Geng Yude, dean of School of Economics and Management, turned the tassel for Li Min after her graduation thesis defense at Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on June 1. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
 
Li Min passed her graduation thesis defense successfully on June 1, a year after her classmates. To her surprise, she received a special gift on the same day — a commencement ceremony just for her at Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.
 
Li, 23, was admitted to the university's School of Economics and Management in 2016. In January 2020, when she was preparing her thesis and looking forward to the coming graduation, she began to have symptoms of frequent fever, cough and chest tightness.
 
After seeking treatment at several hospitals in different cities in the province, she was diagnosed with leukemia, and she had to suspend her studies at the university to seek better medical treatment in Tianjin.
 
Fortunately, her mother's stem cells matched Li's and she received stem cell transplant surgery in early April. After that, her health improved gradually and Li expressed a desire to complete her university studies.
   
Li Min answers a question during her graduation thesis defense at Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on June 1. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
 
With guidance from her academic supervisor, Li completed her thesis successfully and performed well on her thesis defense.
 
She then put on an academic gown, and Geng Yude, dean of the school turned the tassel for her. She also received an online blessing from her classmates for the special ceremony.
 
"I never thought I would be remembered or have so many people concerned about me," she said. "My teachers and classmates always gave me the strength and courage to move forward when I needed help. I am full of confidence for the future."
   
Li Min poses for a photo with Geng Yude, dean of School of Economics and Management at Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, after her successful thesis defense on June 1. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]