Taimoore Zafar Arshi

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the 2024 UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management commencement ceremony. It is an honor to be present here, speaking in front of a crowd filled with such pure brilliance. We have all embarked on a collective journey of growth, learning and discovery. I’m sure each graduate today has a particular faculty member who had a tremendous effect on your success. For me, Professor Tom Henderson was my person. Let’s all remember to thank those special faculty who have supported us throughout this journey. Your unwavering support and belief in us have been critical to our success. I also want to thank my friends and family, especially, my parents, Zafar and Uzma Arshi. I encourage all graduates to applaud their thanks to their friends, families and support systems, as well.

Before I go any further, I promise I did not ChatGPT this speech. I want to share an impactful story today that resonates with all of us here. About a month and a half ago, Ma’ruf Dallas partnered with UT Dallas students to host a field day for refugee children. Many of these children had come from places where the idea of having fun only existed in their imagination.

As the event began, many of the kids were up and running right away, kicking a soccer ball, jumping in a bounce house or chatting with every volunteer they saw. However, many were hesitant and shy to even approach a single station set up for them. But interestingly, I noticed something remarkable. A child would approach one of the shy kids and nudge him to join them. Soon after, this would cause other kids to loosen up and want to join in on the fun. Or, if they weren’t nudged, they pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and attempted to enter the games. Eventually, what started as a soccer game of five versus five turned into a game of 10 versus 10. And it’s safe to say I will not be playing in the next FIFA World Cup. My ankles can testify. Despite life throwing those kids immense hardships, they were brave, fought through it, ended up having some fun and found joy.

Like all those children, we are navigating a new and sometimes daunting environment. How many of us fear the next chapters in our lives? How many of us reject thoughts of stepping outside of our comfort zone? We all have had relatable moments of fear and uncertainty in our lives. Some of us recall moments when we jumped headfirst into the water and immediately started playing with the soccer ball. And to those people, I immensely applaud you. Others, like me, needed the nudge at times and stood in the back. I understand it now, though; that it’s OK to feel scared, and it’s OK to need a nudge. We are all in this together.

Whatever the case may be, look at us now, conquering the endeavors that once seemed impossible, entirely wrong, and accomplishing our goals — the hardships and challenges we have tackled and persevered through to achieve the position we are sitting in. It was not easy, and there were moments when we all felt like the better option was to quit. Moments when our schedules were not lining up for work, the material looked like an entirely different language, or Quizlet was not reliable. But through the hardships, we stayed true to our goal and saw it through until the end.

So, I end here today and leave everyone with a challenge. Graduates, I challenge you to persevere through the next chapters of your life. As you progress, fearful moments will reappear. There will be times when life tests you; you might lose hope, you might lose your spirit, but your character will never break. Continue to make the world less scary for others. Continue to foster each other’s growth and development. Be the impact someone needs.

I challenge you to always be the person who brings someone into the soccer game, even on the days when you feel like quitting, when you don’t feel like you belong anywhere, and no one can understand your frustrations. Be the person to impact someone positively. And when no one invites you into it, be that for yourself and step boldly into the game. Because beyond the fear is either a lesson or an opportunity.

It is OK to lose. Losses will come. But the losses are better than the regrets of never trying. And eventually, the victories will appear. This is not just a challenge but a responsibility we all share. Congratulations to the 2024 graduates. Thank you so much for your time.

Taimoore Arshi came to UT Dallas from Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas, and is graduating today with a bachelor’s in business administration. He has been involved in several student organizations, including the men’s track and field team and Islamic Relief. He also served as the social coordinator of the UT Dallas chapter of UNICEF. He has mentored students as an AVID tutor at Plano West High School and has spent time volunteering at the Wilkinson Center food pantry. After graduation, he plans to attend law school.