On March 24, the 2024 undergraduate and graduate graduation ceremonies were held at the Tokyo Garden Theater. This year, 2,550 undergraduate students, 452 graduate students, and 9 midwifery students graduated, and their parents and guarantors also attended the ceremony.

The ceremony began with music by Sophia University’s orchestra and followed by a blessing by Father Lee of the Catholic Jesuit Center, commencement address delivered by President Yoshiaki Terumichi, as well as conferment of degrees and certificates, then congratulatory speeches by Chancellor Sali Augustine of Sophia Corporation and Mr. Masao Torii, President of Sophia Alumni Association, and an acknowledgement speech made by the graduate representative Nina Matsui from the Faculty of Law.

In his address, President Terumichi expressed “What we learn day by day, the small challenges faced every day, the unexpected experiences encountered, and the unforeseen circumstances dealt with from time to time – these steps in life may trigger or guide creative transformation in our own lives or in society. At the very least, your studies and research at university will be enough experience that are sufficient to provide that guidance. As a graduate of Sophia University and Graduate Schools pursuing the educational philosophy of “For Others, With Others,” I sincerely hope that you will have an empathetic eye on the vulnerable.”

The ceremony concluded with the singing of alma-mater by the Sophia Choir, the Glee Club, and the mixed choir Amadeus Chorus, accompanied by the orchestra.

For the full text of President Terumichi’s address, click here.

For the full text of Chancellor Augustine’s congratulatory speech, click here.