Yearbook (Y) - Class of 2025 Senior Celebration - Southern Connecticut State University

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Thomas Yagovane

Profile

BIS Management

Through perseverance and lots of hard work, you can accomplish any goal.

Favorite Time at SCSU

I enjoyed the campus life and talking to friends between classes.

What are you going to miss the most, and what are you looking forward to the most?

I am going to miss all of the support I received at the SCSU Vet Center.

Advice to Incoming Students

When the going gets tough in life, and you think you won’t succeed, keep fighting and you will overcome any obstacle.

Daniel Ybanez

Profile

Nursing, B.S.

Cum Laude; School of Nursing Academic and Service Excellence Award; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing; President's List; Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society; Dean's List

Dear Fellow Graduates of the Class of 2025, Simply put, we made it. To reflect, for some of us who arrived and started at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in 2021, it is crazy to think about how much has changed since then... from wearing masks to social distancing, to the end of those COVID-19 precautions, where those aspects were no longer required. Back during the early years of our college experience, it was a bit of a frightening time, given, first, the unpredictability of the pandemic, and second, just the overall transition from high school to college. For me, I felt anxious in having to get accustomed to a new environment, create new relationships with students, faculty and staff, as well as community members, and just getting adjusted to the academic rigor and obligations of college. However, for all of us, as we were able to overcome our fears, step out of our comfort zone, and ultimately find our place at SCSU, we were able to build upon our relationships and experiences, as well as fulfill our goals, the best we could, ultimately, leading to our final celebration - commencement! Congratulations to everyone on this amazing achievement. Always remember and utilize those qualities of hard work, determination, and persistence, in your future experiences. Know that life will only get greater! My Best to Everyone, Daniel R. Ybanez

Favorite Time at SCSU

Building upon my relationships with classmates, faculty, and staff, as well as the opportunity to mentor and assist individuals through my leadership roles: such as with being a Presidential Scholar Ambassador, President's Office Student Worker, College of Health of Human Services Student Ambassador, and Peer Mentor, to name a few roles.

What are you going to miss the most, and what are you looking forward to the most?

Considering the privilege and honor of a lifetime to hold the leadership roles that I had, representing various departments and the school, as a whole, I will deeply miss my involvements, and the opportunities to make a positive impact at Southern. It has been amazing to share my knowledge and passions with students and guests of the university, whether it be about the nursing program or perhaps about just getting involved on campus. I will say, I am looking forward to having a bit more time for myself, in order to delve back into the passions that I had to step away from, due to university commitments. Aspects such as going back to volunteering, playing the saxophone, holding a consistent workout routine, devoting more personal time to myself, and developing, as well as strengthening my knowledge and skills as a nurse, is going to be exciting.

Advice to Incoming Students

My advice that I would give to incoming students is the following: try your best to face those fears, break out of your shell, and pursue those goals. Perhaps in high school, or whatever stage of life you are in, there may have been some regrets, perhaps with not joining a club, talking to an individual, etc. With that, know that four years (more or less) are indeed going to "fly" by, and within the blink of an eye, you will be in my shoes, walking the stage in around a month or so. So again, please take those first steps and do what you want to do - apply for that leadership role, join that club, and/or attend that event. You never know what amazing people you may meet, and/or the wonderful, life-long memories that you will make!

Gozde Yildiz

Profile

Health Science

Hey everyone, I’m honestly still processing the fact that we’re done. Like… we actually did it. Between all the laughs, stress, and random existential crises, we made some of the best memories. Thanks for being part of the chaos — and part of something special. Now let’s go figure out adulthood… or at least pretend we know what we’re doing. Much love, Gozde

Favorite Time at SCSU

Taking organic chemistry with my friends over the summer 2024. Couldn’t have done it without their support!

What are you going to miss the most, and what are you looking forward to the most?

College friends are a different breed. Who else will hype you up at 2 AM, cry with you over deadlines, and then pretend they also studied zero minutes for that exam (even though they totally did)?

Advice to Incoming Students

You’re not expected to have everything figured out. You’re a student — learning is literally the point.