("Pomp and Circumstance")
- [Stephen] Ladies
and gentlemen,
the president of Michigan
State University,
Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon.
- Good afternoon, and welcome.
We're pleased you're
here to join us
for the spring convocation,
which marks the beginning of
Michigan State
University's commencement
activities for
graduating seniors.
At Michigan State University
we are committed to
our world class work,
guided by our land-grant ideals,
but we along with our
students are also committed to
meeting new challenges,
and continuing to
innovate our future.
We develop our plans and actions
from our deeply interwoven
core values of quality,
inclusion and connectivity.
Graduation is an important
and joyous occasion
for our graduates,
families and friends,
and for Michigan
State University.
In this ceremony,
we honor all 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.
We now ask our guests to
join students and faculty
in singing one stanza of
The Star Spangled Banner,
accompanied by the
MSU Wind Symphony
under the direction
of Dr. Kevin Sedatole,
Professor and Director of
Bands in the College of Music.
The singing will be
lead by Nicholas Prider,
a Masters degree student
in Music Performance
in the College of Music.
Upon conclusion of the singing,
please remain standing
for a moment of silence.
("The Star Spangled Banner")
♪ 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
♪ O'er the ramparts we watched
♪ Were so gallantly streaming
♪ And the rockets' red glare
♪ The bombs bursting in air
♪ Gave proof through the night
♪ That our flag was still there
♪ O say does that
star-spangled banner yet wave
♪ O'er the land of the free
♪ And the home of the brave
- Let us now pause for
a moment of silence,
to consider the purpose
which brings us here,
to give thanks each
in our own way,
particularly for the
education you have received,
and the friendships
you have enjoyed.
Please be seated.
Dr. Stephen Hsu,
Vice President for Research
and Graduate Studies
will present the honorary
degree candidates.
- [Stephen] Dr. Avery,
please come forward.
President Simon,
I have the privilege to
present Dr. Susan Avery,
for awarding of the
honorary degree,
Doctor of Science.
- You're a pioneer
in the integration
of atmospheric and
climate sciences,
and it's impact on society.
You began your
studies in Physics
as an undergraduate at
Michigan State University,
and went on to earn a doctorate
in Atmospheric Sciences
at the University of Illinois.
As a professor at the
University of Colorado,
you combined these interests
to develop new approaches
and technologies for
observing and measuring
the Earth's upper atmosphere.
You've made contributions
at all levels of academe.
From developing science programs
for K12 students and teachers,
to training graduate students
to serving in university
leadership roles.
You've also made significant
contributions to public policy
both at the national and
international levels,
serving on boards and
advisory committees,
including the United Nations
Scientific Advisory Board.
During your career,
your influence has
been recognized
through many prestigious honors.
You are also the past
President and Director
of Woods Holes
Oceanographic Institute,
and the first woman
to hold that position
in nearly it's 80 year history.
As a role model and mentor
to other female scientists,
you continue to promote
and recruit new scientists.
For your significant
contributions to research,
teaching and public policy,
I am pleased to award you
the honorary degree
Doctor of Science,
from Michigan State University.
(audience applause)
- Thank you President Simon,
Provost Youatt,
Vice President Hsu.
I am honored,
and even surprised to receive
this wonderful recognition
from my alma mater.
I've always believed that
my undergraduate degree
in Physics from MSU provided
the foundation for my career.
Mentorship from the
faculty made me aware of
the possibilities and rewards
of continuing my education,
and provided role
models for my academic
and professional development.
The diverse educational
opportunities available
through the Honors College,
and the undergraduate research
supported by the
Physics department,
helped shaped my
interdisciplinary approaches
to problem solving.
I also met my future
husband in Physics class.
Very romantic.
To the graduating students,
you may have thought that you
have completed your finals.
But my generation has given you,
out of a combination
of innocent ignorance,
and willful neglect,
the greatest challenge
that you must solve.
How to keep our planet alive
and supportive of the
needs of humanity.
The solution to this problem
is not in the back of the book,
and asking the Google
won't solve it either.
The problem is complex,
and requires innovative
and interdisciplinary
approaches and solutions.
In your hands are the knowledge,
tools,
and methodologies needed
to make necessary progress.
Participation will be
needed from graduates
in every field of
study MSU offers.
Who will do this?
Spartans will.
Congratulations to
you on your hard work,
and to your families
for their support,
that allowed you to reach
this moment of celebration.
I look forward to
being amazed by
and proud of your
future accomplishments.
Thank you.
(audience applause)
- [Stephen] Dr. Shin,
will you please join me.
President Simon,
I have the privilege to
present Dr. Joon-shik Shin,
for awarding of the
honorary degree,
Doctor of Science.
- Your Chairman and Founder
of the Jaseng Hospital
of Oriental Medicine,
the largest hospital in Korea,
specializing in
non-surgical treatment
of spine and joint disorders.
