(upbeat jazz music) - Introducing the interim president of Michigan State University, Teresa K. Woodruff.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon everyone.

On behalf of Michigan State University and all of us here with me.

Welcome to the fall 2022 Advanced Degree commencement ceremony.

(audience applauding) I'm so pleased we can all be here together in a place that has seen many Spartan triumphs to celebrate this milestone.

Today we recognize the excellence and determination exhibited by graduates to arrive at this point in the contributions of those who supported their educational journeys.

My own sojourns across our lovely campus, take me past Beaumont Tower, rising from the site of MSU's first instructional building.

College Hall is long gone, but its significance transcends this university, the first building in America to offer instruction in scientific agriculture.

So it is very appropriate that Beaumont Tower features a stone carving, bearing the image of the sower, a pastoral figure casting seed.

Beyond paying homage to our agricultural roots, the allegorical sower symbolizes the virtue of investing today to reap tomorrow's harvest.

Together, we too have sewn the seeds of future bounty for our advanced degree graduates and for a society very much in need of your knowledge, energy, and with each turning season, your growing wisdom.

So... (scattered applause) So today we honor MSU's 167 year old mission of education, research, and outreach as we certify that these graduates are equipped to engage and thrive in a dynamic world.

Graduates, I want to tell you that as the proud daughter and granddaughter of teachers as well as a lifelong educator, I have always most enjoyed my time spent with students and watching you transform into our next generation of problem solvers, creators and leaders.

Having worked alongside many graduate students over the years, I appreciate the incredible effort it has taken to reach this day and to prepare you for the future as globally-engaged citizens and leaders.

Indeed, your advanced degree have demanded many special qualities, intelligence certainly, but also originality, dedication, and hard work.

Combined with such valuable attributes, I am confident your advanced degree will serve you well wherever you go from here, and I wanna thank you for your partnership in fulfilling the university's commitment to transmitting knowledge and transforming lives.

So let's celebrate this joyous occasion with our colleagues, families and friends.

So let's begin by asking all of us to join students and family in singing one stanza of the Star Spangled Banner performed by the MSU Jazz Orchestra Two, under the direction of Professor Anthony Stanko.

Anthony.

And actually, the singing is going to be performed by Sarah Whitaker, who is one of our performance majors in music.

(drum roll music) ♪ 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 ♪ ♪ Thru 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 ♪ (audience applauding) - Thank you very much.

Let us all now pause for a moment of silence to consider the purpose which brings us here today, to give thanks each in our own way for the education and guidance you have received in the relationships you have formed.

Thank you.

I now invite Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko.

Go to present this afternoon's candidates for the awarding of their honorary degrees.

- Dr. Tienda, please come forward.

Interim President Woodruff, I have the honor as president to present Dr. Malta Tienda for awarding of the honorary degree.

(audience applauding) - You're a highly accomplished professor and an extraordinary sociologist, focused on race and ethnic differences in various metrics of social inequality.

Your distinguished research has been inspirational and significant in the field.

Your educational achievements include graduating Magna Cum Laude, with Bachelor's of Arts degrees in Spanish education from Michigan State University, and a master's of Arts and a Doctorate in Sociology from the University of Texas Austin.

You are elected to PHI Beta Kappa and served as a PHI Beta Kappa visiting scholar during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Additionally, you received honorary degrees from Ohio State University, Bank Street College and Lehman College.

You have held notable administrative roles, such as the Director of the Office of Population Research at Princeton University, Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of Chicago, and founding director of the Latino Studies Program at Princeton University.

You are the Maurice P during 22 professor in demographic studies, Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs Amarita and a research associate for the Office of Population Research as senior scholar at the Center for Research on Child Wellbeing, your work to stimulate basic research, educate faculty and students and influence policymakers and practitioners continues to make an impact.

You have made countless contributions to the field with over 200 research papers and several books and edited books about demographic changes and social inequality.

You have secured a multitude of research grants over 32 years allowing you to continue your research on social inequality.

Your past president of the Population Association of America, and the current president of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, where you continue to make an impact both within and beyond the academy.

You serve on numerous boards including organizations like the Urban Institute in Washington DC, Teachers Insurance Annuity Association, the Robin Hood Foundation, and the Holser Center for Excellence in Public Education in Texas.

For your contributions from the local to national levels that continue to inspire, support and improve the lives of countless individuals, I am pleased to award you the Honorary Doctor of Science degree from your alma mater, Michigan State University.

Congratulations.

(audience applauding) Come address our graduates.

- President Woodruff, Provost Jeitschko, trustees, senior leaders, degree candidates, parents and families.

What an extraordinary privilege to be back at MSU, to close my career where it began in the fall of 1968, tumultuous times, to be sure.

I was the first generation college student when that status wasn't even a thing.

I first visited campus in the spring of my junior year on a field trip for an athletic event.

I'm no athlete, I can tell you.

I earned my only C in the required physical education course, despite acing the written exam.

True story.

(crowd chuckling) 16 year old me was enthralled being on a campus that had a river with geese, cafeteria plates even had an MSU logo on them.

I wiped my dessert dish clean at the union, slipped it in my coat pocket, (crowd chuckles) promising to return it when I enrolled.

Technically, I borrowed it like a book.

I did not even apply to that other school.

What is its name?

I keep forgetting.

(audience chuckling) It was here that my career was seated in ways I could not imagine even at graduation in 1972.

Let me share three pivotal moments.

The first and most important was the realization that education confers license to question everything, from campus curfew policies to established orthodoxies.

My revelation came in the spring of freshman year in the advanced Spanish literature class, I read "Unna Muno" short story about a faithful priest who lived in a turmoil of doubt.

What if there is no God?

What is truth and how can we know?

It was liberating to learn that even the most fundamental beliefs, not to mention scientific truths could be questioned.

I passed exams I realized, not because I prayed a lot, but because I studied a lot, but also religion and science could be reconciled.

The second pivotal moment came when in 1972, MSU hired a 21 year old literature graduate to work in the cooperative extension service as assistant to the director.

Talk about risk taking.

All department heads in the College of Agriculture team had PhDs except the two special assistants.

