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Silicon Valley campus commencement celebrates the graduates of 2024

May 20, 2024

Silicon Valley campus commencement celebrates the graduates of 2024

by Meredith Hutcheson; photos by Ruby Wallau for Northeastern University. 

On Thursday, May 9, Isha Thakkar (MS Project Management) stood on stage and addressed a packed theater of her peers, faculty, and advisors from Northeastern University in Silicon Valley. Family and friends filled in the rest of the space, holding bouquets and gifts and snapping pictures.

“I was a radio jockey and producer eight years ago in India. I never thought I would be here today, delivering a commencement speech to such an accomplished audience. But life is full of surprises, and we are presented with opportunities when we least expect them,” she began.

Isha Thakkar giving her address as student speaker

Isha’s appearance as student speaker at the commencement ceremony was her largest audience of fellow students, but not her first. Since 2022, she has been an active presence on campus, organizing events and student clubs.

Like many Northeastern graduate students, Isha came to her program with plenty of professional experience under her belt. She shared her experience as a true lifelong learner.

“I won’t sugarcoat it: transitioning back to student life in my 30s was no easy feat,” she said on stage. “I often told people that as a student, I am rebooting my life; much like software being upgraded to perform better. My mantra became simple: learn, unlearn, relearn. And with every passing day, I immersed myself in this philosophy, embracing the unknown with open arms.”

This is a mentality that encapsulates the Northeastern spirit. It’s also an ethos that the Class of 2024 should hold on to wherever their paths take them, according to Silicon Valley Regional Dean Caroline Simard.

“You have spent the last few years learning, learning, and learning some more, and it’s finally done — or so you think!” she told the crowd during the dean’s address. “But the learning has just begun. In fact, learning how to learn is the only skill that is durable, timeless, and one that determines long-term potential. Your degree gives you a foundation of knowledge to contribute; but never let knowing stand in the way of learning.”

Regional Dean Caroline Simard (left) and SVP for Global Network and Strategic Initiatives Mary Ludden cheering the procession of graduates as they enter the ceremony

Dr. Simard had canvassed her professional network of leaders in Silicon Valley for their best advice for graduates. She shared their encouragement to lead with values and ethics, to invest time in nurturing your network, and to balance career goals with a well-rounded life.

“Life is good, if you let it be,” she said. “So let it be.”

Alumni speaker CJ Paillant also had insights to share with the graduates. CJ is the founder of a Digital Transformation Consulting company called iExperience, and previously worked in product roles for Google, Cisco, and Warner Brothers. And although he spoke from his experience of professional achievement, his advice was oriented towards a holistic definition of success.

Alumni Speaker CJ Paillant

CJ Paillant, who holds a BS in Computer Engineering from Northeastern and an MBA from Duke, welcoming graduates into the Northeastern alumni community

“You are the best gift to the world, so share your light and your gift with the world. I was probably about your age when somebody told me that and I thought they were a little corny,” he said with a smile, “but it’s actually true.”

And before welcoming the Class of 2024 into the alumni network, he also presented them with a thought: “Instead of chasing all the answers, what if you fell in love with the question?”

During a special moment in the ceremony, student speaker Isha was joined on stage by Wui Lung (Andy) Choi (MPS Analytics) and LeAnn Mendoza (MS Data Science). The three Silicon Valley graduates were each inducted into the inaugural cohort of the Lux. Veritas. Virtus Society of Distinction. This society honors outstanding graduate students from across the global campus network, who must first be nominated and then vetted based on the strength of their achievements.

Regional Dean Caroline Simard (left) and Managing Director Global Campuses Dave Thurman (right) with, from left: Wui Lung Choi and nominator Venkata Duvvuri (Lecturer, College of Professional Studies), LeAnn Mendoza and nominator Pamela Allen (Regional Director of Graduate Recruitment, Khoury College of Computer Sciences), Isha Thakkar and nominator EunHae Lawlor (Academic Advisor, College of Professional Studies)

“Each of the students honored today have brightened the light of Northeastern that shines throughout the Silicon Valley,” said Dave Thurman, Managing Director Global Campuses, as he introduced the honorees.

When it was time for the conferral of the degrees, nearly 150 graduates crossed the stage to accept their diplomas. Afterwards, they filled in the adjoining banquet hall, hugging their families and posing for photos with their friends. Their robes displayed their new alumni pins, designating their new status amongst the global community of 300,000+ Northeastern graduates.

The celebrations took up the rest of the bright spring afternoon, as was fitting with the conclusion of Isha Thakkar’s speech: “Here’s to us, the Class of 2024—to our triumphs, our failures, and everything in between! Thank you, Northeastern, for being our guiding light. And to my fellow graduates, may your futures be as bright as the California sunshine.”

Commencement Photo Gallery

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