You also founded a
research institute,
and a biotechnology
research institute as well.
You are a world renowned pioneer
in integrating Eastern
and Western medicine.
You have developed a practice
based on manual medicine,
acupuncture,
and the use of herbal medicine,
while incorporating
modern radiology
and laboratory sciences.
You are involved in the training
of students and physicians,
as well as promising
research initiatives
through MSU's College
of Osteopathic Medicine,
the MSU Institute for
International Health,
the American
Osteopathic Association,
and the Michigan
Osteopathic Association.
You hold a Korean
Medicine doctorate, KMD,
and a doctorate from Kyung
Hee University of Seoul.
You have written 25 books,
key research papers in
international journals,
acquired 16 Korean patents
and three US patents.
Your contributions to the
medical profession have been
recognized in Korea with three
Presidential Commendations,
and many awards.
For your global leadership
in advancing medical care,
embracing both traditional
concepts and new science,
I am pleased to award
you the honorary degree
Doctor of Science from
Michigan State University.
(audience applause)
- It's great to be presented
with an honorary degree,
Doctor of Science at
Michigan State University.
I would like to thank
President Simon,
Dean Strampel,
also the Provost and
Executive Vice President
of College of Academic
Human Resources,
and Professor Dulebohn,
Human Resources and
Labor Relations,
and also Associate
Director Sung Soo Chung
of the Institute of
International Health
for making all of this possible.
I would also like to
thank Dean Kirkpatrick
of the College Natural Science,
for allowing my son to graduate.
I feel being an honorary
degree Doctor of Science
is not only a personal honor,
but also a national
honor for Korea.
I hope this honorary degree
may contribute to MSU
and testing for
research and development
of science and medicine.
Thank you.
(audience applause)
- [Stephen] Mr. Gibson
will you join me.
President Simon,
I have the privilege to
present Mr. Kirk Gibson,
for awarding of the
honorary degree,
Doctor of Humanities.
- You're a former baseball
outfielder who was named
a National League Most
Valuable Player in 1988
when you played for the
Los Angeles Dodgers.
In addition you played for
the Kansas City Royals,
the Pittsburgh Pirates,
and the Detroit Tigers.
You are World Series
champion twice,
an American League champion
series Most Valuable Player,
and you received a
Silver Slugger Award.
You were a coach with
the Detroit Tigers
and the Arizona Diamondbacks,
and were named a National League
Manager of the Year in 2011.
However baseball was not
the scene of your most
and your first important
athletic triumph.
As a student at Michigan
State University,
you were an All-American
wide receiver in football.
You set school and
conference records,
and you were recently elected to
the College Football Hall
of Fame in January 2017.
Recently you accepted
a new challenge
to inspire others with
your unflagging spirit.
After your diagnosis
with Parkinson's Disease,
you chose to be
visible and vocal,
saying there's a new World
Series you're trying to win,
and it has to do with
Parkinson's Disease.
You define what it means
to really be a Spartan.
For your stirring
victories in sport,
and your advocacy
for fighting disease,
I am pleased to award
you the honorary degree
Doctor of Humanities from
Michigan State University.
(audience applause)
- President Simon,
distinguished guests,
faculty members,
ladies and gentlemen.
The teleprompter is not working
so I will go to the paper.
(audience laughter)
Always gotta be
something doesn't it.
Fellow Spartans.
I am delighted to join you
as we salute the
outstanding graduates.
In honoring them we pay
tribute to their hard work,
tenacity,
and devotion to excellence.
We also and especially
salute the parents,
families,
teachers and friends,
who's encouragement,
love,
and support have
touched their lives
and made this day possible.
No one can visit
this beautiful campus
without feeling a
sense of history.
So much of what we
think of as great
about America has been taught,
researched,
and lived here.
In so many ways,
the quality of it's faculty
and academic programs,
it's diverse and highly
accomplished student body,
it's storied past,
and it's promising future,
Michigan State
University remains one of
the world's leading centers
of higher education
and research.
It also is a place
where friendships begin
and last for a long time.
For example,
I recently attended a
reunion with my teammates
from the 1978 Big Ten
championship football team.
It's always a great time to
catch up and rehash old stories.
But it's strange,
because whenever
we get together,
the stories change a
little bit every year.
(audience laughter)
I trust my version of course,
having a phenomenal memory for
even the smallest of details.
But some of those guys,
well let's just say the years
have clouded their memories.
For instance two years
ago we were talking about
how we used to stop by the
men's IM pool to jump off
the 10 meter board after
returning from a late dinner
in East Lansing at 2:30 AM.
That was before they
put up the high fence
to keep people from leaping
off the platform unintended.
I was the guy saying no
let's don't do that guys!
That's exactly how it was.
I remember it if
it was yesterday.
But to hear them
some 30 years later,
not only did I not do that,
they say I was the
first one off the board.
