At the heart of the SMU spirit, the CIRCLE values play an integral part of SMU’s holistic approach to education. In recognition of students who embrace and exemplify these values through their active involvement and contributions to SMU and the community at large, the university confers the CIRCLE awards on them at commencement ceremonies every year. This year’s winners from the Class of 2022 share their thoughts on receiving the award, the core CIRCLE value that resonates most with them, and how they intend to make the most of their alumni experience.
What does receiving the CIRCLE award mean to you?
Bernice: I am honoured to receive the Award as it is a form of recognition for my time and contribution to SMU. As much as I have enjoyed a vibrant student life by participating in a variety of club activities and study programmes, it is heartening to be acknowledged for my contributions and service to the student community and beyond.
Nicholas: To me, receiving the Award not only is a recognition of the achievements I’ve made during my 4 years in SMU, but more importantly it is validation that during my time in university, in one way or another, I was able to enrich the lives of my peers and those around me.
Bryan: Receiving the Award is a great honour and gratifying end to my university life. The Award nicely encapsulates the journey I have undergone as an undergraduate in SMU and reminds me of the multiple enjoyable, fulfilling experiences I have had with my friends, both on and off campus.
Melanie: I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the Award as it is a form of recognition for the effort I have put into my endeavours in SMU. I remember telling myself to make the best of every opportunity when I first entered university 4 years ago. At the end of my 4 years here, I am glad to say that I have kept true to my word as I am graduating with a full and thankful heart for all the experiences that I have undergone! I am determined to work hard and make an impact on the community-at-large, even after I graduate.
Reuben: I’m humbled to receive the Award and have many people to thank for guiding and supporting me through my university years. This is a testament of the mentorship and friendships that have inspired me throughout my time as an undergraduate.
Jessica Ong: Throughout my university life, it has been both my greatest challenge and my proudest achievement to have been able to juggle my competitive fencing career with my studies and internships! I am very grateful to the school for its constant support throughout my time in school and for recognising my efforts with this Award.
Richard: It feels great to know that my efforts towards the student community be recognised by the university, and hopefully affirms what I did in my time in SMU as an example for what other juniors can achieve.
Tan Jia Le: As a recipient of the Award, it reminds me of the importance of these values and the lessons and opportunities SMU has provided me. It reaffirms that I have developed the correct and essential values, and further, that I am on the right track as not only a role model for my fellow graduates, but to those around me.
Timothy: I am honoured to receive the Award. The Award is a testament to the dedication and hard work that I had put in during my time at SMU. It serves as a morale booster for me to continue to work hard to achieve more and to also carry forward these values to where my path takes me. I am also deeply thankful to the faculty, staff of SMU, friends and family who have supported me through my university journey.
Jessica Low: I am very honoured and humbled to receive this Award! This would not have been possible without the opportunities that enabled me to put the CIRCLE values into practice in my daily life and contribute to SMU and the wider community. In the years to come, the values will continue to guide and enable me to serve the communities I live in.
Reshma: To me, the Award is a validation and recognition of all my hard work and the collective effort of my support network. It is a pat on the back and a signal that perhaps I did do a few things right.
Martin: Receiving the Award would mean nothing if I don’t embrace the mindset I won it with, and that goes for any other achievement or accolade that anyone ever receives. This award is an indicator that I have done something right, a yardstick of being headed in the right direction, a consequence of doing meaningful and useful things in and out of SMU, not the reason for doing so. Therefore, it means that I have done something right in my four years in SMU and should continue to embrace the spirit and mindset that I won the award for.
Which CIRCLE Value do you resonate most with, and why?
Bernice: I relate to the value of ‘Collegiality’ the most, as I strongly believe in teamwork. SMU has given me many opportunities to collaborate with people from all walks of life. I am grateful to have served as President of SMU INDANCITY, with friends who share the same passion for dance, and as a Teaching Assistant under SOA’s Peer Tutor Scheme.
Nicholas: I believe that the CIRCLE values have to be embodied holistically, but if I had to choose, the CIRCLE Value I resonate with the most is Excellence. Striving to exceed personal benchmarks is something that I will always advocate because I believe that it is the basis for growth and personal development.
