CWU Holds 2017 Commencement Ceremony

China Women's University (CWU) held a graduation ceremony for students on July 4. Li Mingshun, chairperson of CWU Council, CWU president Liu Liqun, and Vice-Presidents Liu Meng, Wang Jingxia and Wang Lian participated in the event, which was presided over by Liu Qinghua, deputy secretary of the CWU Party Committee.

Attendees also included members of CWU's Academic Degrees Evaluation Committee, deans from different colleges, secretaries of the general Party branches, counselors, head teachers, and directors of functional departments. 

Graduates wearing academic robes walked through the arched doorway decorated with flowers. Everyone had a smile on their face. All the graduates wrote a letter for their future and hoped to read their original intentions again two years later. 

Students also left messages on the blessing wall and watched videos recording their campus lives to mark the graduation.

Accompanied by music, the school leaders walked onto the stage and waved to participants. Liu Qinghua greeted new graduates in the form of a roll call. Students answered their names, creating a warm and touching scene and recalling their memories of campus life. 

During the ceremony, Liu Meng, Wang Lian and Wang Jingxia announced the university's decision on granting degrees for 2017 graduates and praising its outstanding graduates. Some 43 postgraduates, 1,097 undergraduates and 164 outstanding graduate representative volunteers received relevant certificates.

Leaders from different schools and departments issued appointment letters to 50 alumni liaisons.

The graduates presented flowers to the school leaders, tutors, and parent representatives, pledged allegiance to the school banner, and solemnly swore that they would stay loyal to the country and the people, and forge ahead to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

Attaching love and hope to a lotus, the junior students recited a Chinese traditional prose "A Tale of Lotus Lover". They also performed 'I Wanna Talk to You', an award-winning work at the 2017 Beijing College Students Dance Festival, hoping the graduates could be brave in realizing their dreams.

Liu Liqun delivered a speech themed "Carrying Forward the Spirit of CWU, Living a Happy Life". She reviewed the development history of the university and recalled students memories of the campus. 

Liu Liqun expressed her warm congratulations upon the opening of the event, sincerely thanked all the teachers and parents for participating, and reviewed students' four years of growth. She fully affirmed their achievements and hoped that they could accumulate knowledge, practical experience, lay a solid professional foundation, and realize the value of life.

She also hoped the graduates could uphold the school motto of Virtus, Caritas, Scientia and Cultura, carry forward the spirit of Self-esteem, Self-confidence, Self-support and Self-improvement, and bear in mind CWU students' responsibilities.

Afterward, the school leaders and members of the Academic Degrees Evaluation Committee issued diplomas to the graduates, and moved their tassels from right to left, marking their formal graduation. 

At the end of the ceremony, all the participants sang the university anthem. The ceremony came to an end with a prolonged applause. 

The road ahead will be long. The graduates should uphold CWU's motto, improve their consciousness of social service, and achieve self-worth, organizers said.

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and edited by Gender Study Network)