On December 21, 2023, Cornell University honored over 500 December graduates during the 23rd December Recognition Ceremony held in Barton Hall. President Michael I. Kotlikoff addressed the graduates and their families, celebrating their achievements as they transitioned from students to alumni. With more than 2,000 attendees, the event marked a significant milestone in the lives of those graduating.
Kotlikoff emphasized the value of a Cornell education, describing it as rigorous and demanding, designed to prepare graduates for both their careers and life challenges. “There are no shortcuts to a capable intellect,” he stated. Graduates, reflecting on their time at Cornell, expressed feelings of liberation and excitement about the future. “I feel like my wings have been lifted, and I’m ready to soar,” said Louis Zavala, an environment and sustainability major.
The graduates credited their support networks for their success. Priya Abiram, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major, noted the importance of camaraderie. “Being somewhere that’s hard and sort of away from everywhere else, the people make the biggest difference,” she said. Her fellow graduate, Sarah Grace Brown, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how they inspired each other throughout their academic journey.
During the ceremony, attendees cheered for a single doctoral candidate from Cornell Law School, as both Kavita Bala, Provost, and Kotlikoff offered remarks to inspire the graduates. Bala reminded the audience of the rapidly evolving landscape they would soon enter. “In 10 years, you may find yourselves in completely different fields, perhaps ones that do not yet exist,” she said.
Kotlikoff also reflected on the adaptability and creativity of the graduating class, attributes that would serve them well in an unpredictable world. He invoked the early days of Cornell, stating, “What mattered wasn’t where you came from, but what you did when you got here.” This ethos remains a core part of the university’s identity.
As the deans presented the candidates for degrees, Kotlikoff noted that every generation of Cornell students has faced unique challenges. “Know that your Cornell education has equipped you with the tools and the capacity to meet the future with confidence,” he assured them.
Graduates embraced this optimism. Adigun Olusola, who earned his master’s in engineering management, spoke about overcoming personal struggles with the support of the Cornell community. “I’ve had ups and downs, hills and valleys,” he reflected. He is set to join a construction company in Washington, D.C., next summer as a project manager.
Zavala, whose cap featured a 3D woodland scene, felt a surge of hope as the ceremony concluded. Just as the conferring of degrees was finishing, stormy weather lifted, allowing sunlight to flood Barton Hall. “It felt like a fairy tale,” he remarked, capturing the moment’s magic.
The ceremony concluded with a standing ovation and the singing of the Cornell Alma Mater, leaving graduates with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the future. As they prepare to embark on new journeys, their shared experiences and the lessons learned at Cornell will undoubtedly guide them in the years to come.
