Resilience is a verb for Class of 2025 afternoon commencement ceremony speaker Aashvi Pandey

The path to becoming a physician is no joke; and for Aashvi Pandey, UW-Green Bay’s Class of 2025 afternoon commencement ceremony speaker, she readily admits that this noble pursuit put her squarely outside of her comfort zone.

Yet, like so many of the newly minted Phoenix alumni, Pandey persevered and today, her words embodied the true element of being a Phoenix – despite setbacks, fear and failure, Phoenix rise.

Please read Pandey’s full comments, below.

“Good Afternoon faculty, staff, family (Mummy, Papa), friends, my family & guests who came from all over the states to see me today, and of course, my fellow graduates of 2025!” 

For everyone graduating today, I urge you to think about our journey so far, from first-day jitters all the way to today. We powered through endless deadlines, crammed for finals with caffeine, hope, and determination, and came out stronger on the other side. Not every moment was picture worthy, but they were real. And standing here now, I realize that this chapter might be ending, but the bonds we built? They’re more stable than a noble gas. SORRY I HAD TO IT WAS A CHEM JOKE. But honestly, I wouldn’t have survived it without all of you. 

I walked into Human Biology with big dreams about medicine, about healing people, serving my community, making a difference. The path to becoming a physician stripped away every comfort zone I had, leaving me to rebuild from a foundation I didn’t even know I needed. Each setback and breakthrough showed me versions of myself I never knew existed. This journey wasn’t just about memorizing pathways or definitions, it was about discovering what I’m truly made of. 

If I’m being completely honest, there were moments when I doubted I belonged here at all. Between the brutal coursework, jobs, research, sky-high expectations, and the dreaded MCAT, some days felt impossible. I’d look around at everyone who seemed to have it all figured out, while I was just trying to keep my head above water. My imposter syndrome got so bad, I turned it into an independent research project with Dr. Nelson, and trust me, the irony isn’t lost on me. I faced setbacks. I questioned myself a lot. And during those low points, standing here today felt like a distant dream. I had to fall on my face to learn that its not about being fearless, it’s about being brave enough to keep going. 

I also had to learn that it is okay to feel disappointment or defeat BUT failure is not the end. It’s a part of the process. It’s a part of becoming who we are meant to be. Failure doesn’t define us. It refines us. As a card from a game my friend Nikki and I played once wisely stated: Let go of the attachment to the outcome.That phrase particularly got me through a lot of tough times getting me out of the cyclic overthinking loop that I would get stuck in. Like a lot of us chronic overthinkers, I had moments where I questioned every decision that led me to this point. But from this, I also had moments where I reached out for help = moments where I was willing to be vulnerable, to admit that I wasn’t as confident as I seemed, and to let others see my struggle. And in those moments, the real growth began. 

Through all of this, I had people in my corner: professors who somehow saw potential in me even during my ever so often existential crises, mentors who refused to let me give up, and classmates who picked me up when I needed it most (and brought snacks, bless your heart). The thing is, they didn’t just see who I was, they saw who I could become. And they stuck around long enough for me to see it too. 

I need to take a moment to thank the incredible people who got me here, the professors who saw potential even on my most questionable days (and there were many), who pushed me 

beyond my comfort zone, and kept believing in me through every stumble. That’s what makes UWGB extraordinary. It’s not just the education or the resources, it’s about finding a place where dreams become tangible. Where people don’t just encourage you to reach higher, they show you exactly how to get there (while occasionally reminding you to actually sleep). They turned my ambitious dreams into achievable goals, and I couldn’t be more grateful. 

At UWGB, I’ve been surrounded by professors who don’t just teach, but who inspire. I’ve gained mentors who don’t just lead, but who empower students (I’m looking at you Dr. Merkel). And Dr. Kibbe, who didn’t just convince me to dive into research, but became one of the most influential mentors in my journey. You showed me that being a good doctor isn’t just about memorizing textbooks. It’s about having the strength to care, the wisdom to rest, and the courage to keep going. Through all of you, I learned that medicine isn’t just about how much knowledge one person can have, t’s about seeing the person behind the symptoms, about being there for someone during their scariest moments, about making science human. 

Looking out at all of you today, I see determination. Each of us has faced different challenges, had different doubts, questioned ourselves in different ways. But we’re sitting here because we chose to keep going, even when it felt impossible, even when success seemed out of reach. As we get ready to take on our next chapters: whether that’s med school, research labs, or wherever STEM takes us,, we’re carrying more than just our degrees. We’re carrying the strength of everyone who believed in us, supported us, and helped shape us into who we are today. 

This moment isn’t just about us and our achievements, its about the people that got us here. It’s about every late-night pep talk, every sacrifice, every “you’ve got this” that carried us through. To my professors: thank you for guiding me every step of the way. To my classmates – thank you for lifting me and each other up, the study groups, and yes, even the stress-induced therapy sessions in the SSL. And Mom, where do I even begin? You’re my rock, my foundation. From our little apartment complex in Hyderabad to this stage today, you’ve moved mountains to make my dreams possible. You’ve been my number one cheerleader, believing in me since day one. Every sacrifice you’ve made, every dream you’ve helped me chase, it all led here. You didn’t just support my dreams, you helped build them, one day at a time. 

So here we are… ready to take on whatever comes next. Those moments of doubt? They’re just part of our story now, proof that nothing worth having comes easy. We’re here because we dared to dream big, but more importantly, because others dared to dream big for us. So let’s be those people for others. Let’s be the ones who lift up, who inspire, who make a difference, even if we’re slightly terrified while doing it. Looking at all of you today, my heart is so full. I couldn’t be more proud of each and everyone of you. 

Thank You and Congratulations Class of 2025!”