And then this year we go again
because we do it every year.
Some new guys joined us and
they rehashed that story again,
it changes.
This time they say I was naked.
(audience laughter)
So please take my advice.
Keep recording every moment of
your life on your smartphone.
That way you'll have
proof 30 years from now.
And when they change the story,
you can unincriminate
yourself and look very smart.
Come to think of it,
at our next reunion,
I'm gonna make those guys
start calling me Dr. Gibson.
(audience applause)
And who knows from now on I
may dish out some good advice,
to people who didn't
even ask for it.
Like today.
Like right now.
(audience laughter)
So let's dig in.
I always consider giving
advice very serious business.
Who can forget the story of
the Greek philosopher Socrates?
He went around
giving great advice,
and they poisoned him.
I think I'm safe
because unlike Socrates,
I don't have a perfect
formula for success,
but I have seen things that
successful people share.
Qualities that
guide their contact.
Work habits and relationships.
Today I'll mention a few
that I've adopted myself.
You can decide how they
might apply to your future.
First,
no matter what you
decide to do in life,
do it the right way
and be your best.
Always do it with integrity.
Tigers manager Sparky
Anderson used to tell us
that it's not worth doing if
you taint your accomplishment.
Be tenacious.
Think of all the nights
you stayed up late,
drank too much coffee,
and coped with stress by
scrolling through memes.
(audience laughter)
You will face many
obstacles in your life,
don't read your own
press clippings,
and stay on task.
I encourage you to
become your own expert.
Start living like the person
that you want to become.
Remain humble,
and always treat others
with kindness and respect.
A harsh comment can
hurt another person.
But a kind word can
produce amazing things.
Like each of you,
I left MSU much
more accomplished
than when I arrived.
My goal was to get
a great education,
and be drafted in the NFL.
Little did I know I
would have a choice
between professional
baseball and football.
I chose baseball because of
the longevity of my career.
And I was fortunate to
have a 17 year career,
and win two World
Series championships.
(audience applause)
By earning the honor
of being here today,
you are better prepared to
pursue your calling in life.
How far do you wanna go?
How willing are you to stay
determined and pay the price?
Think about it.
I believe how vividly
you can imagine something
determines how
real it can become.
What is your will to succeed?
What is your World Series?
Think about it.
Go for it.
Think big.
It might make you
feel uncomfortable
having me talk to you that way.
That's because we
all have a picture
in our mind of who we are,
and who we can become.
Our subconscious mind
will always keep us
as we see ourselves.
So to win your World Series,
to achieve your greatest goals,
you must be willing to
change your own picture
of who you are today.
I found the will to
change my picture,
and it transformed my life.
And you can do it too,
if you choose to.
It begins with the power
of positive thinking.
In other words,
developing a positive
affirmation or idea
that you imprint in your mind.
Write down your affirmation
as it is already happened.
Then form a vivid image of
what you want to achieve,
and imprint that image in your
mind by recalling and feeling
the emotions of other
great moments in your life.
Positive thinking
gives us control over
what we let into our
subconscious mind.
It changes a negative
into something good.
It reminds us to treat
people with respect.
It opens our eyes to the joy
of being a blessing to others.
Giving credit to our teammates,
our coworkers.
It strengthens our
character and prepares us
to take on any new
challenge or opportunity.
And best of all,
everyone who meets you will
want you on their team.
I got noticed in high
school because a scout
went to West Bloomfield
to see another player.
He just happened to see
me score two touchdowns
for Waterford Kettering.
So everywhere you go,
you're being
observed and scouted.
You're being recruited.
That led to me being recruited
to the Spartan football team.
I was the last guy they
picked up that year.
But because I made the most of
it because I was determined,
and had great resolve.
That attitude also
helped me meet some
great mentors in my life.
A good mentor is someone
who cares about you,
gives you honest
advice and warns you
when you're headed in
the wrong direction.
Sparky Anderson
was a great mentor.
In 1983,
my worst year in baseball,
he said to me,
kid,
your habits are all going
in the wrong direction.
I'm gonna bring you to
your knees this year.
You're gonna be a
designated hitter.
When the easy
pitches are pitching,
you won't play.
When the hall of famers
are playing and pitching,
the tough guys
throwing the hardest,
I'll let you play.
That's it.
You either change your attitude
or I'll send you
home to your Mommy.
The next year I homered
against the San Diego Padres
in the World Series.
And we went on to
win in five games.
From mentors like Sparky,
I learned to slow
down and listen.
They help you
change your future,
mentors do,
begin your journey towards a
successful and meaningful life.
All of those lessons that
I've talked about so far
came home to me in
the 1988 World Series
between the LA Dodgers
and the Oakland Athletics.
We were down four to
three with two outs
in the bottom of the ninth.
I had an injured
knee in one leg,
and a torn hamstring
in the other.
