(music) Introducing the President of Michigan State University Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz Thank you and good afternoon Spartans.

Please be seated.

Welcome to Michigan State University's Fall 2024 commencement ceremony here at the Breslin Center.

To those joining us by live stream.

Greetings.

Today we recognize and celebrate our graduating seniors from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Communication, Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering.

Lyman Briggs College.

The College of Natural Science and the College of Nursing.

It's a lively bunch.

I love to look out on so many happy faces in a sea of Spartan green graduates.

For the last year I've had the pleasure of meeting many of you in our dining halls, our classrooms, events, and even climbing the steps at Beaumont Tower.

A new tradition that I started this past spring for our graduating seniors.

This year's Baccalaureate graduates are a diverse group ranging in age from 19 to 61.

You represent 41 countries and 40 states.

About 260 o you are in the Honors College.

85% of you made the dean's list at least once.

That deserves a round of applause.

And 66 of you represented MSU in intercollegiate athletics.

In our meetings, I always come away impressed with your curiosit and engagement in your studies and humbled by the welcome that you've extended to me and my family.

And for a new university president.

You know that you've made a impression when a young person shows up for Halloween trick or treating dressed as you, a younger, better looking you.

I guess that's when you know that you've truly arrived.

But now it's all of you that we are here to celebrate because you are on your way.

Graduates, today is your day.

We're thrilled to celebrate your accomplishment of earning a michigan State degree.

To close one chapter in your life's story while celebrating the opening of a new chapter with new possibilities in an unfolding future.

A phrase I'm fond of quotin from the late Raymond Lindquist is Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.

You are a determined group who push through the uncertainty and adversity of the COVID pandemic, all while keeping your eyes on your destination.

Congratulations.

You've arrived.

As with any long journey, you might hav had some detours along the way.

Most of you switched your major along the way and maybe even moved to a different college or school here on campus.

And that's great.

The whole point of being here is to explore and to learn, and that includes learning what destination you'd like to arrive at.

If there's one thing I would send you on your way with, it's simply this.

Always stay curious.

It'll help point you toward your true north.

Well, I can't tell you what your true north should be.

I do know that if you always stay curious, if you always ask why, you'll be on the right track to leading lives of purpose and meaning.

That's important for you and our world, which needs engage citizens and leaders to address the grand challenges of today and of tomorrow.

That's what your MSU education has prepared you to do.

You go forth today equipped to view the world through different lenses, to identify those challenges, to proces all the inputs of our diverse, interconnected world, and to exercise informed, critica reasoning to support democracy.

I am confident that in five or in 25 years you'll look back at your college career and realize how much better prepared you became to adapt to the challenges and opportunities ahead and say, I got this.

I'm built for this and I can reach my destination and achieve my aspirations.

Now I ask our guests to please stand if you're able and join the students and faculty in singing one stanza of the Star Spangled Banner performed by the MSU Jazz Orchestra one the bebop Spartans under the direction of university, distinguished Professor Rodney Whitaker.

The singing will be led by Amanda Jane Ross, a master student in the College of Music.

Upon conclusion of the singing, Please remain standing for a moment of silence.

O say, can you see by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd a the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and brigh stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bomb 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 Thank you.

And as you remain standing, I ask interim provost and executive vic president for Academic Affairs Thomas Jeitschko to please join me at the lectern.

Last month, we lost a trul memorable and impactful Spartan.

Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr.

The 14th president of Michigan State University.

Among his lifetime of firsts, he was the first black president of a major public U.S. research university.

On this joyful occasion, let us briefly acknowledge the Spartans like Clifton Morton, as well as the fellow student you have lost along your journey to reach this moment.

Those scholars are forever part of our Spartan family.

I'll return to President Wharton later, but for now, let us pause here for a moment of silence and remembrance.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

Now, I invite Interim Provost Thomas Yates, go to present this afternoon's candidate for the honorary degree President Guskiewicz.

I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to Dr. soon to be Dr. Darius Adamcyzk for bestow on the honorary degree Doctor of Engineering.

