As I walk home from a late class, I am suddenly aware that this
is one of the last times I will stroll down Bruin Walk as a
student.
I cannot help but become a bit nostalgic, for I will miss seeing
the familiar faces, ripping out the crossword puzzle on the way to
lecture, and watching the rabid squirrels scavenging through the
overflowing trash cans. I will even miss being bombarded by flyers,
party cards and free passes to romantic comedies starring people I
have never heard of.
I stop and take a moment to reflect on my last few years and am
surprised to find how much I have grown and learned, not only in
class, but also in life. In the chaos of preparing for graduation
““ buying our caps and gowns, scrounging for commencement
tickets, filling out last-minute petitions, making sure we pass our
classes, and getting ready to enter the “real world”
““ we barely have time to let the reality and gravity of it
all sink in.
The reality is that another chapter in our lives has ended, that
for the first time there is no “given” next step, and
that we are faced with an exciting but terrifying freedom to decide
where we want to go from here.
After four (or five, or six …) years here at UCLA, I have big
hopes and dreams for myself and for you. I hope that we have made
the most of our time in college and end our experience without
regrets. I hope that, come graduation, we take more with us than
just our diplomas. I hope that we take with us memories of our
first eight-clap, of cheering at the Beat ‘SC Bonfire and
Rally, of feasting at a Dinner for 12 Strangers, of Stevie Wonder,
James Taylor and amazing talent at Spring Sing, and of celebrating
and toasting our fellow seniors at Sendoff.
I hope we remember that we are, and always will be, a part of
the Bruin family. I hope that we are active alumni who stay
dedicated and connected to the university. The UCLA Alumni
Association, which enriches the lives of alumni and involves them
in UCLA’s future, makes sure these hopes become
certainties.
An alumni membership enables you to stay informed about the
latest university news, athletics, campus developments and fellow
alumni.
With the unpredictable nature of our futures, it is comforting
to know that no matter where we go and no matter how many years
have passed, we will always have a home at UCLA. College is not
simply about learning the skills for life; it is about building the
foundation, acquiring the knowledge, and developing the friendships
to enhance our quality of life.
Here’s to you ““ what it means to be a Bruin.
Congratulations Class of 2004! Tomorrow is now today, and
it’s only just begun.
Hua was the 2003-2004 president of the Student Alumni
Association.