I was watching the game on TV
in the Dodgers training room.
This little voice in my
head was saying stay comfy,
you don't want in
this game at all,
you got a torn knee,
torn hamstring,
just stay comfortable.
Don't go out there and face
the great Dennis Eckersley.
But I never listened to
those negative thoughts
in those situations,
because that's
when I do my best.
That's how I see myself.
To imprint that thought,
I remembered in
the 84 World Series
when I had homered
off Goose Gossage.
How when I rounded the bases,
my teammates were
jumping up and down.
The celebration,
the Tigers fans going wild.
In my mind,
I could still feel
that excitement.
I painted the moment
about to come.
How thrilling it was to
experience such a moment.
Backing out of this
challenge was not an option.
I told my manager Tommy
Lasorda I was ready to hit.
For some reason he agreed.
And that was a
World Series for me,
a moment,
my second,
with two outs,
a full count,
and no knees,
I homered over the right
field wall and we won the game
and went on to win
the World Series.
(audience applause)
After you leave here today,
your own World Series can
play out in a similar way.
In your first job interview,
you will be confident
being uncomfortable.
It may not work every time,
but you'll always have a
go for it state of mind.
This is how you can
win your World Series,
set ambitious
goals for yourself.
Big goals.
Be a team player.
A true definition of a
champion is win against a team
where nobody cares
who gets the credit.
Your team's success
is your success.
That's true at work,
and it's true in home.
Family and friends
are everything to me,
as I'm sure they are to you.
The greatest blessings in all
my life are my wife JoAnn,
my best friend and
love of 31 years,
and my four children,
Colleen,
Kirk Robert,
Kevin,
and Cameron.
My sisters Jackie and Tina,
and the woman who's love
helped make me all that I am,
my mother,
is here with us today.
Thank you Mom.
You know how much I love you.
(audience applause)
Everything you have learned
here has prepared you
for great challenges and
opportunities to come.
But tomorrow,
when the excitement
of graduation is gone,
and you're striking
out on your own,
will you be ready to write
your own success story?
Only you can answer that.
A great university is
known by the quality
of it's graduates.
When you leave here today,
you will carry Michigan
State's reputation with you.
I hope you honor that.
And I hope you do it proudly.
The parents,
families,
and friends who have
come to honor you today
deserve your gratitude.
In countless ways,
they have given you the
foundation for a better life.
And you have made
the best of it.
Cherish it.
Cherish them.
Thank them.
Parents,
grandparents,
brothers and sisters,
aunts and uncles,
your teachers.
That special friend.
Thank them all for what
they have given you.
Always remember that
ours is a free country,
where you can conceive
and achieve anything,
fulfill any dream,
and master your own destiny.
The human mind has great
power and potential.
Work hard and push forward
with unyielding energy
as you pursue your dreams.
Be bold!
Never ever give up.
If you believe you can,
you will.
You've invested a lot to
arrive to this great day.
But there's still a
lifetime ahead of you.
You took a gamble to get here,
but this is not Las Vegas.
What happened here
must not stay here.
Go share it with the world!
You are Spartans.
I believe you will.
Spartans will.
Who will?
- [Audience] Spartans will!
- Who will?
- [Audience] Spartans will!
- Go green!
- [Audience] Go white!
- [Kirk] Go green!
- [Audience] Go white!
- [Kirk] Thank you.
(audience applause)
- Thank you very much.
Kirk there's a
camera over there.
And may I be the first one
to call you Dr. Gibson?
- [Kirk] Yes you may.
- We are now have the
privilege of hearing
the MSU Wind Symphony
under direction
of Dr. Kevin Sedatole
perform MSU Fantasy.
("MSU Fantasy")
- Thank you Dr. Sedatole and
members of the Wind Symphony.
The Chair of the MSU
Board of Trustees,
the Honorable Brian
Breslin from Alto,
will address the graduates and
guests after Trustee Breslin,
and Provost and Executive Vice
President June Pierce Youatt
will present the members
of the platform party.
- Thank you President Simon
and good afternoon to everyone.
On behalf of the MSU
Board of Trustees,
I'd like to welcome all of the
graduates and your families,
and their friends
who have joined us
for this afternoon's ceremony.
Under the Michigan Constitution,
the Board of Trustees
is the governing body
of the University
by who's authority
these degrees are being granted.
At this time,
I'd like to recognize
my colleagues
that are here from
the MSU Board.
First,
the Honorable Dianne Byrum
from Onondaga township.
(audience applause)
And the Honorable Dan
Kelly from Clarkston.
(audience applause)
Today's ceremony
represents the culmination
of academic achievement.
For many of you and your
families here today,
the sacrifices have
been long and great.
The degree you have earned
acknowledges your success,
and it honors those
who have encouraged
and supported you
in so many ways.
Our wish is that you
will use your knowledge
and your understanding to
improve the quality of life
in your community,
and advance the common good.
