At the University of Chicago, students from the Class of 2025 gathered on June 6 for a heartfelt Class Day ceremony, reflecting on the small yet significant moments that shaped their college experience.
The event marked the beginning of Convocation weekend and featured speeches from fourth-year students Lila Melkumova, Dhirpal Shah, and Helen Wu. Selected by their peers, the graduates shared insights about their time spent in the College and the transformative journey they undertook together.
Helen Wu expressed gratitude for the simple yet profound walks she had taken to and from class throughout her years at UChicago, viewing them as precious opportunities to appreciate the small moments that defined her journey. Wu noted how these walks led her to encounter beloved friends, family members, and teammates, all of whom will go on to become future leaders and change-makers in their respective fields.
“In these final walks, I spot the faces of beloved friends, family members, and teammates–a collection of future scientists, pioneers, artists, and teachers who will touch countless lives, just as they have touched mine,” Wu stated during her speech, delivered at the iconic Quad, the center of student activity on campus.
Lila Melkumova presented a thought-provoking perspective on the UChicago experience, characterizing it as a paradox where students from diverse backgrounds continuously discover new facets of themselves. Her sentiment echoed the inherent challenges that come with stepping into the unknown, which she embraced as part of their collective adventure.
“We were always crossing into something uncertain, into versions of ourselves we couldn’t yet imagine,” Melkumova shared. “And somehow, look around—we made it! Even when we couldn’t see the other side, we kept going, together.”
Dhirpal Shah also touched on themes of belonging and camaraderie in his speech. Having lived in both India and Taiwan, he recounted his struggle to find a sense of home but ultimately discovered a welcoming community at UChicago.
“At UChicago, the differences that once made me anxious became the very things that made me feel seen,” Shah explained. “I soon found that I wasn’t alone. Everyone here had something that set them apart—and here, those differences weren’t hidden. They were celebrated.”
Following the student speeches, David Axelrod, an esteemed political analyst and UChicago alumnus, delivered the keynote address. Axelrod, who was the founding director of UChicago’s Institute of Politics and served as chief strategist for Barack Obama, shared personal anecdotes from his own college years and how they shaped his career.
Reflecting on his experience, Axelrod expressed a mix of honor and surprise at being invited to speak. He remarked, “But thinking back to my own years as a student, I’m actually more than honored and humbled to be here. I’m also a little surprised.”
Axelrod noted that while many students in his time were drawn to UChicago for its commitment to intellectual rigor, he found himself captivated by the vibrant city itself. He delved into how his experiences on campus, including meeting his wife, marrying in Bond Chapel, and navigating the political environment of the 1960s, profoundly influenced his life.
He reminded graduates that they will be stepping into a world full of uncertainties, yet they possess the potential to effect change.
“Regardless of where you go from here or what you do, your voices, your votes, and your commitment to the ‘Life of the World’ will make the difference—unless you come to believe that they won’t, and walk away. I’m betting you won’t,” Axelrod urged the graduates.
The celebration also included the presentation of the Llewellyn John and Harriet Manchester Quantrell Awards, which honor outstanding undergraduate teaching and are considered among the oldest prizes of their kind in the nation. The event encapsulated the spirit of community and personal growth that defines the University of Chicago experience.
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