Thank you.

You are a highly accomplished and inspiring business professional who has committed their lif to providing expansive strategic knowledge and actions at all levels of the field.

Beginning your journey with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineerin from Michigan State University.

You have shared your expertise in a wide variety of settings through your appointment to the Great American Economic Revival.

Industry groups, as well as a multitud of committees and organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Business Roundtable and the Business Council.

Notably, you were a current member of the Johnson and Johnson Board.

You were inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2022 and received the Legend of Leadership Award from Yale School of Management.

That same year, your skill has been highly sought after and you have displayed your efforts at some of the highest levels and most distinguished seats in the nation.

During your time as chairman and CEO of Honeywell, you created triple digit shareholder returns and a $50 billion in market value.

You launched a software platform called Honeywell Connected Enterpris and formed a business offering customers technology neede to make the energy transition.

Your dedication to improvin technology led to the creation of the world's largest computin hardware and software company.

As the current chairman of Goldman Sachs, Private Asset Investments and Operations.

You worked closely wit the investing leadership teams focusing on conducting diligenc for potential new investments, advising the leadership of portfolio companies and helping to deliver operational excellence to accelerate growth for your notable career in the elevated business and strategic sectors.

And your time, expertise, advice and dedication to Michigan State University Success.

I am pleased to award you an honorary doctor of engineering degree from Michigan State University, your alma mater.

Congratulations.

Well, good afternoon, everyone.

Congratulations to all the graduates, family members, faculty, alumn and university administration.

It is truly an honor for me to be here today and share this very special day with all of you.

Please take the time to savor i as it will go by very quickly.

It will be one of the top 20, if not top ten most memorable days in your life.

I certainly wish I had.

At the outset, I know what all of you are thinking.

And m guess it's one of three things.

One, I'm hung over as heck and I can't wait for this guy to end this speech.

So I can move on my and hit my next graduation party.

Your second possibility is couldn't they get Magic Johnson or Draymond Green or at least that guy from home Depot to come in and do this?

Who is this guy and why is he here?

And the third possibility is I hope he doesn't talk for too long because we have plans right after this.

And I won't remember wha he said a month from now anyway.

Trust me, I can empathize.

I remember that 36 years ago that I was in your spot and I had all three of the same emotions.

I can't tell you who delivered this commencement speech.

No, what he or she said.

So I get the point and I know what to do.

But in all seriousness, what I want to talk to you about today, I could entitle fear, and hopefully by tim I'm done, you'll understand why.

Let me give you a few instances for my own personal and professional and academic career, which hopefully will give you something to think about as you live your life and pursue your dreams.

The first instance comes from selected Michigan State.

In choosing a major, major as a high school kid growing up.

I've always had an interest i history and frankly, still do.

I read many books and felt this something I could really embrace for the long term.

To be honest, I'm not sure it was history I was interested in, or th avoidance of math and science.

Something I also liked but found much more difficult during high school.

As a result I announced to my parents that I was going to major in history when I entered MSU.

After the announcement to my father, who was a first generation American like me, we came to the U.S. from Poland when I was 11 to escape communism.

When I sprung the news to him that I wanted to be a history teacher.

He pushed back and he offered in engineering or architecture as an alternative.

We can argue whether he was right or wrong or if it was the right best parenting approach, but that's not really the point.

I've always liked math and science, but for whatever reason and you can probably guess why I felt going into engineering would be extremely difficult and I feared that I would fail once I came to university.

Given how hard my own parents worked to be able to get by in this country, the last thing I wanted to do was to disappoint them.

In addition, there was this college focused on STE inside the broader university, and it's still here today called Lyman Briggs, which I also feared as it ha a very competitive reputation.

As it turned out, the choice to attend MSU.

Lyman Briggs in Major in Electrical engineering were not only rewarding, but also offered the appropriate level of challenge and foundatio building for my entire career.

Yes, the courses were difficult, my colleagues smart, and the challeng provided me with the opportunity to prove myself something to myself, whic I never really believed myself proved.

