[Music] [Music] Good afternoon, Spartans, and welcom to Michigan State University's Fall 2025 commencement ceremony here at the Breslin Center.

To those joining us by live stream.

Greetings as well.

Today we recognize and celebrate our graduating seniors from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The College of Communication, Arts and Sciences, and the Eli Broad College of Business.

And this is a pretty awesome view from up here.

I love looking out on so many happy faces in a sea of spartan green.

And to see the pride in the faces of the family members and guest who are also joining us today.

Thank you all for being here.

You can feel a deep affection Spartans have for this special place here on the banks of the Red Cedar River.

It's something I know runs through multiple generations in many families attending today's ceremony.

Graduates, today is your day.

We're all thrilled to celebrate your accomplishment of earning a Michigan state degree.

So colleagues, families, an guests, that's offered up again.

This is the second or third of dozens of, congratulatory applauses today.

So let' hear it for the class of 2025.

I've had the pleasure of meeting many of our graduate in dining halls and classrooms.

It's sporting events and other events on campus, and even climbing the steps of Beaumont Tower.

A new graduation traditio that I've enjoyed introducing.

So let me briefly introduce this season's baccalaureate graduates.

They are a diverse group, ranging in ag from 20 to 52 and representing 42 countries and 38 states.

274 of them are in the Honors College.

2743 have made the Dean's List at least once, and 76 have represented Michigan State University in intercollegiate athletics and graduate.

Trustee Bahar-Cook is going to lead our classes.

And graduates when we've met.

I've always come away impressed by your curiosity and determination to make a difference.

Each of you have what it takes to call yourselves Spartans for life.

And so even as you savor thi milestone in your life journey, you're called once again to seek new horizons.

Now you have powerful assets to carry with you, including a Michigan State University degree, which is an asse that will appreciate over time in many, many ways.

I can't tell you all.

I can't let you all go without passing along three pieces of advice that I think can serve you as you move forward.

Number one, continue to hone the skills you've developed here, including your capacity to advocate for yourself tactfully and methodically, which is something I preach to my own kids.

Build your case for yourself, and you will come to the attention of people who can take you places.

Next, I hope you remember the methodologies of inquiry you've learned here, and never lose the curiosity that drives you forward.

If you often ask why or why not, you'll be on the right track to lead a life of purpose and meaning.

And third, for your self-respect as well as your advancement.

Never surrender your integrity.

Soldier and former U.S.

President Dwight Eisenhower said that the supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable.

Integrity.

Without it, no real success is possible.

Graduates, you depart equippe with multiple lenses to process the inputs of our diverse, interconnected world and with habits of mind to exercise informed critical reasoning.

To be able to make sound decisions.

And as Spartans, you possess the will to rise to the challenges that confron our communities and our world.

I'm confident that in five, ten, or 25 years down the road, you'll look back at your college career and realize how much better prepared you became to meet those challenges and seize the opportunities ahead of you.

So today, each of you can say with growing confidence, I'm built for this.

I can reach my destination and achieve my aspirations.

Today you can say, I got this.

We're proud of you.

Now, please join students and faculty and 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 Ross, a master's student in the College of Music.

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

Please rise.

[Music] Thank you.

And as you remain standing I ask provost and executive vice President for Academic Affairs, Doctor Laura Lee McIntyre, to join me at the lectern on this joyful occasion.

Let us briefly acknowledge the fellow Spartans our graduates have los during their academic journeys.

Let us pause here for a moment of silence and remembrance.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

I now invite Provost McIntyre to present this morning's candidate for an honorary degree.

Doctor Kim Wilcox, please come forward.

President Guskiewicz, I have the honor to present Kim Wilcox for awarding of the honorary degree.

Doctor of education.

Doctor Wilcox, you were a highly accomplishe leader in the world of academia.

Devoting yourself to higher education and its administration.

You have utilized your experience and expertise to help expand and transform the University of Kansas.

Michigan State University, and most recently, the University of California, Riverside.

As a proud Spartan alumnus, you.

Your continued commitment to improving the communities around you is truly admirable.

You have had profound impacts on numerous university.

As the provost and executive vice president at Michigan Stat University, you helped to create the neighborhood model to enhance student support and success, and supported MSU's effort to be selected as the site for the facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

Your investment in faculty academics, and student success is a testament to your dedication to Michigan State and the Spartan community that I know you love.