There isn’t a particular incident that has sparked me to resonate with Excellence, but each time I look back and see how much I have grown, I am reminded that none of this would have been possible if I did not strive to exceed my personal benchmarks.
Bryan: Collegiality. “No man is an island” and I am extremely grateful to have grown alongside wonderful friends who support and encourage me constantly. For instance, I was inspired by my overseas community service project (OCSP) in the Philippines during the winter of year 1 and took on the challenge of leading a local community service project, SMU Challenge.
8 of my OCSP mates came forward to fill up positions in the organising committee, dedicated to continuing our community service efforts in Singapore. Having everyone rallied together and working towards was a rewarding experience that was made more enjoyable by the like-minded company.
Melanie: I resonate the most with Collegiality. Building relationships with people has always been important to me and is one of the reasons I actively volunteer by helping others. I see great value in getting to know others, hearing them out, and journeying with them through their experiences, all while encouraging them and spurring them on as much as I can.
For instance, even after Project Hua Tat 2 ended, I kept in touch with the villagers and translators that I had gotten to know in Vietnam. That was how I discovered that some of them have turned to business (selling hand-made products on Shopee) to make ends meet during the Covid-19 pandemic. I supported them by publicising the website to my family and friends.
Reuben: ‘Integrity’ underpins every aspect of CIRCLE. Being genuine and authentic in the outcomes I hope to achieve drives me to achieve excellence professionally and guides my approach to building relationships and leadership.
Jessica Ong: I resonate most with 'Collegiality'. Having a reliable support network of trusted friends, teammates and family has helped me through many stressful periods of my university life and I firmly believe that I am able to complete my undergraduate studies with little to no regrets thanks to their constant encouragement and support. From providing encouragement after disappointing competition results to sharing their notes when I have to miss classes, my friends have been invaluable in making my SMU experience such a meaningful and memorable one.
Richard: 'Collegiality' is the most important to me. While all the CIRCLE values are necessary in a team project or a tenure, collegiality is perhaps the most lasting one. The sense of collegiality forged in a team keeps the group together during times of hardship. In my role as the law camp president, the sense of togetherness was what kept us going through the long days and nights.
The responsibility is a heavy and arduous one, but it feels lighter because of the people whom we do it with. The collegiality forged throughout tough times does not go away easily; even until today, I am good friends with many of the people that I have worked with. This collegiality would also naturally open up future opportunities to work again to contribute to the school or society. Even until my last semester, I maintain close ties with my juniors and advise for academics or school-based activities.
Tan Jia Le: I personally resonate most with the values of responsibility and integrity. This is because I believe these values are the most important benchmarks of a virtuous character, which is important in leading one's decision-making whether personal or on behalf of whichever organisation they represent.
Integral for society to flourish and develop, these values remind us that we should do the right thing even when there is no one to see us, criticise us or reward us. These values are also, in my opinion, the hardest to develop, as there exist various temptations which threaten to derail us from being a responsible and honest person; as such, I place the greatest value in them.
Timothy: The CIRCLE value that I resonate the most with is integrity. Integrity guides even the smallest of actions that I make, and I want to become someone whom others are certain that they can rely on and see as trustworthy. In terms of schoolwork, this could be as simple as demonstrating academic integrity by following the Professor's guidelines and expectations in ensuring that my submissions were original and that I had put in my best effort to get the work done. Beyond school, I strive to behave honourably even when no one is watching. This means owning up to mistakes and learning from them, as well as being authentic in the workplace.
Jessica Low: “Do what you say, say what you do.” This is the main guiding principle I live my life by: Commitment. I do not make promises lightly – if I say yes to something, I commit myself wholly to it and will see it through. This applies to both small and large events that I encounter every day.
Apart from being highly involved and ensuring the success of SM2022: The Way For Change, I also performed as a teaching assistant for the Leadership & Team-Building module. As part of my responsibilities, I was tasked with facilitating a one-hour class segment on Followership, a topic I knew little about. I spent many hours researching and crafting the class content, and practising its delivery. My dedication paid off, as both students and faculty staff were very impressed with the lesson.
