which is built on interdisciplinarity, diverse intelligence, and big data, by facing challenges with calm confidence. “And remember, whenever you need support, the alumni network is here for you,” he said.

Among this year’s highlights was a photo booth designed by the student graduation committee, which proved a popular attraction for both students and their families. The university also installed social-media-friendly “graduation walls” across campus to give graduates the chance to create lasting photo memories.

For many families, commencement was not just a milestone for graduates, but a moment of shared pride—one parent even dressed in a full dinosaur costume, drawing smiles and tears in a heartwarming surprise.

This year’s graduating class also included an outstanding international student: Ge-Wen Lim, a History major from Malaysia, received multiple honors including the Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor, the Academic Excellence Award, and the Outstanding Service in Student Organizations Award. Most notably, she was named recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Overseas Graduate Award by the Overseas Community Affairs Council, becoming the first Soochow student in history to earn this accolade.