On Monday, March 23, the Undergraduate Commencement and Graduate Degree Conferral Ceremony were held at Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall, celebrating the new beginnings of 6,231 students from 10 faculties (including 274 from the Correspondence Courses) and 1,599 students from 14 graduate schools (including 212 doctoral degrees, 1,200 master's degrees, and 187 professional degrees).
The Graduate Degree Conferral Ceremony held in the morning began with a report on academic affairs by Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura, followed by President Kohei Itoh presenting diplomas to representatives for the doctoral, master's, and professional degrees (three in total). President Itoh delivered the convocation address, and Professor Koji Hase of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences gave a congratulatory speech on behalf of the faculty and staff. The ceremony concluded with the Rendition of Alma Mater "The Juku-ka".
The Undergraduate Commencement held in the afternoon began with the Rendition of Alma Mater "The Juku-ka", followed by the report on academic affairs by Vice-President Matsuura, and the conferral of degrees and awards by President Itoh. In his address, President Itoh told the graduates to cherish the encounters they had with peers and mentors at Keio University and to continue taking on new challenges with high aspirations and curiosity.
Following this, on behalf of the Keio University alumni, Ms. Teiko Kudo, Director and Deputy President of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and a member of the Board of Councilors of Keio University, delivered a congratulatory speech expressing her hope that the graduates' futures would become a light that illuminates the futures of others. Subsequently, Yuki Masuda, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Business and Commerce, delivered the valedictory address on behalf of the graduating class.
Many Keio University alumni celebrating the 25th anniversary of their graduation also attended the ceremony to celebrate the departure of their juniors. As a 25th-anniversary commemorative project, the 2001 Mita-kai made a donation to the KEIO Mirai Kyoso Fund. A certificate of donation was presented by Mr. Takayuki Onishi, Chairperson of the Fundraising and Membership Subcommittee, and Mr. Yusuke Ikeda, Chairperson of the IT and Public Relations Subcommittee. This was followed by greetings from Mr. Shigehiko Kazuhara, Chairperson of the Executive Committee, and Mr. Yasushi Aso, Chairman of the Keio University連合Mita-kai, and the ceremony concluded with the "Keio Sanka".
After the ceremony, a Reunion for Keio Alumni was held for those celebrating 25 years since graduation, where scenes of lively conversations about old memories could be seen. The rainy weather from the morning cleared up, and in the afternoon, soft sunlight shone through, with the spring warmth also blessing the departure of the graduates and program completers.
Photography: Takeshi Kishi