I could compete and do well, provided I work hard and put in the effort.

In short, I overcame fear, which led to my next big career decision the next instant I ha trepidation was upon graduating from MSU and pickin my first employment opportunity.

I was fortunate to have a few offers and I want to take the one which naturally offered the most pay and was likely to be the least taxing.

I received an offer from G.E, which not only offered full time employment but also provided the opportunity to further my education at Syracuse University in order to obtain a masters in computer engineering.

Combined with their internal, highly competitive and difficult Edison Edison Engineering program, initially I did not thin this was going to be the offer I would accept.

I felt there's no chance I'm going to be successful there.

Although, yes, I did find that MSU by joining any elite group of students with some of the best engineering universities in the country to compete in Edison's engineering progra was not a formula for success.

Furthermore, many of the courses were graded on a force curve.

I fel I would either get fired, fail or both and end my career quickly after it started.

My father was fighting a losing battle battle with cancer at that time.

Once again gave me really sound advice.

He said, Don't take the easy road.

Take the hardest road and see what you're made of and challenge yourself.

Although once again cautious, I was at least courageous enough to take his advice and accept the offer.

As it turned out, things went just fine.

And academically I perform even better at MSU.

Was perhaps the hardest period in my life as I pursued master's studies while working near full time as an electrical engineer.

Time management and rigor and ability say no to things which would have been fun made the difference.

I feel strongly the quality of the education and the values instilled in me while at MSU proved to be instrumental in my success.

It won't shock you back then and even now, MSU continues to be underrated.

A couple of years after completing my graduate level engineering education and the Edison Engineering program I found myself lost once again as found myself sitting at desk in Nashua, New Hampshire, working on mathematica algorithms and being miserable.

Although the work was challenging and I quickly discovered this line of work was not my calling in life, I could sit there for weeks and months and develop these algorithms and hardly talk to anyone and not understan the purpose of what I was doing and how it contributed to the well-being of the entire company.

As a result, I visited my manager and told him I'd like to get into the business side of thing and change my career direction.

Unfortunately, his repl was not what I wanted to hear.

Yes, he said, the company just put tens, if not hundreds of thousand of dollars into your education and training in for you t become an outstanding engineer.

And this is it.

You're meant to do so.

You should stay in engineering.

I thought about it.

What he said.

I felt he had a point.

I was performing well at my job and making a respectable living.

That's why disrupt what I was doing.

Fearing apprehensio once again were holding me back from disrupting my own career and my own life.

Ultimately, I knew tha engineering was not my calling.

Some self-doubt.

I filed several applications to a small subset of the Top 30 business schools in the country to determine where I could get it.

I was fortunate enough to get into a few of them, including the place down the road, which, by the way, and in my defense, I immediately dismissed at once I had other options.

As the options expanded, I found I found I did get myself into Harvard Business School.

It may seem like a no brainer that to go there if accepted, but again, I was fearful that I was going to be there would be too difficult and given given to forced attritio and forced growth there as well.

I'd be unsuccessful in completing the MBA.

Luckily, I mustered enough courage to go once again.

The outstanding educatio I received here was what gave me the solid foundation for what I was able to accomplish at Harvard.

To not only survive, but thrive.

I took the stereotypica assignment of a consulting firm after business schoo to round out my experience based across multiple industrie and types of business problems.

I ended up leaving after four years because ultimately I wanted to be a general manager.

I will advance advance o'clock 12 years after finishing business schools and the years 2007.

I was doing quite well at my job, but somewha blocked in terms of advancement but financially stable and secure.

However, an opportunity came across to be my own boss and become the CEO of a private equity owned company.

I was recently married, had a child.

Once again I was going to hit reset for a new career, new place to live, a cultur which requires high performance while taking on the CEO role for the very first time.

My supportive wife looked at me and said, Are you sure you want to do this?

And the fact is, I wasn't.

And I was worried I would b placing my entire family at risk due to unnecessary risk taking.

