Congratulations, Graduates | Tomoyuki Kojima (Dean of the Faculty of Policy Management)
2005.03.03
On March 23, the undergraduate graduation ceremony will be held, and on the 29th, the graduate school commencement will take place, sending off SFC's undergraduate and graduate students. At the undergraduate graduation ceremony held in the Commemorative Hall at Hiyoshi, alumni celebrating their 25th anniversary of graduation are also invited and fill the second-floor seats. Each year, nearly 1,000 alumni attend (for the entrance ceremony, alumni celebrating their 50th anniversary are invited, and in fiscal year 2004, 2,300 attended), and in some cases, you can see parents and children attending together. Watching this scene, I join Kumasaka-san in the Rendition of Alma Mater "The Juku-ka," occasionally peeking at the lyrics, and we marvel together at the splendor of the 'unity of the Keio Gijuku Shachu' of Keio University.
The Take-off Rally, SFC's graduation ceremony, has been held continuously since 1994, but it has been decided not to hold it this year. This is unfortunate, and while I hope for its revival next year, I also feel it may be unavoidable, as individual farewell parties for graduating students are being held by research projects (kenkyukai), advisory groups, and clubs.
My own kenkyukai also has a tradition of holding a student-led farewell party for graduating students in early February, followed by a luncheon I host in late March, just before the graduation ceremony, at a French restaurant in Nishi-Azabu. This started with the idea that it would be a necessary experience for graduates who have spent four years at SFC, away from the city, to have a full-course meal with proper etiquette in the heart of the metropolis. This is something I emulated from my own graduation, when my mentor, Professor Tadao Ishikawa, who was then the President, invited the graduating students of his kenkyukai. However, in the Ishikawa Kenkyukai, the dinner party was held at his favorite ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) in Kanda, where geisha were called. At that time, what my fellow graduating classmates and I felt was that entering society requires a certain kind of etiquette.
I have neither a favorite ryotei nor abundant financial resources, which is why I chose a French restaurant. One thing I want to convey through this luncheon is the necessity of etiquette. Of course, some manners are now outdated customs that should be abolished. However, it is also true that rules are necessary for the survival of a society composed of different people. Another thing I want to convey is the splendor of the 'unity of the Keio Gijuku Shachu' of the Juku. Keio University is probably the only university in Japan where thousands of alumni celebrating their 25th graduation anniversary attend the graduation ceremony. They attend out of their love for the Juku, a spirit that likely stems from experiencing the wonderfulness of being a Keio graduate after entering society. The graduates of my kenkyukai also like to get together, often gathering without me to refresh themselves before returning to their respective fields to continue their hard work.
To all graduating students, please join the SFC Mita-kai and come back to SFC for Homecoming Day every autumn. Please also take a look at SFC classes from time to time on the SFC Global Campus . And I ask for your cooperation for Keio University's 150th anniversary in 2008.
(Date of publication: 2005/03/03)