Graduates Face a World in Flux

Boston's college graduates celebrated their big day under a mix of sunny and cloudy skies. The atmosphere was a blend of joy and concern. Why? Because the political climate has been anything but calm. Students at Boston University buzzed with excitement. They cheered as their faces appeared on the stadium's big screens. Emily Deschanel, a BU alumna and actress, gave the commencement speech. She joked about her new honorary degree, saying she was now a doctor. No takebacks, she laughed. Meanwhile, at Tufts University, Freeman Hrabowski III delivered a powerful message. He spoke about his own experiences growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, and his participation in the Children's March. He was just 12 years old when he was jailed by Bull Connor. Hrabowski encouraged graduates to believe in themselves and to fight for what they believe in. He also voiced support for a Tufts graduate student, Rümeysa Öztürk, who was detained by immigration authorities. She was released after a federal judge ordered her release. The political turmoil didn't stop at Tufts. At Brandeis University, professor Jonathan D. Sarna urged graduates to stay sober and responsible. He drew parallels between the current political climate and the 1970s, when he graduated. Sarna also called on the university to recommit to its historical support of Israel. But not everyone was happy with his speech. Some students criticized the university's choice of commencement speaker. They felt that Sarna was unfairly dismissive of Jewish students' criticism of Israel. Boston University president Melissa Gilliam acknowledged the uncertainty of the times. She encouraged graduates to trust in their knowledge, experience, and values. She reminded them that they had been prepared for challenges. Graduates like Olivia "Dakota" Lichauco from Belmont found the ceremony heartwarming and emotional. But she also felt a bit scared about what comes next. The past few weeks had been busy with finals and senior events. Now, it was time to face the real world. So, as the confetti flew and the graduates threw their caps in the air, they stepped into a world that was both exciting and uncertain. They were ready to change it, one step at a time.