Sunayana Rongali

Good morning, faculty, family, friends and fellow graduates.

They say college is where you find yourself. Well, I think we all found ourselves … trying to survive Texas heat, parking woes and a mountain of last-minute assignments. But we made it! We’re here today, not just as individuals, but as a united Class of 2024, ready to take on whatever the world throws our way.

Looking around, it’s clear that each one of us has travelled a unique path to be here. Irrespective of the paths, we all brought our own stories, challenges and triumphs, and today we take on the world together as the class of 2024.

Adapting to college life felt like learning a new dance — sometimes we stumbled, sometimes we missed a beat, but we always got back up and kept moving. We tried our best to balance classes, internships, projects and a social life (whatever was left of it). We’ve all been there — juggling late-night study sessions, group projects where someone mysteriously went missing, and let’s not forget the countless cups of coffee that got us through it all. I would take coffee in an IV bag if I could.

At this point, we’ve all become leaders in our own right. Whether it was taking charge of a group project, engaging with a student organization, or stepping up to help a friend, each of us has displayed resilience and leadership throughout our time here. It’s these moments of stepping up — often when no one else wanted to — that have shaped us into the individuals we are today. So, let’s give ourselves a round of applause because we’ve earned it.

College has been a melting pot of cultures, experiences and, yes, even food. Who here hasn’t at some point tried to convince their friends that their native cuisine is the best? From potlucks to dance nights, we’ve had the chance to learn about each other’s traditions, tastes and tunes. The cultural exchange has been as rich as our coursework (if not richer), and we’ve all become a bit more worldly along the way.

We’ve had professors who challenged us, courses that pushed us to our limits and projects that tested our patience (and maybe our friendships, too). But beyond the textbooks and assignments, we learned something invaluable — how to think critically, solve problems creatively and bounce back from failure. Remember that group project where everything seemed to go wrong and you were sure you were doomed? Yet, somehow, you pulled it together at the last minute, and it turned out all right. That’s real-world training right there!

But let’s be honest — not one of us got here alone. Behind every graduate is a support system that deserves a standing ovation. To our families: you’ve been our rock, our cheerleaders and sometimes our unofficial life coaches. Mom and Dad, thank you for believing in me, especially when I didn’t believe in myself. Your faith in me has been my greatest strength. To our friends and mentors: thank you for reminding us of our worth, inspiring us to dream big and making this journey unforgettable. Today is your celebration, too.

As we stand on the edge of this new chapter, there’s a mix of excitement and uncertainty. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that we are ready for anything. Not because we have all the answers (we certainly don’t), but because we’ve been equipped with the tools, courage and resilience to face whatever comes next. We’ve learned how to adapt, how to pivot and, most importantly, how to keep going when things don’t go as planned.

So, here’s to us. May we face every challenge with determination, meet every setback with resilience and greet every success with humility. Let’s go out there, make our mark and — most importantly — let’s have fun while doing it.

Congratulations, Class of 2024! The world is waiting for us, and I have no doubt we’re ready to make it better. Thank you, and lets Whoosh to our bright future!

Sunyana Rongali joined UT Dallas as an exchange student from O.P. Jindal Global University in India, where she earned her MBA, and is now completing her master’s in marketing. As a marketing intern at Meritize, Rongali spearheaded digital campaigns, conducted focus group research, and applied data analytics to tackle real-world challenges. Her leadership extended to serving on the Business Analytics Leadership Council, reflecting her passion for innovation and collaboration. Beyond academics, Rongali has enriched campus life by sharing her Indian classical dance heritage and contributing to multiple student-led initiatives. After graduation, she aims to create meaningful impact in the marketing industry through innovative and data-driven strategies.