("Pomp and Circumstance") - [Announcer] Introducing the president of Michigan State University, Samuel L. Stanley Jr. (crowd applauding) - [Samuel] Good afternoon, everyone.
It is my absolute pleasure to welcome everyone for this commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020.
(crowd cheering) On behalf of all of us in the platform party, all of our faculty and staff and everyone at Michigan State University, I can't tell you how happy we are to see you and your family and friends today.
We said we would do this and we're glad we could deliver.
(crowd applauding) So today, we recognize and celebrate our graduating seniors from the College of Arts and Letters.
(crowd cheering) The College of Education.
(crowd cheering) The College of Engineering.
(crowd cheering) Lyman Briggs College.
(crowd cheering) The College of Natural Science.
(crowd cheering) The College of Nursing.
(crowd cheering) And the College of Veterinary Medicine.
(crowd cheering) I'm particularly pleased we can be here together to celebrate this milestone in the lives of our graduates, and to recognize the dedication and perseverance it took to get here.
We honor Michigan State University's 166 year old mission and certify with these degrees that our graduates are fit to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
It is an immensely satisfying feeling to look out on this group and see the faces of the next generation of problem solvers, leaders and creators.
In this ceremony, we honor our graduates and salute those who have achieved academic distinction.
We celebrate the special unity and diversity of the Spartan family, represented by the flags of the native lands of our students and by the banners heralding our colleges.
Now, I ask that our guests do join students and faculty in rising, if you can, together to sing one stanza of the "Star-Spangled Banner", performed by the MSU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Professor Kevin Sedatole.
The singing will be led by Shannon Crowley, a senior in vocal performance.
Upon conclusion of the singing, please remain standing for a brief moment of silence.
♪ Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ Over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ Gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ That our flag was still there ♪ ♪ Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ Over the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ (crowd applauding) - [Samuel] Graduates, I'd like us now to pause to allow you a moment of silent reflection on the opportunities for growth you've enjoyed at MSU and the relationships you've formed.
Thank you, you may be seated.
I want to introduce our keynote speakers who joined us today by video.
Both are Spartan alumni and generous supporters of Michigan State University.
Dan Gilbert is founder and chairman of Rocket Companies Quicken Loans, the nation's largest mortgage lender and The Rock Family of Companies.
He is also chairman of the 2016 NBA champion, Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jennifer Gilbert is the director and board member of Rocket Companies and founder of Amber Engine, a home furnishing services and solutions technology company.
She also found the Doodle Home, a digital platform for residential interior designers and Pophouse, a commercial design firm.
Both Jennifer and Dan are active in supporting Detroit area organizations, and I'm pleased that they could speak with us today.
Please welcome Dan and Jennifer Gilbert.
(crowd applauding) - Congratulations to the 2020 graduating class of Michigan State University, and a big welcome to all friends, family, faculty and supporters.
Jennifer and I are honored to speak with you today.
The responsibility of sharing advice and words of wisdom were taken to heart.
When building a proctor of service, it's always a good idea to get feedback from your customers early and often.
So naturally, when we started writing this speech, we thought to do the same.
As luck would have it, we had three recent graduates right at our kitchen table, including one, Nick, who's graduating with you today.
After a few healthy debates and constructive feedback from our kids, we landed on a framework that we hope will be helpful to you as you start your new careers.
- First, it's critical that you define your own mission, and when you define it, it should answer the question why?
Each of us have passions that drive us, but are we directing those passions to impact the world for the better?
A mission allows us to put deep thought around our efforts, identify the resources needed and it provides a structure to add goals and milestones.
It serves as our north star when life takes us off course.
Author, Stephen R. Covey said, "A mission statement is not something you write overnight, "but fundamentally, your mission statement "becomes your constitution, "the solid expression of your vision and values.
"It becomes the criterion "by which you measure everything else in your life."
It is important to understand that everyone's mission is different and will impact the world in various ways.
Your's may be addressing a social issue.
For others, the goal may be to become a leader in your industry or an authority in your chosen field.
Regardless of what it is, I encourage you to dig deep and think beyond what you want to become and identify how you will make the world a better place, not only when you get there, but along the way.
- Once your mission is identified, the next step is to make sure your toolbox has a well thought out compass to ensure you stay the course.
Your compass is a personal set of beliefs that provide the framework for your decision making, actions, behaviors and priorities.
At the Rock Family of Companies, our compass is called the ISMs.
The ISMs are 20 statements that together define our culture.
We believe that our culture is so important to the success of our businesses, that we require every new team member to attend ISMs Day, where we talk at length about each ISM and their creation and how they have real impact to our portfolio of companies.
Let me give you a few examples of our ISMs.
We always are raising our level of awareness.
That one's probably the most important because everything flows from being aware.
When we actually focus on what's happening around us, when we're alert and make a perpetual effort to see and understand what's happening, we can impact the outcome.
Take the roast out of the oven is about decision-making.
Our team members know taking too long to make a decision doesn't mean you'll make the best one, perfectionism destroys innovation.
We empower our team members to act, to make decisions and take the roast out of the oven.
Another one that has real significance in today's age is ignore the noise.
Noise can come from countless sources, a persistent naysayer, a project or something you're involved in blows up on social media, the ball always seem to be bouncing the wrong way, or someone cuts you off on the freeway on the way to work.
The goal here is to blackout, refocus and execute regardless of circumstances.
The ISMs are our compass, what will yours be?
Remember, a compass only provides the direction, it's up to you to act.
Your course may change, but your accompanist must remain absolute.
Trials and challenges in life will require you to alter your course, redirect as necessary, but rely on your compass, that will help you get to where you need to go.
- But what happens when things don't go your way?
You have a clearly defined mission, your trustee compass in hand, and the weather rolls in bringing with it rough and rocky seas taking you off course.
What now?
You adapt.
According to Darwin, "It is not the most intellectual "of the species that survives, "it is not the strongest that survives, "but the species that survives "is the one is able to best adapt "and adjust to the changing environment "in which it finds itself."
