The University of Chicago will hold its annual Class Day on Friday, June 6, at 2 p.m. on the Main Quadrangles. This event celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 undergraduates and precedes the university's 539th Convocation. The ceremony will feature speeches from three student speakers: Lila Melkumova, Dhirpal Shah, and Helen Wu. David Axelrod, a prominent political analyst and founder of the University's Institute of Politics in 2013, will deliver the keynote address.
Lila Melkumova, originally from Moscow and a double major in economics and East Asian languages and civilizations, reflects on her diverse experiences at UChicago. She was actively involved in several campus organizations such as the Blue Chips Investment Club and UChicago Bridge. Melkumova said her experience was enriched by friendships that exposed her to various perspectives: “I will always remember UChicago through the people who made it special.” After graduation, she will join JPMorgan as an investment banking analyst.
Dhirpal Shah, who majored in computer science and economics, hails from Ahmedabad and Taipei. He highlighted how house culture shaped his time at UChicago: “It’s about the journey from not belonging anywhere to finally feeling at home.” Shah served as a goalkeeper for the Maroon’s men’s soccer team that won an NCAA title in 2022. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in quantum computing at UChicago.
Helen Wu is an economics and political science major from Philadelphia's suburbs who will also earn a master's degree in international relations. She credits her transformative experience to those she met at UChicago: “My time at UChicago was shaped by the remarkable people I encountered.” Wu encourages graduates to reflect on shared small moments that define their experience. She will begin her career with D.E. Shaw in New York City.
Class Day is organized with input from graduating students who help select speakers through a submission process. The event can be viewed via webcast on the UChicago News site or the College’s Facebook page.