2021 graduating class reflects on their Michigan memories

It’s been a long year of remote/mixed learning and social distancing, but commencement is important to celebrate. So we asked CSE students to share memories and reflections from their Michigan experience to commemorate their achievement in their own way. See the “yearbook” of memories that we’ve compiled below.

Jiaxiang Ma – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

The past two years at Michigan is memorable for me as an international student. Life is challenging, but I made it!

Arav Agarwal – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

Kanu Gaba – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

“Every Michigan fan remembers exactly where they were when Jordan Poole hit the buzzer beater to beat Houston and send us to the Sweet 16”

Arthur Jenoudet – Master’s, CSE

Michael Rakowiecki – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

Thank you to everyone who helped me through the wonderful, frustrating, and learning experience that is college!

Matthew Lile – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

“We must know. We will know” – David Hilbert

Siddhant Pagariya – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

#EECS_4_LYFE

Daniel Hoekwater – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I want to thank the wonderful EECS course staff and advisors for their devotion to help students navigate such a challenging time with transient expectations. It is invaluable the amount of time they put in to ensure each class and advising session is impactful, and it is evident that there is no shortage of passion in this department.

Alex Hsia – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

A special thank you to Mom and Dad for supporting me throughout my time at Michigan.  A big thanks to Solomon, for being a great roommate, Eric, Gabe, & Sky, etc., for your friendship. Another thanks to MRADS (Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars) for all the opportunities for research and personal growth.

Yunsoo Kim – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Cherish the past, live the present, and create the future.

Joseph Berman – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I would like to thanks my parents, siblings and friends for helping me get to this point, I really could not have done it without this massive network of support behind me!

Utsav Lathia – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Fav memory – the polar vortex that cancelled classes for 2 days our sophomore year

Katie Knister – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I am incredibly thankful for my lecturers and professors who showed deep care for their students. So many names come to mind as I write this, which is truly amazing to me. Getting to know them and seeing just small glimpses of the tremendous amount of effort they put in behind the scenes really showed me that they didn’t just care about their students’ academic lives; they cared about us as people, and I am so thankful for that kind of support.

Kyle Marieb – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I would like to thank my parents, Mark and Lindsay, my brothers, Alexander and Brent, and my girlfriend, Maria, for their love and support during my college career. I love you all and Go Blue!

Lawrence Glista – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I’ll never forget the football game vs Michigan State in the rain.

Hridey Sahgal – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Xianjue Cai – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

My most significant Major Design Experience project was a game named A Maze In. A Maze In was developed by my team named JRTY in EECS 494 in Fall 2020. A Maze In is a 2D multiplayer game where two players race out of a hazardous maze to compete for the golden throne. The maze features both monsters and quizzes. Each player needs to both escape the monsters to keep safe and answer quizzes to receive magical powers to be more competitive.

Anagha Raichur – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

One of my favorite memories will always be dancing on stage at Hill Auditorium and Michigan Theater. It was a surreal experience looking into the audience and knowing all eyes are on you as you perform.

Akik Kothekar – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

My favorite memory: representing Michigan at the squash nationals

Ankita Satyavarapu – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you to all my friends and family for supporting me throughout the most formative 4 years of my life thus far! Love you all

Alexander Carter – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you to everyone along the way who has made this possible!

Siddharth Pittie – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you to everyone that made my experience at my dream school the best it could be. Go Blue!

John Luo – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you to my mom for letting me have fun, and thank you to my dad for making me study!

Bryan Chuing Seang Chan – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you to my mom, my father and my uncles for all the support!

Ezra Bekele – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you to the professors and advisors. I had a great time with my friends and meeting new people at U-Mix and IM basketball.

Tanvi Hegde – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thanks to my family, friends, professors, and all the people who helped me get to where I am today!

Pranay Shah – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thanks to everyone who made my time at Michigan a holistic and exciting adventure! Go Blue!

David Wang – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

There’s a lesson in every experience.