And this is where having a resilient attitude comes into play.
Here's one of life's unfair truths, you can have the most impactful mission and a never failing compass and your world will fall apart.
I say that to you with certainty, the unexpected will happen, it may not have anything to do with you it may be an external issue, but you still have to deal with it.
How we react and recover or how resilient we are makes us who we are.
No one, and I mean, no one is immune from the trials of life.
Regardless of where you are on your journey, be it as a recent graduate or someone at the pinnacle of their career, you will be tested, you will be thrown off course and be forced to figure out how best to get back on your path.
Our family is no different.
Our son, Nick, was born with a genetic disorder and has faced serious medical issues his entire life.
Regardless of being legally blind, undergoing numerous surgeries and countless chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he has dug deep and kept his compass pointed at his personal mission.
He adapted, surrounded himself with a great team, graduated, launched his career and is with you today as a member of the Class of 2020.
And that's not all, some of you may be familiar with Dan's stroke, and some of you may unfortunately have firsthand experience of the immense difficulties faced as a result of a stroke or other medical issues.
In May of 2019, Dan had reached the highest point of his industry.
He, along with MSU alumni, Jay Farner, and 20,000 team members, had worked to make Rocket Mortgage the largest mortgage company in the United States.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had won it's first championship in 46 year history.
Dan was named the chair of the Obama Administration's Detroit Blight Removal Task Force and viewed as a thought leader across the US and even internationally.
He was well on his way of executing on his mission to bring economic opportunity to all Detroiters, and in a minute, our world changed forever.
- Jennifer's right.
At that moment, I went from worrying about mortgage originations and the Cavs winning another championship, to focusing on not only surviving and discovering how to adapt to this new reality.
For more than two years, I have gone through countless hours of therapy and training.
I relearned daily basic tasks, including walking independently and retraining my mind so that I can get back to the office full-time, which I'm on my way of doing.
My days are spent climbing my personal Mount Everest, all while keeping my eye on my personal mission.
When it feels like your foundation has been shaken to the core, there is no easy way out, there is no silver bullet, instead, fall back on your personal why, which will give you reason to get up everyday and do the work.
Get out your trusted compass and surround yourself with great people.
In fact, surrounding yourself with great people and the idea of a team is the final tool for us to discuss, maybe this is possibly the most important bit of advice.
Recruit a great team to fill your roster, make sure that the people you put on your roster believe in your mission, share and respect the values and beliefs that make your compass, and can help you keep moving forward when the dark clouds are gathering.
A team can be anyone, your family, your colleagues, a mentor, or a lifelong friend, the point is this, nobody does it alone in this world.
IN Aaron Sorkin's "The West Wing", a character named Toby Ziegler has a terrific quote about being on a team.
He said, "We're a team, we win together, we lose together, "we celebrate and we mourn together "and defeats are softened "and victories are sweeter because we did them together."
Find your team and life seems all the more conquerable and make sure you're willing to get drafted on a team along the way.
- As Dan mentioned, we have a shared mission to positively impact the lives of as many people as possible.
Our personal why is applied to all areas of our life, from our businesses to our family and friends, extending to the philanthropic work we do within our community.
I believe that one of the most important ways you can impact the lives of others is by supporting your community with philanthropy.
Now, let's be clear on this, most people think that philanthropic efforts have to be tied to large amounts of money or hosting headline grabbing galas, but here's the reality, the donation of your time is just as valuable as a monetary gift.
Your time, talents, energy and ideas are equally, if not more important.
Remember, when we serve our communities, we impact the world.
- I wanna pose a couple of questions to you before we leave here today.
First, what will your mission be?
As you may be reflecting on your answer, remember Spartan's will.
We're a driven group of people, let us act collectively to leave the world a better place.
Second, after you determine your mission, where will you find your compass?
It can be found in countless places, from your mom and dad and the values they've instilled in you, to your church or religion, or simply listening to your gut.
Third, will you adapt?
Will you pivot and move forward in times of great uncertainty?
Will you choose to be resilient?
Will you embrace new challenges with curiosity, dedication, hard work and persistence?
Finally, how will you build your team?
Remember, it can be family, friends from MSU or even those who have been around your entire life.
It doesn't matter where you find your team, only that you build a great roster.
Again, congratulations to the 2020 graduates of Michigan State University.
We hope you find joy on life's journey and that as you work through your personal missions, you make your mark on the world.
Go green.
- Go white.
(crowd applauding) - [Samuel] Thank you so much, Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, and we're so glad that you two and Nick are part of our Spartan team.
I'd now like to introduce the honorable Brianna T. Scott from Muskegon of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, who will greet graduates and guests.
After Trustee Scott's remarks, provost and executive vice president, Teresa Woodruff, will continue with the recognition of graduates.
(crowd applauding) - [Brianna] Thank you, President Stanley.
On behalf of the Michigan State Board of Trustees, I welcome all graduating seniors, families and friends who are with us this afternoon.
Under the Michigan constitution, the board of trustees is the governing body of a university by whose authority the degrees are awarded.
Today's ceremony represents the culmination of your academic achievement.
The degree that you have earned acknowledges your success and it honors those who have encouraged and supported you.
Our wish is that you will use your intelligence and knowledge to improve the quality of life in your community and to advance the common good.
Our faculty, administrators and trustees are proud of you.
Please let us add our congratulations.
(crowd applauding) - [Teresa] Thank you, Trustee Scott.
Now, it is my pleasure to introduce Shava Allahbad, a 2020 graduate in chemical engineering, to deliver the class remarks.
(crowd applauding) - Thank you, Provost Woodruff.
Happy commencement day fellow graduates, beloved family, dear friends, cherished alumni and esteemed faculty.
It's an honor to welcome you on this day of our exceptional celebration.
Graduates, we have made amazing discoveries within ourselves while at Michigan State University.
