NYU Congratulates the Class of 2018!

The 186th All-University Commencement Exercises was celebrated in New York at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. ( Photo by: Saskia Kahn )

On the eve of the ceremony, the Empire State Building was lit violet to honor NYU's graduating class. (Photo by: Brooke Slezak)

The 186th All-University Commencement Exercises opened with the academic procession around Yankee Stadium, led by representatives of each faculty. ( Photo by: Leo Sorel )

NYU Shanghai graduate Su Han'18 carried the banner for the university, alongside representatives from all of NYU's schools and campuses ( Photo by: Leo Sorel )

Also attending the ceremony from NYU Shanghai were (left to right) Vice-Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman, Provost Joanna Waley Cohen and Chancellor Yu Lizhong

( Photo by: Leo Sorel )

The graduation address was given by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau (Photo by: Saskia Kahn)

In his speech, Justin Trudeau challenged graduates to summon the courage to be vulnerable to different points of view: "Do you want to win an argument, or do you want to change the world?" ( Photo by: Saskia Kahn )

( Photo by: Saskia Kahn )

NYU President Andrew Hamilton echoed Trudeau's sentiments, and stressed the importance of higher education in today’s world. “Universities punch holes in the darkness,” Hamilton said. “They illuminate the human experience, and they offer insight into the present by examining the past. They light the way toward the future.” ( Photo by: Phil Gallo )