No matter what school you attend, one thing is certain: Every four to five years, the student population is almost wholly different.

Few students five years from now will have direct knowledge of attack that tore apart the campus this year.

As you graduate, make sure remaining students — as well as faculty and sympathetic administrators — are empowered to continue your campus advocacy work.

Henoc Erku was a student activist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 1993 through 1998. Now 27 and working in the banking industry, he urges other students to get involved from day one — and stay involved long after they leave the university.

"Did we make progress in the years I was at the university? Yes," Erku said. "Did we see complete change to the point where we want to be? No."

To give up because you might not realize complete success, Erku said, is ineffective and short-sighted.

"Immerse yourself in diverse struggles and issues, because that's where the real learning is going to happen," he said. "Commit yourself to making this a lifelong pursuit."

Stanford graduate Andrew Jhun still keeps in touch with student activists at his alma mater, monitoring progress on ongoing issues.

Jhun's advice to departing students?

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