Think back to the first night before your first day at MSU, do you remember putting your school supplies in your backpack, getting your outfit ready and setting the alarm?
Do you recall the next morning, walking with the schedule and university map open on your phone?
Do you remember making new friends in your classes and introducing yourself to the professors?
I remember wearing a gift from my sister, an old dress, and that made the first day of college extra special for me.
Although we might have had a similar start, being lost on this beautiful and massive campus, each one of us has a unique story to tell.
Our lives and opportunities were shaped by our genetics, the environment and distinct circumstances we all lived in while growing up.
Like many others, coming from a single parent home, my mother did everything she could to provide us with the best possible start in life.
Before she survived a heart attack a few years ago, she would sell homemade food to buy us anything we needed, especially if we did well at school.
She raised us to appreciate that education is very valuable and empowering.
To my mother today, I would like to say that I wouldn't have been the person I am here today without you and I promise to be always there for you, too.
So that my mother can understand it, I will say it in Arabic (speaks in foreign language).
Fellow graduates, look at where we are now, we made it through every difficulty life put in our way and each one of us is the hero of our own story.
I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of us here today.
Just remember to always enjoy and appreciate the little things in life and never ever for any reason, let anything or anyone make you feel less than what you truly are.
Life is like a book, and in this chapter, education was the subject waiting to be written.
Education is one of the greatest gifts we could ever receive.
It's the catalyst to convert information into knowledge, but the path isn't always easy.
The courses we took tested us in ways we could not anticipate, they challenged us to be adaptable and inquisitive as well as innovative problem solvers.
Within this learning experience, we also had to balance our time between life responsibilities, part-time jobs, and also finding time for fun, like sports and art and music festivals.
There were many days when we skipped our meals and sacrificed our precious sleep to do homework, write an essay, design a project or study for an exam.
But through these tough times, we learned integrity endurance and resilience.
Working with diverse students on team projects enriched us with new perspectives and opened our eyes to new ways of thinking.
This encouraged us to reevaluate our beliefs and values, recognize and embrace our true identities and discover the real importance of respect, equity, and inclusion.
The end of our college careers coincided with a turbulent time for the whole planet, when we even lost the normalcy of life.
The chaos of the pandemic was definitely not how we imagined our last semester would be, it was cut short, and sadly we couldn't experience and capture our first or last moments.
However, power and growth could come from such times of struggle.
Quarantine, for example, can be a moment of a stark realization to rethink the implications of our thoughts and actions, to reconsider our priorities in life and what really matters.
We have learned that we're all connected and we should receive our fellow human beings in a vastly different way.
When we respond with love, I hope we can transfer our fears to emerge from this pandemic smarter and wiser.
Moreover, we can heal from it in creative ways to make a wide range of resources more accessible to everyone.
The pandemic gave us plenty of time to contemplate the past and my memories are drawn to one day during my final year of high school.
My sister and I had then been talking about my scientific career aspirations.
Later that evening, we went to pray at the mosque where suddenly a deadly terrorist attack assault occurred and my sister lost her life.
My sister was a medical student with many noble goals, she devoted her life to healing the pains of people, and she would have been on the frontline, fighting the pandemic and sitting in one of those chairs attending the graduation if she hadn't become a victim of the unfairness of life.
I didn't know how to escape my inner turmoil and reclaim my life.
I was very scared about how this devastation would change me, where I once expected a very bright, happy future, all I saw afterwards was darkness.
Between my fears and hesitation, I made the decision to travel alone, thousands of miles away from home for the first time to come to my now second home, MSU.
I'm standing here today, even though this very deep wound is still open and I have gone through years of anger, denial, depression and anxiety.
Nevertheless, I believed in myself as a Spartan, who should never accept defeat and I fought back stronger.
I showed up to my morning labs, took notes, participated in lectures and went to office hours.
After classes, I joined student organizations and continued to make sure to utilize all sorts of resources MSU offers, which provided me with endless support.
So I called my mother every day and let her know that I was okay.
I just knew that education was going to be the weapon against the terrorism that killed my sister and I didn't wanna let her down.
I hope you can all identify in your own personal way with my personal story and this tragedy I suffered.
Stay strong, you're never alone.
The most shocking moment of my life has also become my ultimate source of inspiration.
The thought of being an engineer who possesses the ability to help advance healthcare and defense brought me a great deal of hope when I needed it most.
It lends to my life the feeling that my efforts have been focused on improving the lives of those I share the world with.
I found MSU as a welcoming and research focused institution, to be the platform where I could ignite my inner creativity and reach my fullest potential everyday, and that's why I chose to come here.
I'm certain that MSU has been a transformative experience for all of us that has energized many of our future goals.
No matter our life's journey, we made it to graduation today and our story propels us forward.
As we reflect on our past and present, it's also imperative to stay positive and to think about what the future holds for us.
Being technology natives, to what was once considered science fiction, we are truly a lucky generation.
Equipped with the talents we have and the knowledge and the skills we have attained here, we can tackle the next chapter in our lives together, whether you're now in a graduate school industry or a completely different route.
None of us know the direction in which life will ultimately take us, but I'm certain if we continue to be enthusiastic about our vision and goals, we will find our own way.
This may not be smooth and not easy at all as the world is unpredictable and is not always kind or safe, yet our education has prepared us for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
We will continue to learn to endure and withstand hardship.
We are strong as a unit.
We are destined to come together despite our differences, to overcome obstacles and push justice forward.
Spartans are intellectual leaders and the sparks for change.
Hold on the lessons you have learned in every academic discipline and beyond at MSU, and build on that foundation to leave a positive lasting fingerprint.
You are capable of anything, you can innovate the world in ways that are still unimaginable today.
The difference you make in the lives of others will not only define who you are, but it will also optimize our Spartans Will motto.
Congratulations Class 2020 and go green.
(crowd cheering) - [Teresa] Thank you so much, Shava, for being an exemplar of Spartans Will, and for delivering this address to this 2020 class of graduates.
