Convocation came and went, and now, I have graduated from the University of Chicago - "the best university on this galaxy and any other nearby" (President Randel). Saturday started with all of us gathering at Ratner Athletic Center at 9am in the morning. It's really amazing the see 965 members of the class of 2006 crammed into a tiny auditorium, with exhuberant looks on each and every face. I dare say, I know probably 2% of the students in the hall.
The only dampener was the drizzle that was going on outside ..... it had been raining since the night before, but that was not sufficient to dampen our spirits. This was our day! After briefings from the head marshall, we all marched to Harper Memorial Court. Coming in to the sounds of bagpipes, this was truly an experience that cannot be found in Singapore. That stupid NUS Business ad is just plain stupid .... how can you ever compare NUS to the University of Chicago. That's the same as comparing Manchester United to Leeds United.
Since graduates from the biological sciences divison were awarded their diplomas first, I was the 13th person out of the 965 graduates to go on stage to receive my B.A. diploma from President Randel, Dean Boyer, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. As Xuda said, shaking Bloomberg's hand was probably my first physical contact with a billionaire.
So after 3 years in the University of Chicago, what is the take home message? If a book drops on your head, and the sound is hollow, it may not be the fault of the book! Truly, the University of Chicago is an educational institution like no other .... the drive of its students, the intellectual fervour prevalent everywhere, the freedom and independence afforded to students, the extremely tough but challenging curriculum, and of course, the home of the Bulls and the White Sox.
So it all has to end right? Here are pictures with some of the many friends I have made in my 3 years here.
YC with Luoren and Prof Holly Swyers (our SOSC professor)
YC with Yikley, Serene (roommate) and Jason
YC with Weixiong and Lu
YC with Phoebe, Germaine, Amanda, Dazhou and Shengrong
YC with Wanyun, Andrew, Brian, Jiahui and Adela
YC with Yihan, Shengrong and Xuda
YC with Hannah and Meiyi
I shall be arriving in Singapore the nidnight of June 16 (Friday). Catch up with everyone back home .... hp number's still the same.
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