After leaving MSU to serve as the Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, you demonstrated your unwavering dedication through your continued contributions, including overseeing the addition of 250 new faculty, doubling grant and contract funding, and improving the school's graduation rate by over 12%.

For your inspirational career, academic contributions, and dedication to higher education, I am pleased to award you the honorary degree of Doctor of Educatio from Michigan State University.

And your.

Thank you.

President Guskiewicz.

Provost McIntire.

Honorable trustees.

Faculty.

Colleagues.

And thank you, graduates, for bringing us her together to celebrate together.

But mostly, I want to thank our alma mater, Michigan State University, for all that she has done for all of us.

In some ways, my family and MSU grew up together.

My great grandfather, Big Joh Wilcox, emigrated from England to Canada in the middle of the 19th century and then, lured by the Homestead Act of 1862, he crossed the Saint Mary's River from Sioux Saint Mary, Ontari to Sioux Sainte Marie, Michigan, to homestead and develop a farm there.

In the U.P.. So in a sense, that led to my family being the United States.

Big John had a son, Fred, my grandfather, who finished the third grade, and he had a son.

My father, Art, who finished the sixth grade and then went back at night to finish high school.

But his son me, my brother Nick, my sister Cynthia all graduated, graduate from Michigan State University.

And my sister Beth has three children.

Graduate from Michigan State University.

So in fact, of that 1862 Land land Grant act and the Homestead Act mad a huge difference in my family, but not just in education, but also in knowledge.

When I was in your seats, there were faculty members in my college communication arts and sciences.

We're working on time compressed speech, learning about speech in ways that now helps us understan the speech algorithms that are in our cell phones, in our pockets from College of Business, long before there was, common understanding in households about logistics and supply chain management.

We had in the Broad College, the world's number on supply chain management school.

And of course, agriculture, natural resources has been a leader in research for generations and something you might want to Google.

The world's longest running experiment is in our College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Professor, begun by Professor Beal in 1879, and will likely continue to the end of this century.

When I was in your seats there are people predicted that by the year 2000, there'd be a global famine because we simply couldn't create enough food to feed all the people in the world.

But the Green Revolution, led by universities, particularly Michigan State, changed that.

And now we have food for everyone.

Education, yes but knowledge creation as well.

And a global scale.

President commented, I was I served as provost here for eight years, and one day I had the president of the University of Nigeria come to visit, and we were talking about programs and talking about the university, and he looked at me and said, Kim, do you know the colors of the the school color for the University of Nigeria?

And I said no.

He said, they're green and white.

I said, no, I don't make them.

He said, you know why?

I said, no, it was becaus your university, Michigan State, created our university, the University of Nigeria.

That's the global impact you have.

But then he asked me, do you know the colors of the flag of the nation of Nigeria?

And I of course, I don't know if any, but you know, I didn't know.

I said no.

And he said, also green and white.

And then he asked me, do you know why?

And I said, no.

He said because it was your university.

They created stability in our nation sufficient for us to form a government.

That' the legacy of your alma mater.

Now, when I was provost, my first trip to China, I met with a president of a university there, and she explained to me that up until that point, China had been following the Russian model of investment in research and innovation.

And the Russian model was one where you had research universities here, a research institutes rather here, and universities over here.

You went through your studies then you went to do discovery.

In America for a long, long time.

The universities and the federal government have partnered the universities have agreed to provide the infrastructure and the federal government funds the activities within the infrastructure.

The the American model and China scene that we in the United States had moved far ahead of Russia and far ahead of China, decided they were going to convert their entire country to the American model.

Now, 20 30 years later, what do we see?

China's caught up by simply copying what we have done.

But also, for the first time in decades, the federal government is starting to walk away from that partnership.

For the first time, the federal government is disinvested in what has made America great.

What has made my family great?

What has made this entire experience possible for all of us?

So I started this conversation with thanking so many people, but I'm going to end with a thank you as well.

And the thank you is to all of you.

I want to thank you for something that you haven't done yet, but I trust you will do.

And that is make sure that the future of our university, the future of our alma mater, the future of research and discovery in America, is secure.

Don't let this partnership, this longstanding partnership between the federal government and universities fall apart.

It would be unfortunate for all of us.

It's what has made America great.

And I'm thanking you now because I trust you as fellow Spartans alumni, that you will make sure your alma mater continues to be strong for our nation, our state, and for the world.

So thank you in advance an congratulations, class of 2025.