I would like to introduce members of the platform party not coming to the microphone today.
All of them fulfill important university roles and join us this afternoon to celebrate our graduates' accomplishments.
Please remain standing as your name is read, and I asked the audience to please hold your applause until all are introduced.
Mark Largent, associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies.
Joseph Salem, dean of libraries.
Melissa Woo, executive vice president for administration and chief information officer.
And Karen Kelly-Blake, associate professor, chairperson of the faculty senate, MSU academic governance and the university mace bearer.
(crowd applauding) Students who participate in and fulfill the requirements of the Honors College by completing enriched programs of studies are identified as graduating with honors college distinction.
These graduates were a white stole, with the HC designations.
Would the dean of the honors college, Chris long, and all college who are graduating as members of the Honors College, please stand and accept our congratulations.
(crowd applauding) Students who attain a minimum grade point average of 3.94 are awarded university high honor.
University honor is awarded to students who earn a minimum grade point average of 3.78 in 2020 and 3.79 in 2021.
These honors are designated by the gold cord worn on the academic robe.
All students graduating with high honor and with honor, please stand and accept our congratulations.
(crowd cheering) In recognition of Michigan State's ongoing commitment to study abroad, I ask graduates to stand who have had an international experience as either a student abroad student or as an international student who traveled from around the world to study at MSU.
(crowd cheering) Thank you all.
We shall now confer baccalaureate degrees upon candidates.
The deans will present their candidates.
Dean Christopher Long from the College of Arts and Letters and dean of the Honors College.
- [Christopher] Will the graduates from the brilliant and resilient graduates from the College of Arts and Letters, please rise if you are able.
(crowd cheering) Provost Woodruff, President Stanley, Trustee Scott, on behalf of the world-class faculty of the College of Arts and Letters, I am proud to present these graduates for the conferral of their degrees.
(crowd applauding) - [Teresa] Graduates, please stay standing as I next welcome Interim Dean Ann Austin from the College of Education.
(crowd applauding) - [Ann] Will be excellent graduates from the highly regarded College of Education, please rise.
(crowd cheering) President Stanley, Provost Woodruff, distinguished members of the board of trustees and our university leaders, it's my great pleasure on behalf of our faculty and staff in the College of Education, to present these well-prepared graduates for the conferral of their degrees.
They are well-prepared to advance educational excellence for learners across the lifespan.
(crowd applauding) - [Teresa] Dean Leo Kempel from the College of Engineering.
(crowd applauding) - [Leo] Would the graduates from the College of Engineering, please rise.
(crowd cheering) President Stanley, Provost Woodruff, Executive Vice President Beauchamp and Trustee Scott, it's my great pleasure to present these innovators and the people who will make Michigan and the world a better place tomorrow.
The engineers.
(crowd cheering) - [Teresa] Interim Dean Kendra Spence Cheruvelil from Lyman Briggs College.
(crowd applauding) - [Kendra] Will the graduates from Lyman Briggs College, please rise.
(crowd cheering) President Stanley, Trustee Scott, Provost Woodruff, it is my utmost pleasure to present these amazing graduates of 2020 and 2021 who are already leading scientists in our world.
Congratulations, Lyman Briggs College.
(crowd cheering) - [Teresa] Dean Phillip Duxbury from the College of Natural Science.
(crowd cheering) - [Phillip] Would the graduates from the College of Natural Science, please rise.
(crowd cheering) Trustee Scott, President Stanley, Provost Woodruff, it is a great pleasure on behalf of the faculty and staff in the College of Natural Science to present these inspiring and resilient graduates.
For the great work that they will do in the future, we're looking forward to seeing them progress and stay contacted with us.
Thank you very much and congratulations.
(crowd cheering) - [Teresa] And Taylor Epp, director of the veterinary nursing program from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- [Taylor] Would the candidates from the College of Veterinary Medicine rise.
(crowd cheering) President Stanley, Provost Woodruff, Candidate Scott, I present to you the candidates from the College of Veterinary Medicine for the conferral of their degrees.
(crowd applauding) - [Teresa] I now introduce Norman Beauchamp, executive vice president of health science to present the health science dean.
(crowd applauding) - [Norman] Dean Randolph Rasch from the College of Nursing.
(crowd applauding) - [Randolph] Will the candidates for the degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing, please stand and remain standing.
(crowd cheering) President Stanley, Executive Vice President Beauchamp, Provost Woodruff, Trustee Scott.
It is on behalf of the faculty and staff and the College of Nursing, it is my privilege to present these candidates.
These Spartan nurses are already licensed and are gainfully employed serving our fellow human beings on the front lines of healthcare.
(crowd cheering) They have come to this moment as traditional students for whom this is their first degree, accelerated option students who have other degrees and have come to nursing, and nurses who have an associate degree in nurses.
Today, they're all Spartan nurses and they await the conferral of their degrees.
(crowd applauding) - [Samuel] I invite Trustee Scott to join me in the conferral of the degrees.
By the authority of the state of Michigan vested in the board of trustees and delegated to me, I confer upon you the degrees for which you have qualified with all the rights and distinctions to which they entitle you.
As a symbol of your achievement, it is traditional to move the tassel from the right side of your cap to the left, you may do so at this time, congratulations.
(crowd cheering) This act represents a great accomplishment and marks the beginning of your lifetime of achievement.
At today's ceremony, we honor you.
You may now be seated.
- [Teresa] And now the presentation of the diplomas.
Jamie Paisley and Scott Pohl will announce the names of graduates as the president presents their diplomas.
I ask that the new graduates be escorted to the platform and we asked the audience to be considerate in applauding your graduate as names are read, so each graduate's is heard.
We ask all the degree recipients to return to your seats following the presentation of your diploma, and to remain seated for the recognition of your fellow graduates.
- [Jaimie] From the College of Education, Julie Hopp.