I completed extensive due diligence on the opportunity and some of the people who hired m said they've never seen anybody do this much digging on them versus them on me.

In short, I ended up taking the opportunity.

Although highly stressful the constant feeling of being at an island alone, which is what most typical CEO experiences, the opportunity turned out to be just fine.

The company was acquired a couple of years later by Honeywell, which created a good outcome for me.

However, I didn't necessarily want to stay at Honeywell, but I ha I had to for financial reasons.

And after about a year I start to look for another opportunit as a private equity company CEO.

However, I kept getting promoted at Honeywell and I liked the culture and the people.

I felt I could give this job a ride a little bit longer.

Once I was promoted even more senior levels, I started to think maybe I do have a shot at being Honeywell CEO for the clock to 2016 after a very extensive and competitive process.

I was offered the CEO and subsequently the CEO and chairman job at Honeywell.

Again, self-doubt gripped me, fear, and I felt that I would disappoint 100,000 employees.

Our customers are numerous shareholders that would fail and the company would crash.

I was followed by highly.

I followed, a highly successful CEO.

Thus many people just felt there was no way you could grow shareholder value from this point.

And what you should do is do exactly what your predecessor did, although that would have been safe and likely pleased many, I decided to go in a new direction.

I doubled down on digitization, streamlined the company and simpler and simplified many things and created the first software industrial, the company, which would be ready for the future.

After 7 to 8 years and doubling the share price, I knew I was ready.

I knew I was ready for the next chapter.

And it was time for a successor to bring the company next level of performance.

I always felt the right time for a CEO of 6 to 10 years as new thinking has to be brought in to continue to evolve.

Staying still is never an option.

It's not a coincidence.

Presidents can only serve a maximum of eight years.

As I look back on my career, I've always had a lack of a confidence issue.

Although most of my colleagues would never guess that I did.

But I forced myself to overcome fear and pushed myself into the uncomfortable.

I know all of you will face this if you haven't already.

My advice to you.

Follow your goals and pursue the hardest job, the hardest assignment, the hardest things which are unnatural to you.

The things you hate doing.

Because that's what will pay off in your future.

Push yourself to be the best you can be, because I guarantee you, each one of you is capable of much more than you think you're capable of your yourselves.

I'll give you another example of someone who who all of you know very, very well.

I follow closely MSU football and basketbal since the day I graduate from U.

It hopefully will stay with all of you for life if you study Coach Izzo.

He challenges and pushe his players to be at their best even more than what they leave themselves.

Yet at the same time, he deeply cares about them as people, which enables him to form lifelong relationships with his players.

It is no wonder his team excelled for years and his Hall of Fame track record of success is unprecedented.

Coaching, by the way, that is my definition of a leader.

Someone who can get a group or person to accomplish more than they believ they're capable of themselves.

So in summary, we all have self-doubt.

But when we overcome our own fears, great things happen.

It has been the case my whole life, in my entire career, and I'm confident the same will be true for you.

So go out there into the world and take on great challenges and opportunities.

Push the most.

Push for the most uncomfortable things and less valuable locations and develop as a person and a professional regardless of what your calling in life happens to be.

All of you have gained something which will help you your entire lifetime.

And that is a great degre from Michigan State University, whose graduates are not only smart but also balanced, driven, energetic, curious and to change the world.

Be confident, but never arrogant.

Also somethin our neighbors could learn.

But be self-aware and seek knowledge wherever you can find it.

You will accomplish great things and make yourselves and the university proud.

I can't wait and will be watching.

I've been fortunate.

I've had three degrees from three great universities Michigan State, Syracuse and Harvard University.

All three are outstanding.

However, I can tell you I gain more from this place than the other two.

MSU is the foundation which may be the leader, the husband and the father I am today.

When some of you are here 20 or 30 years from now, you'll feel the same.

So go out there and show everyone what the graduates of MSU can do.

I'm highly confident you will.

And of course, go green.