Both of us hired to placate protests of the Ag College.

By then I knew how to question and to use my voice for social change because I had worked Alpina's migrant farm workers and growers the prior summer.

So I got to fly a plane even as it was being built.

My extension job inspired my pursuit of advanced degrees, and in 1972 when I was graduating from MSU women received 11% of US doctorates.

Today, we earn 55%.

(audience applauding) Guys get with the program.

The third moment came on the job market, where my MSU credentials gave me a decided advantage.

With PhD in hand, I was one of two finalists for the coveted job at the University of Wisconsin Madison's Rural Sociology Department, one of the top in the nation.

My competitor had more publications, but I had extension service experience.

I am forever indebted to my alma mater for broadening pathways and fostering my big U-turn from humanities to quantitative social science and demography.

Oh, and about that dish, I'm sorry it never made it back.

Somebody would've broken it anyway.

So candidates, as you accept your degree, always remember that it is questions rather than answers that inspire discovery and lead to innovation.

Relentless questioning will allow you to probe possibilities of the impossible and to discover what today you cannot even imagine.

Second, embrace opportunities to remake yourself.

Your world will change even faster than mine did.

So be ready to pivot and make wide U-turns when opportunities present.

MSU gave you the instruments to navigate these uncharted waters, that much I know.

And when the going gets tough, the Spartans get going.

And finally, leave your comfort zone and stay there.

We don't learn anything by hanging with like-minded people.

Challenge your beliefs and truths and listen to those who you disagree with.

You might realize that some of your ideas and assumptions are incorrect.

That's a good thing, it's a very good thing because that's how we continue to learn and grow.

Thanks to family members who recharge your persistence batteries during these difficult times, as my two sisters, Gloria and Maggie here today did when I was ready to quit, oh so many times.

Graduates congratulations and Godspeed Green.

(audience applauding) - Dr. Clark, please come forward.

Interim President Woodruff.

I have the honor to present Dr. William Clark for awarding of the honorary degree, Doctor of Science.

(audience applauding) - Where are you?

There you go.

I lost my other hand.

- Following my diploma- - Following your diploma, very smart.

Dr. Clark, you're an inspiring scholar who drives science and technology forward in support of the goals of sustainable development.

Your innovative research on how institutional arrangements affect the connection between knowledge and action in the sustainability arena has created impactful, positive changes in understanding the interactions of human and environmental systems.

Your educational achievements include earning a bachelor's science at Yale University, and a doctorate in zoology from the University of British Columbia.

You're an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

A recipient of the MacArthur Prize, and Humboldt Prize and as a professor, have earned Harvard's Manual Carballo Teaching Award and its Phi Beta Kappa Prize for excellence in teaching.

You are the co-author of numerous influential works such as "Sustainable Science Toward a Synthesis", and "Pursuing Sustainability: A Guide "to the Science and Practice."

You chaired the Hines Center work on the state of the nation's ecosystems and co-chaired the United States National Research Council study, "Our common journey: A transition toward sustainability".

Your co-director of Harvard Sustainable Science Program where you promote the design of policies and practices that support sustainable development.

Under your leadership.

The program has hosted more than 150 fellows from around the world for training, research, and network building.

You have served as principal investigator of other efforts promoting a robust connection between knowledge and action, including projects on knowledge systems for sustainable development, global environmental assessment, and social learning in the management of global risks.

Your work on these projects is inspiring to all Spartans.

For your contribution from local to global levels that continue to inspire, support and improve the lives of countless individuals.

I am pleased to award you the Honorary Doctor, of Science Degree from Michigan State University, Dr. Clark, thank you.

(audience applauding) Thank you.

Come address our graduates.

- Thank you so much.

President Woodruff, Provost Jeitschko, Executive Vice President Bochaum.

Trustees, Byron and Tienda, graduates and families.

Spartans, all, my profound thanks for this unweighted, unexpected honor, and given the focus of my own work, I'm particularly grateful to be receiving it here from MSU.

This is widely recognized internationally as a world leader in efforts to connect basic scholarship with meaningful practice in the field, in the area of sustainable development and elsewhere.

My route to this stage in your Breslin Center began with my own first job after graduation running the US government's first official study on what we now know as our climate crisis.

That study published by the US Department of Energy in 1982 helped launch the next 40 years of what your generation's (indistinct) described in her recent speech to the United Nations as blah, blah, blah, blah!

Blah, blah, ouch.

(scattered chuckling) But tragically she's right.

For while I and my colleagues continued to do more studies, write more reports, give more speeches and otherwise blah, blah, on and on, Our actions were mostly confined to joining with the rest of humanity, to double our emissions of greenhouse gases that are now cooking the planet, permeate the world and your blood streams with lead, mercury and plastic toxins, exterminate hundreds of other species, with which we had once shared the earth, and unleashed the cascade of epidemics now plaguing our world and so on and so on.

Our devastation of nature has to be sure, come with some immediate benefits for people.

Most of you graduating today together with most of the other five plus billion people born since I started my career of blah, blah, blahing about climate change are now living lives that are healthier, wealthier, better educated, and more democratically governed than the lives of most people who came before you.

But those gains are accruing ever more inequitably, and the destructive pathways of consumption and production that have gotten us into our present mess cannot be sustained.

How to make the human use of the earth more just and more sustainable is I believe the ultimate challenge facing your generation.

You didn't ask for it, but my generation has dumped it in your laps.

Not because we didn't see it coming, but because we failed to turn our endless talk into meaningful action.

If our talk has not been enough, however, it has been something.

While you were growing up, our incessant blah blahing did clarify the sustainability problem and did elevate that problem to the core of the global agenda, culminating in 2015 with the UN General Assembly's unanimous adoption of a single set of sustainable development goals.

These goals now serve as a load star helping people around the world to pull in the same direction in their pursuit of sustainability.

Though complex in detail, the central commitment of these shared goals is simple.

First, to enhance people's wellbeing in the here and now with special attention to those who are now leased well off.

Second, to do so equitably without undermining the ability of future generations, your generations to pursue their own wellbeing.