Andrew Proudfoot.
Courtney Martins.
(crowd cheering) Shelby Gonser.
Jessica Zam.
Isabelle Gasparovic.
(crowd cheering) Joseph McMillan.
(crowd cheering) Hannah Fry.
(crowd cheering) Tyler Watt.
Avery Medina.
(crowd cheering) Megan Cusick.
Jayda Young.
(crowd cheering) Claire Sena Corey.
Jacob Lacanis.
Isabelle Ivola.
(crowd cheering) Mikayla Kempf.
(crowd cheering) Megan Brown.
(crowd cheering) Kailin Greenhoe.
Threse Simon.
Ashley Demick.
Rachel Janette.
Alana Towns.
(crowd cheering) Amber Erlenbeck.
Julia Christopher.
Nicholas Seroti.
(crowd cheering) Kayla Patanod.
Morgan Gutsman.
Heidi Birchback.
Kadija Ricard.
(crowd cheering) Taylor Brown.
(crowd cheering) Josh Ramsey.
Sarah Nicole Jackson.
Elizabeth Hostead.
Gabrielle Scaccia.
(crowd cheering) Nathan Dam.
Brandon Orzomie.
(crowd cheering) Alison Schultz.
(crowd cheering) Max Zeidman.
(crowd cheering) Gabrielle Gocha.
(crowd cheering) Lauren Poopard.
Andrea Verga.
(crowd cheering) Trayvon Gentles.
Stephanie Tran.
Caitlin Smith.
(crowd cheering) Cameron Sims.
Autumn Hoit.
Ashlynn Kelly.
Jessica Link.
Alyssa Werner.
(crowd cheering) Dean Paranovich.
Elton Cursey.
(crowd cheering) Sabrina Strobbe.
Megan Lloyd.
Haley Fluke.
(crowd cheering) Owen Gracarowits.
Morgan Robinson.
Samuel Bincowsky.
Lauren Brunsman.
Chloe Jakir.
Natasha Chinoy.
Jayvon Ellis.
(crowd cheering) Madison Emery.
(crowd cheering) Lauren Bazzo.
(crowd cheering) Briana Vono.
Natalie Calamyer.
Caitlin Patanod.
(crowd cheering) Samantha Gowan.
Emily Johnson.
Riley Marjoma.
Alison Murphy.
Julie Kurilko.
Catherine McEwen.
Erin O'Connell.
Hailey Gilbert.
Sharon Prince.
Erin Boersema.
Marisa Mingle.
Talia Cohen.
Savannah Coats.
Mandy Hall.
(crowd cheering) Shokhari Tate.
(crowd cheering) Cassandra Christodola.
Rachel Prisbilo.
Kylie Cares.
(crowd cheering) Taylor Babby.
(crowd cheering) Matthew Rayis.
(crowd cheering) Gabriela Douglas.
(crowd cheering) Ilse Quintino.
(crowd cheering) Ryan Lechner.
(crowd cheering) Theo Posios.
(crowd cheering) Terri Lanae Bondon.
(crowd cheering) Elizabeth Murray.
(crowd cheering) Sky Hydell.
Kelsey Russell.
Katherine Killman.
Carly Benjamin.
Michela Van Lith.
Hannah Skinner.
(crowd cheering) Violet butts.
(crowd cheering) Victoria Puleo.
(crowd cheering) Sarah Simpson.
(crowd cheering) Claire Hinkley.
Miranda Aboo.
Frank Renaldi.
Taylor Davis.
Tolasha Kwatiwada.
(crowd cheering) Emily Watts.
(crowd cheering) Caitlin John.
(crowd cheering) - [Scott] From the College of Nursing, Margaret Pyett.
Rebecca Stiles.
Megan McHugh.
Courtney Garlock.
Madeline Falk.
Kaitlyn Bonfield.
(crowd cheering) Paige Libres.
(crowd cheering) Devin Morgan.
(crowd cheering) Rachel Montgomery.
(crowd cheering) Patricia Katje.
(crowd applauding) Michael Prosi.
(crowd cheering) Alexis Ruhlman.
(crowd cheering) Alyssa Schiller.
(crowd cheering) Elizabeth Luea.
(crowd cheering) Rachel Steih.
Christopher Nader.
Devon DeWilde.
(crowd cheering) Chad Gravatt.
(crowd cheering) Caley Gibson.
Julia Kropp.
(crowd cheering) Abigail Kurian.
(crowd cheering) Emily Kososki.
(crowd cheering) Deja Smith.
(crowd cheering) Vicki Lee.
(crowd cheering) Dylan Joba.
(crowd cheering) From the College of Natural Science, Alexander Williams.
Chase Olshen.
(crowd cheering) Melissa Barbara.
(crowd cheering) Spencer Lee.
(crowd cheering) Anthony Kuhn.
(crowd cheering) Chris Le Moyne.
(crowd cheering) Kaitlin Marra.
(crowd cheering) Hannah Marie Scott.
(crowd cheering) Jaylan Chariay Hobson.
(crowd cheering) Bradley Behan.
Katie Whalen.
Ashley Brownley.
(crowd cheering) Savannah Teneyuque.
(crowd cheering) Laura Villarrea.
(crowd cheering) Claire O'Neil.
Samantha Debore.
Robiah Munir.
(crowd cheering) Ariana Dickason.
(crowd cheering) Skyler Hall.
(crowd cheering) Brione Griffin.
(crowd cheering) Danielle Taylor.
Fiona Chi.
Alexandra Prettenhofer.
Angelina Sdeo.
(crowd cheering) Morgan Bowie.
(crowd cheering) Nicholas Tyler.
(crowd cheering) Abigail Shook.
(crowd cheering) Colin McCarthy.
Elyza Larson.
Landry Long.
(crowd cheering) Jessica Yurema.
Shannon Laroy.
Leanna Okoski.
(crowd cheering) Kaylee Balla.
(crowd cheering) Kayla Thornton.
