Bloomington, Indiana – As Indiana University Bloomington prepares to celebrate its Winter Commencement, one graduating senior is stepping forward with a message shaped by years of growth, uncertainty, and determination. Shreyansh Gala, a Kelley School of Business graduate from Mumbai, India, will serve as the student speaker during the ceremony, using his time at the podium to encourage fellow graduates to stay true to themselves and focus on what truly matters.
The Winter Commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Dec. 19 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. For Gala, the moment represents far more than a speech. It marks the culmination of what he describes as a “magical” undergraduate experience, one defined by new perspectives, meaningful relationships, and lessons learned both inside and outside the classroom.
During his address, Gala plans to share three core lessons that shaped his journey at IU Bloomington. First, he will urge graduates to stop letting other people’s opinions define who they are. Second, he will emphasize that the process of growth matters more than reaching a specific destination. Finally, he will highlight the importance of valuing relationships above all else.
“They are simple lessons, but personalized lessons from my experience,” said Gala, 22, who earned a Bachelor of Science in business with a major in finance.
Gala’s path to Indiana University began thousands of miles away in Mumbai, where his interest in business was sparked early in life. Growing up in a family that operated a business, he was introduced to basic financial concepts at a young age. Conversations about investing, saving, and managing money were common in his household, and those lessons stayed with him.
Motivated to apply what he was learning, Gala experimented with small business ventures while still a teenager. He sold T-shirts and resold sneakers, using those experiences to better understand entrepreneurship and risk. Around the same time, he and three friends co-founded the Mumbai chapter of the Global Association of Economics Education, a youth-focused nonprofit centered on financial literacy.
“What we realized is not everyone around us in Mumbai had that basic knowledge about investing, saving money and financial literacy,” Gala said. “And we thought that it’s a very important life skill to have.”
As he began thinking about college, Gala knew he wanted to study finance in an environment that would push him beyond what he already knew. He decided that attending a university in the United States would offer the diversity and academic rigor he was seeking. Indiana University stood out because of its strong business reputation and its international student population.
“If I’m going out of my comfort zone, it should be 100 percent out of my comfort zone,” Gala said.
The Kelley School of Business further solidified his choice, particularly its hands-on workshops in investment banking, investment management, and finance. For Gala, the program offered both structure and opportunity, allowing him to explore his interests while building practical skills.
Still, the transition to college life as an international student was not without challenges. As a freshman, Gala recalled moments when others questioned his ability to join certain clubs or succeed in competitive organizations. Rather than being discouraged, he used those doubts as motivation.
He rushed a professional business fraternity and was accepted into Phi Gamma Nu, later serving as the fraternity’s rush director in 2023. The experience helped him recognize the importance of self-belief and perseverance.
“That opened my mind that it’s time to ignore a lot of noise and trust yourself, trust your work, trust your ethics, trust your principles,” Gala said. “I think that was the first thing IU taught me. Since then, I have never looked back on anything. If I wanted something, I just worked extremely hard for that.”
Another early concern involved communication. Gala worried that his English might limit his ability to connect with others or succeed academically. Over time, those fears faded as he realized that authenticity and respect mattered more than perfection.
“I realized from my experiences and accomplishments at IU that English is not something you need to be perfect at in order to achieve the things you want to do,” he said. “It’s just how you treat people. If you treat people in a good manner, they’re going to see that rather than your English.”
As he progressed through his studies, Gala became increasingly involved on campus. He mentored underclassmen interested in pursuing careers in investment banking, offering guidance based on his own experiences. He also served as president of the Jain Student Association, helping organize cultural and social events that brought students together, including celebrations of Diwali.
Academically, Gala distinguished himself as well. He completed the Kelley Business Honors program and earned a Global Engagement Scholarship, which recognizes international undergraduates who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to global involvement. He also received the Robert F. Fox Jr. Scholarship and the Jon A. Olson Scholarship, both awarded to high-achieving Kelley School students.
Faculty members took notice of Gala’s dedication and growth early on. Kelley School teaching professor Tatiana Kolovou first met him as a freshman in her business presentations class and quickly recognized his potential.
“He has a presence that is a combination of being very respectful, thoughtful and professional,” she said. “Right away I knew that he would do really great things.”
Years later, Kolovou now teaches Gala in an MBA negotiations class, giving her a firsthand view of how far he has come.
“He is a sponge in all classes and does a great job with all the projects we do and how we learn,” she said. “He’s highly regarded by his classmates.”
Looking ahead, Gala is not slowing down. In January, he will begin the Kelley School’s Accelerated Master’s Program, working toward a Master of Science in finance. He is set to complete the program in May, after which he will join Bank of America as an investment banking analyst.
In the short term, Gala hopes to deepen his understanding of investment banking and gain insight into how successful organizations operate. Over the long term, he envisions a future that blends entrepreneurship with philanthropy.
“I want to not only create a lot of employment across the world, but also I want to create an organization where a good portion of the profits are put toward the benefit of the society,” Gala said. “If not the profits of the firm, the profits that come to me, which are my portion, I would love to put the majority of those to a better cause.”
As he prepares to address his fellow graduates, Gala says his message is rooted in reflection rather than advice. The lessons he plans to share were not learned overnight, but through moments of doubt, effort, and connection.
For the students seated alongside him at commencement, many of whom are also navigating uncertainty about what comes next, Gala hopes his words will serve as reassurance. By trusting themselves, embracing the journey, and holding onto meaningful relationships, he believes graduates can carry the spirit of their IU experience far beyond Bloomington.
