00:00:01:23 - 00:00:11:29

Unknown

oh.

00:00:12:01 - 00:00:39:18

Unknown

Good evening, I'm Cindy. I'm Cindy Phan, the vice provost for the UCLA International Institute. On behalf of the regions of the University of California, I welcome you all to the 2024 commencement ceremony for the UCLA International Institute.

00:00:39:20 - 00:01:12:10

Unknown

Faculty, please be seated. We're here to recognize and celebrate the undergraduate and graduate degree recipients from the UCLA International Institute. One of the most valued qualities of higher education is the critical role it plays in bridging nations and cultures. The academic program in the International Institute aimed at crossing boundaries and building a global understanding from across the disciplines.

00:01:12:13 - 00:01:49:26

Unknown

They are designed to improve the students understanding of the world and produce global citizens. As the next generation of world leaders, this day marks the end of a long chapter is longer for some students and others in the academic careers of these students, and we are here to congratulate all of them. Academic success is built upon the support of many people, including our world class professors, and I would now like to acknowledge all of the faculty members in attendance today.

00:01:49:29 - 00:01:59:26

Unknown

Professor Marjorie Elaine, please stand.

00:01:59:28 - 00:02:06:13

Unknown

Professor David Kim.

00:02:06:16 - 00:02:12:29

Unknown

Professor Harold Torrance.

00:02:13:02 - 00:02:19:09

Unknown

Professor Bill Murray.

00:02:19:12 - 00:02:25:22

Unknown

Professor bonnie taube.

00:02:25:24 - 00:02:31:27

Unknown

Professor Adam Moore.

00:02:32:00 - 00:02:37:11

Unknown

Professor Maggie Peters.

00:02:37:13 - 00:02:46:09

Unknown

And professor Jennifer Chung.

00:02:46:12 - 00:03:20:07

Unknown

And of course, the support from family and friends and from different cultures and traditions is indispensable. Many of you have traveled long distances and made important sacrifices to be here today. You are the emotional, moral, and material support who have made it possible to achievements of our graduates. On behalf of the students and my colleagues, I would like to thank you.

00:03:20:10 - 00:03:50:11

Unknown

The UCLA International Institute is honored to have as our keynote speaker and one first and foremost, and is a proud Bruin, having graduated from UCLA in 2013, as well as being one of our very own International Institute alumni, she told me that as soon as the International Development Studies application was open, she sent in an application and was accepted.

00:03:50:13 - 00:04:53:24

Unknown

She couldn't wait to be an IDs major and is also a social entrepreneur, investor and consultant. Passionate about the intersection of technology and storytelling to shift culture around topics such as mental health, education, equity, sustainability and global poverty. When she was a senior at UCLA and co-founded the socially conscious Startup and Roo, an online marketplace that aimed to create a positive social, financial and sustainable impact on global communities and really won the first Forbes 30 under 30 pitch competition, securing funding from investors like Steve Case, Troy Carter and Forbes Media, and was named one of the youngest Entrepreneurs Innovators to Watch by a fortune in 2015, currently, and has built her own consulting practice and

00:04:53:24 - 00:05:35:11

Unknown

investment fund called petals, which develops, invests in and advises projects that leverage technology such as generative AI to make and sustain innovative impact. Her clients include Forbes, Time, PNG, General Mills, John John Legend and UCLA, and and is also very much involved with UCLA as she currently serves as the chair of the UCLA Alumni Board of Directors, and she sits on the UCLA Foundation Board and will begin serving as a UCLA, a UC Regent, starting next month.

00:05:35:13 - 00:05:47:16

Unknown

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you and Wang.

00:05:47:19 - 00:06:19:06

Unknown

Hello, Bruins family, friends and my little nephew sitting up here, Azra and Micah, who I need all of your help to recruit to be a Bruin in the future. And thank you, Vice Provost Stan, for the wonderful introduction and the warm invitation to be here today. Congratulations, class of 2024. Take a deep breath. You've arrived. You're probably sitting in your chair saying to yourself, I have finally made it to commencement.

00:06:19:08 - 00:06:43:04

Unknown

And who did they choose to speak? Yes, I realize if you put a backpack on me and put me out on campus, you'd probably think I'm a freshman. Blunden. And unfortunately, I can't serenade you like John Legend. Although I did try to ask. I'm not a billionaire hand handing you $1,000 as you walk by across stage, nor am I a part of the Kelsey family.

00:06:43:06 - 00:07:15:03

Unknown

However, I do know a little bit about what it's like to be sitting in these exact chairs. About a decade ago, I remember feeling excited, optimistic, honestly, a little relieved that I didn't have any more finals for a little bit. But I was also a little overwhelmed, not only by the burden of deciding what I was going to do with my life, but also by the chaos, the problems and the challenges that I saw in the world.

00:07:15:06 - 00:07:23:21

Unknown

As an International Development Studies major, where all my ideas majors out there.

00:07:23:23 - 00:07:55:25

Unknown

I had learned about the interconnectedness of humans, of culture, and of nature, but I had also discovered the complexities of the ongoing global conflicts, the limitations of equal access, and the inescapable impact of the cycle of poverty. I knew I wanted to be a problem solver, to stand up for the things that mattered most to me and change what I thought needed fixing in the world.

00:07:55:28 - 00:08:23:25

Unknown

So I turned down my dream job in DC, grabbed my best friends, and we started brainstorming. We began building in room and online marketplace that connected consciously minded consumers with artisans from all over the world, many who had traditionally lacked global market access. But we had no money, absolutely no experience, no investors, and no idea what we were doing.

00:08:23:28 - 00:08:53:04

Unknown

But the one thing we did know what to do was to sit down with our makers, our partners from all over the world, and ask them what they needed. We designed the company around the stories that they told us their desires to build sustainable businesses that not only supported their families, but their community. And we began sharing these stories with anyone and everyone who would listen.