Thank you, Derrius, for your inspirational words of wisdom and sound advice developed through an incredible career and sharing your journey.

Life's journey certainly will benefit our graduates today.

So we will now have the pleasure of hearing the MSU Jazz Orchestra one the bebop Spartans under the direction of university.

Distinguished Professor Rodney Whitaker.

The selection is entitled I Love Being Here With You.

Composed by Norma Deloris Peggy Lee Eckstrom.

(performing music) Thank you Professor Whitaker an members of the Jazz Orchestra.

If that's not setting the mood for a celebration, I'm not sure what is.

That was outstanding.

Thank you.

I now have the pleasure o introducing the Honorable Kelly Tebay, vice chairperson of the MSU Board of Trustees and she'll address the graduates and guests and after trustee tbe interim provost, Thomas Yates go.

We'll continue with the introductions.

Thank you, President Guskiewicz.

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

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

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

Today's ceremony represents the culmination of your academic achievement.

The degree that you have earned acknowledges your success, and it honors those who have encouraged and supported you.

Our wishes that you will us your intelligence and knowledge to improve the quality of life for your communit and to advance the common good.

Our faculty, administration an trustees are very proud of you.

Please let us add to your congratulations.

Go green by.

Thank you.

Truste TBB I join you in congratulating our newest degree recipients graduates.

Each of you embodies a unique confluence of knowledge.

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

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

Now, it is my pleasure to introduce to Tessa Kresch journalism and broadcasting major in the College of Communications Arts Sciences and the theater major in the College of Arts and Letters.

She was chosen by the senior class counsel to represent the Class of 2024.

Good afternoon.

Friends, family, professors, alumni.

Fellow graduates.

My name is Tessa Kresch and I am so honored to be speaking in front of the fall class of 2020 for graduates.

When was first applying for colleges and inevitably having to make the decision that felt lik the biggest in the entire world, I remember someone told me It doesn't matter where you go, you'll bloom where you're planted.

And I remember thinking, There's no way that's true.

I mean, there's got to be right answer or a correct path.

But looking back, I realize that we all found that path, and that led us here to Michigan State University.

And we didn't just bloom.

We flourished.

Now, it hasn't always been smooth sailing.

I mean, no one expected that our college experience would include Zoom classe in our pajamas or almost a year of only seeing half of each other's faces behind masks.

Though I've got to say, those masks really came i handy during those winter walks.

But can you imagine trying to go to acting class in one of those masks?

Early in my theater major career, I performed in a play where I had to wear a mask with a human mouth printed onto it.

It was deeply disturbing, but we made it through.

I mean, we had some incredibly high highs, finally stripping back those masks, winning games, meeting lifelong friends.

I even got to meet Zeke the Wonder Dog twice.

My own journey at MSU led me to becoming a journalism major, and I had the incredible privilege of working at the college radio station Impact 89 FM.

And it was there that I was able to interview student clubs and organizations every week a cappella groups, sports organizations, environmental advocates, you name it.

One thing that stood out about every singl one of those groups was the bond that everyone shared.

I am continually amazed and inspired by the amazing things tha you guys did here while at MSU.

But we also face some heartbreaking lows.

The shooting in February of 2022 was something we'll never forget.

I want to take a moment to honor Brian Frazier, Alexandria Verner and Ariel Anderson.

Whil the impact of that terrible day will never be erased that tragedy does not define us.

What defines us is the and th unity of the sport and family.

Now, I don't know everyone here, but what I do know is that you are all resilient.

We're all here today because we made it and we are celebrating our amazing accomplishments.

We've pulled all nighters trucked across campus in the snow, balanced jobs, families, countless other responsibilities.

Some of you even traveled across the world to be here no matter your journey.

You worked hard for this moment, and I am so, so proud of you.

In front of me are future leaders, activists, innovators, creatives, teachers inventors, you name it.

But at our core, we're all Spartans.

And that's something we'll carry with us forever.

Now I want to get some audience participation because remember, I am a theater kid.

So just to start us out, could you please make some noise?

