At the 2026 graduation ceremony of Columbia University, Indian-origin student Sarayu Bethanchury delivered the student keynote address, inspiring the graduating class with reflections on her undergraduate journey.
Sarayu, who served as Senior Class Council President and hails from Troy, Michigan, spoke about the significant changes she witnessed during her four years on campus, including shifts in campus security and student life. She recalled how the university evolved around her, from open campus gates in earlier years to a more restricted environment in recent times.
Describing Columbia as a collection of diverse communities rather than a single unified one, she emphasized how this diversity shaped her experience as a student coming from the Midwest. She also highlighted New York City as a “free trial” of adult life, where students learned independence while navigating academic and urban challenges.
Reflecting on recent campus tensions and disruptions, Sarayu acknowledged the difficulties faced by students but stressed the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility. She called on graduates to support one another, engage with differing perspectives, and stand up for marginalized voices.
Concluding her speech, she urged students to prioritize understanding over certainty, saying that true learning comes from seeking out diverse stories and experiences rather than holding fixed opinions.