00:08:53:06 - 00:09:13:20

Unknown

So on a random Thursday, I got a call. A call that pretty much changed our lives. The CEO Forbes, was on the other line, letting me know that it had been chosen out of hundreds of startups to pitch at the first ever Forbes 30 under 30 summit. Oh, and by the way, the pitch was in two days. And in Philadelphia.

00:09:13:22 - 00:09:47:18

Unknown

So with our credit cards, you know, running a little debt there, we arrived in Philadelphia by 3 p.m. on Saturday, and I found myself standing on stage in front of a thousand people and a panel of the top venture capitalists in the nation, trying to convince them that we deserved half $1 million in funding. Two hours later, we found out that we had one as they handed us a check the size of a surfboard, which, by the way, no one tells you that those checks are absolutely fake and have no value to them.

00:09:47:22 - 00:10:07:25

Unknown

So somehow we found ourselves stuffing it into an Uber, trying really hard not to get kidnaped because it said $500,000 on the front. Anyways, we figured it out. We figured it out, but in an absolute whirlwind. We were named Forbes 30 under 30 LA's top CEOs to watch and gave a Ted talk all before the age of 25.

00:10:07:28 - 00:10:50:04

Unknown

And the best part was because of this momentum, we were able to build something that truly connected people. We invested in entrepreneurs all over the world and Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and even here in downtown L.A., while also empowering conscious consumers to make an impact in their every day. And since my days of being a founder, as Vice Provost Vann mentioned, I've been lucky enough to continue to work on solving a range of challenges bringing technology and innovation to topics like mental health, access to education and global equity, even problem solving for UCLA.

00:10:50:06 - 00:11:04:21

Unknown

As the youngest and first female Asian-American woman to serve as the president of the UCLA Alumni Association.

00:11:04:23 - 00:11:33:01

Unknown

Here we've been reimagining how to better engage and meet the diverse needs of our alumni, 600,000 plus strong all over the world, which, by the way, you all are. Now, I share my journey with you because it is absolutely okay if you're sitting here right now a little overwhelmed. Maybe you don't have all the answers of who you want to be, or maybe the world feels a little bit like it's on fire.

00:11:33:03 - 00:12:07:05

Unknown

I know you've endured an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. Thanks to Covid. It's been unprecedented. Political unrest and polarization continue to witness the devastation in Israel, Palestine, in Ukraine and in Sudan. And you've seen this campus, our campus and campuses all over the nation at the forefront of the tension between freedom of speech and safety. But do not let this overwhelm win.

00:12:07:07 - 00:12:41:00

Unknown

Fight to be a problem solver. Through all of my work, I have found time and time again that the most impactful solutions were not just deploying great tech, it wasn't the business model or great policy or those those are powerful. Rather, the foundational component to drive true change is connection. Amidst all of the chaos, the apathy, the alienation that feels so prolific today.

00:12:41:02 - 00:13:12:04

Unknown

Connection is the only antidote. I challenge you to better connect. Yes, with those around you, friends and family who are sitting in this room with us today, but also to connect with those that might sit across a protest line, across ideologies, across borders or political aisles. Be deeply curious about their origin story, their why. Understand what matters most to them.

00:13:12:07 - 00:13:44:10

Unknown

Ask them what keeps them up at night, and ask them what gets them out of bed in the morning. Have empathy for their past lived experiences because they make up who that person is in that moment. It is within these stories, the rich dialog where you can find your answers. Understanding the needs of an individual or of a community is the catalyst to truly impactful and enduring solutions.

00:13:44:12 - 00:14:20:22

Unknown

Class of 2024. Specifically, this class of international Institute graduates, you are more equipped than anyone else to be the next generation of problem solvers. You've studied people, languages, cultures, and the complexities of humanity, and as a result, you possess some of the most transferable and critical skills to be drivers of change. You have the ability to connect to others, understand their meaning, validate why they matter, and bridge differences.

00:14:20:24 - 00:14:50:24

Unknown

We can't control the future. We don't know what technology like. I might bring, but these are the skills, the human skills that will remain irreplaceable and foundations to a better world, no matter what path or industry you choose. It starts right here, right now. The moment you walk out of these doors, it's so to the UCLA International Institute, class of 2024.

00:14:50:27 - 00:15:15:22

Unknown

Thank you for having me here, for letting me share a part of my story and my why. And if you ever happen to see me wandering around campus and can actually tell me apart from a freshman or in L.A. or out in the world, please don't hesitate to stop me. I want to hear your story about the stories you've collected and connected to through the years.

00:15:15:25 - 00:16:04:16

Unknown

This moment isn't just the start of a new chapter. It's about being the author, choosing your narrative, your plot, defining your own character. But it's also about bringing a diverse set of characters and perspectives, antagonists and all with you. This is how we build the most rich and dynamic story possible together. Congratulations, class of 2024. You've done it!

00:16:04:18 - 00:16:33:05

Unknown

Good evening. I'm Marjorie Elaine, associate vice provost of the International Institute. And first of all, I'd like to thank our wonderful keynote speaker and what wing, thank you so much for, this talk tonight. At this time, I'd like to recognize our master's of art students. With the assistance of the chairs of the graduate academic programs. Students will be soon asked to come to the front of the stage in order of their academic program.

00:16:33:07 - 00:17:03:19

Unknown

Each student will then be called individually by name, so that all guests please remain in their seats during this part of the ceremony. Professional photographers are here today to help you commemorate this event in pictures. So you're asked not to leave your seats to take pictures. Thank you. The first group of international institute students to be recognized will be those receiving the degree at the Master's of Arts degree in African Studies.

00:17:03:21 - 00:17:16:19

Unknown

And here to introduce those students is Professor Harold Torrance.

00:17:16:28 - 00:17:47:02

Unknown

congratulations, everybody. Class of 2024. All right, so, the goals of the African Studies, Ma program are to provide graduate students with an opportunity to engage in intensive study and research on Africa, on an interdisciplinary basis. And so, Africa is literally huge. And this geographic spread poses a massive diversity, in terms of history, politics, culture, language, economics, and probably most other aspects of human life.