(crowd cheering) Rachel Hoffman.
(crowd cheering) Dominique Horn.
(crowd cheering) Alexi Rose.
(crowd cheering) Courtney Cunningham.
(crowd cheering) Natasha Perry.
(crowd cheering) Sarah Yskes.
(crowd cheering) Quinn Babcock.
(crowd cheering) Elise Schellpfeffer.
(crowd cheering) Katherine Rose Lopez.
Jalen Bean.
(crowd cheering) Aaliyah Jeter.
(crowd cheering) Jiayi Zhao.
Arielle Buckley.
(crowd cheering) Amanda Destross.
(crowd cheering) Maria Fabian.
(crowd cheering) Gregorio Martinez the Third.
(crowd cheering) Cooper Homic.
Alexa Becker.
(crowd cheering) Jimmy Almacddissi.
(crowd cheering) Jacob Kenfield.
Kaitlyn Serrening.
(crowd cheering) Merriam Charles.
(crowd cheering) Jilian Meyers.
Nicole Turner.
(crowd cheering) Cole Williams.
(crowd cheering) Alissa Brown.
Marci Eunice.
(crowd cheering) Brooks Decker.
Caroline Whitaker.
(crowd cheering) Alexandra Stone.
(crowd cheering) Anuva Suresh.
(crowd cheering) Lilly Calianone.
Marissa Marsh.
(crowd cheering) Brianna Taylor.
(crowd cheering) Wesley Walker.
Julia Macintosh.
Shannon Moore.
Nik Nurulhidayah Nik Zainal Alam.
(crowd cheering) Colin Copeland.
(crowd cheering) Noura El-Ali.
(crowd cheering) Megan Maguire.
(crowd cheering) Ana Sellis.
(crowd cheering) Noah Lescoe.
Megan Kelly.
(crowd cheering) Brianna Callahan.
(crowd cheering) Emily Forgione.
Natalie DeLisle.
(crowd cheering) Jordan Wagner.
Emma Laughinghouse.
(crowd cheering) Selena Crummie.
(crowd cheering) Alex Hernandez.
(crowd cheering) Alessandro De La Rivera.
(crowd cheering) Zera Nap.
(crowd cheering) Sammy Figurski.
Josselyn Pitch.
Jacob Zwang.
(crowd cheering) David Sherwood.
(crowd cheering) Kayla Tao Bullock.
Eli Whitney.
(crowd cheering) Samantha Soter.
Ryan Parker.
(crowd cheering) John Parker.
(crowd cheering) Azam Ahmed.
(crowd cheering) Joseph Shaw.
Tanner Menvitus.
(crowd cheering) Autumn Hoerauf.
(crowd cheering) Olivia Banach.
Justin Bensley.
(crowd cheering) Sha'Vonna Collier.
(crowd cheering) Megan Freds.
(crowd cheering) Laneya Jackson.
Sarah Mohitan.
(crowd cheering) Bethany Mallory.
(crowd cheering) Jillian Matasovsky.
(crowd cheering) Dominic McCalsky.
(crowd cheering) Matthew Milatary.
(crowd cheering) Nina Biundo.
(crowd cheering) Lindsay Trevino.
(crowd cheering) Trevor Schornack.
(crowd cheering) Connor Wood.
(crowd cheering) Nadiya Tarabara.
(crowd cheering) Christina Schumm.
Taneisha Butts.
(crowd cheering) Tom Douglas.
Jake Leachman.
Kate Paratore.
(crowd cheering) Josh Smelser.
(crowd cheering) Kylie Kayser.
Megan Kline.
(crowd cheering) Alexis Langtry.
(crowd cheering) Renee Randolph.
Emma Fillory.
(crowd cheering) Elaina Giannetti.
(crowd cheering) Timothy Johnson.
Benjamin Hesman.
(crowd cheering) Taylor Walkingshaw.
(crowd cheering) Rowan Hermis.
(crowd cheering) Alison Cronander.
Beedoskah Stonefish.
(crowd cheering) Bianca Ganaway.
(crowd cheering) Nanji Lee.
Yen Lee.
Rachel Scrivano.
(crowd cheering) Rebecca Boowie.
Robert McKay.
Jack Bishop.
(crowd cheering) Mallory Rumzek.
Alexis Orr.
Hunter Hall.
(crowd cheering) Bronson Foot.
(crowd cheering) Devin Stevens.
(crowd cheering) Reese Dobbs.
(crowd cheering) Lavelle Massey.
(crowd cheering) Destiny Williams.
(crowd cheering) Kailinn Hairston.
Courtney Sykes.
(crowd cheering) Alante Siersy.
(crowd cheering) Kiarra Johnson.
(crowd cheering) Maggie Left.
Kiera McRae.
Isabella Olep.
Jenna Hoban.
Yen Jung.
Devin Carree.
(crowd cheering) Rita Navagala.
Neil Al-Saidi.
Holly McLean.
Allison Juris.
(crowd cheering) Gale Sedro.
(crowd cheering) Ibrahima Camara.
(crowd cheering) Matthew Phillips.
- [Jaimie] From the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jessica Shavrnoch.
(crowd cheering) Christa Haywood.
(crowd cheering) Annabelle Hernandez.
(crowd cheering) From the College of Engineering, Ben McNeil.
Jacob Randall.
(crowd cheering) Shubham Shedge.
(crowd cheering) Carter Lewis.
(crowd cheering) Alexander Shaw.
(crowd cheering) Kyle Ramo.
(crowd cheering) Niranjan Kulkarni.
Eric Van Lake.
Matthew Covert.
(crowd cheering) Joseph Pennakitas.
(crowd cheering) Logan Macer.
(crowd cheering) Daniel Freeman.
(crowd cheering) Taylor Ruelle.
(crowd cheering) Shava Allahbad.
(crowd cheering) Emily Fitzsimmons.
Sarah Mostofizadeh.
Jacob Turcano.
