A Comet savored the moment as the sky sparkled with fireworks at the end of the All-University Commencement ceremony, which honored spring graduates as well as grads from fall and summer of 2021.
On an evening just before a lunar eclipse entered the night sky, The University of Texas of Dallas shined a bright light on its most recent graduates in a sparkling new Comet tradition that celebrated their academic journeys.
UT Dallas President Dr. Richard C. Benson presided over the inaugural All-University Commencement ceremony, which was held Sunday outdoors at the University Roundabout.
“A hallmark of an all-university commencement is the keynote address by a person of great distinction, and just such a person is with us tonight. … Mr. John Olajide,” said Benson, the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership. “Growing up in Nigeria, he proved to be a top student with great entrepreneurial instincts. And thanks to guidance from a family friend, he pursued an education in Texas at the greatest university for a young man with his talent — UT Dallas.”
Commencement Coverage
Photos: Facebook album
Speeches: Student speakers
Video: Shoot for the Stars
ICYMI: Ceremony webcasts
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Olajide BS’04 thanked the graduates for attending and encouraged them to move toward their goals and show up for others when they need help.
“I knew I wanted to have a positive impact in the world, and I knew I couldn’t do it on my own,” he said. “We have to show up for others and know they’ll do the same for us when we need them.”
Olajide’s message reinforced the event’s theme — “Bright Futures Ahead” — by encouraging Comets to work through adversity and challenges.
“There is no straight path to success, but maintaining a belief in yourself is critical, and staying strong through times of adversity is essential to whatever success that you seek,” said Olajide, CEO and founder of health care technology company Axxess, and co-chair of New Dimensions: The Campaign for UT Dallas.
In addition to this spring’s graduates, Comets who earned their degrees in summer and fall of 2021 joined the festivities.
“Life is about priorities, and you are all here because this celebration of your accomplishments is important to you, your loved ones and your university,” said Dr. Inga Musselman, UT Dallas provost, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership.
Deans of each UT Dallas school also congratulated graduates and recognized their families and friends for their support throughout the years.
The gala also featured the “Comet Wave,” in which graduates turned on their orange, lighted wristbands at the end of the ceremony and waved their caps in the air. The evening ended with fireworks and music as Comets took photos and shared laughs and hugs with supporters.
“Thank you for choosing UTD for your education, and thank you for all you’ve done to give back to the home of the Comets,” Benson said. “It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of your journey.”
The event kicked off a week of individual school ceremonies for the Class of 2022.
Ceremony Honors Major Milestones for Doctoral Candidates
The University of Texas at Dallas recognized its 110 doctoral candidates on May 13 in a hooding ceremony, in which they were honored by their academic mentors and celebrated by family and friends.
Dr. Juan González, dean of graduate education and the Francis S. Johnson Chair for Graduate Education, welcomed the students and commended their research efforts and focus.
“Doctoral candidates: You have achieved a major milestone. Today you move from being our students to our colleagues,” González said. “This is a tremendous accomplishment, and I congratulate you on it. You have shown faith in yourself and in the importance of your ideas. It has been a privilege to be a part of your academic journey.”
Each of the candidates was welcomed to the stage in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building Lecture Hall and hooded symbolically to honor their years of academic research.
During his keynote address, Dr. Rafael Martín, UT Dallas vice president and chief of staff, encouraged the students to use their hard-earned expertise to engender trust and communicate the importance of their research.
“We need the knowledge and the solutions that you have inside of you, that you have worked so hard to develop. But they can only impact our society, our world, if people have trust in you,” he said. “Become an ambassador for your expertise, and you will make a difference.”