Thank you Doctor Wilcox, for sharing your your passion and love for your alma mater.

And your words of wisdom to the class of 2025.

The Honorable Kelly TTebay, chairperson of the MSU Board of Trustees, will now address the graduates and guests after chair Tebay Provost McIntyre will continue with the introductions.

Chair, Tebay.

Thank you.

President Guskiewicz.

On behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I would like to welcome our graduates and their family and friends who join us today.

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

And we take great pride in sharing this exciting milestone with all of you.

At this time, I would like to recognize my colleague on the MSU board who is here with us this afternoon.

The Honorable Rebecca Bahar-Cook.

Graduates, today's ceremony represents the culminatio of your academic achievements.

The degree that you have earned acknowledges this.

Your success and it honors those who have encourage and supported you along the way.

Our wish is that you will us this knowledge and understanding to improve the quality of life for your community and advance the common good.

Our faculty, administrators, an trustees are all proud of you.

Thank you for allowing us to share this special time with you.

Congratulations.

Thank you, chairperson Tebay.

I join you and President Guskiewicz in congratulating our newest degree recipients.

Graduate.

Each of you possess a unique combination of knowledge and skills you've acquire during your studies here at MSU.

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

As we send you forth we are counting on you to become the next generation of thought leaders and innovators in the 21st century.

It's now my pleasure to introduce Ethan Oliven in an accounting major in the Eli Broad College of Business.

Ethan was chosen by the senior class counsel to represent the class of 2025.

Thank you, Presiden Guskiewicz and Provost McIntire.

And go green light.

Hey, I've always wanted to do that in the present, so thank you for that.

As we gather here today for our graduation, let us reflect on the moments and the people that have gotten us here over the last few years.

We've been challenged.

We've been stretched, supported, and transformed in ways we couldn't have imagine when we first stepped on campus.

So if there's one word that defines our time at Michigan State, it's change.

We've lived through change.

Study through it, and sometimes we've barely kept up with it.

The pace of the world around us has only accelerated new technologie appear overnight, industry shift and the future we were once told to prepare for keeps rewriting itself.

Many of you might have parents, like one of mine, who have spent over 30 years at the same company, and it makes you wonder, is that even possible anymore?

When the internet and I can wipe out entire professions in just a couple of years?

How can we, as the last clas of the first quarter of the 21st century, hope to have a full and meaningful career?

For me, embracing this change comes down to three things education, resilience, and human connection.

Let's start with education.

I know that graduation is a strange time to mention education, because we have spent our whole lives learning, and we are finally on the verge of being able to apply that knowledge.

It's ironic really.

At a ceremony we think of as the end of our education.

We call it a commencement, which quite literally means the beginning.

But if this moment truly does market beginning, then learning must not stop here.

I believe that once we walk out of this building, there are two powerful ways to keep educating ourselves.

First, it is important to stay curious to learn about your field and others, and to keep asking questions.

As times rapidly change.

Second, read.

Read newspapers.

Read magazines, websites and books.

Know what is going on not just in your profession, but in the world.

But also read fiction.

Because imagination might be the most underrated skill of all.

The second way to embrace change is through building resilience.

To be resilient is to fall.

Dust yourself off and try again.

If a company closes a jo changes or your plans collapse.

Resilience is the willingness to explore what's next.

And trust that your skills will carry you forward.

The world won't slow down fo any of us, but with resilience, it is easier than ever to get ahead.

You can build resilience in the most unexpected ways.

For example, when I applied for my first internship at Plant Marine, I spent hours making sure everything was perfect on my application, only to realize after submitting it that I spelled the firm's name wrong and I somehow still got the position.

But that moment taught me that growth doesn't come from getting everything right the first time.

Instead, it comes from trying, failing and moving forward nonetheless.

And that resilience isn't abstract.

I've seen it here on campus every day.

Classmates balancing work and school, friends rebuilding student orgs.

Peers who failed the test but still went to office hours after to learn, or even people who started at one major and discovered that their true passion lies in another.

All right, so far I mentioned education and resilience, but the third and final way to embrace chang is to foster human connection.

Yes, nowadays a lot of that happens online, but the most meaningful interactions still happen face to face.

In fact, to prove that social interaction can be more valuable in.

I've used my parents as an example.

I didn't text, I didn't call and they didn't actually know.

I was given a speech until about four minutes ago when I started talking.

Hey, mom, dad, I'm giving the graduation speech.