(crowd cheering) Diarra Richardson.
(crowd cheering) Colleen Little.
Joshua Benson.
(crowd cheering) Jason Smith.
Mitchell John Loe.
Madison Skeen.
(crowd cheering) Ashley Cotey.
(crowd cheering) Julia Rios.
(crowd cheering) Garrison Osborn.
(crowd cheering) Coha?
Austin Coha.
(crowd cheering) Andrew Void.
(crowd cheering) Bradley Harris Bay.
(crowd cheering) Sterling White.
(crowd cheering) Kendal McBurrows.
(crowd cheering) Zahji Billingslea.
(crowd cheering) Jeanelle Grosvenor.
(crowd cheering) Rachel Emerick.
Madison Begin.
(crowd cheering) Anna Keller.
(crowd cheering) Hailey Lewis.
(crowd cheering) Angelina Jackomentoneo.
(crowd cheering) Jimmy Almacddissi.
Yushin Chen.
(crowd cheering) Brian Hofer.
Eli Su.
(crowd cheering) Cheran Pike.
Marie Deagostino.
(crowd cheering) Jacob Schmitz.
(crowd cheering) Kyle Schmitz.
(crowd cheering) Nuno Marriott.
(crowd cheering) Christopher Nastoski.
(crowd cheering) Lane Perry.
Travis Holpuch.
Georgia Brattin.
(crowd cheering) Leah Williams.
Gabrielle Wink.
Abby Swayze.
Aria Chakraborty.
(crowd cheering) Nick Borellis.
Micala Tafelski.
(crowd cheering) Cameron Ploss.
Michael Geiger.
(crowd cheering) Nicholas Hughes.
(crowd cheering) Lucas Shermetaro.
(crowd cheering) William Neidhart.
(crowd cheering) Caitrin Campbell.
(crowd cheering) Nolan Carter.
(crowd cheering) Isaiah Carter.
(crowd cheering) Daniel Farat.
Nicholas Garver.
Morgan Tash.
(crowd cheering) Jacob Broman.
Shannon Ciaston.
Noah Van Reesema.
Rachael Jannette.
Ryan Kalis.
Victoria Farrell.
Alison Reinhold.
Elise Richards.
(crowd cheering) Brendan Carter.
(crowd cheering) Christopher Heilmann.
(crowd cheering) Michael Bowen.
Andrew Scott.
Max DeDona.
Nicaise?
Collin Nicaise.
(crowd cheering) Jillian Tosolt.
(crowd cheering) Jenna Holderbach.
Seth Kilian.
Shane Paul.
(crowd cheering) Alex Kintner.
Kyle Evans.
(crowd cheering) Grant Hoffman.
(crowd cheering) Danielle Paige Linska.
Jaylen Lewis.
(crowd cheering) Olatoluwani Afolabi.
Carrington King.
(crowd cheering) Brendan Rybicki.
Colin Lynch.
Phillip Conrad.
Brandon Garrison.
Eric Bernhardt.
(crowd cheering) Mario Aliaj.
(crowd cheering) Mikayla Nitoski.
(crowd cheering) Samantha Zielinski.
Ryan O'Shea.
(crowd cheering) Brendan Hein.
(crowd cheering) Zach Sanders.
(crowd cheering) Brian Dokis.
(crowd cheering) Jacob Swaneck.
(crowd cheering) Adam Brigmann.
(crowd cheering) Mariam Ahmad.
(crowd cheering) Julia Lutz.
(crowd cheering) Dakota Kuhn.
Brandon Harris.
(crowd cheering) Emily Caulcas.
(crowd cheering) Ashton Carvallo.
Evan Charles.
Joseph Abbawi.
Jacob Henning.
(crowd cheering) Mack Marshall.
(crowd cheering) Elizabeth Chester.
(crowd cheering) Ryan Heinze.
Erin Mettler.
Sadab Bahar.
(crowd cheering) Ryan Fantin.
(crowd cheering) Daniel Sim.
(crowd cheering) Aaron Covanda.
Chad Capuzzi.
Ryan Langrowski.
Chris Zoto on behalf of Justin Zoto.
Mackenzie Cope.
(crowd cheering) Julia Gabrysh.
(crowd cheering) Emily Metzner (crowd cheering) Terrann Williams-Bowens.
(crowd cheering) Joshua Gonzalez.
(crowd cheering) Jonathan Firehammer.
David Air.
Vincent Milano.
Ryan Ellis.
(crowd cheering) Eric Mitra.
Megan Connelly.
(crowd cheering) Owen Brenneman.
(crowd cheering) Alexander Kendall.
Robert Hernandez.
Tomoki Tsuchiya.
Amanda George.
(crowd cheering) Ryan Canna.
(crowd cheering) Grant Sharp.
Sergio Sanchez.
(crowd cheering) Brendan Foley.
(crowd cheering) Warren Purvin.
Corey Hilton.
(crowd cheering) Patrick Hoedeman.
Noah Shoenburger.
Zhipeng Zhao.
Ruiyu Zhou.
Haochen Sun.
Michael Schultz.
(crowd cheering) Matthew Landcaster.
(crowd cheering) Is this the last one?
Okay.
- [Scott] The graduates from Lyman Briggs College, Dana Kolinsky.
(crowd cheering) Nicholas Petrakowsky.
Taylor McKenzie.
Vajesh Kalaturo.
Nolan Pakizer.
Jalisa McQueen.
Kaitlyn Bays.
Kristin Fuller.
Joanna Marie Yiu.
Tessie Golden.
(crowd cheering) Brianna Hughes.
Tiara Mosley.
(crowd cheering) Corey Spader.
(crowd cheering) Kelsey McKaig.
Laura Pavliscak.
(crowd cheering) Candice Olis.
(crowd cheering) Olivia Therese Langenfeld.
(crowd cheering) Madeline Dodson Garrett.
(crowd cheering) Alexa Gordon.