00:17:47:04 - 00:18:14:05

Unknown

And so, you know, at the end here in 2024, the African Studies program at UCLA is nearly 60 years old. and the students who are graduating today are part of a long line of scholars who have dedicated their intellectual energy, to the study of Africa and to the research, of the African studies, students and faculty reflects the diversity that exists on the ground in Africa.

00:18:14:08 - 00:18:57:14

Unknown

And this is why it's such a fascinating part of the world of study. Until the students, that are going to be graduating today have focused on a wide range of topics. So these include everything from global warming, colonialism, African social structures, African diaspora in and outside of Africa, public health and, Pan-Africanism. And so these include, papers with topics or titles like Specters of Mao, Mao ontology and adaptations of the theater of the Ongoing or Third Wave Pan-Africanism a Historical Analysis of the Pan-African movement and its contemporary manifestations, among many other papers that the students have worked on.

00:18:57:16 - 00:19:18:13

Unknown

And so research in the African Studies program actually looks at the past, the present, and and also towards the future. And so in this way, the work of the students in the African Studies program contributes to our understanding of Africa and therefore the world, and so will these students who, will be receiving their degrees in African studies.

00:19:18:13 - 00:19:27:29

Unknown

Please approach the stage.

00:19:28:02 - 00:19:39:12

Unknown

To. Okay. All right. So Joe Jordan, Tyrique Smith.

00:19:39:15 - 00:19:47:14

Unknown

I. Yeah. Cafe la cefaly. Sorry.

00:19:47:17 - 00:19:53:06

Unknown

I'm.

00:19:53:09 - 00:20:00:19

Unknown

Laurel. Patricia. Hubert.

00:20:00:22 - 00:20:06:11

Unknown

And Aja. Whitehead.

00:20:06:14 - 00:20:18:20

Unknown

I work with. And Dylan Ashton.

00:20:19:04 - 00:20:33:08

Unknown

I would now like to welcome Professor William Moriarty, who will present the East Asian Studies master's students.

00:20:33:18 - 00:20:59:02

Unknown

I'm William Roddy, and it's my pleasure to introduce and commend this year's graduates of our interdepartmental master's program in East Asian studies. You did it. And I'm really glad to see you here tonight to celebrate your achievements. people can find their passions after a lot of trial and error. when those passions relate to the study of East Asia, there are particular challenges.

00:20:59:04 - 00:21:27:17

Unknown

The difficulty of the languages can be a real barrier to advancement. Finding appropriate expertise, or even the freedom to pursue certain paths of inquiry can be a challenge as well. And here in Los Angeles, deep connections to East Asia are abundant in our history and in our everyday lives. And at UCLA, we're especially proud to be the means by which members of our diverse community can take these connections in new and vibrant directions.

00:21:27:19 - 00:21:57:13

Unknown

In our program, students can find a way forward, acquiring language and disciplinary skills that in ways that meet their individual needs. They interact with doctoral student cohorts and with over 60 East Asian focused faculty members across the university, students tailor their programs to emphasize particular methodological and disciplinary, even interdisciplinary approaches. they can focus in depth on aspects of the region as a whole or as dynamics in particular countries, and so forth.

00:21:57:16 - 00:22:21:23

Unknown

This individual tailoring allows us to accommodate a wide range of student goals needs, and thankfully we have the superb support of our staff, especially, Yumi Kinoshita, our counselor, who keeps everything running as smooth as humanly possible and keeps the wheels on. this year we are celebrating the graduation of nine mass master's degree recipients, and six are on stage with us tonight.

00:22:22:01 - 00:22:49:27

Unknown

others have already begun new work and training, and we congratulate them as well. yours is a truly distinguished class. you've come with backgrounds from Virginia Beach and Los Angeles to Yokohama, Shenzhen and Beijing, with distinguished undergraduate credentials from UCLA, University of Washington, Sweeper College and NYU Sophia University in Japan and Goldsmiths at the University of London.

00:22:50:00 - 00:23:08:10

Unknown

And many of you have faced myriad challenges. Some of you are the first in your family to go to college, let alone receive an advanced degree. You came to take advantage of the opportunities here to pursue advanced work in East Asian topics and make your dreams of future work and study a possibility. You persevered to complete your studies.

00:23:08:15 - 00:23:58:07

Unknown

You've acquired those language skills and that disciplinary knowledge. Those studies have ranged across the pre-modern into the contemporary, engaging with advanced work across the social sciences and humanities. They've ranged. Investigations have ranged from classical poetry and prose to trans Pacific literature, music and performance, from Chinese imperial women to cosmopolitan performing arts and late 30s Little Tokyo. From histories anchored in family and village to Confucian legacies, popular religio social practices and state prohibitions, you've thought about film and reality, about language, writing, rewriting and identity, about performance, minority and nation, about music, popular culture and the state.

00:23:58:09 - 00:24:25:09

Unknown

You've analyzed contestation and transformations within constraints, otherness, openings and possibilities, legacies and struggles in all of this work, you're contributing your own unique voice and broadening our understanding of all the world from your perspective. Now augmented with new analytical skills, it's been a pleasure watching you refine your work and deepen your interest and discover your own ability to communicate effectively on a professional level.

00:24:25:12 - 00:24:54:19

Unknown

You've been welcome colleagues for our doctoral students and more than held your own even fellowships and grants in recognition of your achievements and in support of you. Next steps you presented at academic conferences and received acclaim for your work and you've already begun to pay it forward. Even within community, as peer reviewers and especially as teaching assistants supporting our undergraduates with care and attention, some of you are going on to do advanced studies for intensive professional language programs to doctoral work, and others may do it soon.

00:24:54:22 - 00:25:21:15

Unknown

You're ready for it all. So in recognition of your many achievements and your resilience, I want to emphasize my heartfelt congratulations. And I also want to thank you for doing your part to strengthen our program and our scholarly community with your distinguished work, and look forward to making the most of your new knowledge. It's been a pleasure to have you here, and we hope and trust to keep in touch with the news of your further achievement on behalf of the faculty, staff and students of East Asian Studies, I wish you all in your best future endeavors.

