Interim Dean Madison, faculty and staff of the Heller School, proud parents and family members, friends, and fellow graduates. Good afternoon!
I am Kartik Trivedi, and I am honored and humbled to be here, speaking on behalf of the PhD class of 2025.
There is a great deal of absurdity attached to completing a PhD journey, staying in an educational institution for four, five, or maybe more years, during your most productive age on a near minimum wage. But as Albert Camus noted in one of his essays, “All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning.” In all honesty, this journey does bring doubt, frustration, and loneliness. But it also enriches us with resolve—to chart on an uncharted path; belief—to contribute to the sea of knowledge; and most importantly, joy—of being part of a community.
Look around—soak it in—I am talking about this Heller Community.
I believe this community will be more important than any of us realized when we first started our program.
It was only 30 years ago that the internet began to democratize information; now, as we are closing this chapter of our life, artificial intelligence is democratizing both knowledge and reasoning—incomplete and imperfect though it may be.
Where does that leave us? Is it our knowledge that makes us important for society? Or is it our ability to reason?
I reckon both are required but are not sufficient. (What is it really?)
It is our ability to use that knowledge, use our ability to reason, and then transform that into courage that makes us important, and I dare say, necessary for society. But, this transformation can only happen in the hearts that are big.
Now, let me warn you—scared hearts shrink the most. And the world out there is scary— conflicts engendering chaos, divisions causing distress, and alienation leading to isolation.
Look around—see your community; feel your community; and remember your community because these people will empower you to keep your heart big.
As much as I am saying this to you, I am also reminding myself—Kartik, remember to pick up the phone, drop a message, but whatever you do, do not let your heart shrink. Kartik, only a big heart will stay curious, compassionate, and most importantly, courageous.
With that, I would like to thank our family and friends, including those who are with us in spirit. Thanks to all those who make up this Heller community. And congratulations to all of us. Let us move forward with courage.