And finally, to do so in ways that conserve the earth's life support systems.

I've had the opportunity to contribute one small voice to what has often seemed the endless cacophony of blah blahing that went into these globally shared goals.

It's been an exhilarating experience, but I've also found that the sheer scope and ambition of the sustainable development goals can easily lead to paralysis.

Our predicament today is so objectively desperate that no sane person can realistically expect to achieve the goals of sustainable development, or solve the climate crisis or banish global injustice.

What then is to be done?

For those committed to changing the world, rather than merely talking it to death?

I've come to believe in the wisdom of an old phrase I first encountered as a graduate student reading Renee Dubois, "Think globally, act locally."

And in a newer phrase, popularized in a recent book by Michelle Obama, "The Power of the Small".

Both of these inspiring activists speak to the importance of striving to grasp the big picture we all inhabit, but then of narrowing our focus to manageable even seemingly insignificant actions that remind us of our own agency.

Help us to learn how to get stuff done, and earn for us the right to hope.

Once you start looking, you can see everywhere the inspiring power of their vision.

A broad systems understanding of our predicament, coupled with small and local actions to change it.

Consider just a few specific examples from the work of informed activists who it's been my good fortune to know.

First, making climate legislation work.

The massive IRA climate bill signed by President Biden in August is one of the most potentially transformative but frighteningly complex pieces of legislation I have ever seen.

Congressional leaders credit many outsiders with helping to get the job done, but they single out Leia Stokes who drew on her recent training in politics and public policy together with her own utterly awesome energy and determination to forge key micro coalitions of potential opponents and get them to hammer out some of the countless devilish details that needed to be just right before the bill could become a law.

Another example, designing immunity for all.

Conventional vaccines have an accessibility bias.

Places lacking cold chains to keep drugs stable or skilled people to administer them tend to lose out.

Livio Valenti thought we should be able to do better.

For his small step, he turned to silk and stories he had heard about this peculiar medical properties.

Pursuing that thread, he eventually confounded Vaxess, sorry.

A firm that is now built from novel silk based technologies, a family of shelf stable vaccines and therapeutics that patients can administer to themselves.

Investors have invested, Phase one trials are now nearing completion.

Wow.

A third example ,telling Africa's food story.

East Lansing, I think, has more than 40 restaurants featuring Asian food, more than 30 focused on Latin American food and just one serving African food.

Similar biases exist everywhere in the world, including in Africa itself, which despite having some of the most diverse and healthy crops in the world, often ends up as an importer of high cost, low nutrition foods.

To (indistinct) Nigerian entrepreneur, this seemed nuts.

So she started small and local in her homeland, crafting stories to reshape people's mindsets about the country's crops and cooking potential.

The enthusiastic responses to these stories led her to found Changing Narratives Africa, an organization that now showcases, promotes and refines the continents food contributions to the whole world.

It is beginning to work.

Next, saving an endangered species.

MSU's own distinguished Professor Jack Liu, continues to be my model of an engaged scholar, not only making profound contributions to the theory of coupled human natural systems, but also insisting on connecting that broad theory with local practice.

He began this connecting with small actions in China's Wang Reserve.

They have since rippled out to play a significant role in saving China's giant panda from extinction, and indeed to seed revolutionary changes in many of the country's national conservation practices.

I could easily extend this list of expiring examples about how individuals, whole system's understanding, coupled with their small and local actions have helped promote a transition towards sustainability.

But I'm much more interested in your extensions than mine.

So to see what I hope will become a continuing exchange, let me invite you to join in one more storytelling project.

This one called "Dear Tomorrow".

Jill Kubert and Tricia Schrom were worried about the tenuous connections between present and future generations in efforts to grapple with climate change.

Drawing on Tricia's training in behavior economics, they conceived of a brilliant project in which volunteers write a letter to their future children, future family, or future selves.

In the letter, they simply describe a specific action.

They promise to take to help ensure a safe and secure future for their loved ones.

The letters, some signed, some anonymous, some humble, some angry, are posted on the Dear Tomorrow website for any and all to contemplate and learn from.

So here's your opportunity for one small and local action you could take on the grand challenge of our age.

Go home tonight and post a letter to your future loved ones, your future self, describing an action you promised to take to promote sustainability in the coming year.

It can be little, it can be modest, it just has to be an action.

Post it to dear tomorrow.org.

I'll be watching.

In closing, let me emphasize my conviction that in these perilous times, there are indeed responsibilities that come with the privilege of the elite education you are celebrating today.

But these are not responsibilities for saving the world, just for committing to link your knowledge with your actions in ways that might make that world just a little bit better.

Now, fulfilling even those small and local responsibilities can still be a daunting task.

In my own struggles with it, I've been blessed by challenging times.

Good luck, generous colleagues, and an inspiring role model for walking the talk on sustainability in Annie Clark, the remarkable woman whose husband I am so grateful to be.

I can only wish for all of you, comparably, good fortune and good company to join with you in your pursuit of sustainability.

Thank you all for all you have done, and all you will be doing.

(audience applauding) - Well, thank you very much to both of our honorands for those inspiring words.

We'll now have the pleasure of hearing the MSU Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Professor Anthony Stanko.

The selection is entitled "4,5,6", composed by Frank Benjamin Foster III.

- [Band Member] One, two, one, two, uh, uh, uh!

(soulful jazz music) (jazz music ends) (audience applauding) - Thank you so much for that wonderful way to jazz up our graduation.

We really appreciate that.

And Dean Forger, we have great jazz programs at MSU.

Thank you so much for being here.

The chairperson of the MSU Board of Trustees, the honorable Diane Byron from Ananda Township will address the graduates and guests.

After Trustee Byron, Interim Provost Thomas will continue with our introductions.

- Thank you, Interim President Woodruff.

On behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I extend our welcome to graduates and your family and friends.

Under the Michigan Constitution, The Board of Trustees is the governing board of the university by whose authority the degrees are awarded.

At this time, I would like to recognize my colleague on the board, the Honorable Kelly Tebay from Pittsfield Township.

