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As the student speaker for Commencement 2024, University Scholar Yvonne Chen-Yih Kuo ’24 asked her fellow graduates to reflect on their academic and interpersonal growth during their time at Syracuse.

“Four years ago, COVID abruptly reshaped how we interacted with and experienced the world around us,” said Kuo, who was selected as the student speaker on behalf of the Class of 2024. Yet, even during the pandemic, “we found ways to learn, grow and connect on campus at Syracuse.”

As the pandemic eased, Kuo, a psychology and forensic science major in the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, continued to discover her passion and community in the psychology department and in the lab of Natalie Russo, associate professor of psychology.

“My time at �鶹Ƶ��has been a journey of discovery and advocacy that serves as a foundation for my future as a clinical psychologist and my commitment to inclusivity and internationality in my work,” she said.

While everyone’s academic journey has been unique, Kuo said each degree comes with a responsibility for graduates to use their knowledge, skills and privileges to impact society.

“I encourage every one of you to not only embrace the inevitable changes that will befall you, but also to proactively enact change where you see fit,” Kuo said. “Rather than letting time propel us forward passively, let us be the generation that pushes time forward.”