Elizabeth Shyu

Good afternoon, faculty, staff, friends, family, and last, but certainly not least, my peers, Class of 2024! I am so very honored to represent our graduating class and speak to you all today.

To our faculty and staff, thank you for the time and energy you’ve spent to educate and advocate for our success. I can’t count the number of times the halls of Hoblitzelle were lit up when I was greeted with a smile from a faculty or staff member. I won’t forget moments like Dr. Syed Naqvi telling me that he was excited that I was writing my paper on an education-related topic, Dr. Tonja Wissinger’s inspiring passion talking about women in the workplace, or the many moments of joy I’ve shared with my friends at the Teacher Development Center. You bring life to one of the oldest buildings on campus.

To our friends and family, you play a significant role in your graduate being here today. We are blessed and proud to invite you to celebrate this very special day with us. Thank you for showing up and supporting us.

To my friends in the caps and gowns, we did it! We have come a long way from our first days on campus. What was once the center of our universe is now but a distant memory — college applications, the stress of waiting for your enrollment appointment every semester, taking gen-chem or that teacher certification exam. Nevertheless, we persevered till this very day.

As we close this chapter of our life and transition into the next, there are many emotions we may be feeling — excitement, happiness, pride, but also fear and anxiety. The world outside these walls is so much more daunting — scarier than a ticket for parking in a color that’s not on your permit or our old Temoc mascot living in that glass box in the Activity Center. We may fear our first job as a postgraduate, applying to earn another degree, and just adulting. But fear is what holds us back.

And yet, hope is what keeps us going. It gives us purpose. Hope is a comet in an otherwise dark and void galaxy. As I reflect on my time at UTD, I’ve found we have three reasons for us to hope.

Our first hope is that which our education brings. We are sitting here today because we have had the privilege to partake in higher education. Don’t take that opportunity for granted. In a world of uncertainty, education is the beacon that informs our most important and difficult decisions. So, value your education. Use it to leave this world a better place than you found it. Apply your knowledge and continue to learn. One thing I’ve learned from my student teaching is that I can study and create lesson plans as much as I want, but it’s nothing without experience. Learning is a lifelong process. It hasn’t stopped just because we are graduating. In fact, it’s only just begun. In one of my classes with Dr. Michele McNeel, she told us that, “A master teacher is a teacher that is always learning.” To even begin to master the ins and outs of life, we must be willing to be a lifelong learner.

That brings me to our second hope — that which our experiences bring. There’s no doubt we’ve had many experiences during our time here, some good and some bad. Don’t let them define who you are, but don’t dismiss them either. Learn from your experiences and view them as opportunities to grow. Make sacrifices for things that have a lasting impact. Be open to new experiences. We rarely grow when we’re comfortable.

Our third hope is that which our relationships bring. You’ve had people walk alongside you during your time at UTD, many of whom are here today. Hold on to them and show gratitude. Thank you never goes without saying. So, while I’m up here, thank you, Daddy and Mommy, for the sacrifices you’ve made for me and instilling in me the value of education and serving. Remember to surround yourself with people who bring hope and light to your life; and be that person for others. Have grace and encourage each other because, as I’ve learned and am still learning, we all mess up. Do not walk alone. We cannot experience the fullness of the gift of life without others alongside us.

So, graduates, hold on to the hope your education, experiences and relationships bring. Keep these things at the forefront of your mind to inform your purpose. Work hard toward your dreams, and you’ll find that the path that lies ahead is as clear and bright as a comet. Thank you. Congratulations, Class of 2024!

---

Elizabeth Shyu graduates with a bachelor’s in education with an early childhood to sixth grade teaching certification. She follows the legacy of her three older siblings as a UT Dallas alumnus. Throughout her time at UTD, Shyu participated in the Freshman Mentor Program, Fellowship of Christian University Students, Dallas Musical Outreach and Phi Delta Kappa International. Additionally, she worked as a student assistant at the Teacher Development Center. Shyu is a recipient of the Dallas Teaching Scholars scholarship funded by the Toyota USA Foundation to support future STEM educators who serve populations of underrepresented students. She is currently completing her residency, teaching second grade math and science at Watson Technology Center for Math and Science in Garland ISD.