Keylonnie Miller – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Travis Gurik – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Zhiyang Chen – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Brett Levenson – Master’s, CSE

My favorite memory of Michigan was grinding on projects late into the night in the basement of the Hatcher library with my friends.

Jason Ding – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Reid Sobota – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Spencer Hanson – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

“I’m going to stay up all night and then pull an all-dayer.” – Erich Shan while working on an EECS 280 project

Dingkun Guo – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Rohan Prashant – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

It’s been a fun 4 years. Thanks to my family, friends, and mentors for helping me get here.

Nicholas Hoyer – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Faryab Haye – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

“You can do it. You were admitted into Michigan after all. It was not by chance” — EECS Professors when students are dealing with Imposter Syndrome

Madison Ericksen – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Celebrating all the friends we made (squirrel and human) and exams we survived. May we remain passionate and energized for a long time.

Ram Natla – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Hand down, man down

Alexis Doreste Rodriguez – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I couldn’t have done this without the immeasurable support from my friends and family, both outside and within Michigan.

Emma Muth – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I could never have made it through these years and learned so much without my family, my fiancé, my EECS emotional support friends, the EECS 183 faculty and my fellow IAs/GSIs, and most importantly, God. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Zarif Sami – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I still have no idea what’s going on, but I’m rolling with it.

Yijie Yang – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I want to say thank you to all people who cared about me or helped me during my years at UM. I have met with scholars that helped me to discover my interests in data science and human machine interactions. I also met and worked with peers that taught me lessons on time management and personal growth. Joining UM has been the best decision I made since last 3 years. 

Samantha Fitch – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I would like to thank my family and friends for all the love and support they’ve provided me over my career as a student. I couldn’t have gotten here without you.

John Bandon – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I would like to thank my family, my friends, and the professors, lecturers, GSIs, and IAs who have inspired me and encouraged me to accomplish my goals and to always work to achieve more.

Kevin Begic – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I’m grateful for the opportunities. Meeting fascinating professors and colleagues, exceeding expectations with the difficulties surrounding a first-generation student, utilizing classes to find professional opportunities, and the late nights building a search engine from scratch… and the too many memories with friends to list here. Thank you. 

Maria Marginean – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I’m so thankful for all the friends and memories I’ve made at my time at Michigan. Grateful to have found my people in CS^2 and feel connected all over the world, no matter where I go next. Huge shout-outs to Giulia, Sabrina and Kyle, my best friends, for being the kindest, most supportive people I know and the biggest constants in my life. Everyone who lived in 504 Benjamin and in the cube 1st floor senior year, I love you all so dearly. As for my hometown gorls, thank you for keeping me sane during this pandemic. Lastly, I could not have done it without the infinite love and support of my family: Petru, Lori, and Bogdan.

John Bandon – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

I would like to thank my family, my friends, and the professors, lecturers, GSIs, and IAs who have inspired me and encouraged me to accomplish my goals and to always work to achieve more.

Tyler Fuelling – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

My favorite memories from my time at Michigan are all of the fall Saturdays that I spent with my friends watching the football games at The Big House

Zhaoyuan Zhang – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Stay Hungry unless a Feast. Stay Foolish unless an Exam.

John McCartney – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

One of my favorite memories while at Michigan is participating in Smile Squad with the club Do Random Acts of Kindness, where we gave out free hugs, high fives, low fives, fun facts, fist bumps, and jokes to anyone passing through the Diag.

Jaroslaw Kawa – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Stay on the path.

Akshay Chacko

Shoutout to the Michigan Electronic Music Collective (MEMCO) and the Inter-Cooperative Council for making my college experience as amazing as it has been!

Jiamu Wang – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Letao Chen – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you Mom, Dad, Brother, and all my friends! Without your supports, I can’t be here. Thank you University of Michigan! It’s my proud and honor to be a wolverine. Go Blue!

Han You – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Still waiting for the Bob and Betty Beyster Building Best Bubbly Bath to open!

Angela Salacata – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you mom, dad, manong, and the W20 EECS 482 IAs- you are all icons.