00:25:21:17 - 00:25:37:02

Unknown

Will the graduate students receiving a master's degree in East Asian Studies please rise and approach the podium?

00:25:37:04 - 00:25:43:16

Unknown

Wishing Lujan.

00:25:43:19 - 00:25:56:28

Unknown

May take. Taylor. Eles. Shah.

00:25:57:00 - 00:26:00:18

Unknown

Sorry.

00:26:00:20 - 00:26:12:28

Unknown

Koutou. Could you by.

00:26:13:01 - 00:26:23:17

Unknown

Jingjing. Fan.

00:26:23:19 - 00:26:40:20

Unknown

Dong. Sure. John. who's also graduating as a departmental scholar. Meaning he's earned his BA and Ma at the same time.

00:26:40:22 - 00:26:53:23

Unknown

And Harry Lee, also a departmental scholar, earning his BA and Ma at the same time.

00:26:53:26 - 00:27:01:05

Unknown

Congratulations, graduates.

00:27:01:07 - 00:27:15:29

Unknown

And now I'd like to welcome Professor Bonnie Taub to the podium to introduce the graduate students in Latin American studies.

00:27:16:02 - 00:27:45:27

Unknown

Thank you. Hello and welcome, Vice Provost Phan, associate vice provost Kim and Elaine, keynote speaker Wang, faculty student families and friends, I'm very happy to speak with you on the occasion of commencement today. As co-chair of the Latin American Studies Master's Program at UCLA, I am proud to congratulate our students. The program is interdisciplinary and students select 2 or 3 subjects to study.

00:27:45:29 - 00:28:21:28

Unknown

They take courses with our esteemed faculty and write research papers or a thesis about the region, which includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. They study languages such as Portuguese, Spanish and indigenous languages like Nahuatl, Maya, and Kedua. Today, we celebrate the achievements of our students who approach their studies with academic rigor, curiosity and passion, which are reflected in their capstone paper and thesis topics.

00:28:22:01 - 00:29:05:00

Unknown

Topics focused on anthropology, public health, sociology, geography, psychology, history, Spanish and Portuguese literature, urban planning, political science, among others. Some paper and thesis topics and research of this year's graduates include midwifery in Mesoamerica, birth policy in Brazil and Peru, cultural geography. History of Brazilian coffee plantations. Safety of queer transit writers in Mexico. Identity in Black Brazilian women. Carceral systems in Latin America.

00:29:05:02 - 00:29:59:14

Unknown

Dynamics of the Spanish conquest in Guatemala. Tourism in Peru. Agricultural technology in Brazil. Literary analysis and gender performance. Slavery in the Caribbean. Colonial and indigenous Mexico. Our 2024 graduates plan to continue their studies in doctoral programs, or work in educational or business sectors, or with nonprofit organizations. Our students have adapted and been flexible during the years when the coronavirus required transition to online or hybrid learning, and then back to in-person and during other challenging times on campus, our graduates have grown as scholars and people, and through this rite of passage today, we commemorate your immense accomplishments.

00:29:59:17 - 00:30:25:13

Unknown

I want to convey how impressive your achievements are. The faculty, staff and I are proud. We are proud to be your professors and mentors. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Congratulations to you and your families as we celebrate you. The class of 2024. Thank you.

00:30:25:15 - 00:30:39:10

Unknown

Will the graduate students who are receiving a master's degree in Latin American Studies please rise and approach the podium?

00:30:39:13 - 00:30:46:07

Unknown

Christiane Reyes, congratulations.

00:30:46:10 - 00:30:55:18

Unknown

Caesar of Ondo, congratulations.

00:30:55:21 - 00:31:03:11

Unknown

Jorge Obispo, congratulations.

00:31:03:14 - 00:31:20:21

Unknown

Emma Rackham, departmental scholar, earning her B.A. and M.A.. Congratulations.

00:31:20:23 - 00:31:28:28

Unknown

Alicia Nancy Rocha. Congratulations.

00:31:29:01 - 00:31:41:22

Unknown

Congratulations to all of our graduates. Thank you.

00:31:41:24 - 00:32:08:20

Unknown

Good evening. I am David Kim, associate vice provost of the International Institute. At this time, I would like to recognize our Bachelor of Arts students. With the assistance of the chairs of the undergraduate academic programs. I would like to welcome Professor Alan Moore to the podium to present undergraduates who are majoring in International and Area Studies program.

00:32:08:22 - 00:32:42:03

Unknown

Thank you, David, and welcome everyone. I am proud to present this year's International Area Studies Program. Graduates International and Area Studies is an interdisciplinary program that develops an understanding of international processes within specific regional contexts. It offers four majors Latin American Studies, European Studies, Asian Studies, and African and Middle Eastern Studies. Our students take courses across the humanities and social sciences while focusing on the culture, politics, and economics of particular regions and countries around the world.

00:32:42:06 - 00:33:11:07

Unknown

Many of our students have also taken advantage of study abroad in international internships opportunities at UCLA. All majors culminate in a capstone seminar that explores a particular issue in depth. Seminar topics this year included fact and fiction in debates about global China, chocolate and coffee in the Americas, and the politics of victimhood nationalism, as you might imagine. In recent years, our students have chosen a variety of career paths.

00:33:11:10 - 00:33:33:08

Unknown

Some have ended up working for the government, including at the State Department in the white House. Others have jobs with non-governmental organizations, and many now work for private companies in both the U.S. and abroad. Others have continued their studies in fields of law and international studies, and we look forward to seeing the paths that this year's graduates pursue.

00:33:33:10 - 00:33:46:05

Unknown

So, without further ado, I am pleased to announce their names with the I think Asian studies will start with. Come to the podium, please. So these graduates.