Our faculty,
our administrators,
and your Board of Trustees
are all very proud of you.
Thank you for allowing
us to be part of this
very special time with you.
Our hearty congratulations
and remember,
Spartans will.
Go green!
- [Audience] Go white!
(audience applause)
- Thank you Trustee Breslin.
Now I'd like to present
members of the platform party
who will not be coming
to the microphone.
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 will ask the audience
to hold your applause
until all have been introduced.
Bill Beekman,
Vice President and Secretary
of the Board of Trustees.
Sekhar Chivukula,
Associate Provost for
Undergraduate Education,
and Dean of
Undergraduate Studies.
John Gaboury,
Associate Provost
for Academic Services
and Enrollment Management,
and Chairperson of the
Commencement Committee.
Robert Groves,
Vice President for
University Advancement.
Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore,
Dean,
Honors College.
Denise Maybank,
Vice President for Student
Affairs and Services.
Scott Westerman,
Associate Vice President
for Alumni Relations,
and Executive Director of
the MSU Alumni Association.
Deborah Moriarty,
Chairperson of the
Steering Committee
of Academic Governance,
and the University Maysparer.
Now please continue
to hold your applause
while I introduce the Deans of
the degree granting Colleges.
First,
Ronald Hendrick,
Dean,
College of Agriculture
and Natural Resources.
Stephen Esquith,
Dean,
Residential College in
the Arts and Humanities.
Christopher Long,
Dean,
College of Arts and Letters.
Sanjay Gupta,
Dean,
Eli Broad College of Business.
Prabu David,
Dean,
College of Communication
Arts and Sciences.
Robert Floden,
Dean,
College of Education.
Leo Kempel,
Dean,
College of Engineering.
Julia Grant,
Associate Dean,
James Madison College.
Elizabeth Simmons,
Dean,
Lyman Briggs College.
James Forger,
Dean,
College of Music.
R. James Kirkpatrick,
Dean,
College of Natural Sciences.
Randolph Rasch,
Dean,
College of Nursing.
William Strampel,
Dean,
College of Osteopathic Medicine.
And finally,
Rachel Croson,
Dean,
College of Social Science.
Please join me in applause.
(audience applause)
Now it's my pleasure to
invite graduating senior,
Matthew St. Germain,
to deliver the student address.
Matthew was selected by
the Senior Class Council
to represent the class of 2017.
(audience applause)
- Thank you very much.
Before I begin today,
I have one small favor
to ask of you all.
A few years ago,
I had the privilege of
standing in front of
my high school graduating class,
and giving an address
similar to the one
I have the honor of
giving you today.
As any excited pop culture
high school student would,
I naturally took the
opportunity to take a selfie.
And now,
as I stand before you today,
I ask that you don't
judge too harshly,
and feel free to join in as
I continue this tradition.
(audience laughter)
(audience applause)
Thank you.
Congratulations class of 2017.
We did it!
Ya!
(audience applause)
Each of us has taken a
unique path to get here.
But we have finally arrived.
From this point forward,
we will forever be known as
Michigan State
University alumni.
Regardless of our chosen majors,
the number of courses
we had to retake,
or how many years
we took to get here,
we will forever be united
through our experiences
and by our bond as Spartans.
During the journey,
some of us had the
opportunity to learn about
monsters and robots in our
IAH Science Fiction courses.
While others learned how
to build real life robots.
Some of us learned to
live on very little sleep
during our time here,
while others learned how to
nap between every single class.
Some of us worked
seven days a week,
while many of us took some time
on Saturdays to enjoy those
B-E-A-uiful days for football.
All right there we go.
Together,
we made strides in
human and social rights
for people around the globe.
We are among one of the
first graduating classes
to experience a
historically unprecedented
Presidential election.
And we've probably also done
our part in contributing
to the 2.5 billion snaps sent
on Snapchat every single day.
We've shared moments
of pure bliss,
watching our football team
become Rose Bowl champions,
and win the greatest upset
in College Football history,
when Jalen Watts-Jackson
scored on the last
play of the game!
(audience applause)
As these experiences
become memories,
we now come together as Michigan
State University graduates.
As the class of 2017,
and as members of
Spartan nation,
we will represent the
family we have here
for the rest of our lives.
And as Spartans,
we have a duty to ourselves,
a duty to each other,
and a duty to this world,
to leave it better
than we found it.
I am confident that never before
has there been a generation
of aspiring individuals
with such a palpable longing
and capability to make a
difference in the world.
Look around you.
This room is full of Spartans,
who undoubtedly shared the
desire to change the world,
help people,
and make a difference.
Many call us entitled.
But what I see is a
generation of students
who expect nothing but the best.
Keep expecting the
best of yourselves
and the best of others.
Are we entitled to success?
No.
We must earn it.