(scattered applause) As trustees, we see each commencement ceremony as a very memorable occasion and we appreciate the opportunity to attend this special time with you.

The advanced degree affirms your academic and professional achievements.

You have engaged in important research to investigate vital issues and generate new knowledge.

With a granting of your degree, you are joining a select group of people who possess the potential to become tomorrow's leaders.

We welcome you into the Spartan family with a tradition of excellence and commitment to making a difference in the world.

Please accept our heartfelt congratulations.

(scattered applause) - Thank you, trustee Byrum.

I join you and interim President Woodruff in congratulating our newest advanced degree of recipients.

Each graduate embodies a unique confluence of new knowledge.

The discoveries you have made and delivered to the world and the new capabilities you possess are represented in your curiosity and in your drive to innovate, express, discover and perform.

These scholarly achievements culminate today in the confer of a degree along with the conferral of our great faith, our hope and our pride in what you will do now as a result of your achievements.

Indeed, as we send you forth, we are counting on you to become the thought leaders, innovators, and doers of the 21st century.

I would now like to take a moment to acknowledge our outstanding faculty and academic staff who are here today to celebrate with our graduates.

Our faculty, please.

(audience applauding) Our faculty are guides and mentors, and they celebrate your accomplishments today.

We're honored to welcome a number of the university's leaders who are seated on the platform but who will not be speaking today.

Each plays an important university role, and joins us to celebrate your accomplishments.

In their many and varied roles, they provide support across our academic mission, and are deeply invested in ensuring our academic excellence and student success at Michigan State University.

Their presence marks the solemnity and significance of this moment.

Please remain standing as your name is read.

I ask the audience to hold your applause until all are introduced.

Ann Austin, Interim Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs.

Douglas Gage, vice President for research and innovation.

Emily Gerkin Guran, Vice President for Media and Public Information and University Spokesperson.

Venny Gore, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Engagement.

Steve Hansen, Associate Provost and Dean for International Studies and Programs.

Dave Weatherspoon, Associate Provost for Enrollment and Academic Strategic Planning.

Kathleen Wilbur, Senior Vice President for Government Relations.

Melissa Wu, Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Information Officer.

Michael Zeke, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President.

And Karen Kelly Blake, Associate Professor Chairperson of the Faculty Senate, MSU Academic Governance and the University Mass Bearer.

(audience applauding) I would also like to thank our American Sign Language Interpreters who are here today.

Ms. Katie Kaur and Ms. Emily Gordillo.

Thank you.

(audience applauding) I now invite all past and present members of the Council of Graduate Students to stand.

We honor executive board members, department representatives, and all COGS members.

Thanks you for your contributions to the university and your fellow graduate students.

Please accept our appreciation for your contributions.

(audience applauding) I now invite university to distinguish Professor Pero Dagbovie, Associate Provost for Graduate and Post-doctoral studies and Dean of the graduate school to join me for the announcement of the degree candidates and to direct doctoral hooding.

- Will the candidates for the doctoral degrees please rise.

Interim President Woodruff and interim Provost Jeitschko, on behalf of the faculty in the respective colleges, I present these candidates to you for the conferral of their degrees.

- I invite trustees Byrum and Tebay to join me in the conferall of degrees by please standing.

By 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 been recommended with all the rights, distinctions to which they entitle you.

Congratulations graduates.

(audience applauding) Please be seated.

- After I finish my remarks, the associate deans of the colleges will lead their graduates to the platform.

Graduates will be individually hooded by their faculty member.

This solemn ceremony and the moment of hooding represents a transition to the company of the learned society of one's discipline and field of study.

The moment of the hooding by one's academic mentor is the culmination of years of study and the welcome by your mentor into a new role, that intellectual colleague.

As such, this tradition and our academic rituals are imbued with the great relevant reverence in solemnity.

I invite everyone who witnesses the hooding to think deeply about the candidates as they approach the diocese, are hooded and turn to walk forward.

Think of the individual scholar and think of the ways in which great universities like MSU foster the circumstances and culture for academic advancement and excellence.

I thank each doctoral student for your contributions, and congratulate you on your conferral of your doctoral hill.

All members of this graduating class are part of the Spartan family.

We asked the audience to respect the desire of all families and friends to be able to hear their graduate's name.

Graduates, please return to your seats after your name is read, the token diploma is presented and photos are taken.

Jody Noel and Scott Poll will read names of graduates as they receive their diplomas.

Associate deans, please lead your candidates.

- The academic attire worn by students and faculty was first used in 12th and 13th century Europe.

The current system in the United States was designed in 1895 and is used today in advanced degree ceremonies across the country.

The hoods being placed on the doctoral candidates are derived from the design of medieval monks cloaks.

The three chevrons on the sleeve represent Doctor of Philosophy.

The light blue velvet on the front signifies Doctor of Education.

The pink velvet on the front signifies the Doctor of Musical Arts, and the apricot velvet on the front signifies the Doctor of Nursing Practice.

The green and white chevrons on each hood represent Michigan State University.

The gown, the cap, and especially the hood, represent both the responsibility and the freedom that accompany the achievements in research and scholarship that these candidates have earned through years of hard work.

The ceremony of hooding doctoral candidates symbolizes the faculty welcoming these students as our full fledged colleagues.

- From the College of Natural Science, Sky Pinata.

(audience applauding) Amanda Kanig, jooded by Suzanne Hoffman Benning.

(audience applauding) Leah Johnson, the hooder is Dr. Greg Howell.

(audience applauding) Amaya Mathas Hewege.

the hooder is Dr. Karen Drafts.

(audience applauding) Sohem Mightig, the hood is Dr. Bobak Bohan.

(audience applauding) Hunter McFall Beggeman, being hooded by Dr. Jhefe.

Huang.

(audience applauding) Abu Jhan Chatu Pattieh.

The hood is Dr. David Kramer.

(audience applauding) Spencer Ammerman, hooded by Dr. Tyler Cocker.

(audience applauding) Jared Abel, the hooder is Dr. Tyler Cocker.

(audience applauding) Forest Blinds being hooded by Brian O'Shea, Dr. Brian O'Shea.

