At UO commencement, graduates encouraged to build resilience and find joy in resistance

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Members of the University of Oregon class of 2025 graduated Monday morning.

During a sunny commencement ceremony in Autzen Stadium, students turned tassels and listened to speakers who touched on the domestic political unrest and international conflict that have defined the graduates’ final year at UO.

UO President Karl Scholz focused on a message of building resilience.

“I’m reminded of a quote from the esteemed philosopher, Ted Lasso,” Scholz said, referencing the soccer-centric comedy-drama. “‘Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse. If you’re comfortable while doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.’”

Students reflect, look forward

Students sat on the football field during the ceremony in a sea of green robes, but many had their own flair.

Some wore Hawaiian leis made with fresh flowers. Others had decorated their mortarboards with political messages such as “Break ICE, not families.” Under their robes, they sported heels and loafers, platform Uggs and sneakers, and boots for days: Blundstone boots, cowboy boots, combat boots and at least one pair of yellow rain boots.

While some students are moving back to their hometowns or to new cities, others are sticking around the Eugene-Springfield area.

Toby Burroughs, a music education major from Sacramento, California, wants to be a high school band director in Oregon. 

“I love the weather here, and the people,” he said.

Hannah Ganashamoorthy, a journalism and communications major from Washington, loved Oregon for its focus on sports. 

“Being able to experience Hayward (Field) for the world championships and then obviously going to the Big Ten (Conference) for football, it was a lot of fun,” Ganashamoorthy said.

She liked the sports atmosphere so much that she’s continuing her education after graduation to study sports business.

‘Joy is an essential part of resistance’

UO commencement speakers did not shy away from politics and identity in their speeches.

Student body president Mariam Hassan talked about immigrating from Egypt as a child and her experience as a Muslim woman wearing a hijab in the United States. She honored Palestinians in her speech, which was met by a long student applause.

“They are the truest embodiment of resilience and strength, and every single day, I strive to represent them with dignity,” Hassan said.

Jana Schmieding, a UO alumna and Lakota comedian, actor and writer, gave the commencement address. She talked about her time at UO, recounting her first experience with public activism in 2003, when the U.S. military invaded Iraq. She said she spoke against the war on the behalf of Native students. She talked about the joy she felt marching up Sixth Avenue to Eugene City Hall and how it mirrored the joy she saw in videos of protesters in Los Angeles, who were later tear gassed by police.

“Joy is an essential part of resistance,” Schmieding said. “It sustains us, it renews us, it gives us a common language. When the enemy sees our joy, they see our humanity, so they try to quell it, but they can’t. It is the one thing they will never be able to take from us.”