in a podcast interview, SMU alumnus Desmond Wong talks about quiet commitment, volunteering, and staying connected to one’s roots. An SMU graduate from the Class of 2008, Desmond reflects on why the University continues to hold a special place in his life-shaping both his career and personal journey. The conversation explores privilege, access, and responsibility, the importance of human connection in a technology-driven world, and the value of trying before saying no. Desmond also shares his personal connection with SMU’s iconic Tembusu tree and reflects on Singapore’s unique balance between urban life and nature.