If you're graduating today?

Awesome.

Awesome.

Okay.

Could you make some nois if you've ever tailgated at MSU?

This goes for everyone.

Have you ever painted the rock?

Have you ever gotten a parking ticket on campus?

Oh, my gosh.

Okay, here's a tricky one.

Have you ever has anyone not gotten a parking ticket on campus?

I'm so impressed with you.

That's amazing.

And last but most certainly not least, make some noise if you've met someone here.

Many people, whether that be professors or friends who you intend on staying connected with after walking today, the Spartan Network is powerful.

I'm beyond grateful for the amazing people I've met here.

My classmates, my phenomenal professors, my coworkers, my closest friends.

You all make me so prou to be a part of this community.

Now, what's a commencement speech without some sappy lessons I've learned while in school here?

If I've learned anything in my time at MSU, it's to be kind.

Trying to others, yes, but also kind to yourself.

College has taught me that we can be our own harshest critic.

But giving yourself grace i just as important as the grind.

As we take this big, next scary step into adulthood.

Let's remember, it's tough out there.

Let's not make it any tougher for ourselves or for others.

I also learned t embrace rejection, whether it's facing countless auditions or standing outside of sniff.

I hoping someone will agree to being interviewed.

Rejection is a part of life, but it doesn't mean you should stop trying.

If you don't try, you don't get.

And trying is what got me up here today.

And last.

But most certainly not least.

Surround yourself with good people.

A professor once told me who you will be in life is a direct reflectio of who you spend your time with.

And that brings me back to the Spartans.

No matter where life takes us whether it's across the country, around the world or just down the road in Okemos, I know one thing.

And that's because you're a Spartan.

You'll continue to flourish.

We've already prove that we can overcome challenges, create change and leave an impact.

And wherever you're planted next, I have no doubt that you'll bloom just as brightly.

Congratulations, Class of 2024.

Keep flourishing and as always, go green.

Thank you, Tessa.

The senior class counci has worked tirelessly in support of the senior class gift campaign.

The presentation of the senior class gift will be made by Lauren, Patrick and Connor Lay.

Good afternoon.

For our class of 2024, we hope that you are able to take the tim you need after today to not only relax but soak in the joy of the major milestone that you just completed.

I am the senior class Council PR chair, Lauren Patrick, and I'm the student body President Connor Lay, on behalf of the senior class counsel from MSU, the Associated Students of Michigan State University.

Congratulations on accomplishing something that your younger self would be so proud of, and we hope that you push yourself to continue that drive passion and dedication throughout the rest of your life.

As we prepare to leave Michigan State's campus and start a new chapter of our lives, the Senior Class Council want to ensure tha we focus our efforts on a fund that would create meaningful change and truly embodies Spartans well and makes an impact in the lives of our students.

The support our Spartans Emergency Needs Fund was set up to provide students with immediate financial support to help cover educational costs and unanticipated expenses during crises such as accidents, illnesses, family emergencies, fire damage and temporary housing.

We highly encourage you to consider the support Our Spartan Student Emergency Needs Fund while making your senior class campaign gift.

With this in mind we are proud to wear this check to President Guskiewicz and Michigan State University.

We are beyond thankful for those who have donated to the senior class campaign and encouraged those who have not to do so soon.

Our work as advocates of change will only continue as we walk across the stage and into the bigger world.

As we go forward, it is up to every single one of us to stand together and be the change that we want to see in the world.

When we do this, we can a better future for every generation that comes after.

Thank you.

And as always, go green.

Thank you, Lauren and Connor.

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

We are also honored to welcome a number of the university's leaders who are seated on the platform, but who will not be speaking toda in their many and varied roles.

They provide support across our academic mission and are deeply investe in fostering academic excellence and students success at Michigan State University.

Their presence and participation mark the solemnit and significance of this moment.

Colleagues, please remai standing as your name is read.

Members of the audience.

Please hold your applause until all are introduced.

Bill Beekman, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives.

Stefan Fletcher.

Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Board of Trustees.

Lisa Frase, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer.

And Treasurer.

Ashley Green, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Provost.

Mark Largent, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education.

And Angela Wilson.

Associate Dean and Chairperson of the Faculty Senate, MSU Academic Governance and the University Mace bearer.

Lastly, I would like to thank our live captioner Andrea Clavenier and our teleprompter technician, Doreen Hara Asacheski.

Thank you.

We pay tribute today to graduates who have the distinction of maintaining the highest grade point averages in the class, thereby meriting a 4.0 grade point average.

Names of the 4.0 students present present are on their scenes on the screens behind me.

To be eligible for a 4.0.

At least three fourths of the credits for the degree must be earned in residence at Michigan State University.

This hono is designated by the Green White and gold braided cord worn with the academic robe.

This summer semester, 18 students qualified and this fall semester 75 students qualified.

All 93 earned a grade point average of 4.0.

Students, please rise and remain standing to accept our recognition Award recipients.

You should be proud of your outstanding academic records that honor you and the university on behalf of your classmates, the faculty, the administration, an the trustees of the university.

I congratulate you and wish you the best.

Indeed.

And now I invite my colleague, Glenn Chambers, junior interi dean of the Residential college and the Arts and Humanitie and interim dean of the Honors College, to acknowledge graduates.

Good afternoon.

Students who participate i and fulfill the requirements of the Honors College by completing enhanced programs of study are identified as graduatin with Honors College distinction.

These graduates wear a whit stole with the HSC designation.

Will all students who are graduating as members of the Honors College?

Please rise if you are able and accept our congratulations on behalf of the Honors College.

Thank you.

Student who attain a minimum grade point average of 3.97 are awarded a University high honor.

University Honor is awarded to students who earn a minimum grade point average of 3.88.

These honors are designated by the gold cord worn with the academic robe.

All students graduatin with high honor and with honor.

Please stan and accept our congratulations.

All first generation graduates, please stand and accept our congratulations as we are so very grateful.

You selected Michigan University and so very proud of your achievements in recognition of Michigan State's ongoing commitment to study abroad.

I ask all graduates who have had an international experienc as either a study abroad student or as an international student who traveled from around the worl to study at MSU to please stand.

We will now confirm baccalaureate degrees upon the candidates.

The deans will present their candidates Interim Dean Matthew Daum from the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources with a degree candidates from the founding college of this great institution, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Please rise and remain standing if you are able.

President Guskiewicz, Interim Provost Jeitschko, Trustee Tebay, On behalf of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, I am pleased to present these outstanding candidates who fulfilled the to the requirements for their Conferral of their degrees and are ready to tackle the world's problems in food, water, agriculture and sustainable and built environments.

Thank you, Dean.

Heidi Hennick-Kaminski from the College of Communications Arts and Sciences.

Well, the Amazing Degree candidates from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences please rise and remain standing.

If you are able.

President Guskiewicz, Interim Provost Jeitschko, honorable Trustee Tebay, I am delighted on behalf of the faculty of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, to present these candidates who have fulfilled the requirements for the conferral of their degree and who are ready to contribute their communication prowess to help create a better world.

Thank you.

Interim Dean John Papapolymaro from the College of Engineering.

Amazing Spartan Engineers.

Amazing Spartan engineers.

Please rise and remain standing if you are able.

President Guskiewicz, Interim Provost Jeitschko, honorable Trustee Tebay, on behalf of the College of Engineering, it's my honor to present these innovators of today and tomorrow who will transform our economy and society for the conferral of their degrees.

Thank you.

Associate Dean Ryan Sweeder from Lyman Briggs College.

Let's hear it.

Briggs is Will the amazing Degre candidates from the Lyman Briggs College please rise and remain standing as you're able.

President Guskiewicz, Interim Provost Jeitschko, and honorable Trustee, on behalf of the Lyman Briggs College.

I'm pleased to present these Briggs.

These who have fulfilled the requirements for the conferral of their degrees.

