UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — More than 1,200 students received their baccalaureate degrees at the College of Engineering's spring commencement exercises on May 6 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
This year's commencement address was given by Shu Chien, professor of bioengineering and director of the Institute of Engineering in Medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
Chien told the graduates that commencement is an exciting time to embark on a new phase of their lives, either starting a professional career in industry or other sectors, or pursuing further studies in a graduate or professional school.
He explained that Penn State's College of Engineering has provided an excellent foundation for their career development, not only based on classes they took, but also because they learned valuable knowledge in the lab.
"Most importantly," Chien added, "you have learned how to learn, so that you can have the pleasure to continue to learn new things, to synthesize your knowledge and generate new ideas, develop new products, which is what Penn State Engineering has emphasized."
Chien told the audience, "I believe all of us have potentials that have not yet been fully realized."
He suggested that graduates take the most challenging option when choosing between alternatives, "especially if it can generate a more rewarding outcome."
Chien continued, "Our globe has many problems, and it is ready for the next generation to solve and conquer. It is your opportunity and responsibility to do that. So the world is yours."