(audience applauding) Claire Copenhoffer, also being hooded by Dr. Brian O'Shea.

(audience applauding) Daniel Douglas.

The hooder is Dr. Kendall Manh.

(audience applauding) Jesse McCullough, being hooded by Tyson de Young.

(audience applauding) Laura Wood, being hooded by Dr. Vashti Satel.

(audience applauding) Brian Prefontaine, the hooder is Dr. Katie Hinko.

(audience applauding) Kayla Anne Marie Johnson.

The hooder is Dr. Arjun Krishnan.

(audience applauding) Aaron Wasserman.

(audience applauding) Joseph Reedy, being hooded by Dr. Kim Scribner.

(audience applauding) From the College of Nursing.

Agashai Gontawon, the hooder is Dr. Annie Cow.

(audience applauding) Carla Palmer, being hooded by Dr. Lorraine Robbins.

(scattered applause) Andrea Johnson.

The hood is Dr. Connor Warren.

(audience applauding) Robin Smith, also being hooded by Dr. Connor Warren.

(audience applauding) Taylor.

Poladore, hooded by Dr. Angela Ruly.

(audience applauding) Laura Taylor, the hooder is Dr. Don Goldstein.

(scattered applause) From the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Maya Blake.

The hooder is Dr. Andrea Amalfatano.

(audience applauding) Laura Chambers hooted by Dr. Ann Dorrance.

(audience applauding) From the College of Social Science.

Jennifer White van Boxel.

The hooder is Dr. Adrian Blow.

(audience applauding) Chi Fong Zen.

Hooded by Dr. Andrea Wittenborn.

(audience applauding) Ben Fry, being hooded by Alex Johnson.

(audience applauding) Carolyn Kroger, the hood is Dr. Jay Devin McCauley.

(audience applauding) Spencer Lawson, the hooder is Dr. Scott Wolf.

(audience applauding) Patrick Burke.

Hooded by Dr. Scott Wolf.

(scattered applause) Jennifer Andrella, hooded by Dr. Thomas Summerhill.

(audience applauding) Akeel Alexander Cornelius.

Hooded by Dr. Pero Dagbovie.

(audience applauding) Ngyuen Sik Cho, the hood is Dr. Jagwo Chi.

(audience applauding) Jacob McCartney, being hooded by Dr. Angela Hall.

(audience cheering) Cordelia Martin Epe.

The hooder is Dr. Joe T. Darden.

(audience applauding) from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Alsim Ali Sur, hooded by Dr. Linda Mansfield.

(audience applauding) Monica Jacobs, the hooder is Dr. Dana Spence.

(audience applauding) Dawn Kazinski.

Hooded by Dr. Adam Lauver.

(audience applauding) From the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Angela Mangiche, the hooder is Dr. John Kerr.

(audience cheering) Raul Dar, being hooded by Dr. Nicole Mason Wardel.

(audience cheering) Cara Dean, the hooder is Dr. Jade Mitchell.

(audience applauding) Ian Crop, being hooded by Dr. Puyan (indistinct).

(audience cheering) Mohamed Samami bin (indistinct).

The hood is Dr. Esan Guhan.

(audience cheering) From the College of Arts and Letters.

Sandy Burnley, the hood is Dr. Zarina Eslami.

(audience applauding) June Oh, also being hooded by Dr. Zarina Aslami.

(audience applauding) Justin Wydar, the hooder is Dr. Julian Chambliss.

(audience applauding) - Lael Romero, hooded by Dr. Danny Mendez.

(audience applauding) Richard Conley hooded by Dr. Scott Michaelson.

(audience applauding) Brian Claybeck, hooded by Dr. Ron Tamberini.

(audience applauding) Nea Sathi, hooded by Dr. David Ewolson.

(audience cheering) Chelsea Johnson.

Hooded by Dr. Bridget Walsh.

(audience cheering) Michelle Joseph, Hooded by Dr. Manuel Chavez.

(audience cheering) From the College of Education.

Ronetta Parisi Wards, hooded by Dr. Monica Burn Jimenez.

(audience applauding) Marissa Su, hooded by Dr. Jennifer Schmidt.

(audience applauding) Sarah Avindanyo, hooded by Dr. Joshua Plennick.

(audience applauding) Cindy Catherine Joso, hooded by Dr. Marissa Fisher.

(audience applauding) from the College of Engineering.

Bassel Abdul McGee, hooded by Dr. Katie Cobre.

(scattered applause) Ferris Thiab.

Abdullah Al-Harbi.

Hooded by Dr. Katie Cobre.

(audience applauding) Cena Parse Najad, hooded by Dr. Andrew S. Mason.

(audience applauding) Emily Rubondo Growe, hooded by Dr. Abdul az-Fihaanan.

(audience applauding) Lucas Stanek, hooded by Dr. Michael Marillo.

(audience applauding) Mohamed Manul Masud, hooded by Dr. Saed Bagar Heder.

(audience applauding) Yamatan Lewis Israeli, hooded by Dr. Adam Alessio.

(audience applauding ) Carolina Siviak, hooded by Dr. Adam Alessio.

(audience cheering) Alexander Farhnam, hooded by Dr. Debajit Saha.

(audience applauding) Major professor Aaron Perel, receiving a posthumous PhD diploma for Quintin Whitsiv in biomedical engineering.

(audience applauding) Zi Wei Wong, hooded by Dr. Mark Warden.

(audience applauding) Matthew Melton.

Hooded by Dr. Che Wong Cheng.

(audience applauding) Aaron O'Neill, hooded by Dr. Himanchu Sahas Robudei.

(audience applauding) Ryan Corusimi, also hooded by Dr. Himmanchu Sahas Robudei.

(audience applauding) Jin Xi Hyang Ji Yung, hooded by Dr. Su Jeung Bek.

(audience applauding) Ji Shen Ching, also hooded by Dr. Su Jeung Bek.

(audience applauding) Juan Sandoval hooded by Dr. Xi Yeung Chun.

(audience applauding) Ibik Podell, also hooded by Dr.Hasun Chung.

(audience applauding) Haberut Gosh, hooded by Dr. Pero Dagbovie.

