Commencement Speech at
Loyola University
Loyola University
By Jian Ping
I had the honor and privilege to give the commencement speech recently at the College of
Arts and Sciences at Loyola University Chicago.
I’d given a lot of thought regarding what to talk about since I received the invitation. What could
I share with the graduating students that would be helpful to them as they enter the real
world? What would I have wished to know when I was in their position nearly three decades
earlier?
My thoughts reflected on my own journey, from a little girl in a remote area of the northeast of
China, a victim of the Cultural Revolution; the young girl who had to study English on her own,
in secret, because the English language was eliminated from the curriculum and learning
foreign languages was condemned; to the young woman who was assigned a job in Beijing
but banished to work at a film subtitle factory because of gender prejudice. Eventually my
thoughts turned to my determination to break-through the confinement by pursuing graduate
I had the honor and privilege to give the commencement speech recently at the College of
Arts and Sciences at Loyola University Chicago.
I’d given a lot of thought regarding what to talk about since I received the invitation. What could
I share with the graduating students that would be helpful to them as they enter the real
world? What would I have wished to know when I was in their position nearly three decades
earlier?
My thoughts reflected on my own journey, from a little girl in a remote area of the northeast of
China, a victim of the Cultural Revolution; the young girl who had to study English on her own,
in secret, because the English language was eliminated from the curriculum and learning
foreign languages was condemned; to the young woman who was assigned a job in Beijing
but banished to work at a film subtitle factory because of gender prejudice. Eventually my
thoughts turned to my determination to break-through the confinement by pursuing graduate
Jian Ping
studies in the U.S.—an unthinkable dream, which was accomplished
with great sacrifice.
Growing up in China during a time of political chaos and persecution
gave me a different experience and perspective. The ten-year Cultural
Revolution was by no means “cultural.” My family, along with millions of
others, went through many ordeals. We, as individuals, have no choice
or control over the time and place of our birth. However, our life
experiences, especially the hardships we encounter, can shape us—
breaking some of us while making others stronger and more resilient.
There are so many factors that play a role in forming our characters.
I was lucky to be born into a family of strong values. My parents’
strength and single-minded optimism and devotion, my grandmother’s
unconditional love, and my siblings’ care all benefited me. I learned
from them the meaning of strength and resilience. I also learned to be
persistent and pursue big dreams. Because of them, I was able to
change my life—to live in a world of freedom and worldwide exposure.
Although the difficulties and challenges that the graduating class face
with great sacrifice.
Growing up in China during a time of political chaos and persecution
gave me a different experience and perspective. The ten-year Cultural
Revolution was by no means “cultural.” My family, along with millions of
others, went through many ordeals. We, as individuals, have no choice
or control over the time and place of our birth. However, our life
experiences, especially the hardships we encounter, can shape us—
breaking some of us while making others stronger and more resilient.
There are so many factors that play a role in forming our characters.
I was lucky to be born into a family of strong values. My parents’
strength and single-minded optimism and devotion, my grandmother’s
unconditional love, and my siblings’ care all benefited me. I learned
from them the meaning of strength and resilience. I also learned to be
persistent and pursue big dreams. Because of them, I was able to
change my life—to live in a world of freedom and worldwide exposure.
Although the difficulties and challenges that the graduating class face
Jian Ping is author of “Mulberry Child: A Memoir of
China. “ For more information, visit www.moraquest.
com or www.mulberrychild.com. Jian Ping’s blog,
which she keeps with a couple of other authors, is at
www.smearedtype.com.
China. “ For more information, visit www.moraquest.
com or www.mulberrychild.com. Jian Ping’s blog,
which she keeps with a couple of other authors, is at
www.smearedtype.com.
today are different from those that I encountered in China and here in
the U.S. as a new immigrant, the qualities we need to possess in order
to succeed—strength, resilience, vision, and persistence, to name a
few, are the same.
I decided to share my stories with them and focus my messages on
three areas.
I encouraged them to be strong and resilient in their endeavors and
pursuits.
I told them: “Regardless of what your future brings—starting a new job,
attending graduate school, or just taking some time to figure out what to
do next, you will encounter difficulties, confusion, and even rejections.
These experiences, however, will benefit you—make you stronger and
more appreciative of the steps you have taken to get where you want to
go. Look around you for your role models. They are not necessarily
superstars or superheroes, but ordinary people who you interact with
daily.”
I quoted Confucius, the ancient Chinese sage. “Three people walking
together, one of them is good enough to be my teacher.”
I urged them to dream big dreams and pursue them no matter how
improbable they seem. I realized that some of them might already know
their passion, some might still need more time to find it. “When you do,
follow your passion and do something you truly love,” I said.
Sharing my own journey and the obstacles that I had managed to
overcome to stand before them, I said: “If I can do it, you can, too!”
“Be strong, be persistent, and be committed. Leave your footprint on our
planet,” I said.
the U.S. as a new immigrant, the qualities we need to possess in order
to succeed—strength, resilience, vision, and persistence, to name a
few, are the same.
I decided to share my stories with them and focus my messages on
three areas.
I encouraged them to be strong and resilient in their endeavors and
pursuits.
I told them: “Regardless of what your future brings—starting a new job,
attending graduate school, or just taking some time to figure out what to
do next, you will encounter difficulties, confusion, and even rejections.
These experiences, however, will benefit you—make you stronger and
more appreciative of the steps you have taken to get where you want to
go. Look around you for your role models. They are not necessarily
superstars or superheroes, but ordinary people who you interact with
daily.”
I quoted Confucius, the ancient Chinese sage. “Three people walking
together, one of them is good enough to be my teacher.”
I urged them to dream big dreams and pursue them no matter how
improbable they seem. I realized that some of them might already know
their passion, some might still need more time to find it. “When you do,
follow your passion and do something you truly love,” I said.
Sharing my own journey and the obstacles that I had managed to
overcome to stand before them, I said: “If I can do it, you can, too!”
“Be strong, be persistent, and be committed. Leave your footprint on our
planet,” I said.
Jian Ping delivers her keynote speech at Loyola
University's graduation.
University's graduation.
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Addressing the world we live in today, I pointed out that
despite the diversity of people we interact with
every day in the United States, with the minorities
increasing at an unprecedented fast rate and
“minority” children taking majority in 10 states, we are
still facing rampant misconceptions and prejudice.
“Misconceptions that lead to misunderstandings, fear,
and wars.”
I challenged them, and all of us as well, to open our
minds—we must learn more about other cultures and
make our contributions in building a more peaceful
and harmonious world.
I ended my speech with a saying by Lao Zi, another
Chinese sage: “ —a journey of a
thousand miles starts with one step.”
“Take your first step today!” I called upon them.
despite the diversity of people we interact with
every day in the United States, with the minorities
increasing at an unprecedented fast rate and
“minority” children taking majority in 10 states, we are
still facing rampant misconceptions and prejudice.
“Misconceptions that lead to misunderstandings, fear,
and wars.”
I challenged them, and all of us as well, to open our
minds—we must learn more about other cultures and
make our contributions in building a more peaceful
and harmonious world.
I ended my speech with a saying by Lao Zi, another
Chinese sage: “ —a journey of a
thousand miles starts with one step.”
“Take your first step today!” I called upon them.
Dean Fennell welcomes graduates, faculty and
guests.
guests.
Faculty members stand in line to come up the
stage.
stage.
