Congratulations, IU Indianapolis Class of 2025!

“IU Indianapolis gave me more than an education, it gave me a community.”
—London Okowa, Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

Last week, we celebrated a historic moment: the graduation of the very first class of IU Indianapolis. Our student speakers at commencement and other celebrations shared stories of their journeys and their missions. They were articulate, passionate, and committed to the pursuit of truth.

Our student speakers on Thursday, Sahiti Somalraju and London Okowa, captured the heart of this moment. Sahiti reminded us that growth often begins in discomfort: “We made it through. Not because everything went perfectly, but because we kept going anyway.”

And London, reflecting on her own journey, offered a powerful reminder: “I stand before you... as a testament of what is possible when resilience meets opportunity.” She spoke of the transformative strength of her education: “While graduation was always the goal, it was the journey that truly transformed us.”

Syed Arafat Ahmed, who earned his LL.M. from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law, shared: “I came here to earn a degree, but I leave with a duty—to be just when no one is watching, and to stand for truth when no one is speaking.”

Lacretia Allen, who earned her M.J. from McKinney Law, said: “There were times I did it scared, alone, broke, and unsure. Yet every moment of doubt became a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.”

Walking across the stage with her J.D., Caitlyn Fields shared: “To have empathy is to raise your voice in the face of silence.”

Dr. Sheila Antley Counts, also earning her J.D., closed her remarks with a message both spoken and sung: “Live your purpose. Love your life. Love yourself.”

Students like Vaishnavi Chouhan, a Top 100 honoree, Chancellor’s Scholar, and Outstanding Student, remind us what is possible when research, mentorship, and service come together. Now headed to medical school, Vaishnavi shared: “IU Indy gave me a space to grow, fail, adapt, and keep going. It’s helped me understand that being a doctor isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to service.”

Valliei Chandrakumar, a nursing graduate, credits our downtown location for the real-world clinical experience that helped shape her career. After hands-on training at Riley, Methodist, and University hospitals, Valliei is now preparing to join the Eskenazi Emergency Department.

Will Thurin, a Health and Human Sciences major and student-athlete, balanced academics and Division I tennis while also serving as a Top 100 student, student government leader, and International Student Success Ambassador. Will embodies the spirit of IU Indy: academically driven, community-focused, and ready to lead.

Francisco Huizar Gaytan, a graduate of the O’Neill School, blended entrepreneurship and public service through a Hoosier Lottery internship and a certificate in Venture Creation. He reflects the kind of purpose-driven leadership IU Indianapolis is proud to foster.

As Sahiti summarized in her closing remarks: “Here’s to the Class of 2025: may we chase big dreams, stay curious, and never stop growing.”

Go Jags!

Latha Ramchand
Chancellor