(audience applauding) Yasmine Zamani Hank, hooded by Dr. Claire Margerson.

(audience applauding) Panu Wei Lee, hooded by Dr. Xi Wei Louel.

(audience applauding) Anna Stowell, hooded by Dr. Carol Sortwell.

(audience applauding) William Carter Smith, hooded by Dr. David Rail.

(audience cheering) And I forgot to mention, this is from the College of Music.

Hei Wan Han, also hooded by Dr. David Rail.

L(audience applauding) Ling Lo, hooded by Professor Deborah Moriartti.

(audience applauding) Ye We Chen.

Also hooded by Professor Deborah Moriarty.

(audience applauding) Meng Yao Jo, hooded by Professor Deborah Moriarty.

(audience cheering) Iecho Xan, hooded by Professor Deborah Moriarty.

(audience applauding) Natalie Law, hooded by Dr. Michael Croft.

(audience applauding) And Evan Ziegel, hooded by Dr. Phillip Sender.

(audience applauding) - Will all doctoral degree recipients, please rise.

(audience applauding) On behalf of a very proud Spartan community, I welcome you to our community of scholars, MSU alums.

Congratulations to each and every one of you.

(audience applauding) - Deans will now present candidates for the Master's Degrees.

(audience cheering) Dean Kelly Millenbam, from the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources.

- Will the masters candidates from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the founding college of this great institution, please rise and remain standing if you are able.

(audience applauding) Interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, EVP Voscham, Trustees, Byrum and Tebay.

On behalf of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, I am pleased to present these candidates who have fulfilled the requirements for conferral of their degrees.

Students, please remain standing.

- Associate Dean William Hart Davidson from the College of Arts and Letters.

- Will the candidates for the degrees of Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts from the College of Arts and Letters, please rise and remain standing if you're able.

(audience applauding) Interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, Dean Dagbovie, EVB Boscham and distinguished Trustees, it is my pleasure to present these candidates from the College of Arts and Letters on behalf of my colleagues, staff and faculty, they've completed all the requirements for their degrees.

(audience applauding) - Interim Dean Judith Whipple from the ELI Broad College of Business.

(audience applauding) - Will the amazing degree candidates from the Eli Broad College of Business please stand and remain standing if you are able.

(audience applauding) Interim President Woodruff.

Interim Provost Jeitschko, Executive Vice President Boscham, members of the Board of Trustees and the Platform Party.

On behalf of the faculty and staff at the Broad College of Business, I'm delighted to present to you for the conferral of their degrees.

These candidates who have fulfilled all degree requirements are now ready to go forward, to lead and inspire the future of business.

Broad Spartans, go Green.

(audience applauding) - Dean Prabu David from the College of Communications Arts and Sciences.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, please rise.

(audience cheering) Interim President Woodruff.

Interim Provost Jeitschko, EVP Boscham and Honorable Trustees, on behalf of the faculty and staff of our college, I'm very proud to present these fantastic communicators who have completed all the requirements for the control of their degrees.

(audience applauding) - Dean Jerlando Jackson from the College of Education (audience applauding) - Will the Master's degree candidates for the College of Education.

Please rise and remain standing if you are able to.

(audience applauding) To interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, Executive Vice President Boschamp, Trustees Byrum and Tebay.

On behalf of the College of Education, I am pleased to present these dedicated, motivated, world changing future educators and health professionals.

As candidates who have fulfilled the requirements for confer of their degrees.

Please remain standing.

(audience applauding) - Dean Leo Kempel, from the College of Engineering.

(audience applauding) - Spartan Engineers stand up.

(audience applauding) President Woodruff Provost Jeitschko, honorable Trustee Byrum and Tebay.

On behalf of the faculty, staff and the entire engineering families, it's my great privilege to present these innovators of the future for the conferral of their degrees.

(audience applauding) - Dean James Forger from the College of Music.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates from the College of Music, please rise and remain standing, if you are able.

(audience applauding) Interim, I'll clap for that.

Interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, EVP Boschamp, honorable trustees.

On behalf of my faculty colleagues, I am delighted to present these candidates from the College of Music who have completed all the requirements for their various degrees.

(audience applauding) - Dean Phillip Duxbury from the College of Natural Science.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates from the College of Natural Science.

Please rise and remain standing if you are able.

(audience applauding) Interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, Executive Vice President Boschamp, and honorable trustees, Byrum and Tebay.

It is my pleasure to present these candidates for the conferral of their degrees, on behalf of the College of Natural Science Community, and due to their inspiring work during which they've completed all of the requirements for conferral.

(audience applauding) - Dean Mary Finn from the College of Social Science.

(scattered applause) - Will the candidates for degrees in the College of Social Science please stand if you are able.

(audience applauding) Interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, EVP Boschamp, honorable Trustees, Byrum and Tebay.

I am proud to present on behalf of the College of Social Science, where our science transforms the human experience and inspires leaders, these candidates for the conferral of their degrees.

(audience applauding) - Associate Dean Srinand Sreevatsan from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

(scattered applause) - Will the MS Food Safety candidates from the College of Veterinary Medicine please stand, and remain standing if you're able.

(audience applauding) Interim President Woodruff and Interim Provost Jeitschko, honorable Trustees Executive VP Boschamp.

On behalf of the College of Veterinary Medicine, I'm pleased to present the MS and Food Safety candidates who have fulfilled all the requirements for the of their degrees.

(audience applauding) - It is now my pleasure to introduce Norman Boschamp, Executive Vice President of Health Sciences to present the Health Science Deans.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon.

It's my honor to present to ask the Deans of the Health Colleges to present their candidates For conferral of degree.

Dean Aron Sousa from the College of Human Medicine.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates for Master of Science and Master of Public Health from the College of Human Medicine.

Please stand as you're able.

(scattered applause) President Woodruff, EVP Boschamp, Provost Jeitschko, Honorable trustees.

On behalf of the faculty and staff, I'm delighted to present these candidates for the conferral of their degrees.

(audience applauding) - Dean Lee Small, from the College of Nursing.

