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As an overcast morning in Aliso Viejo gave way to sunshine, the skies seemed to know it was time to celebrate after a challenging few years. �������� of America’s 2022 commencement ceremony on May 27 felt especially joyful as it was the first held in person since 2019.

More than 600 guests, including families holding handmade signs brandishing their graduate’s name, faculty and staff, and commencement speaker Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi came together to congratulate the graduates. President Edward Feasel, joined by Professor Tomoko Takahashi, dean of the graduate school and vice president for institutional research and assessment, and Professor Michael Weiner, vice president for academic affairs and interim dean of faculty, conferred the Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership and Societal Change to four graduate candidates and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts to 105 undergraduate candidates.

Each of those graduates, Pres. Feasel said, has a unique contribution to make to society. He recalled that in his own youth he’d been strongly impacted by university founder Daisaku Ikeda’s words that a person discovers a mission by climbing the mountain that is in front of them and developing the muscles and strength to take the next steps.

“Those who remember they have a unique mission are strong,” he said, quoting Mr. Ikeda. “Whatever problems they have, they will never be defeated. They can transform all of their problems into catalysts for growth toward a hope-filled future.”

Now that the graduates had scaled the mountain of their education, Pres. Feasel said, they were prepared to climb to the next summit. “Along your journey you will certainly face challenges, the greatest of which is often one’s own self; the challenge to maintain the confidence and belief in yourself,” he said. “But I hope in those moments, you will remember back to your days at SUA and know that all of us here fully believe in each and every one of your potential and ability.”

Dean of Students Hyon Moon then read a commencement message from the founder for the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2022. “My beloved graduates,” Mr. Ikeda wrote, “precisely because you stand today on the cusp of an arduous journey in an era of trial and turmoil, I offer these words on your departure: Summon forth resounding courage and exercise your true worth as global citizens of Soka.”

A Call to Safeguard Democracy

Marking her first visit to Soka in more than a decade, lawyer, activist, and Nobel winner Dr. Ebadi offered an inspiring keynote speech that emphasized the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all humans. Dr. Ebadi encouraged listeners to “wish for others a world like the one we enjoy.”

Creating that world requires active and vigilant participation in democracy, she said, noting how recent events in the United States indicate that democracy can be attacked at any time.

“Citizens’ duties are not only participation in elections and the ballot box,” she said. “The more important duty of citizens is supervising democracy very carefully. The activities of all of those who have been elected have to be supervised, so that they perform their duties to the best of their ability.”

Dr. Ebadi referred to the potential reversal of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court and called for women’s sovereignty over their bodies. “Women’s bodies belong to women and no one else has the right to determine what a woman does with her own body,” she said. “Therefore, we must peacefully defend this right and not let a matter of discrimination backslide.”

Another world event that calls attention to the need to recognize all people as equal is the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Despite the clear need for worldwide assistance for Ukrainian refugees, Dr. Ebadi suggested that people reflect on whether “refugees who are Muslims and people of color, fleeing wars in their countries,” are treated similarly. “Should this be the case,” she said, “continuing such discriminatory behavior is an example of backsliding of the principle of equality of human beings, and we should not be indifferent to it. Discrimination and injustice can spread like a virus in the society. Injustice to you is the first step of injustice to me. Let’s not be indifferent!”

Committed to their Missions

The students chosen by their