González Souto applied to be the student speaker after various professors encouraged her to apply.
“I had such an amazing experience at IU,” González Souto said. “It really has changed my life.”
She was selected by a committee made up of faculty, staff and students. At commencement, she will address approximately 34,000 graduates, family members and friends, according to a University press release.
“Mara stands out among many extraordinarily accomplished students who will graduate this spring from IU Bloomington,” Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Dennis Groth said in the release. “Her academic achievement, her leadership and her passion on issues of civic engagement and international human rights are exemplary. I congratulate her on being selected to represent the senior class at commencement.”
At commencement, González Souto said she wants students to walk away with two different messages: be attentive and don’t restrict themselves.
Listening to other people can make the biggest difference, González ?Souto said.
She said that countless times at IU she was afraid to try something new, but received support from professors, friends and her family to keep pushing herself.
“It’s so easy to feel insecure and tell ourselves we’re not good enough,” González Souto said. “The best thing to do is ask, ‘Why not?’ Being courageous and saying, ‘Why not me?’”
González Souto is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and will receive a bachelor’s degree in political science, psychology and French, according to the release. She also completed an honors thesis in political science, which involved traveling to three European states in November and attending ?conferences.
After graduation, she will attend the University of Cambridge to complete a master’s degree in international relations and politics, according to the release.
“In the last four years, I have sought intellectual challenges, creativity and as much activism as possible,” González Souto said in the release. “I thank my family for the sacrifices they have made to give me access to a unique educational experience at IU, and I plan to give back to the community ?every day.
During my time here, IU has introduced me to a plethora of faculty members and advisors attentive to my needs and eager about my passions. On behalf of the student body, I hope to speak at graduation to express gratitude for the countless sources of inspiration and the invaluable ?support.”
During her time at IU, González Souto revived the Model United Nations ?program, according to the release. She serves as the president of the group, which earned a distinguished rating at the national Model U.N. conference last month.
González Souto registered the group as a functioning body, recruited students and won approval for funds from the IU Student Association. She also developed a partnership between the group and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs to help sustain the program and helped to create academic courses on the U.N. in SPEA and the College of Arts and Sciences, according to the release.
González Souto founded the group ImMINEnt Change, a student organization dedicated to ?spreading awareness about the dangers of unexploded land mines around the world.
In addition, González Souto competed in national Mock Trial competitions, reported for WIUX, served on the executive board for Foster Living-Learning Center and gave campus tours for Residential Programs and Services.
She also volunteered for the Community Justice and Meditation Center as a restorative justice facilitator in community mediations, according to the release.
During the summer, González Souto worked in Jodhpur, India, with Hindu-Pakistani refugees for the Universal Just Action ?Society.
Spring commencement will begin at 10 a.m. May 9 at Memorial Stadium.