Chang Qingteng's Speech Analysis: Columbia University Valedictorian 2025
This article analyzes the speech given by Chang Qingteng, the valedictorian of Columbia University's graduating class of 2025. Chang Qingteng received the Illig Prize, the highest honor for an engineering graduate, awarded for commendable proficiency in studies.
Background of Chang Qingteng (Andrew Yang)
Chang Qingteng, who also goes by Andrew Yang, is a graduate of Columbia University's Faculty of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics. While it's unclear if he's a local Chinese student or an international student in the United States, he demonstrated fluency in Chinese during his speech, mentioning "An Zhuyang." He is also the recipient of this year's Applied Physics Faculty Award.
Academic and Research Interests
Andrew's primary interest lies at the intersection of physics, mathematics, and computation. His research interests are broad, ranging from:
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Designing artificial intelligence models (long, short-term memory neural networks).
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Studying complex mathematical structures.
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Developing new methods and programs to analyze material structure changes.
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Searching for periodic signature structures.
He collaborated with Professor Simon Billinge on designing fast techniques to probe changes in material structure and applied these techniques at scientific research stations across three continents. In his fourth year, Andrew was also involved in teaching, instructing high school students on 3D modeling and introducing students to power systems and machines.
Future Plans
After graduation, Andrew will continue his studies at the University of California (Caltech), exploring material structures and behaviors through neutron diffraction and machine learning of interatomic potentials. He was also the first undergraduate to speak at a Bruker AXS MIT symposium.
Key Themes from the Valedictorian Speech
Community and Shared Experiences
Andrew emphasized the diverse background of the graduating class, noting their representation from all 50 states and nearly half the world's countries. He highlighted shared experiences like struggling through introductory physics and enduring heat waves in the dorms, fostering a sense of community.
The Importance of Waves
Andrew used the concept of waves as a metaphor for interactions and community. He referenced Joseph Fourier's work, illustrating how individual waves combine to form complex functions, mirroring how individual interactions build a thriving community.
Taking Risks
A central theme was the importance of taking risks and embracing uncertainty. He shared personal anecdotes, including being detained in Japan and encountering a former sociology professor, to illustrate how stepping outside one's comfort zone can lead to valuable experiences and unexpected connections. He states taking these risks allowed him to explore amazing physics across the Pacific Ocean, become the first undergraduate speaker for the Bruker MIT Symposium, and wear a video game costume for graduation speech.
Resilience and the Future
Despite the challenges facing the world, Andrew expressed confidence in his class's ability to overcome hardship. He cited events like campus flooding and the pandemic as examples of their resilience. He closes his speech by referencing GPT, a nod to the influence of generative AI during their college years.
Closing Remarks
Andrew ended his speech with a lighthearted and appreciative send-off to his class, inviting Reed Ellison, president of the Columbia Engineering Alumni Association, to the podium.