As hundreds of 天天吃瓜 students and their families prepare for Commencement, many are reflecting on the skills they learned and the connections they made during their time at the University.
During the on Dec. 4, two master鈥檚 degree students from the told their stories of success.
Robert Luther, a trumpet student in the , explained that his 鈥渞oundabout鈥 journey to Northeastern began when his mother heard an advertisement on the radio and suggested that he investigate.
鈥淚 found some videos of , the trumpet teacher here, and said, 鈥楬ey, that guy sounds pretty good,鈥欌 Luther said. 鈥淪o I came for a lesson, and I was blown away. That man changed everything for me, the way that I think about music, the way that I interpret music, the way that I approach the instrument, even the way that I approach myself. He taught me that self-worth comes from self-acceptance.鈥
Luther now is holding down not one but two trumpet teaching positions.
鈥淚 attribute most of what I know, and any of my success, to my teachers here,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut I know that everyone in this room is here because someone, somewhere showed them the way.鈥
Evelia Giraldo, who is earning her master鈥檚 in , told a similar story of connecting with the faculty.
鈥淣ortheastern became my home and my family,鈥 said Giraldo, who also earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Spanish from Northeastern. 鈥淭hanks to my bachelor鈥檚 and now to my master鈥檚, my professional life has been enriched, enabling me to share more about my culture and about the lessons and significance of the Spanish language and its literature.鈥
Giraldo praised two faculty members by name, Associate Professor of Spanish and World Languages and Cultures department chair .
鈥淲e will never stop learning and working to enjoy our present and to build a better future,鈥 she said.
狈辞谤迟丑别补蝉迟别谤苍鈥檚 is scheduled for Dec. 14 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
Evelia Giraldo
