On May 5 and 6, nearly 3,100 students are expected to receive degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Among this year’s graduates will be 268 international students, who hail from 52 countries around the world.

This year’s global graduates were recognized by university officials at a May 2 reception at the Nebraska Champions Club. Chancellor Ronnie Green and Executive Vice Chancellor Donde Plowman, along with Sonia Feigenbaum, Nebraska’s associate vice chancellor for international engagement and global strategies, and Shelley Zaborowski, executive director of the Nebraska Alumni Association, were on hand to celebrate the class of 2017.

“Your presence at Nebraska makes us proud. You have enriched our lives and every day you open our eyes to distinct perspectives,” Feigenbaum said in congratulating the global Huskers. “At the same time, you made a commitment to yourselves, to your personal and intellectual growth and to Nebraska. For this, we are grateful. Lincoln has been your home for the past few years, and you should know that it will always be the home to which you can return.”

The university’s investment in welcoming international students has resulted in steady growth in enrollment from around the world in recent years. Nebraska enrolled about 2,400 international students in 2013-14; in the current academic year, that number was nearly 2,800.

That growth was easily explained by graduating students who were featured in a short video, shown during the event. Students spoke to the university’s modern facilities, committed faculty and welcoming community as some of the reasons they chose Nebraska.

Santosh-Reddy Kommidi, who will receive a master’s of science in civil engineering on May 5, said the university’s welcoming nature made becoming a Husker an easy decision.

“The responses to questions when I applied were prompt and quick,” Kommidi said. “The other most important part for me … was the faculty at the College of Engineering and the research that was actually happening in the Department of Civil Engineering.

“I knew that this was a place I would fit in,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to be accepted, and I didn’t hesitate in making the choice (to come to Nebraska).”

Insyira Amin of Malaysia, who will receive her bachelor of arts in psychology, said she received a world-class education in a safe and affordable environment.

“I’d recommend anyone to come to (Nebraska),” she said.