AY 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony: 6,338 graduating students embark on a new chapter in their lives
March 29, 2022
On Wednesday, March 23, the 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony was held at the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall on Hiyoshi Campus, where 6,338 students from the 10 undergraduate faculties embarked on a new chapter in their lives. Among the graduates were 287 Correspondence Course students. Participation at the ceremony was limited to graduates and some related parties, with the event streamed online in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This year, two ceremonies were held, in morning and afternoon sessions. The morning ceremony was held for graduates from the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Business and Commerce, and Faculty of Science and Technology; while the afternoon ceremony was held for graduates from the Faculty of Letters, Faculty of Economics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Policy Management, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, and Faculty of Pharmacy.
Graduates pose for photos
The ceremony began with the singing of the Alma Mater "The Juku-ka," and following Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura's Graduating Class Report, President Kohei Itoh conferred diplomas and Commendations for Academic Excellence and gave his address with words of encouragement to Keio's newest graduates. During his address, President Itoh emphasized the three elements of "constantly learning and challenging oneself," "making one's way in the world," and "aspiring to being a gracious leader" for graduates faced with the major turning points in history heralded by COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis. After further stressing that a maintenance of the status quo would actually represent a step backward, he said that the time is nigh for each and all to be aware of and put into action their roles and responsibilities as leaders. Following this, during the morning session, Osamu Nagayama, honorary chairman of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. offered a congratulatory address on behalf of the Keio University alumni, and Junsei Miyamoto, a fourth year student at the Faculty of Business and Commerce, responded with a speech on behalf of graduates. Many Keio alumni celebrating 25 years after graduation were also in attendance, presiding over the graduate's departure on their new journey. During the afternoon session, following President Itoh's Commencement Address, Yoriko Goto of Deloitte Tohmatsu Group and Partner at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC offered a congratulatory address on behalf of the Keio University alumni, and Noa Koseki, a fourth year student at the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, reprised on behalf of the graduates.
On the day, Hiyoshi Campus was awash with the jubilant faces of graduates and a festive atmosphere prevailed to the backdrop of the unfurling buds of the cherry blossoms.
Commencement Address by President Kohei Itoh
Diploma being conferred on a representative student