Reshma: Personally, I resonate with the value of Excellence the most. Excellence to me is about constantly pushing barriers and challenging myself, knowing that there is so much more I can achieve. Every semester I challenged myself with something new – be it a new CCA, an extra module, a new side project or even just trying to be more efficient. Setting incremental goals and committing to always give my best helped me see that there are no limits to what I can achieve other than the limits I set for myself. The constant desire to learn more and become better has made a huge impact in how I see growth and progress in my life.
Martin: I always believe that the value of Commitment has tided me through everything I’ve gone through. While I recognise and appreciate the importance of all 6 CIRCLE values, I must say that Commitment also made me appreciate the other five values.
I dare not even say I am a smart person or a “bright kid”. What really keeps me going is the sense of Commitment that I can’t even help but to have if I truly believe in something. The moment I feel that something is of meaningful pursuit, I would work at it doggedly to the point where people think I’ve gone crazy (and I dare say I have), and that is because I have committed to it.
As an SMU alumnus, how would you make the most of your experience?
Bernice: Looking back at my four years at SMU, my advice to juniors is to be proactive, to build your network and to enjoy the process at your own pace. With that said, my time in SMU has enabled me to gain fresh experiences, build lasting friendships, and have more confidence in myself. I hope to continue building on my experiences and improve myself in different aspects of my life.
Nicholas: I would make the best of my experience by giving thanks and appreciation for the experiences and the people who have been such a large part of my life for the past 4 years, and to hold them close even as I venture into a new chapter of my life.
Each of us has had unique experiences over our time at SMU, and I am certain that everyone has come out a better version of themselves in one way or another. Taking time to reflect on my experiences has been eye-opening for me and keeps me excited for what is to come.
Bryan: Leverage the resources made available to me, tap on the extensive network of alumni before me and contribute towards leaving a legacy for members of the SMU community
Melanie: I will continue to exemplify the CIRCLE values in my workplace, to always remain hungry for knowledge and self-improvement. I will also continue to find opportunities to serve the community-at-large.
Reuben: The people and memories we take with away after graduation are what make our time at SMU meaningful and worthwhile. I believe that finding opportunities to offer mentorship/guidance to the current batches of undergraduates or keeping up with old friends is the best way of making the most of our alumni experience.
Jessica: I’ll definitely come back for the free food at any reunion events! I’m also looking forward to helping and providing advice to junior batches, just as my seniors did for me.
Richard: University life is so much more than just what goes on in the seminar rooms, though there is already so much happening in those rooms. A university experience would not be complete without stepping outside the confines of one’s comfort zone and discovering oneself. And this means taking up leadership positions that might scare you; joining CCAs to pick up to learn how to play a sport or dance that you have zero knowledge of; and lastly, doing whatever piques your interest to fully discover what you are capable of.
Tan Jia Le: I wish to apply the lessons that I have learnt from my time here in SMU and to further the connections that SMU has already provided me with, whether it be with practitioners, professors, batch mates or even seniors. Given the impact and contributions made by SMU alumni today, it would be wise to tap on their experience and connections so that we can achieve even more.
Timothy: My university experience at SMU has equipped me with the relevant skills and practical knowledge required to face the working world. I have gained invaluable experience from my CCAs, internships and global exposure which can be applied to the real working world. The values that have guided me throughout my university journey will also guide me as I move along the journey of life in terms of helping me determine what is important and what should be prioritised. The connections and bonds built with the faculty, staff of SMU and my friends are things that I will keep close to my heart. I am deeply grateful for the many lessons learnt, friendships forged and lifelong memories that I have made at SMU.
Jessica Low: I have grown a lot in my time at SMU, having learnt so much from the many people I came across. I received an excellent education that has me well-positioned to do the things I desire to achieve. I will continue to pursue excellence in all that I do to ensure the opportunities I was given will bear fruit.
Reshma: As an SMU alumni, I hope to continue to keep in touch with the alumni community and perhaps give back to SMU or help future juniors in any way that I can.
Martin: From the angle of having been through SMU life and going into the next phase,it all boils down to applying what we’ve learnt. My father always says that we are in school to learn and not to study. I agree wholeheartedly with that advice, and want to take that advice one step further. We are in life to apply what we have learnt from school in which we learn and not study.
Regardless of what we do for money or for a living, whether it is a day job, freelancing, starting and running a business, day-trading, moon-lighting or anything else, we should always remember and apply what we have learnt from SMU or even beyond SMU.