By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

Tsinghua University's 2008 Spring Graduate Commencement Ceremony was held in Tsinghua’s Auditorium on the morning of January 21st. More than 1,000 graduate students received degrees. Among them, 356 were awarded doctorates and 1,185 master's degrees. President of Tsinghua and Chairman of the Degree Conferral Committee Gu Binglin, Chen Xi, Chairman of the University Council, as well as other officers of Tsinghua University attended the ceremony and awarded diplomas to the students.

President Gu delivered a speech at the ceremony. On behalf of the University, he extended warmest congratulations to the seated graduates and commended them for their hard work and contributions to the development of the academic atmosphere at Tsinghua.

The President also made several suggestions to the students. Citing the Eastern philosophy that says, “the highest good is like that of water” and “still water runs deep”, he advised them to be lofty and act as the water. He also told them that “the ocean is great and accommodates all rivers”. He encouraged each graduate to be “a great person who is tolerant”. Finally, he urged them to be single-hearted and persistent in their pursuit of excellence.

(Photo by Guo Haijun)