Hey, I figured if I was going to make them nervous, I might as well do i in front of thousands of people.

All jokes aside, one great way to bring back in-person social interactions is actually by giving back.

Maybe this is by hiring or mentoring a Spartan.

Maybe by volunteering or maybe just by simply replying go white.

When a stranger sees my shirt and says go green.

Here at MSU, we have seen what generosity can do.

Just last week, Greg and Don Williams donated $401 million to expand access and opportunity for students across this university.

And in our own ways, will hopefully do the same and remember where we came from and how MSU has tremendously impacted our lives.

And that's what makes this ceremony so special.

Whether you found your drive in the College of Business, your creativity in the comm, arts and media labs, or your purpose in the college of Agricultural Natural Resources, we all share one truth.

We learned to embrace this change through education, resilience, and human connection.

The world ahead wil keep changing faster than ever, but that is exactly why we are ready for it.

So take a moment to thank those who have helped you get here.

And remember where Spartans and Spartans don't just keep up with the world.

We move it forward.

Go, green.

Go away!

Thank you.

Thank you.

Ethan.

And I want to say hi to Ethan's mom and dad.

I cannot believe that story.

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

The presentation of the senior class gift will be made by Balbir Deko.

Go green.

Hey, that was not loud enough.

This is Michigan State University.

Go green.

Oh, yeah.

It really feels good to be up here.

Good afternoon for our class of 2025.

We hope that you are able to take the time that you need after today to not only relax, but soaking in the joy of the major milestone that you just completed.

My name is Abubakar Dicko, and today I have the honor to represent the Senior Class Council on behalf of the Senior Class Council from A.S., MSU, Michigan State University, the organization for students on campus.

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

As we prepare to leave Michigan State campus and start a new chapter, the Senior Class Council encourages our fellow seniors to make a class gift to the organization that has a deep, personal meaning to you, so that you can make an impac in the lives of future Spartans.

There are lot of great effort to support, so if you haven't already, we encourage you to do so.

With this in mind, we are proud to award this check right here to President Gus College and Michigan State University.

We are thankful for those that have donated to the senior class campaign, and encourage those that have not to do so.

Our work as advocates of change only continues as you walk across the stage.

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.

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

It is also up to us to create an environment of empathy support and validation of others and the lived experiences because what no one else will.

Spartans will go green, light.

Thank you.

Baba.

I would now like to acknowledge the outstanding faculty and academic staff who are here to celebrate with our graduates.

We are also honored to welcome several of the university's leader who are seated on the platform, but who will not be speaking today in their varied roles.

They provide support across our academic mission and are deeply invested in fostering academic excellence and student success.

At Michigan State University.

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.

Stephan Fletcher, secretary and chief of staff for the board of Trustees.

Lisa Friess, senior vice president, chie financial officer and treasurer Ashley Greene, assistant provost and chief of staf for the office of the Provost.

James Hintze, vice president for student affairs.

Mark Largent, vice provost an dean of undergraduate education.

And Angela Wilson, associate dean and chairperson of the Faculty Senate.

MSU academic governanc and the University mace bearer.

Lastly, I would like to thank our live captioner, Andrea Cleaver and our teleprompte technician, Doreen Cora Roski.

Thank you.

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

GPA.

Names of the 4.0 students presented at this ceremony are 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 honor is designated by the green, white and Gold braided cord worn with the academic robe.

This summer semester, 12 students qualified, and this fall semester, 86 students qualified.

All 98 earned a grade point average of 4.0.

Students, please rise and remain standing to accept our congratulations.

Award recipients.

You should be proud of your outstanding academic records that honor you and the university.

On behalf of your classmates, the faculty administration, and the trustees of the University.

I congratulate you and wish you the best.

I now invite my colleague, Glenn Chambers, junior dean of the Honors College and interi dean of the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, to acknowledge graduates.

Thank you, Provost McIntire.

Good afternoon, everyone.

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 white star with the HC designation, while all students who are graduating as members of the Honors College.

Please rise if you're abl and accept our congratulations on behalf of the Honors College.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Student who attain a minimum grade point average of 3.98 are awarded University High Honor.

University honor is awarded to students who earn a minimum grade point average of 3.89.

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.

I would like to commen those who have worked diligently during the past yea representing this senior class.

We congratulate each of you for your outstanding contributions to the class of 2025.

Members of the Senior Class Council, please stand so we may hono you and show our appreciation.