And I believe that we
are willing to work
toward achieving
our aspirations.
Some will say our
dreams are unrealistic.
Or improbable.
But so what?
Without question,
people doubted the
women who stood bravely
for the right to vote when
passing the 19th Amendment.
And people doubted Dr. Martin
Luther King Junior's dream
of a world where people are
judged by their character.
No one ever changed
the world by accepting
the way things are instead of
working for what should be.
During my time at
Michigan State,
I've been fortunate enough
to have mentors that have
taught me lessons that have
impacted my Spartan journey,
and I hope that these
will help you on yours.
The first lesson
is to be grateful.
Instead of apologizing
for so many things,
we should learn to
be grateful for more.
Don't say I apologize
for being late.
Say thank you for your patience.
I appreciate your understanding.
When dealing with a Wolverine,
don't say I'm sorry we beat you.
Say thank you for buying all
of the khakis from Walmart.
(audience laughter)
We should wake up everyday
and be grateful for our lives.
Be grateful for
our opportunities,
be grateful for the stranger
who smiles at you on the street.
The second lesson is
to embrace silence.
Whether you're
waiting to hear back
from a prospective employer,
or that girl that you
just wish would respond,
silence can be anxiety
ridden and stressful.
But silence is also a gift.
It gives you an opportunity
to learn about yourself.
To push your own boundaries,
and to seek out the unknown.
And the third lesson
maybe more than anything,
is to be kind.
Yes,
there are people who will
take advantage of kindness.
But be kind anyway.
A Spartan's duty is not
forcing change upon this world,
but rather planting a seed
that can grow through
years to come.
Spartans fight
for what is right,
no matter the cost.
Be kind to yourself.
When you wake up,
greet yourself with a smile.
Be kind to others.
When you see your neighbor,
give them a rowdy
good morning neighbor.
If you see trash on the street,
gladly pick it up.
Volunteer to take care
of your neighbor's cat.
But buy them a dog because
they actually definitely
need a dog.
(audience laughter)
Every moment of everyday,
gives us an opportunity
to be grateful,
embrace silence,
and be kind.
Even to Wolverines.
Let's prove that the
haters are not right,
and that we can
change the world,
making it a better place.
Would you rather
look back and say,
I did my best to
make a difference,
or be forced to say I
could have done more.
We can have a positive influence
by showing compassion
to all people,
even the people we dislike.
By having patience with
those who frustrate us,
and by loving those who
we might rather hate.
So what do you say
Spartan nation?
Let's reject
negative perceptions
and set a new
precedent for success.
Let's show the world that
the Michigan State University
class of 2017 can truly make
a difference in the world.
And when someone asks you
how will you ever do that?
All you need to say
is Spartans will.
Thank you very much.
(audience applause)
- Thank you Matthew.
The Senior Class Council
has worked tirelessly
toward the Senior
Class Gift Campaign.
The presentation will be made by
Kaitlin Manly and Isha Abbasi.
(audience applause)
- Thank you President
Simon and Provost Youatt.
Good afternoon graduates,
family, friends, and
members of MSU faculty.
My name is Kaitlin Manly.
- And my name is Isha Abbasi.
We are the Senior Class
Campaign Co-Chairs
from your Senior Class Council.
We are very proud to
represent this year's
senior class of 2017.
Being representatives
for this class
has been a wonderful and
rewarding experience.
- We would like to congratulate
all of the seniors
graduating today,
and wish them success
wherever their path may lead.
We know that wherever
life takes you,
you will always carry
the Spartan spirit
that unites us all.
- Although MSU is home
to 50,000 students,
we have managed to create an
incredible sense of community.
It's that community
that will follow us
throughout our whole life,
wherever we may go.
Always reminding us the proper
way to respond to go green.
- [Audience] Go white!
- As you know,
the Senior Class Gift has been
a tradition here since 1873,
with the first gift being
the rock on Farm Lane
that we have all come
to know and love.
The Senior Class
Gift has always been
a way for us to come together,
and leave our legacy before go.
- This year,
our Senior Class
Gift was transformed
into the gift of giving
back to the community.
We opted to take
this new direction in
order to leave behind
a legacy that best represents
who we are as a senior class.
Launching our Senior
Class Campaign,
we encouraged students to
donate to the organizations
and causes on campus that
meant the most to them.
- It was important to us
that these organizations
have the resources to
continue to thrive.
The generous contributions
we have collected will help
to ensure that the organizations
that have supported
and assisted us in our
journey will be available
for generations of
Spartans to come.
- Our council focused our
efforts in MSU Safe Place.
An organization that works
to provide resources and aid
to victims of domestic
abuse and sexual violence.
We are proud to have benefited
such a deserving organization
that has served as
a support system
to many in our community.
This was an issue that the
council felt very passionately
about and it was evident
from the support we received
that our fellow Spartans
felt passionately as well.
