Berklee's 2025 Commencement, Through the Lens of a Graduate

Matthew Ryu BM ’25 majored in jazz composition and is from Bangkok, Thailand, and Seoul, South Korea.

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As I walked in the rain holding my umbrella, I thought about all the parents that would be at the commencement. I’ve often thought that maybe it’s a day more for celebrating those who supported our journey. 

We as students are supported not only by ourselves but our peers, professors, sponsors, guardians, and most of all, our parents. My mother raised two children as a single parent, and it was extremely difficult to send me to Berklee. We initially planned that I would only be able to attend the college for only a year, but somehow, here I was walking to my graduation. There was no one else that I wished to be there but my mother as I wanted to celebrate all the work she put in and all the faith she had in me. I wanted her to visit the place that she’d been sending her son to. I couldn’t have done it without her support, and I think it was no coincidence that Mother’s Day was just the next day. 

Although she couldn’t make it to the graduation, I was able to celebrate and experience joy through my fellow graduates and everyone else who came. As we walked out to the arena, I imagined my mother being there and putting my cap on her, as she deserved it more than I did. Sara Bareilles's and André 3000’s speeches were beautiful, but most importantly, inspiring, and as we waited for the commencement to begin, there was a real sense of community and togetherness. Some were excited and some were nervous, but we had each other. 

The most beautiful moment for me was after the commencement, when all the graduates I saw in the waiting room a few hours prior finally met their friends and families, embracing each other. The joy and excitement felt that day shone a bright light over the gloomy weather.