These graduates will help solve our health and environment challenges by centering humanity while applying their sharp science skills and understanding.

Congratulations, Dean.

Eric Hegg from the College of Natural Sciences.

Will the Outs Will the Outstanding Bachelo of Science in Bachelor of Arts from the College Degree Candidates fro the College of Natural Science.

Please rise and remain standing as you're able.

President Guskiewicz, Interim Provost Jeitschko, Board of Trustees Member, On behalf of the College of Natural Science, I am pleased to present these outstanding candidates who have fulfilled the requirements and are ready to address th grand challenges of our society to the conversion of their degrees.

Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Mary Lynn Davis-Ajami from the College of Nursing will the Bachelor of Science and Nursing Degree candidates from the College of Nursin please rise and remain standing?

If you are able?

Guy Coeds and interim Pro votes.

Jay School Board of Trustees Members on behalf of the College of Nursing, which marks its 75 years of Spartan nurses and 202 I am pleased to present the BSN candidates who have fulfilled the requirements of the conferral of their degrees.

Congratulations.

Will all degree candidates please stand?

I thank you.

I now ask Trustee TTB to please join me at the podium 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 qualified with all the rights and distinctions to which they entitle you.

As a symbol of your achievement.

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

You may do so at this time.

This act represents a great achievement, a great accomplishment.

And so at today's ceremony we you and we congratulate you.

One more round of applause for these amazing, fantastic graduates.

Please be seated.

Now, the presentation of diplomas.

Jamie Paisley and Scott Pohl will announce the names of the graduates as the president presents their diplomas.

I ask that the new graduates be escorted to the platform.

We ask the audience to be considerate in applauding your graduate.

As the names are read so that each graduates name is heard.

Degree Recipients.

We asked you to return to your seat following the presentation of your diploma and to respectfully remain seated for the recognition of your fellow graduates.

(reading of graduate names) (reading of graduate names) (reading of graduate names) (reading of graduate names) (reading of graduate names) We're almost to the finish line here.

Graduates.

We are very proud of all of you.

There are many people who celebrate.

There Are many people who celebrate with you.

Many of them here today.

People who have been with you throughout your academic journey, who rooted for you and perhap helped cross that finish line.

They might be friends, parents, siblings, aunts and uncles or grandparents, perhaps a multiple generation Spartan family.

So let's show our appreciation to all the family members and friends who have been so important in your journey.

Well, family members and friends, please stand as you're able to receive the appreciation of today's graduates.

There's another group of people who deserve a shout out.

The amazing world class faculty and dedicated staff supported your successes at Michigan State University.

Can we please show them all our appreciation?

Graduates, as I referenced, quoting Raymond Lindquist as we began today's ceremony.

You are about to once again let go of the for something new and exciting.

There might be many such moments in your lives.

Before I close, I want to return to Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr.

He served as Michigan State's president from 1972 78.

And I'll treasure alway treasure my time spent with him and the advice he offered me a Michigan State's new president.

But I want to quote something that Wharton said a few years ago, which I think is applicable to everyone here.

Be prepared, he said.

Be prepared and always look for the kind of opportunities where you think you can make your own way in contribution to society.

Graduates, I am confident your education at MSU has prepared you to do so as you blazed your own trail forward.

Now members of the Fall graduating class of 2024 please as you are able, you might have begun your collective experience separated by distance, but not by spirit.

In time you came together to share this campus, your fellowship and all that it had to offer.

You celebrated each other's triumphs and consoled each other in adversity.

I urge you to stay curious, to stay engaged, and as President, Wharton would have it, apply your preparation to the benefit of society.

And I hope you remai connected to this magical place as you join the ranks of half a million degreed, making the world a better place.

Go green.

I now invite everyone to please join in the singing the fur of the first stanz of the alma mater, MSU Shadows.

Miss Ross will lead us in the singing.

Following the singing, we ask you to please remain in place until the recessional of the platform party and faculty.

Thank you.

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 (MSU Fight Song)