- We are very thankful to all
who helped us reach our goal,
and donated to any
and all organizations
that impacted them
during their time at MSU.
We are very proud
of the contributions
we were able to make
to these commendable
organizations.
And no,
it would not have been
possible without the help
of our fellow Spartans.
It is safe to say that
this year's senior class
left behind a legacy
of philanthropy.
- We are honored to present
this check for $17,451
to President Simon,
on behalf of the May
2017 graduating class.
Thank you again
for your support,
and remember seniors,
today is only the first
step in a lifelong journey
of personal growth
and achievement.
As you move forward
in your journey,
and your college years
become a distant memory,
never forget your
Spartan community.
Regardless of our future
profession and destiny,
we are Spartans
and we bleed green.
Congratulations seniors.
(audience applause)
- Thank you Kaitlin and Isha.
Now we turn to the
recognition of our graduates.
We wish first to recognize
the 52 graduating seniors
who completed their academic
programs successfully,
and have the distinction
of maintaining
the highest grade point
average in the class,
thereby meriting the
Board of Trustees Award.
To be eligible for this award,
at least 3/4 of the credits
for the degree earned
in residence at Michigan
State University.
All 52 recipients
this year earned
a perfect 4.0 grade
point average.
(audience applause)
As I read their names,
I will ask each to stand
and remain standing,
and audience if you
could hold your applause
until you've had a chance to
meet all 52 4.0 recipients.
Emily Aaron,
Education Honors College.
Sydney Barraso,
Biological Science,
Honors College.
Kristin Brant,
Communication,
Honors College.
Paige Bruno,
Advertising.
Nicole Cappello,
Zoology,
Honors College.
Rebecca Carlson,
Chemical Engineer,
Honors College.
Jamie Carlsit,
Accounting,
Honors College.
Rebecca Clancy,
Psychology,
Honors College.
Kristin Krippin,
Hospitality Business,
Honors College.
Samuel Decker,
Zoology,
Honors College.
Hailey Dinedorf,
Nursing.
Amman Devlin,
Environmental Studies
and Sustainability,
Honors College.
Timothy Glue,
Accounting,
Honors College.
Rebecca Gors,
Human Biology.
Emily Groeppel,
Kinesiology,
Honors College.
Thomas Grubb,
Advanced Mathematics,
Honors College.
Shawn Dettor Haldar,
Human Biology.
Jeffrey Hall,
Mechanical Engineering,
Honors College.
Daniel Homack,
Advertising,
Honors College.
Kaitlin Horner,
Neuroscience,
Honors College.
Jackie Shiah,
Supply Chain Management.
Shi Chi Huang,
Supply Chain Management.
Brooklyn Idolsky,
Human Biology.
Taylor Joseph,
Mathematics,
Honors College.
Julia Kerwin,
Nutritional Science,
Honors College.
Ilisha Kolfer,
Material Science
and Engineering,
Honors College.
Jacob Krumrey,
Mechanical Engineering,
Honors College.
Shelby Lonenstater,
Social Work.
David McLelldan,
Neuroscience,
Honors College.
Elizabeth Migno,
Accounting.
Mariah Moore,
Human Biology,
Honors College.
Olena Omara,
Neuroscience,
Honors College.
Kristina Pastoria,
International
Relations, Economics,
Honors College.
Kristin Preeslosky,
Physiology,
Honors College.
Harrison Quall,
Genomics and Molecular Genetics,
Honors College.
Teresa Quaderer,
Kinesiology.
Alaina Rasmussen,
Nutritional Science,
Honors College.
Alissa Rolle,
Education,
Honors College.
Luke Shikto,
Physiology,
Honors College.
Rajeeg Schwager,
Food Science,
Honors College.
Patrick Settlemeier,
General Management,
Honors College.
Karah Smith,
English,
Psychology,
and Honors College.
Lindsey Snider,
Music Education,
Honors College.
Milan Spanpinato,
Criminal Justice,
Honors College.
James Stuckinakos the Third,
Human Biology,
Honors College.
Olena Tamorini,
Music Education,
Honors College.
Angela Terranova,
Social Work.
Matthew Vasser,
Biosystems Engineering,
Honors College.
Samantha Ward,
Professional Writing,
Honors College.
John Wensel the Fourth,
Psychology,
Honors College.
John Wonderjim,
Special Education,
Learning Disabilities,
Honors College.
Tong Yung Zhao,
Actuarial Science.
That's our 52 4.0 winners.
(audience applause)
Thank you.
You should be very proud.
Next I'd like to introduce
the students who earned
major national and
international scholarships
and fellowships.
Again I ask each to stand
as his or her name is read
and please remain standing,
and then we will
congratulate them all.
Margaret Bourne,
Comparative Culture
and Politics,
Arabic,
Honors College.
Awarded a Mitchell Scholarship.