00:33:46:07 - 00:34:00:08

Unknown

Katie Lee.

00:34:00:10 - 00:34:09:21

Unknown

G Hao Chen.

00:34:09:23 - 00:34:14:28

Unknown

Kelly.

00:34:15:00 - 00:34:29:25

Unknown

Céline. Kuo.

00:34:29:28 - 00:34:42:27

Unknown

Nothing. So.

00:34:42:29 - 00:34:52:08

Unknown

And with the Latin American, studies graduate, please come forward.

00:34:52:11 - 00:35:06:24

Unknown

Javier Alvarez Ariano, magna cum laude.

00:35:06:26 - 00:35:16:23

Unknown

Congrats to all the students.

00:35:16:25 - 00:35:32:13

Unknown

I would now like to welcome Professor Margaret Peters to the podium to present our undergraduates for majoring in Global Studies.

00:35:32:15 - 00:35:54:21

Unknown

Welcome, everybody. I'm Professor Margaret Peters. I'm the chair of global studies. and many of your students had me as their markets and resources teacher who never, ever can get her tech set up right on the first, second, third, fifth, 17th try. And I still can't do it. I want to give a warm welcome to all the families and friends here today supporting our students.

00:35:54:24 - 00:36:19:20

Unknown

Before I pass a call the students names, I want to say a few words about our program and our students. First, you might be wondering what is Global Studies? This program seeks to understand what has caused globalization and what are the ramifications of it. It's an interdisciplinary program, which means students took classes from professors in all sorts of departments, including economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, geography, languages and culture.

00:36:19:22 - 00:36:51:21

Unknown

And they had to do problem sets, deconstruct the meaning of text, and learn a new language. Most of the students had an opportunity to go abroad for the summer and learn in places like Paris, The Hague, and Tokyo. At the end of the program, they wrote a long research paper, a thesis, or participated in an internship. The program has been made possible by the hard work of all the faculty Hannah Appel, Ali Piedad, Lori Hart, David Kim, Bob McCann, Eric Min, China Pat Stager, Perisher and along with wonderful lecturers like Steve Zipper, Silverstein.

00:36:51:24 - 00:37:17:24

Unknown

And of course, the most important people and the people who our students probably interacted with the most. Our advisors, Sandy Feldman of USO and Liz Alvarez. They literally could not have completed the major without Sandy and Lynch. Now, let me talk about the reason we're here today the students. This group of students is just simply amazing. Most of them started college in 2020 from their bedroom, which was not exactly what they had in mind.

00:37:17:27 - 00:37:38:01

Unknown

They missed the first year of college. All the normal experiences of going to football games, basketball games, hanging out with their friends, and yet they came back to campus stronger and more excited to go to college than ever willing to wear a mask. And if you vaguely remember, we all had to spin that tube for like weeks on end to check for Covid all the time.

00:37:38:03 - 00:38:11:12

Unknown

And yet they arrived. Many here double majors or have took on a minor, as you will hear here shortly. Most many of them will receive university or departmental honors. 25 were senior research papers, 15 wrote very long theses on everything from the future of governance of speech. The use of international courts to prosecute war crimes in Ukraine, and the development of South Korean soft power to issues here at home, like employer employee relations between Filipina domestic workers and their employers.

00:38:11:14 - 00:38:40:00

Unknown

22 took on internships in the policy realm, including at the State Department and businesses, including in Hollywood, at NBC universal and beyond, and in nonprofits worldwide. They presented their research to faculty and deans from across the campus during Undergraduate Research Week. They've won awards including the UCLA Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Award, the Dean's Prize for Excellence in Research and Creativity Award, and from the Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union.

00:38:40:03 - 00:39:04:04

Unknown

As you can see, this group of students is simply wonderful and I'm so glad, glad that I've gotten a chance to know them. And I can't wait to see what, they will do next. Now, will the undergraduate majoring in Global Studies please rise and approach the podium?

00:39:04:06 - 00:39:16:07

Unknown

Yuvika, Ma. Hey, Shamari. Summa cum laude.

00:39:16:10 - 00:39:26:22

Unknown

Adele. Benson. Oh!

00:39:26:24 - 00:39:37:06

Unknown

Shivan. Lewis.

00:39:37:08 - 00:39:43:09

Unknown

Veronica. Anisa. Nam. Summa cum laude.

00:39:43:12 - 00:39:48:10

Unknown

Thank you, thank you.

00:39:48:13 - 00:40:01:13

Unknown

Lucinda. Ma hung covered.

00:40:01:15 - 00:40:14:05

Unknown

Lauren. Felicia. Cum laude and departmental highest honors.

00:40:14:08 - 00:40:25:02

Unknown

Simon. Bayan. Departmental highest honors.

00:40:25:04 - 00:40:36:13

Unknown

Minji vu. Departmental highest honors.

00:40:36:16 - 00:40:47:01

Unknown

Leah. Thomas.

00:40:47:03 - 00:40:59:12

Unknown

Tala. Beatriz. Cortney. Romero.

00:40:59:14 - 00:41:08:27

Unknown

Hiba. Fatma.

00:41:08:29 - 00:41:18:16

Unknown

Ahmad. Fatma. Assaad.

00:41:18:18 - 00:41:26:13

Unknown

Elsa. Cuny.

00:41:26:16 - 00:41:39:21

Unknown

Natalia Hernandez Martinez. Departmental highest honors.

00:41:39:24 - 00:41:51:17

Unknown

Angelica. Castelli.

00:41:51:19 - 00:42:02:22

Unknown

Ricky Fu. Summa cum laude.

00:42:02:25 - 00:42:07:26

Unknown

Sophie Silva, cum laude.

00:42:07:29 - 00:42:13:00

Unknown

Oh.

00:42:13:03 - 00:42:21:28

Unknown

Catherine Donahue.

00:42:22:00 - 00:42:33:10

Unknown

Alexa. Peppermint. Toku. Summa cum laude. Departmental highest honors.

