At the five Spring Commencement ceremonies, student speakers will share what they have learned during their time at Tech, as well as inspiring words of advice to their fellow graduates. 

The speakers will be Anant Girdhar, Ph.D., aerospace engineering; Diya Patel, M.S., analytics;  Esha Venkat, B.S., public policy; Kayla Carneal, B.S., chemical and biomedical engineering; and Blake Reid, B.S., aerospace engineering.  

Anant Girdhar, Ph.D. Ceremony 

While many would say their favorite memories of Tech were at large-scale, loud events, Girdhar says otherwise. In those quiet mornings and late nights on campus, he says, “It sometimes feels like I'm unlocking a crypt of my campus experience as I recall specific memories while walking around.”  

It is the things he learned from those memories that he hopes to convey in his speech. Only 2% of Americans have earned a Ph.D. and, beyond the new title, Girdhar believes that getting the degree is rewarding for the strong character traits it instills: curiosity, perseverance, and sacrifice.   

During his 11 years at Tech, he has also learned to be grateful for the “supporting cast” of his “momentous production.” Earning a Ph.D. is no small feat, and it is never done alone. While it feels strange to move on from a place where he’s spent so much time, Girdhar reminds everyone of one thing: “No matter where you go, or what life throws your way, you will always be a Yellow Jacket.” 

After graduation, he will move to Chicago to begin work as an associate at McKinsey & Company.  

Diya Patel, Master’s Ceremony 

As Patel prepares for her Commencement speech, she is reflecting on the constant encouragement she’s received from her parents. Though they never had the opportunity to attend college, “the opportunity to end my college career as the Commencement reflection speaker is an ode to their years of hard work,” she said.  

Many graduates have their own definition of success. Patel wants her speech to be a reminder to students that their lives don’t have to look like everyone else’s. “The most successful people have lived life off the cookie-cutter path,” she explained. “Taking a unique path to reach your dream, whether you intended to or not, puts you in the same group as many of the most successful people we know today.”  

Patel has worked as a part-time flight instructor for the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport since her first year and will soon transition to being a full-time employee. After finishing up her remaining flight time, she is looking forward to flying a jet. 

Esha Venkat, Bachelor’s Ceremony, Thursday Afternoon 

To Venkat, being a Yellow Jacket is more than a title — it represents a commitment to the world beyond the college campus. Her speech strives to remind graduates that Tech has given them the tools to solve problems, but it is their responsibility to decide who they solve them for and whose voices they are elevating.   

“As we move forward, I hope we carry a sense of collective responsibility with us, challenging the systems we enter, shaping them with intention, and building communities that are more thoughtful, more inclusive, and more just for everyone, everywhere,” she said.  

A public policy major, Venkat is the only speaker from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. She sees that distinction as something particularly meaningful, and she hopes to show students that the humanities are important in helping to shape the way graduates look at problems and find solutions.  

Commencement may mark the end of Venkat’s undergraduate chapter, but it is not the end of her time at Georgia Tech. Part of the B.S./M.S. program in public policy, she will be staying one more year to get her master’s degree. After that, she is looking forward to expanding her nonprofit, NEST4US, which mobilizes volunteers worldwide, and celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.  

Kayla Carneal, Bachelor’s Ceremony, Friday Morning 

“Fail early and fail often” is a mindset Carneal spent her undergraduate years learning to follow. For Techstudents, it’s easy to feel as though everyone has it all figured out, and every time you fail, you’re the only one who has made mistakes. When Carneal wrote her reflection speech, she wanted to focus on that feeling and encourage students to see failure not as a setback, but a necessary part of growth.  

“It took me a very long time to feel at peace with failure and the aspects of learning that come along with it,” she said. “I connected well with my NASA mentor, who encouraged me to iterate, try new things, and never fear moving forward, despite being uncertain.” 

Carneal is looking forward to an exciting summer traveling to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean with her family. Then she will start as an engineer at NASA, working at the Marshall Space Flight Center on the Environmental Controls and Life Support Systems team. 

Blake Reid, Bachelor’s Ceremony, Friday Afternoon 

Walk into the Library during finals season, and you will see a lot of tired, stressed students. Yet, to Reid, he sees it as a positive — at least you are all facing it together. Throughout his five years at Tech, this is the greatest lesson he has learned. “I want to remind everyone that we didn’t get through Tech alone — it was the people around us who made it possible.”  

This camaraderie is a kind of experience that Reid believes can only exist at a place like Georgia Tech. “There’s something special about being in a place where everyone is working just as hard as you are,” he said. Aside from academics, Reid has also been a member of the Georgia Tech cheerleading team and other campus organizations.  

“I’ve spent the last five years trying to contribute to the culture and spirit of this campus in a unique way,” he said, “so getting to take the mic and share what I’ve learned about the Tech family before we all head out is the perfect way to close this chapter.” 

Reid will be moving back to his home state of Texas to begin his career with SpaceX at their Starbase location. He’s looking forward to finding more time to work on his golf skills when he’s not at the launch site.