"When I was first asked to be the student speaker on behalf of the Bioengineering Department, I was extremely excited. Then I realized I actually had to write a speech. Well, here it is:
What is Bioengineering?
It is a question we as bioengineers have been asked a countless number of times. And I’m sure the majority of this room was just wondering the same thing.
I could answer it with the technical definition, by explaining complex systems and emergent behavior. However, bioengineering is so much more than just that.
Until recently, I thought bioengineering was just a major. It was pulling all-nighters for Craig, thinking like DaVinci for Catalano, using the word comprises for Leann, playing that game for Gause, training our computers for Walker, repeating the same lab over and over for Jacques, shutting the blinds for Hiroki, removing the word "problem" from our vocabulary for McLeod and lastly, defending our intelligence to the mechanical engineers.
But now, as a graduate, I have come to the realization that bioengineering is about embracing opportunities. It is not being afraid of change. It is understanding the importance of the unexpected and the unknown. And, most of all, it's about recognizing that life is unpredictable.
Today I stand before you as a graduate of Binghamton University, but who knows where I will be tomorroww?
In the words of the girls from 61 Oak Street: YOLO -- You only live once.
Congratulation to the Class of 2008!
Thank you, everyone!"
"I am especially honored to stand before you today, because I represent the talent and dedication of this graduating class as well as the faculty of the Bioengineering Department at Binghamton. Although I could ramble through a synopsis of the past four years, of how hard we have worked and all the things we have learned, I won't. Instead, I would like to speak of something that doesn't often manifest within a competitive technical program, but that I found in this department and that every bioengineer in this class holds dear.
The dedicated friendships and strong community which have evolved over the past four years between the students and the faculty in our fledgling department provide good explanation of the growth and success of this graduating class. Although graduation represents a great personal triumph, I truly believe that the feeling of accomplishment among the BioE graduates is greatly vested in the achievement of the community as a whole. Speaking personally, I know that without the insight and thoughtfulness I have found in my peers and professors, I would never have grown to love this line of study and knowledge.
So firstly, on behalf of the BioE graduates here today, I would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the BE staff and faculty who have toiled to produce such an outstanding undergraduate education. We thank Ellen, Nick, Guru, Mike, Hiroki, Leann, Craig, Don, Jacques, Ken and Walker for the care and passion for teaching so evident in their everyday conduct.
Finally, and most importantly, I would like state my utmost appreciation and admiration for my peers. With such a passionate and unique group of students, it is no wonder why the last four years have been marked with such creativity and why our innovative department has already begun to carve an indelible mark in the world of bioengineering education. Working with this group allowed even the hardest and most tedious tasks to be enjoyable, and for this, I am so grateful. We have worked together, helped one another, and complained together, and finally, we have truly succeeded together as the second graduating bioengineering class at Binghamton University.
As my good friend Brendan says constantly, "Keep it real and don't let the man get you down." Congratulations bioengineers."
