Now, you’ve done it! You’ve gone ahead and earned your degree! Some of you are about to become masters in your area of study, and for those of you who have defended or are about to defend your dissertations, you are about to be at the pinnacle – one of the highest teachers (the doctors) in your field.

[Image Description: Yoda looking up and widening his eyes as he says, “Luminous beings we are…”] 

Pictured: You now have the light to enlighten others.

GradSuccess wants to be among the first to congratulate you on finishing your degree. To all the UCR master’s degree recipients, you’ve upped your game and are among the 13% in the U.S. population to have earned the honor. To master something is to “learn so as to be able to apply or use” what you’ve learned, and we hope you will use your knowledge to better your own life and the lives of your loved ones, and of course to fight evil and establish tranquility on the planet.

[Image Description: Master Shifu, from the movie Kung Fu Panda, concluding seriously that “Anything is possible, when you have inner peace.”]

Pictured: Time for you to pass on what you’ve learned!

For our doctoral students, you know as well as other Ph.D. recipients and more than most other students how challenging and demanding the journey is – coursework, exams, research, conferences, writing, and so much more. You went from Ph.D. applicant, to Ph.D. student, to Ph.D. candidate, to… doctor! That’s it, there is no higher educational level to attain because you’ve reached the top. Many of you will teach future generations of college students who will determine the course of history. Some of you will train cohorts of researchers who will add to our knowledge of the universe, contributing to discoveries and solutions that save lives, protect the environment, and promote human flourishing. There might even be some of you who will enter into rock n’ roll history.

[Image Description: Sir Brian May of Queen rocking with his guitar on stage.]

Pictured: Dr. Brian May of Queen rockin’ the night like the astrophysicist he is.

What all of you have in common is that you will be missed by us at GradSuccess. We’ve gotten to know you at our Coffee Socials, University Teaching Certificate classes, GradQuant consultations, mentorship events, Grad Slam presentations, and Graduate Writing Center appointments. You’ve helped us form some of the best memories we’ve had as your biggest fans. Thanks for being a part of our community, and we are glad to know you will always be a part of the UCR family.

[Image Description: Santana Lopez of Glee saying, “I think I just realized I’m gonna miss you.”]

Pictured: Wishing you all the best, even though we have to say ‘goodbye’.