Yuan Gao - K. Sivaramakrishnan Reflection

Yuan Gao
Case Western Reserve University

Although my time at Yale has been brief, Shivi has been one of the people who made it feel like
home. I remain deeply grateful for his kindness, patience, and guidance, and for the care with
which he has led Agrarian Studies. He is always so quick to respond to any question or concern, no
matter how busy he must be, and that generosity has meant a great deal to me.

Many of us have cherished the chance to walk with Shivi on campus, and I feel fortunate to have
been part of that as well. It is a small memory, but a meaningful one, because it reflects the warmth
and attentiveness he brings to his relationships with others. He has a remarkable way of making
people feel welcome and cared for.

I have also always admired how, during our weekly colloquium, Shivi seems able to say exactly the
right thing at exactly the right moment. His comments are consistently thoughtful, incisive, and on
point, and they have shaped the intellectual spirit of the program in ways both large and small. I
often find myself wondering how a scholar comes to possess that kind of clarity, wisdom, and
generosity; it is something I deeply admire and can only hope to approach in my own way.

For so many of us who are only at Yale for a short time, Shivi has made this place feel less
temporary and more like a true community. That is an extraordinary gift. I feel very fortunate to
have benefited from his presence and leadership. I wish him a joyful and well-deserved retirement,
knowing that he has helped cultivate a community with deep roots and a life ungovernable.