Fall 2024 AZI Graduation Reception celebrates international achievements
The Fall 2024 University of Arizona International Graduation Reception, held at the historic Bear Down Gym, brought together graduates, families, and the campus community to honor the accomplishments of the university's international students. This semester’s graduating class represents a remarkable 500+ students from 46 countries, demonstrating the U of A’s global impact and commitment to fostering international education.
Graduates and guests spent the evening talking to AZI staff, sampling delicious food, enjoying music, and snapping photos. The event celebrated the graduates’ dedication, resilience, and the cultural diversity that enriches the university community. It marked the culmination of their academic journeys and the beginning of their next chapter as global Wildcats.
Ana Maria Iordache, a gifted guitarist from Romania, added to the evening's celebratory atmosphere. A laureate of multiple prestigious international guitar competitions, Ana Maria has showcased her talent on stages worldwide. She holds two master’s degrees, the second of which she earned from the University of Arizona, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Guitar Performance at the U of A. Her music provided a beautiful and inspiring backdrop to this special occasion.
Vice President for Arizona International and Dean of International Education Dr. Jenny Lee addresses the graduates and their guests.
Vice President for Arizona International and Dean of International Education Dr. Jenny Lee began the evening’s speeches with a warm welcome: “Today, we celebrate you and congratulate you on this remarkable achievement. What I love about education is that it is so transformative, but I believe it is even more transformative if you come from another country. Today, we honor your tremendous work—not just for excelling as a student, but for navigating challenges with resilience and embracing this journey of growth and discovery that has brought you to this proud moment.”
She introduced this semester’s student speaker, international graduate Shreyas Hegde from India, who earned his master’s in management information systems this fall. During his time in the master’s program at the U of A, Shreyas made significant contributions to many impactful projects, including serving as product launch lead for a live client consultation. He will also be featured in an upcoming Eller College of Management Alumni profile. His speech reflected on his time on Arizona’s hiking trails, the family he found away from home, and the power of positivity.
“I made it my mission to spread positivity,” Hegde said. “Whether it was greeting someone with a smile, offering a kind word, or saying, ‘I am happy for you, and I believe in you.’ These small acts brought so much joy, not just to others but also to me. Tucson has shown me that happiness is contagious and positivity has the power to ripple far beyond what we see.”
Associate Director of International Student Services Noelle Sallaz and student speaker Shreyas Hegde.
He left the graduates with some words of advice: “To my fellow graduates, I leave you with this thought: keep smiling, keep exploring, and keep dreaming big. Life’s greatest adventures are just beginning. With passion, positivity, and the support of this incredible community, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”
In her closing remarks, Dr. Lee highlighted the extraordinary diversity of this graduating class. Among the graduates, more than 350 completed their studies on campus in Tucson, while 145 pursued their dual degrees at one of the U of A’s many microcampus locations worldwide. This class included graduates from La Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) in Peru, The American University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Northwestern Agriculture & Forestry University in China, Ocean University in China, Princess Sumaya University for Technology in Jordan, Sampoerna University in Indonesia, and Amrita University in India.
“This remarkable class spans undergraduate and graduate programs across more than 105 majors and fields of study,” said Dr. Lee. “That is a tremendous amount of global and academic diversity, and I can’t wait to see the impact you will make on the world.”
She ended her address by encouraging the graduates to remain part of the U of A. “You are Wildcats for life. No matter how old, where you live, or your occupation – you will always be a part of our Wildcat family. Stay in touch with us so we can also seek after you and learn about what you've accomplished, as inspiration to current and future students.”