Lauren Jernstadt.
Jordan Wagner.
Alexander Leonowicz.
(crowd cheering) Augustus Evered.
Brianna Huckaby.
(crowd cheering) Sam McCarthy.
(crowd cheering) Zain Salman.
(crowd cheering) Jake Haver.
Erica Henderson.
(crowd cheering) Alea Confer.
(crowd cheering) Brianna Rice.
(crowd cheering) Brianna Gibbler.
(crowd cheering) Natalie Saman.
Alison Conley.
Swanroop Nandwani.
Kelsey Holiday.
(crowd cheering) Nicole Jarwan.
Sarah Klein.
Sydney Teamen.
Matthew Caruso.
(crowd cheering) Pablo Kulyckyj.
(crowd cheering) Andrew Dagenais.
Marissa Henson.
(crowd cheering) Vanessa Najjar.
(crowd cheering) Katelyn Johnson.
(crowd cheering) Mikaela Vandenberg.
Chloe Jones.
(crowd cheering) Inna-Dominique Espinoza.
(crowd cheering) Alexis Wood.
Brendan Alison.
(crowd cheering) The graduates from the College of Arts and Letters, Claire Walsh.
Grace Rao.
Tia Trudgeon.
Isabelle Yumping.
Zenub Ahmad.
(crowd cheering) Claire Julia Houston.
Kelsey Welch.
Nala Davis.
(crowd cheering) Brendan Gillette.
Sophia Johnson Boysmere.
Kai Benson.
(crowd cheering) Rockila Young.
Angela Orr.
Destiny Robinson.
Tequila Beyers.
Peter Morrison.
Katelyn Sellick.
(crowd cheering) Morgan Venaas.
Abigail Girardot.
Jill Ciampa.
(crowd cheering) Andrew Keller.
Jacob O'Connor.
Alexa Hall.
(crowd cheering) Neelan Bosic.
Brandon Smith.
(crowd cheering) Clayton Kennedy.
(crowd cheering) Olivia Robinson.
Trinity Alexandria Watson.
Camille Allen.
Leway Mussray.
Dennis Cobb.
Justin Stovall.
(crowd cheering) Kirstin Cook.
Laurel Westcott.
Lauren Mirecki.
(crowd cheering) Olivia Schiro.
(crowd cheering) Kaley Brenizer.
Jazz Cheeks.
(crowd cheering) Kara Macharia.
(crowd cheering) Arianna Pittenger.
(crowd cheering) Megan Platts.
(crowd cheering) Alyssa Liebowitz.
(crowd cheering) Michala Peltz.
(crowd cheering) My daughter, Morgan Jolie Pohl.
(crowd cheering) Kayley Morrison.
(crowd cheering) Ian Dietrich.
(crowd cheering) Reagan Young.
(crowd cheering) Zoya Shevchenko.
Madison Sparks.
(crowd cheering) Meredith Bieber.
(crowd cheering) Taylor Clawson.
Megan Ross.
(crowd cheering) Hannah Boyd.
(crowd cheering) Katelyn Horgan.
Sarah Geist.
Anna Fillar.
Hannah Rosmergi.
Anna Dietrich.
(crowd cheering) Greg McClure.
Gabrielle White.
(crowd cheering) Leah Wright.
Emily Ailin Hobrla.
Tanvi Prabhakar.
Caroline Johnson.
(crowd cheering) Catherine Stark.
(crowd cheering) Sophie Schmidt.
Abigail Jaroszewicz.
(crowd cheering) Caitlin Urban.
Katelyn Kyava.
Samuel Bloch.
(crowd cheering) Josephine Davidson.
(crowd cheering) Paris Conquest.
(crowd cheering) Sarah Holmes.
Gabby Cushman.
(crowd cheering) Megan Elias.
Giovanni Regagni.
Jayla Jackson.
(crowd cheering) Cameron Vida.
Jordan Warren.
Autumn Hopkins.
(crowd cheering) Sierra Cornett.
(crowd cheering) Raymond Hill.
Jake Buckman.
Justin Alexander and Brandon Runyon.
(crowd cheering) (crowd chanting) (crowd cheering) - [Samuel] Graduates, please rise.
(crowd cheering) You are now MSU alumni, congratulations.
Please be seated.
May your Michigan State University degree provide a path to a future filled with happiness, service and personal and professional triumphs.
A great university and a world-class education are the result of the combined efforts of many dedicated people.
The contributions of Michigan State University faculty and staff are essential to your achievements, and our faculty and staff are a source of great pride to us.
I ask that the faculty and staff rise and accept our gratitude for their contributions, please rise.
(crowd cheering) And now, would the families and friends of our graduates who have contributed their love and support, please rise if they're able and accept our appreciation.
(crowd cheering) You may be seated.
Graduates, your foundation on which to seek truth and accumulate wisdom is firm.
Your qualifications as aware critical citizens have been established.
Now, you join a long line of Spartans who have contributed so much to their families, our nation and the world.
You join a group of more than half a million Spartans worldwide.
I hope you find ways to engage with this amazing global family.
And I wish you all a life graced by the joys of engagement and discovery and the fulfillment of making a positive difference in other people's lives.
I now invite all of you to join in singing the first stanza of the alma mater "MSU Shadows", which is in your program.
Miss Crowley will lead us in the singing.
Following the singing, we ask guests to remain seated until the recessional of the platform party and faculty has had a chance to depart.
Thank you again so much.
(crowd cheering) ♪ MSU, thy shadows ♪ ♪ When twilight silence falls ♪ ♪ Flushing deep and softly paling ♪ ♪ Over ivy covered halls ♪ ♪ Beneath the pines we'll gather ♪ ♪ To give our faith so true, ♪ ♪ Sing our love for Alma Mater ♪ ♪ And thy praises, MSU ♪ (celebratory marching band music) - [Announcer] Parents and families, meet your graduates outside Gilbert Pavilion Gate near the parking lots.