Commencement 2013

June 5, 2013

The ceremony, normally held in the larger concert venus located in downtown Bishkek, was held amidst the concrete columns and floors that make up the base of AUCA's future home. The area was cleaned, decorated, and made safe for the event, a process that took several weeks of coordination between the construction team and the Dean of Students, Nikolai Shulgin.

 

AUCA President Andrew Wachtel explained why this year's ceremony was different. “We decided to try something new this year. I think it was unique and interesting. By this, we are trying to show our students that the main thing in education is not finishing a goal, but the process itself.  We did commencement inside of unfinished building in order to show students that education is always open to them.”

 

According to President Wachtel the unfinished building and the ceremony in the open air symbolized striving for more knowledge, and opening new horizons. AUCA is not the end, it is only the beginning.

 

“We are oriented to the future, not on yesterday, that is why we decided to step out of the usual frames and processes, and make the ceremony at a new place, which symbolizes future, ” Dr. Wachtel explained.

 

At the very beginning of the ceremony, graduates and guests were welcomed by the Military Orchestra, which played modern songs and created an atmosphere of grace and fun at the same time.

 

At 10:00 the official ceremony started with the procession of presidium members and speeches of Dr. Wachtel, Pamela L. Spratlen, US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Edil Moldoev, Head of the State Inspectorate on Licensing and Certification under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, and William H. Newton Smith, Chair of AUCA Board of Trustees.

 

"Now with confidence you are ready to step out and be leaders," Ambassador Spratlen said during her speech.

After the speeches, Valeriya Melnichuk, ICP, and Madina Muratova, SOC, were awarded with special diplomas for the outstanding senior thesis.

 

4 Presidential scholars, Erkinbek uulu Eldar, BA, Valeriya Melnichuk, ICP, Nagornova Anna, BA, and Tilenbaeva Aizhan, IBL, were also awarded by President Andrew Wachtel.

 

Finally, the long-awaited moment had come: graduates were awarded with diplomas and congratulated each other.   

 

After the procession of graduates, the 2013 Valedictorian, Saikal Anvar kyzy, gave a speech to all graduates.

 

“It was so stirring to stand on the stage and speak on behalf of all graduates of 2013. I tried to put all my heart into this speech in order to express that huge gratitude to the university that has taught us how to be passionate, open-minded and self-confident. I am happy that I have another chance to say how much we, graduates, love AUCA! At the end of the ceremony graduates let off the balloons and symbolically threw their graduation caps to the sky,“ Saikal said.

 

 

Some graduates shared their thoughts after the graduation.

 

“I feel extremely happy and overwhelmed with the fact that now I'm officially a graduate of AUCA! Four academic years in the best university of Kyrgyzstan were full of positive emotions, new experiences, challenging and interesting classes, many extracurricular activities and working practices. The commencement ceremony and especially the commencement party highlighted these amazing years with an unforgettable flavor of happiness, friendship and appreciation of each and every day and moment at this university. I would like to thank the faculty, the U.S.- CAEF fellowship, students and everyone who was a part of this wonderful period in my life. Last but not least, I wish every graduate a prosperous and fruitful future full of successful professional experiences. Be happy, healthy and wealthy!”

Izat Osmonov, BA ‘13

 

“Everything was awesome! The ceremony was well-organized, even if not in the place, where students wanted. The spirit of triumph was around. Finally, a moment, which we had waited for 4 years, had come. Everything passed very quickly. Controversial feelings overfilled inside of me. On the one side, I was very happy, but on another side, I was sad, because students years in AUCA had passed and could not be returned. Now we have only the memories, which will always warm our hearts.”

Altynai Abdyldaeva, IBL  ‘13

 

“The ceremony had passed in high feather, organizers tried hard. Everybody I asked, told me that they are pleased with the ceremony, especially parents, which is the most important, because this event was for them, especially. Construction of New Campus added its own color to the Commencement. Organizers tried to create the environment with maximum comfort, and they did it very well. After the graduation I was a little bit sad, because a life of joy has ended. But at the same time, life is not ended on this period, we need to move on, and it gives the motivation and life energy. New people, new goals, new world is waiting for us! I will never forget the moment of diploma awarding and I will never forget people around me and 4 wonderful years at the university.”

Baatyr Arstanaliev BA ‘13

 

“Honestly, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand I am so much excited about the future, look forward to starting a new path and a new life. On the other hand, I already miss those unique, lovely and unforgettable personalities that I luckily met there – my beloved girls, true friends, cheerful BA109, dear professors and all those, who have made 4 years of studying at AUCA one of the great moments of life. Despite the hot sun, allergy and some angry students, I liked the Commencement ceremony very much. It was short enough not to make students roast; at the same time it was as just enough to make us feel the solemnity of the moment. I was touched by the speech of Pamela Spratlen, U.S. Ambassador to the KR, who generously shared with us the precious lessons of life. The most memorable and important was to dream big dreams, which I believe is unspoken motto of every AUCA student.”

Saikal Anvar kyzy, Valedictorian, BA ‘13

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