The commencement and degree awarding ceremony is held at the track and field of Lanzhou University at 8:30 am June 18, 2015. President Wang Cheng, and other leaders, Li Zhengyuan, Zhong Fuguo, An Lizhe, Xu Shengcheng, Pan Baotian, Gao Xincai, Li Yumin, Cao Hong, Ren Jianjun and Zhang Yucheng, officials of the Air Force in Lanzhou University, Wang Rui, He Deyan, assistant to the president attend the ceremony. Representatives of the third session of "My Top Ten Favorite Teachers", heads of the relevant departments, and undergraduate and graduate students of 2015 are also present at the ceremony, presided by Vice President Cao Hong.
President Wang Cheng made a speech entitled “Holding to Values of LZUers”. In the speech, he says that recently walking on campus, he often saw graduates happily posing themselves for pictures, full of smile, and in Weibo, there is a popular article "Every LZUer has a camel in heart", which is a well-intentioned joke on the harsh conditions of LZU in western China, but also reflects valuable persistent and dauntless quality of LZUers. He speaks frankly and sincerely that, due to various limits and poor management services of LZU, students at the school may have some not-so-good memories and he expresses sincere apologies to this end and the school will overcome difficulties and improve services in the future. Several years later, the not-so-good memories will become so special and understandable when students look back and recall the hardships of alma mater.
Wang Cheng states that a century-old LZU has integrated its simple and unadorned temperament and the motto of "self-improvement, uniqueness" into every student’s thought and soul, which have laid a solid foundation for students to overcome future challenges. He hopes that students will continue to carry forward the LZU tradition in their study, work and life, make greater achievements, and create a better future for themselves and LZU at large.
Wang Cheng expresses his expectations for graduates. He believes, suffering in youth means harvest in the future while sacrifice means nobility, and students will make glorious achievements through the baptism of time. He puts forward four points for graduates: First, remaining true to the sublime soul of oneself; Second, upholding ideals to reach new height of career; Third, loving family to pursue a harmonious life; Fourth, carrying forward valuable quality of LZUers.
Graduates present respond to the sincere speech of President Wang with enthusiastic applause.
Li Zhengyuan, deputy secretary of the CPC Committee of LZU, An Lizhe and Pan Baotian, both vice presidents of LZU at the ceremony announce the "Decision on Awarding Lanzhou University Volunteer Graduates to the State Key Construction Units and Establishments in Western Minority Areas in 2015", "Outstanding Graduates of Lanzhou University in 2015" and "Outstanding Graduate Students of Lanzhou University in 2015".
At the ceremony, Cao Hong gives a brief introduction to LZU graduates in 2015. In 2015, there should be 4,204 undergraduate students, while only 4,131 students are eligible for graduation with complete study period and examination results, accounting for 98.26% of the total. There should be 3,066 graduate students including 343 doctoral students, while only 2,723 students are eligible for graduation, accounting for 98.89% of the total. A total of 1,356 undergraduate students and 1,027 graduate students choose to be employed or continue further study in western regions, accounting for 32.78% of the total.
The most beautiful flowers should be given to LZUers for their dedicated devotion in grassroots level. School leaders and guests present awards to representatives of outstanding graduates, graduate students and volunteers to state key construction units, grassroots units of the western minority areas in 2015.
About to bid farewell to LZU, on behalf of their respective schools, representatives of graduates of 2015 deliver speeches to express heartfelt thanks to alma mater, teachers and school mates, and strong determination to pursue their dreams. All graduates speak out “Self-Improvement and Uniqueness”, “Thanks, LZU; Thanks, teachers!”
On behalf of all teachers, the third "My Top Ten Favorite Teachers" representatives Feng Huyuan, Qing Zhenxuan, Tian Wenshou, Yue Fengzhen, Zhang Yu, Wang Jinrong and Yanshi Jiang send blessing message to graduates. They wish graduates remember to "pursue excellence” and "take care of themselves".
At 9:30, the LZU time-lapse photography "Unfinished Blue" and the opening film with LZU logo, motto and emblems as the main content premiere at the new Stadium and, flags of 33 schools and research institutes along with warm and cheerful rhythms enter from both sides of the stadium and orbit the venue a round. The degree-awarding ceremony for graduates of 2015 is held here.
At the ceremony, after walking the red carpet, school leaders come to the site to watch the ceremony with relatives and friends of graduates.
Wang Cheng, President and chairman of the degree evaluation committee of LZU, wearing the principal suit, flips the tassels on students’ hats upon awarding diplomas to Ph.D. graduates and takes photo together. The ceremony is presided over by vice president Pan Baotian. Then, Wang Cheng, An Lizhe, Pan Baotian, Gao Xincai, Li Yumin, He Deyan, Wang Rui, Yu Qin, Zhou Youhe, Cheng Jincheng, Li Wantong and other committee members award diplomas to and pose themselves for pictures with students obtaining master's degree and bachelor's degree. The master degree awarding and the bachelor degree awarding ceremonies are chaired by Chen Ximeng, executive vice president of the graduate school of LZU, and Liu Weisheng, director of the Office of Academic Affairs.
(Translated by Li Yafeng; proofread by Sissi Xu)