00:42:33:13 - 00:42:45:13

Unknown

Abigail Creighton. Magna cum laude.

00:42:45:16 - 00:42:55:06

Unknown

Jasmine Castaneda.

00:42:55:08 - 00:43:05:24

Unknown

Venecia. One high. High pass.

00:43:05:27 - 00:43:14:21

Unknown

Nadia mekki.

00:43:14:23 - 00:43:21:24

Unknown

David. Pan.

00:43:21:26 - 00:43:29:24

Unknown

Michigan. Kenyon Hall departmental highest honors.

00:43:29:27 - 00:43:42:14

Unknown

Morgan. Amanda wian. Who?

00:43:42:16 - 00:43:54:10

Unknown

Leila. Sumi Lang, magna cum laude.

00:43:54:12 - 00:44:06:19

Unknown

At three to go to my color cum lecturer. French. Elias.

00:44:06:21 - 00:44:18:01

Unknown

Veronica Reyes. Departmental highest honors.

00:44:18:03 - 00:44:31:12

Unknown

Hao Chen. Hey. my name Claudie.

00:44:31:14 - 00:44:42:20

Unknown

Saher. Aldi cum laude. Departmental highest honors.

00:44:42:23 - 00:44:52:29

Unknown

Nathan. Mendez. We.

00:44:53:01 - 00:45:03:29

Unknown

Shreya. Kulay para magnum latte.

00:45:04:02 - 00:45:15:24

Unknown

Anoushka. Catherine van Butler. Soon. Summa cum laude. Woo!

00:45:15:26 - 00:45:26:09

Unknown

Tatiana. In cum laude. Yes.

00:45:26:11 - 00:45:36:01

Unknown

Sydney Stegman. Summa cum laude.

00:45:36:04 - 00:45:44:23

Unknown

Ava Bogart.

00:45:44:26 - 00:45:55:11

Unknown

Nina Williams.

00:45:55:13 - 00:46:06:03

Unknown

Sara. Coosa. Departamento. Highest honors.

00:46:06:06 - 00:46:18:27

Unknown

Constanza montemayor. Cum laude. Departmental highest honors.

00:46:18:29 - 00:46:28:11

Unknown

Jonathan Stewart. Venezuela. Mexia. Departmental highest. Tyler.

00:46:28:13 - 00:46:32:07

Unknown

Andre. I need.

00:46:32:10 - 00:46:42:16

Unknown

Andrea. Nunez. Guido.

00:46:42:18 - 00:46:52:26

Unknown

Clara E short cum laude.

00:46:52:29 - 00:47:01:21

Unknown

Ariel Dashti comes out.

00:47:01:23 - 00:47:11:03

Unknown

Eduardo Sandoval, summa cum laude.

00:47:11:05 - 00:47:21:20

Unknown

Caden Polaski.

00:47:21:23 - 00:47:30:14

Unknown

Riley. Hagan. Oliveira.

00:47:30:16 - 00:47:42:23

Unknown

David. Matthew Espinosa, summa cum laude. Departmental highest honors.

00:47:42:25 - 00:48:01:11

Unknown

And last but not least, gallantly.

00:48:01:24 - 00:48:19:22

Unknown

will this student from Asian Studies come up?

00:48:19:24 - 00:48:40:23

Unknown

All right. just Joseph Lee can. You.

00:48:40:25 - 00:48:51:02

Unknown

For our final presentation today, Professor Jennifer Tuan. Hello. Hello.

00:48:51:05 - 00:49:02:15

Unknown

It is my honor and privilege to recognize the graduates in international development studies.

00:49:02:18 - 00:49:37:13

Unknown

You are the last group of graduates to walk the stage. And I always think. Last but not least, I love, this moment of being able to see all of you and to be able to congratulate you in front of your family, friends, the faculty and your peers. International Development Studies is an interdisciplinary program of study that really seeks to deepen students understanding of the complex dynamics and processes that have produced unequal socio economic circumstances around the world.

00:49:37:15 - 00:50:28:25

Unknown

Our program, Scholarly Excellence, is anchored in the disciplinary strengths of our diverse faculty, as well as the rich, motivations of our diverse student body. Our classes reflect broad theoretical and empirical perspectives on the importance of theory and history, decolonization, culture and power, political economy, and climate change. Our capstone seminars provide students with specialized knowledge and research expertise about a range of topics, from how to make sense of conflict ridden geopolitical and historical transformations, and specific countries and regions, to why community based approaches to fostering equity and justice matters in democratizing development.

00:50:28:27 - 00:50:58:24

Unknown

You know, I often brag that our idea students are among the very best at the university and the very best in the world, and I feel like I've taught at many different institutions. And I can say that, with confidence, we really attract high achieving students who are motivated to do independent research. But also contribute actively and energetically to campus and community life.

00:50:59:11 - 00:51:50:06

Unknown

this past year, eight students took on the ambitious challenge of completing honors thesis theses on a range of topics, from financial regulation in India to migrants from Cote d'Ivoire, in France and Italy, to refugee violence and the Eritrea rich Ethiopian border, to historic social movements such as the Living Wage campaign in LA and Black Lives Matter. Aids supports the global development Lab, which is independently run by students and is also supports an innovative project incubator program, and alongside these, academe pursuits, I am truly in awe and always inspired and deeply humbled by how Ida students are willing to embrace the challenge of the difficult questions and the urgent challenges that face us every

00:51:50:06 - 00:52:24:15

Unknown

day and each year. like the prior, seems more unprecedented than the past. you know, for students who teach me every day what it means to see contradictions in your face, to really think about how we hold our institutions, our leaders, our values, put them front and center and ask the difficult questions. And I think we heard from, un and Wang, also that this is a tradition that far precedes you.