(scattered applause) - Good evening.

I'm new at this.

So I'm going to read unlike some of our experienced individuals, will the candidates for degree from the College of Nursing, please rise and remain standing if you're able.

(audience applauding) Interim President Woodruff, Interim President Jeitschko, EVP Boshamp, members of the Board of Trustees, and prestigious members of the Platform Party.

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the College of Nursing, I am tremendously honored to present to you for conferral of their degrees.

These candidates who have have fulfilled all their degree requirements and are now ready to go forth as professional nurses, nurse practitioners, healthcare providers, and nurse scientists into the future where we desperately need nurse leaders.

(audience applauding) - Dean Andrea Amalfitano from the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

- Thank you, will the degree candidate from the College of Osteopathic Medicine, please rise and remain standing if you are able.

(audience clapping) Interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, EVP Boschamp, Trustees, Byrum and Tebay.

On behalf of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, I'm pleased to present each of these incredible candidates who have fulfilled and exceeded their requirements for the of their degrees.

(audience applauding) - By 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 been qualified with all the rights and distinctions to which they entitle you.

(audience applauding) And now as a symbol of your achievement.

It is tradition to move the tassel from the right side of your cap to the left.

You may do so at this time.

(audience applauding) All right, all degree candidates.

You may be seated.

- Congratulations.

Now we will mark this auspicious occasion with the presentation of the diplomas.

Jody Noll and Scott Poll will again announce the names of our graduates.

As the interim president presents them with their diplomas, the Associate Deans will now escort you to the platform to be recognized individually.

We ask all Master's degree recipients to please return to your seats following the presentation of your diplomas.

And again, we ask the audience to please be considerate in applauding so that each graduate's name may be heard.

- From the College of Social Science.

Krista Motz, Zachary Jennings.

Blake Weinberger, (audience cheering) Zare Bustamante Louis Veno.

Brian Graham.

(scattered applause) Daniel Denali.

Nicholas Patrick, Aceland Langley.

Layla Kovacevic, Madison Stack Pool.

Caitlin Hines.

Halle St. Clair.

Elise Brenna.

Marie LaRose.

Lauren Spicer.

Andrew Fifield.

Aba Alugenu.

(audience cheering) Coy Mitchell, Audrey Meredith, Kyle Tyversky.

Jessica Ostendi.

Sophia Marie Dadario.

Jessica Burke.

Monica Writer, Megan Shepherd.

Justin Shram.

Silent.

Silas Cigarro.

Megan Castro, Erasa G. Morales.

Nicholas Thomas, Asia Gardner, Haven Boykie.

Esmeralda Portillo, Kelly Hughes.

From the College of Engineering.

Xiu Sung Jheng, Cameron White.

Nicholas Dionys, Masa Hu.

(audience shouting) Matthew Mann.

Hope Chalunga.

(audience cheering) Alex Vu.

Brenda Mindooke Fan, Miles Overall.

Heidi Louise Arvin.

Kyle Tomescesci Vincent Marinelli.

Madeline Robinson.

Betty Tutawal.

Xing XU.

Xin Xau Fan.

Shawn Depalma, Christopher Chen.

Rahgav Gar.

Holly Deemers.

Quintin Griner.

From the College of Education, James Rhodes, Jane Clarity.

Marissa McGregor.

David McGregor.

Marcus Fields.

Elise Ingram.

Alexander Morse.

Nicole Ratliff.

Isabel Kolinski.

Elizabeth Lusty.

Nancy Hernandez, Hiba Hassan.

Christopher Brown, Samantha Chifon.

Rachel Joseph, Elizabeth Nash.

Jamie Harrington.

Ashley Lito.

Hannah Henderson.

Sarah Walworth, Mackenzie Schmidt, Emily Abel.

Colin Riley, Alexandra Peterson.

Lauren, Michelle Brown.

Mikayla Flores.

(audience cheering) Vanessa Hernandez, Caitlin Camp.

Kathleen Riley.

Kiana Shay Verdugo.

Patrick Page.

Mackenzie Ford.

Brent Opera Houser.

Anthony Andress.

Powers Warren.

Yuki Luo.

Haley Spesack, Mark Seymour.

from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Rebecca Hummel.

Jarday Giordani.

- From the Eli Broad College of Business.

Heather Koons.

Scott Barker.

Andrew Candela.

Ariana Tyler.

Sarah Pierce, Lopez, Ella Holtz.

Michael Phillips.

Jake First.

Onlin Larson.

Malay.

Beckert.

Adele Lever.

Mathery Kakarala, Kyle Hansen.

Caitlin Hetzel.

Sarah Bazi.

Ahmir Chelivic.

Chung Xan Ma, Saed Amed.

Jessica Altenberger.

Hailey van Fulken.

Lauren Beiser.

Kayla Janae Thompson.

Nkchgnre Hood.

Moron Addis.

Rachel Lens.

Sarah Mueller.

Joseph Guizmuada, Janet Notar Donato.

Savannah Sadowski.

Claudia Chavez, Kayla Meyer, Jennifer Kimball, Ava Sankowski.

Amanda Komar.

Bryce Williamson.

Heidi Walker.

Lashana Mitchell.

Alison Boner.

Erica Isguerra Gomez.

Serene Clements, Terry Young, Page Lucas, Mark Allen Bowner, Casey Kota, Carly Georgopoulos, Emily Bush.

Emily Bush, Lauren Whitney.

Shanta Price.

(audience cheering) Myrna Acosta.

Sophia Finale.

Robert Morrison.

Crystal Tran.

Sylvia Acioli.

Lauren Mastrachi.

Nicole Fallon, Soufan Mohamed Stewi.

Jack Warner.

Jorge Lucupoles.

Diego Mercado, Samuel Brister.

Melanie Santorum.

Aditi Shukola, Katherine Beck.

Andrew Dma.

Derrick Boy Key.

Lauren Melan Font.

Caroline Waters, Luisa Hall.

Page Sweet, Brooke Leap.

Addison Hort.

Katherine Menser.

Alexandra Van Hus Copeland.

Supriya Sorwenchi.