Rebecca Carlson is a
Chemical Engineering major,
Honors College,
awarded a Gold
Water Scholarship,
a Hertz Fellowship,
and a National
Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship.
Thomas Grubb,
Mathematics,
Economics and Honors College.
Awarded a Gold
Water Scholarship.
Kerwis Hamlin,
Geographic Information Science.
Awarded a National
Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship.
Ali Kalum,
History and Human Biology,
Awarded a Full
Bright Scholarship.
Elisa Klopver,
Material Science
and Engineering,
Honors College.
Awarded a National
Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship.
Madison Mall,
Music Education.
Awarded a Full
Bright Scholarship.
Austin Martin,
Human Biology.
Awarded a Boren Scholarship.
Shelby Shellder,
Nutritional Science,
Honors College.
Awarded a Udall Scholarship.
Matthew Sawandi,
Mathematics,
Economics,
Honors College.
Awarded a National
Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship.
Katrina Zhao,
Environmental Engineering.
Awarded a National
Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship.
Alison Tooma,
Arabic,
Media and Information.
Awarded a Boren Scholarship.
Marta Wurbinowska,
Professional Writing and German,
awarded a Full
Bright Scholarship.
Now please join me in
applauding all of these
outstanding seniors
for their achievements.
(audience applause)
Thank you.
Next I'd like to
introduce three students
selected for the Louis
Sudler Prize in the arts.
Please stand as
your name is read.
Hannah Martin,
Theater.
Joseph Leverva,
Music Performance.
And Bronwyn McVeigh,
Music Performance,
Honors College.
Congratulations.
(audience applause)
Students who participate in
and fulfill the requirements
of the Honors
College by completing
enriched programs of study,
are identified as graduating
with Honors College distinction,
and where the white stole
with the HC designation.
All students graduating as
members of the Honors College
please stand and accept
our congratulations.
(audience applause)
Thank you.
Next we recognize our
students who are graduating
with an Honors Distinction.
Students who attain a grade
point average of at least
3.89 are awarded
University high honor.
University honor is awarded
to students who have earned
a grade point average
of at least 3.71.
These honors are
designated by the gold cord
worn with the academic gown.
Would all students who are
graduating with high honor,
and with honor please stand
and accept our congratulations.
(audience applause)
We would also like to thank
those who have worked diligently
during this past year
representing the senior class.
We congratulate each of you
for your standing contribution
to the class of 2017.
Would members of the
Senior Class Council
please stand now so we
can show our thanks.
(audience applause)
I'd like also to
acknowledge those students
who were selected to
represent their Colleges
by carrying the College banner
in both the processional
and the recessional.
Please stand so we can
give you our thanks.
(audience applause)
And finally,
in recognition of Michigan
State University's ongoing
commitment to study abroad,
I ask all graduates who
while at MSU participated
in a study abroad
program to please stand,
so we can recognize you.
(audience applause)
Thank you.
- Thank you Provost Youatt.
We are equally proud
of the graduates,
all of our graduates
and their achievements.
They're all going to
be world changers.
Your degrees will be conferred
at your College
commencement ceremonies.
Now will all the members of
the graduating class of 2017,
our newest world changers,
please rise so we can
thank you for being
an important part of
team MSU now and forever.
(audience applause)
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Please be seated.
An important group of people,
the family and friends
of our graduates.
You have contributed your love,
understanding,
and support to the achievements
we recognize today,
and will throughout the weekend.
Would the families and
friends of our graduates
joining us this afternoon,
would you allow us to
rise and please accept
our appreciation for
all that you've done.
Families.
Thank you.
(audience applause)
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Graduation is indeed
a wonderful time.
As someone with a long
standing connection
to Michigan State,
I've had many opportunities
to interact with students,
faculty and staff,
and also alumni.
At home,
across the nation
and around the globe.
Much has changed along
the banks of the red cedar
since I first enrolled in 1970,
but the core values of
the University remain.
Michigan State's legendary
President John Hannah
confirm the bond we hold
with each of our graduates
when he said and I quote,
until the moment
degrees are conferred,
and diplomas presented,
our University and it's students
are in a temporary relationship.
Each can disclaim
the other at any time
before that final moment.
He goes on to say what when
commencement is concluded,
Michigan State University places
it's stamp of approval on you.
You become a part of
this University forever.
Members of the class of 2017,
forever starts now.
Congratulations.
Go green and come home often.
(audience applause)
I now invite all of you
to join in the singing
of the first stanza
of the alma mater,
MSU Shadows,
which you will find
in your program.
Mr. Nicholas Prider will
lead us in the singing
upon conclusion of the singing,
we request that our students
and guests be seated
during the recessional
of the platform party.
("MSU Shadows")
♪ MSU we love thy shadows
♪ When twilight silence falls
♪ Flushing deep
and softly paling
♪ O'er 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
(audience applause)
("Pomp and Circumstance")