00:52:24:25 - 00:53:14:11

Unknown

we have gone through, tumultuous times this past year and your determination, your steadfastness and really demanding that we, hold to our principles and that we hold each other accountable to the kind of world we live in. And I can't tell you how many times students came into my office and told me what it means to really keep each other safe as we think about how to forge ahead, and the many challenges, that we're facing, you know, so as we continue to face this world mired by deepening inequality, food and housing, employment insecurity, the violence and displacement of war, militarism and genocide, climate change and ecological injustice, just to name a

00:53:14:11 - 00:53:38:18

Unknown

few, the Aids program and all of the faculty and students I know take pride in the intellectual vibrancy and resiliency of our program and really tackling these challenges, both here in Los Angeles and around the world. Congratulations to the graduates of 2024.

00:53:38:20 - 00:53:53:01

Unknown

So will the undergraduate students majoring in International Development studies please rise and approach the podium?

00:53:53:03 - 00:53:59:13

Unknown

Thank.

00:53:59:15 - 00:54:02:14

Unknown

On.

00:54:02:17 - 00:54:10:16

Unknown

Syria. Bala Subramanian. Oh.

00:54:10:19 - 00:54:21:28

Unknown

John. Cassis. Eva. Christiana. Cassis.

00:54:22:00 - 00:54:31:07

Unknown

Rita. Davi. Summa cum laude.

00:54:31:09 - 00:54:39:01

Unknown

Mariam. Tuni.

00:54:39:03 - 00:54:46:04

Unknown

Mesa Ali. Cum laude.

00:54:46:06 - 00:54:55:23

Unknown

Colette. Lara. Kevorkian.

00:54:55:25 - 00:55:04:14

Unknown

Breathless. Jordan. Frieda. Lucas.

00:55:04:16 - 00:55:13:10

Unknown

Rujing. You.

00:55:13:13 - 00:55:28:01

Unknown

I think I have to wait. Ching Wenhong.

00:55:28:04 - 00:55:42:02

Unknown

Nathan. Allen Ong.

00:55:42:05 - 00:55:57:18

Unknown

Crystal. Tai tren. Summa cum laude.

00:55:57:20 - 00:55:59:25

Unknown

So.

00:55:59:28 - 00:56:18:01

Unknown

Great. Brennan. Elizabeth McConnell Griner, magna cum laude. Honorable mention Aids Activist Award.

00:56:18:03 - 00:56:30:15

Unknown

Dharma. Dorothy, you.

00:56:30:17 - 00:56:43:23

Unknown

Heather Tran.

00:56:43:25 - 00:56:58:00

Unknown

Dana. Melissa Castro Galindo. Summa cum laude.

00:56:58:03 - 00:57:13:02

Unknown

Yutong. Dai.

00:57:13:04 - 00:57:26:17

Unknown

Lucero. Sanchez. Cum laude.

00:57:26:19 - 00:57:40:08

Unknown

Angelina. Kim.

00:57:40:11 - 00:57:54:29

Unknown

Melody on cum laude. Departmental highest honors. Honorable mention. Ides Academic Award. Who?

00:57:55:01 - 00:57:57:28

Unknown

Joined.

00:57:58:00 - 00:58:08:10

Unknown

June. Oh. Kim.

00:58:08:12 - 00:58:14:14

Unknown

Oh, don't forget your picture.

00:58:14:17 - 00:58:20:19

Unknown

How? When? Gang.

00:58:20:21 - 00:58:26:19

Unknown

Right, right.

00:58:26:21 - 00:58:35:15

Unknown

Radhika. Mayra.

00:58:35:17 - 00:58:42:22

Unknown

How?

00:58:42:25 - 00:58:55:16

Unknown

Aliyah. Christina. Schreiber. Dilatory.

00:58:55:19 - 00:59:08:25

Unknown

Ashraf. Malik.

00:59:08:28 - 00:59:18:15

Unknown

Brenda. Susana. Ibarra. Garcia.

00:59:18:17 - 00:59:20:22

Unknown

Choi.

00:59:20:25 - 00:59:36:10

Unknown

Cyrus. Perry. Julian. Cyrus. Pierce. Cum laude.

00:59:36:12 - 00:59:48:18

Unknown

Makita. Kurosaki.

00:59:48:20 - 00:59:55:25

Unknown

Joanne. Shin. Cum laude.

00:59:55:28 - 01:00:01:12

Unknown

Jonathan.

01:00:01:14 - 01:00:12:18

Unknown

Joshua. Shu.

01:00:12:20 - 01:00:23:18

Unknown

Kade. Wynn, left. Lane. Wu.

01:00:23:20 - 01:00:38:03

Unknown

Lillian. Jerry.

01:00:38:05 - 01:00:42:28

Unknown

Jennifer.

01:00:43:00 - 01:00:54:06

Unknown

You ING.

01:00:54:08 - 01:01:05:22

Unknown

Andrea. Henao. Cortez.

01:01:05:25 - 01:01:16:25

Unknown

Donia. Golan. Nino. Bahar. Stun.

01:01:16:28 - 01:01:32:15

Unknown

Avantika. Pancha Hasan. Departamento. Highest honors. Honorable mention. Ides academic award.

01:01:32:18 - 01:01:44:17

Unknown

Sahara. Norman.

01:01:44:19 - 01:01:56:11

Unknown

Chiara Oku Waukee.

01:01:56:13 - 01:02:07:18

Unknown

Fuca. Ohashi.

01:02:07:21 - 01:02:20:24

Unknown

Michael. Walid. Sybok. Magna cum laude.

01:02:20:27 - 01:02:31:16

Unknown

Mohammed. Medo.

01:02:31:19 - 01:02:54:03

Unknown

Salama. Salama. Cum laude.

01:02:54:06 - 01:03:10:07

Unknown

Arad. Dawn. Arad. Buddy.

01:03:10:09 - 01:03:25:07

Unknown

Ali. Bruder. Summa cum laude.

01:03:25:10 - 01:03:37:14

Unknown

Avital. Pellet.

01:03:37:16 - 01:03:50:17

Unknown

Alban Martinez. Departmental honors IDF Activist Award.

01:03:50:19 - 01:04:04:13

Unknown

Kaitlyn Quan.