Katia Coalesce Nhchenko.

Finn Driscoll.

Jayden Azar, Bryce Williams Stevens.

Isabel Lenson.

Chaitanya Rena.

Peter Ahn, Matthew Russell.

Adam Isaiah Hansen.

Nicholas Masters.

Eric Voisine.

Anna Melama.

Adam Dion.

Vincent Marinas, Priyank Meta.

Shukshumnh Kalrad, Prajit Gosvami.

Chad Larson, Anthony Huff.

Charlie Wilkie.

Brendan Kemp.

Christopher Winarski.

Garrick Naroski.

Jacob Watt.

Michael Gale.

Eric Manning.

Xi Quan Chris Yu, She Ja Lee.

Xun Nun Xao.

Harris Mekunt Buscarin.

Ruci Cacadd.

Kiran Nevas Redhi, Luther Dye.

Zachary Flower.

Alexandra Baris.

Christina Drot.

Carl Perry.

Sabrina Lou, Freya Dave.

Martha Mokerche.

Waybauve Garg, Owen Drila Soniya, Kristin Wong.

Tami Tokpi Schami.

Pao Tsung Yo Lee Rona Marita Battle Woucher.

(audience cheering) - From The College of Nursing.

Kaylee Owen, Kaylin Brown.

- Caitlin Buren, Jamie Fresh.

Dana Voorhees, Paul Folke.

From the College of Human Medicine.

Caitlin Mazaria.

Sarah Burkmeyer.

Ryan Mullen.

Stephanie Henchick.

Viviana Quintino Sabala.

Ariel George, Erica Williams, Rachel Dodak, Krisha Felski.

From the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Mave Coleman.

Celeste Sema, Tasina Williams, Ashley McCray, Kayla Aroyo Mora, Christina Lou Bernard, Lauren Kucharek, Victoria CrystalVBarbosa Kentu.

Michael Spearing.

From the College of Music.

Matthew Fox.

Jessica Fagan.

Anna Doring, Feland Zu, Megan Jen.

from the College of Arts and Letters.

Tony Stillman.

Yoliko Ishida.

Iriko Takahashi Best, Antonella Beatrice de la Qia.

Caitlin Spires, Amanda Ferris.

(audience cheering) From the College of Natural Science.

Maria Katherine Barry, Alex Roy, Hazel Ole, Tara Ramachandra, Anthony Tran.

Zachary Hatton.

Ahmed Awa, Miles Raleigh Denute.

From the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

Brandon Crawford, Derrick A. Jones II, Jakayra Mingo, Kimberly Frederickson, Marla Sanford, Xao Ma.

Amber Wise, Heather Gill Fox.

Lisa Hubbard, Monica Nejeda, Gabrielle Reed, John McGraw, Po Yo Su, Gloria Rochelle Pasek.

Julia Piscari, Brianna Jean Frazier, Ebony Stiff, Samantha Treepack, Zoe Kernohan, Dylan Kissel.

From the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Nawapa Ompai Won, Abigail Dingus.

Alison Van Overbeck, Pranav Desai, Aditya Tuwarwe, Himanchu Vadya, Mallory McFarland, Mein Lin Hao, Jarsing Dou.

Yun Du, Shannon Depender.

Bridget Mann, Ashley Green, Hannah Cho, Sidney Pricesto, Jenna Bergstrom, Megan Vanderhoff, Bailey Porter, Twa Tron, Tina Fu, Jay Ying Ellen Bai.

George Fu Lee Ya, Said Ukar, and Carly Clority and Greta Galena.

(audience applauding) - Will the Masters graduates, please rise.

(audience applauding) We welcome you to this community of scholars, MSU alums.

Please join me in congratulating these master's degree recipients.

(audience cheering) Please be seated.

To all of our graduates.

May your MSU degree lead to a future filled with outstanding personal and professional achievements.

As Dr. Jeitschko said, a great university and a world-class education are the result of the efforts of many dedicated people.

The guidance and mentorship of MSU faculty and academic staff have been essential to your achievements, and our faculty and academic staff are a source of great pride to us.

I ask that our great faculty and academic staff rise and accept our gratitude for their contributions.

(audience applauding) Thank you.

And now will the families and friends of our graduates who have contributed their love and support and a little money, please rise and accept our appreciation.

Thank you.

(audience applauding) And now my final words to our graduates.

You join a long line of Spartans who have contributed much to our society.

You join people like Doctors Tienda and Clark who have made a difference for so many others, and from imminent biologists William J. Beal's, ongoing 1879 seed viability experiment here on campus to the MSU seed study.

Just this week returned to earth from space.

A legacy of discovery and service is yours to carry on.

This is my charge to you.

Graduates, you have grown deeply in the rich environment of this university community and have reached high to gather the fruits of your scholarship.

I think it's appropriate to share a quote from MSU's 12th President John Hannah.

At the spring 1949 Commencement, he told graduates to always remember that Michigan State College stands as a great memorial to a great idea fostered by a great system of democratic government.

As a living mechanism for service to the people of Michigan, this nation and the world, it has great exciting tasks to perform.

He continued, as a part of that living mechanism forever, You will have reason to become increasingly proud of your alma mater and mine.

The difficulties of this day will be overcome and she will go on to help you to greater and more glorious things.

You now join a global group of more than half a million Degreed Spartan alumni.

I hope you find ways to enjoy associations with other Spartans and maintain contact with your alma mater by engaging with this network, as well as returning to us on this wonderful campus often.

In the great tradition of this university, I also encourage you to use each and every day as an opportunity to apply your education in the service of others and make the world a better place.

And I wish you all a purposeful, fulfilling life building on your experiences at Michigan State University.

Go green!

(audience applauding) I now invite everyone to join in singing in the first stanza of the alma Mater, "MSU Shadows" all in your program.

(piano melody) ♪ MSU we love our shadows when silence ♪ ♪ Flashing deep in softly piling ♪ ♪ Over every cover lost ♪ ♪ Beneath the ponds we gather together with some true ♪ ♪ Song our love for alma mater and my praises MSU ♪ (audience applauding) (band finale music)