Ke Wu – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you for everything.

Q Cong – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you friends and fam for this amazing journey. Go Blue!

Kirtana Choragudi – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thankful for EECS 183, the MI Symptoms/MI Lighthouse teams, and all of my incredible friends in the Computer Science program. You all made these the best 5 years!

Jamie Yadoff – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you to my classmates and parents.

Alex Ruan – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

The wind is rising… we must try to live!

Divya Ramanathan – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

These past four years at Michigan hasn’t been easy, but I have been lucky enough to be a part of some incredible communities on campus. From becoming an Instructional Aide for EECS 183, joining ResStaff, and moving on to teaching EECS 281, I have grown so much as both a student, teacher, and leader. I’ve taken hard exams and gotten through the ones that didn’t go so well; I’ve learned from my failures. I’ve found “my people.” I finally feel confident in my abilities to solve tough problems and think like a Michigan Engineer. I’m so grateful for all of the friends and faculty members who have supported me throughout this journey. Forever go blue! I just need a Washtenaw Dairy maize & blue donut now to celebrate 🙂

Reuben Gutmann – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

Thank you so much to all the amazing EECS faculty for sharing their expertise!

Yajing Zhao – Bachelor’s, Computer Science  

Kexin Huang – Bachelor’s, Computer Science  

University of Michigan starts my way to chase dreams and has my best three years in life! Go Blue!

Jessica Xige Wu – Bachelor’s, Computer Science 

David Golm – Bachelor’s, Computer Science 

Jacey Workum – Bachelor’s, Computer Science 

Kristina Danos – Bachelor’s, Data Science

Grateful for the memories I’ve made over the past four years and can’t wait for the adventures to come!

Adam Michalec – Bachelor’s, Computer Science 

Jad Chaar – Master’s, CSE

“Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.” – Khalil Gibran

Alexander Erf – Master’s, CSE

Go Blue! 〽️

Xincheng Huang – Master’s, CSE

Eashwar Mohan – Master’s, CSE

“You’ve got to make a statement. You gotta look inside yourself and say, ‘What am I willing to put up with today?'” – Arin Hanson

Xuyang Zhang – Master’s, CSE

Think about how chaotic 2020 is and you survived it. Nothing can stop you, Girl!

Gillian Minnehan – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

“”The stumbler doesn’t build her life by being better than others but by being better than she used to be. Unexpectedly, there are transcendent moments of deep tranquility. For most of their lives their inner and outer ambitions are strong and in balance. But eventually, at moments of rare joy, career ambitions pause, the ego rests, the stumbler looks out at a picnic or dinner or a valley and is overwhelmed by a feeling of limitless gratitude and an acceptance of the fact that life has treated her much better than she deserves.” — David Brooks

While at Michigan, I have had many of these moments of gratitude. Thank you for everything, UMich. Forever Go Blue <3

Alexis Roberts – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

“Those who stay will be champions.” – Bo Schembechler

Ryien Hosseini – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

I wanted to thank my mom and dad for always supporting me through thick and thin while I pursued my degree!

Cameron Kabacinski – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

I’m incredibly grateful to all my friends and family that have supported me throughout college, especially my parents for all they have done to help me. I have so many great memories to look back on, and am excited for the next stage of my life. Go Blue!

Marcelo Almeida – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

My favorite memory is coming back to campus after a long freshman year summer and feeling like I had truly found a home in Ann Arbor.

Aakash Venkatesan – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

Thanks to my friends and family for a great 4 years.

Beste Aydin – Bachelor’s, Computer Engineering

Janet Vu – Bachelor’s, Computer Science

It’s been quite an adventure! From running like Naruto on the Diag my freshman year to making waffles and raffling prizes off during pre-covid Michigan Hackers Hack Nights, I can’t say I have an absolute favorite memory. Overall, I’m so grateful for the tough but enriching experience at Michigan, especially all the people who were part of it 🙂

Suyang Hu – Master’s, CSE

Thanks to the people that I love, we all have bright futures!