This year's convocation mural is bold, vibrant, and forward-looking just like the graduates it celebrates.
Described as transitional, playful, and empowering, Madina Amanzai's mural design for convocation (June 8 - 11, 2026) was inspired by her experiences as a student and by the George BrOwn Your Tomorrow campaign, which deeply resonated with her. Through dynamic visuals and symbolic icons, the mural reflects the shift from classroom learning to real-world experience.
"It's about building your future by starting today," Amanzai says. "Everything you learn and do now shapes what comes next."
Inspired by her time in the School of Design's Graphic Design program, the mural draws on the projects, people, and sense of community that defined her learning experience. "This opportunity came from everything I gained here," she reflects.
Though initially surprised to be selected, Amanzai embraced the challenge. "I was nervous at first," she admits. "But I knew it was a chance to grow and I took it."
The result is a piece that invites graduates to see their next step as more than a destination. It's a call to action to take initiative, embrace opportunity, and shape their own futures filled with purpose.
As she prepares to cross the stage with classmates and friends and step into her future possibilities, Amanzai hopes her work leaves a lasting impression that resonates with her fellow alumni beyond convocation day.
"I want people to feel inspired," she says. "Knowing their story is just beginning."
