As I write my final article as an undergraduate student, I look back at my experience at the City College of New York with immense fondness and happiness. Three inspiring commencement speakers in particular: Michaela Dougherty, Orubba Almansouri, and Michelle Obama made the CCNY 2016 Commencement week a truly unforgettable experience.

On Thursday, June 2, at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership Commencement Ceremony, my friend Michaela Dougherty, the School’s Valedictorian, lifted our spirits with her wisdom, foresight, and candor. She challenged us to combat the urge of relying on cynicism in our national political discourse. Michaela’s interest in international law and human rights work, as well as her experiences in the Skadden, Arps Honors Program in Legal Studies and in the Partners for Change Fellowship at the Colin Powell School as a Human Rights Fellow, led her to conclude:

“We know that we cannot propose solutions without truly understanding the problems … So please, don’t confine yourself to the notion that you are powerless to affect change. Don’t indulge in cynicism. Work tirelessly towards compassion. Work to change the world, even if you might not live to see that change. Somebody else will, and that makes it worth it.” I’ve learned firsthand of the indomitable force that fuels the brilliant women at CCNY, and I can say with absolute certainty that Michaela’s desire to work in the field of international conflict resolution and peace will positively contribute towards making this world slightly more hospitable for us all.

Next, the CCNY 2016 Salutatorian Orubba Almansouri inspired the graduating class of 2016 with her powerful and palpable story, cementing her in the pantheon of commencement speakers at our school. Orruba completed her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and History and received the Colin Powell School Fellowship, as well as a Mellon Mays Fellowship to conduct research on the significance of poetry in Yemeni tribes.

Orruba’s journey began in Yemen, her native land, where she couldn’t imagine attending college because girls were not allowed to do so, as she mentioned in her speech. When her family emigrated from Yemen to the United States, those traditional tribal values continued to control her family. For instance, during high school, Orruba’s aunts feared that their daughters would associate with her because “she had no life.” At times she would cry herself to sleep because the people closest to her would warn her that college would ruin her, strip her of her identity, religion, tradition - basically, college would corrupt her. Nonetheless, she stayed up sleepless nights working on the blueprint of how to debate and argue with her dad to let her attend college.

After convincing her father of the value of an education, she fearlessly pursued her college education. By doing so she broke her family tradition and became a first-generation college student. While at CCNY, she grew secure in her Yemeni-American identity by broadening her exposure to both U.S. and Middle Eastern cultures. Through her experience and work in the community, she created the change that allows her to witness a generation of girls standing up for their right to an education. For Orubba, success means that she has paved the road for future girls to pursue an education and can use her as an example.

Orubba closed her remarks by advising the nation not to build walls nor succumb to anti-Muslim rhetoric - instead, we must dismantle the barriers of hatred, for terrorism bears no religion or ethnicity. As Orruba stated “a simple conversation can change a mind,” and hopefully the rest of the United States looks at CCNY as an example of what this country can look like.

Last, Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States and the 2016 CCNY Commencement Keynote Address speaker, echoed the sentiments of Orubba Almansouri. Mrs. Obama chose CCNY as the last school she would give a commencement address because of our diversity. The struggles the graduating class of 2016 endured, such as commuting hours to get to school and juggling multiple jobs to support our families and pay tuition, serve as a testament to the determination and hard work we went through, according to the First Lady.

The First Lady remarked that the graduating class of 2016 embodies the purpose of City College’s founding. CCNY served as a haven for students of every background to pursue a college education. A place where students didn’t have to hide their last name or their accent because the students at this school were selected on merit alone.

Mrs. Obama continued by saying that City College is a dynamic and inclusive place where students can question old assumptions and consider new perspectives. Perhaps our classmates and friends opened our eyes to an injustice we never knew existed. Our greatness comes from our ability to learn from each other and lean on one another. Furthermore, Mrs. Obama said that despite the diversity of experiences and thought at CCNY some people across the country view it as dangerous by they telling us to be suspicious of those we disagree. Nonetheless, the education we got at CCNY and our unique experiences have prepared us for the world that lies ahead and that nothing will stop us from fulfilling our dreams. For we developed the maturity and resilience to keep moving forward regardless of whatever obstacles we may confront. That experience of overcoming adversity is one of our biggest advantages and we should never feel ashamed of our struggles.

First Lady Michelle Obama ended her speech by telling us that with our success comes a set of obligations to share the lessons we learned at CCNY. The CCNY Class of 2016 will heed the First Lady’s advice by continuing to embody the principles that this school and nation were founded upon. Our future endeavors will forever be guided by the friendships we cultivated and the communities we forged at CCNY. This community - this network of like-minded individuals carries the potential to produce positive change in the world, however, bleak that proposition may seem now. Our responsibility now lies in helping the next generation of students discover their potential and purpose in life.