01:04:04:15 - 01:04:25:24

Unknown

Zeba. Ideal. Summa cum laude. Departmental highest honors Ides Academic award.

01:04:25:26 - 01:04:41:05

Unknown

Eva Kwiatkowski. Departmental highest honors.

01:04:41:08 - 01:04:57:03

Unknown

Rhea Shivan ond magna cum laude departamento. Highest honors.

01:04:57:06 - 01:05:11:22

Unknown

Denise Godinez Garcia.

01:05:11:25 - 01:05:22:27

Unknown

Tatiana. Karim. Ryan.

01:05:23:00 - 01:05:34:02

Unknown

Elvia mendez.

01:05:34:04 - 01:05:45:26

Unknown

Jennifer. Pando.

01:05:45:28 - 01:05:54:06

Unknown

Alyssa. Anne. Kelly.

01:05:54:08 - 01:06:00:10

Unknown

Long.

01:06:00:12 - 01:06:17:09

Unknown

Bisola. Elizabeth. Amadi. Pang.

01:06:17:11 - 01:06:29:28

Unknown

Lauren. Josette. Marie. Vig. Neuron.

01:06:30:00 - 01:06:38:13

Unknown

Sophie. Vrai.

01:06:38:15 - 01:06:51:28

Unknown

Sophie. Shabana.

01:06:52:01 - 01:07:03:26

Unknown

Jalen. Lewis. Hobbs.

01:07:03:28 - 01:07:15:24

Unknown

Francis. Woods. Departmental highest honors. The last.

01:07:15:26 - 01:07:26:25

Unknown

Ben. Klaassen. Oh.

01:07:26:28 - 01:07:38:22

Unknown

Kristen Marie Berry.

01:07:38:25 - 01:07:49:02

Unknown

Francesca Vinatieri. Oh!

01:07:49:04 - 01:07:59:15

Unknown

Thanks. Kiara. Grace Presley, cum laude.

01:07:59:18 - 01:08:03:06

Unknown

Thomas.

01:08:03:08 - 01:08:15:25

Unknown

Olivia. Carmen. Cervantes. Yamas! Oh!

01:08:15:27 - 01:08:26:17

Unknown

Elias. Baric, cum laude.

01:08:26:19 - 01:08:31:26

Unknown

Is Mary.

01:08:31:29 - 01:08:45:00

Unknown

Marie. Cruz. So, Baroness.

01:08:45:02 - 01:09:00:13

Unknown

Yasmina. Jin may Howell Yang, cum laude. Oh!

01:09:00:16 - 01:09:08:00

Unknown

Nathan Klaassen.

01:09:08:02 - 01:09:20:03

Unknown

Yes. Lee. Benjamin Collier, summa cum laude.

01:09:20:05 - 01:09:25:25

Unknown

Hey.

01:09:25:27 - 01:09:37:07

Unknown

Danny Castro.

01:09:37:10 - 01:09:48:27

Unknown

Jonathan. Mr..

01:09:48:29 - 01:09:58:17

Unknown

Edward. Garcia.

01:09:58:20 - 01:10:04:11

Unknown

Mango down.

01:10:04:13 - 01:10:15:09

Unknown

How to. ¥10. Goyang.

01:10:15:11 - 01:10:31:20

Unknown

Thomas. Juan. Vasquez.

01:10:31:22 - 01:10:43:07

Unknown

Sarah. Grace. Wiggins.

01:10:43:09 - 01:10:59:15

Unknown

Cade. Carter. Cum laude.

01:10:59:18 - 01:11:12:28

Unknown

Amy. Benitez. Aguirre.

01:11:13:00 - 01:11:25:29

Unknown

Gabriela. Ambar. Lopez.

01:11:26:01 - 01:11:41:22

Unknown

Emily. Anderson.

01:11:41:25 - 01:11:49:06

Unknown

And Hayden. Nelson.

01:11:49:08 - 01:12:06:09

Unknown

Congratulations.

01:12:06:11 - 01:12:23:13

Unknown

Well, what do you think?

01:12:23:15 - 01:12:38:13

Unknown

If UCLA is the number one public university in the United States.

01:12:38:16 - 01:12:51:19

Unknown

And if international institute students are the best at UCLA.

01:12:51:22 - 01:13:12:09

Unknown

You're looking at the best of the best.

01:13:12:11 - 01:13:51:23

Unknown

And by the way, I love those dance moves. And your cheering was not bad either. Thank you. Before we conclude tonight's ceremony, I wish to once more extend our appreciation to all of you who have contributed to the success of our students and helped to make this event possible. I would like to thank our faculty and especially the entire commencement staff, including a truly wonderful academic counselors, as well as our external relations, multimedia, communications and administrative staff from the International Institute.

01:13:51:23 - 01:14:04:24

Unknown

Please give them a big hand.

01:14:04:26 - 01:14:20:20

Unknown

Special thanks also to Christoph Bolton, this amazing organist, for the wonderful music he provided for us.

01:14:20:22 - 01:14:35:13

Unknown

And I just and I like to thank and Wang once again for her wonderful, inspiring speech. Thank you. M.

01:14:35:16 - 01:15:24:23

Unknown

Before we end the ceremony, I would like to ask that family and friends continue to remain in your seats until the recessional has completed and all graduates have exited Rice Hall. But it's one more thing to do. Two more things to do at this time. I would like to ask our students to once again stand.

01:15:24:25 - 01:15:56:01

Unknown

As we know, these students could not have made it thus this far without the unwavering support of their friends and family. Graduates, please acknowledge your guests here tonight with a big round of applause and appreciation.

01:15:56:03 - 01:16:19:22

Unknown

And now, to signify your status as a graduate of the UCLA International Institute. Please move the tassel on your cap from the right side to the left.

01:16:19:24 - 01:16:58:01

Unknown

What's up? Congratulations. Congratulations once again and best wishes to you all in all your future endeavors. Congratulations.