The shimmering waters of South Lake reflect the quest for knowledge that first brought our students here; the towering Twin Towers bear witness to their departure as they set sail on the voyage of youth. On June 16, the University held the 2026 Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony for its graduating students at the South Lake sports field. All university leaders, members of the Academic Degree Evaluation Committee, heads of all units, frontline staff including counselors, class advisors, logistics personnel, security staff, and community counselors, along with high school principals, head teachers, alumni representatives, and parents, gathered together with the graduates to witness 7,614 students successfully completing their studies and embarking on a new chapter in their lives. The ceremony was presided over by Qin Rui, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of the University, and officially began with the solemn national anthem.
The Ceremony in Session. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
Liu Yi, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the University, delivered an earnest message to the graduates titledNo Regrets on the South Lake Journey — Together We Venture to the Mountains and Seas, Dedicating Our Youth. He remarked that youth should be celebrated, and the journey should not be in vain. He reviewed the growth journey of the Class of 2026 during their time at the University: marching with the times and sharing in the glory of the nation; advancing with SCMU and carrying forward the seven-decade legacy; and pursuing their dreams, letting their youth shine brightly. As they prepared to depart, he urged the students to remain steadfast in their pursuit of knowledge, building their lives on learning and becoming dreamers with vision and depth; to embrace harmony and inclusiveness, becoming leaders in fostering unity; to stay true to their original aspirations, with resilience as their shield, becoming persevering doers; and to shoulder their missions with their country and people in their hearts, becoming strivers who act with responsibility. “Ride the waves, and the future is full of promise,” he concluded, wishing the students all the best as they carry forward the knowledge, inclusiveness, ideals, and sense of responsibility they have cultivated at SCMU, and make their mark on the great journey of comprehensively advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.
Liu Yi Delivers a Speech. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
Qi Zitong, a faculty representative from the School of Ethnology and Sociology, remarked that the significance of university lies not only in acquiring knowledge, but more importantly, in cultivating wisdom. He expressed his hope that the students would carry forward a broad mind, lofty aspirations, and solid capabilities, “keeping poetry in their hearts and feeling at home anywhere in the world”, and growing with confidence, strength, and an unwavering spirit.
Qi Zitong Delivers His Speech. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
Gou Xianyu, the undergraduate representative from the School of Biomedical Engineering, shared his growth story at SCMU. “Every line of code I wrote and every model I built, I hoped they could contribute to the health and well-being of the people,” he said. He will soon pursue further studies at Shandong University, and expressed his determination to “write his papers on the land of his motherland”.
Zhuang Puwei, the graduate representative from the Law School, summarized her gains at SCMU with three keywords: “responsibility, resilience, and inclusiveness”. With a touch of reluctance, she said, “From today on, we will set out from Minzu Avenue and venture into the vast frontiers of our era.”
Huang Ruxin, a representative of international students from Vietnam at the International Education College, shared her story with Wuhan and with SCMU. From not understanding the local dialect “Ke Na Li?” (Where to go?) when she first arrived, she eventually gained admission to Wuhan University for her master’s degree. She jokingly called herself a “relentless striver”, crediting the learning atmosphere at SCMU for her continuous progress.
Student Representatives Deliver Their Speeches. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
Li Hongyan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of the University, read out theDecision on Commending the Outstanding Graduates of the Class of 2026 of South-Central Minzu Universityand theDecision on Commending 97 Students, Including Sun Hongyu, Participating in the 2026 Western Volunteer Service Program for College Students and the Graduate Teaching Support Team. Fang Debin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of the University, read out the degree conferral documents.
University Leaders Pose for a Group Photo with the Teaching Support Team.
(Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
To the solemn and stirring music, all university leaders presented degree certificates to the graduate representatives and performed the turning of the tassel ceremony for each of them. The youthful days spent under the Twin Towers and in the South Lake Garden, filled with sweat and dedication, will forever remain the warmest and most vivid backdrop in their hearts.
Degrees Conferred on Graduate Representatives.
(Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
Degrees Conferred on Representatives of Graduates Who Returned to Campus After Military Service.
(Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
Degrees Conferred on Representatives of Graduates Participating in the Western Program.
(Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
“Twin Towers stand tall, flowers bloom fair…” The familiar melody of the alma mater song rang out, and the commencement ceremony came to a close with a chorus sung by all faculty and students present. The melodious song carried heartfelt wishes for all graduates of the Class of 2026: may they carry the gentle breeze of South Lake with them as they journey far and wide, and embark on their own paths ahead.
Students and Parents at the Ceremony. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
Before the commencement ceremony began, all graduates watched the graduation-themed videoIt’s Hard to Say Goodbye, which lingered like an unfinished song, leaving a long aftertaste in the melody of their memories. Community counselors gave a heartfelt farewell to the students they had accompanied day and night with a chorus ofJust Like You. The School of Music and Dance presented the danceRitual and Music for All Under Heaven, with flowing sleeves and soaring spirits, fully displaying the young people’s broad vision and lofty ideals. Faculty and students of all ethnic groups sangThe Flowing RiverandMy People, My Country, igniting the atmosphere at the commencement ceremony.
The Theme Video and Warm‑Up Performances. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee)