Students who were selected to represent their college by carrying the college banner in both the processional and the recessional.

Please stand and accept our appreciation and congratulations.

In recognition of Michigan State's ongoing commitment to study abroad, I ask graduates who have had an international experience as a study abroad student outside of the United States to please ris and accept our congratulations.

In addition to those students that traveled abroad.

Michigan State is committe to supporting students traveling from other countries to study right here at MSU.

I asked graduate who are international students that have traveled here to study at MSU to please ris and accept our congratulations.

All first generation graduates, please stan and accept our congratulations.

We are grateful you selected Michigan State University and are so proud of your accomplishments.

Graduates, if you transferred to Michigan State University to complete and earn your baccalaureate degree, please rise and accept ou gratitude and congratulations.

In recognition of our students who served in leadership or service roles while here at MSU, I ask all graduates who participated in an organization such as Tower Guard, Asma Su or any other service organization to please stand.

Okay.

I thank all of you.

Nearly all of you have stood.

We will now confer baccalaureate degrees upon the candidates.

The deans will present their candidates.

And I would first like to call up Dean Matthew Daum from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Will the 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.

Provost McIntire.

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

They are ready to tackle the world's problems in food, water, agriculture, sustainable and built environments.

Dean Heidi Hennink-Kaminski from the College o Communication Arts and Sciences.

Will the degree candidates from the amazing College of Communication Arts and Sciences please rise and remain standing?

If you are able.

President Guskiewicz.

Provost McIntire.

Trustee Tebay.

Trustee Bahar-Cook, o behalf of the faculty and staff of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, I am pleased to present these accomplished and talented bachelors degree candidates who have fulfilled the requirements for conferral of the degrees and are ready to apply their communication expertise and empathetic approach to bridge divides and help change the world for better.

Dean David Souder from the Eli Broad College of Business.

Will the innovative, relentless and future shaping candidates from the Broa College of Business please rise?

President Guskiewicz Provost McIntire.

Board of trustees.

Members.

On behalf of the Broad College of Business, I am honored to present these accomplished high impact and leadership ready candidates who have fulfilled the requirements for the conferral of their degrees.

Thank you.

Please remain standing and I'd like to ask trustees Tebay and Bahar-Cook 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 tradition to move the tassel from the right side of your cap to the left side and you may do so at this time.

This act represents a great accomplishment.

And here today at the ceremony, we honor you.

Congratulations.

And you may be seated.

All right.

Can I get a drum roll?

We will now present diplomas.

Jody Knoll and Scott Pohl will announce the names of graduates as the president presents their diplomas.

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

We ask that the audience.

Please be considerate and applauding for your graduate, as names are read so that each graduate's name is heard.

Degree recipients, we ask you to return to your seat following the presentation of your diploma, and to respectfully remain seated for the recognition of your fellow graduates.

From the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

[Conferral of Degrees] From the College o Communication Arts and Sciences.

[Conferral of Degrees] From the Eli Broad College of Business.

[Conferral of Degrees] We're almost to the finish line.

We have a few more students to take their seats.

And we'll let you go celebrate.

Now.

Okay, graduates, we are very proud of all of you.

And 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 perhaps helped you to cross that finish line.

They might be parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, grandparents or friends.

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

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

Thank you for being with us today.

Please be seated.

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

The amazing, world class faculty and dedicated staff who supported your success at Michigan State University.

Can we show them our appreciation to.

Show.

As we wrap up, one of our accomplished alum who addressed last year's fall graduates, Jillian Lorenz, quoted poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.

She said, what lies behind us and lies before us are tiny matter compared to what lies within us.

And she asked, what if the only thing standing betwee you and your greatest potential is the courage to live your truth?

She said, if we stay committed, usin our Spartan will to make choices that allow our souls to shine full power, we can together illuminate the world.

Now.

Members of the fall graduating class of 2025, please rise as you are able.

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

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

I urge you to remember to advocate for yourself, to stay curiou and to maintain your integrity.

And please stay connected to this special university as you join the ranks of a half a million degreed Spartan making the world a better place.

So go forth, Spartan graduates, and illuminate the world.

And a really cool photo of you in a Spartan cap and gown.

You might just want to start at Beaumont Tower, which we have illuminated for you on this special day.

So go forth and go green.

I now invite everyone to stand and join in the singing.

The first stanza of the alma mater, MSU shadows.

Miss Ross will lead us in the singing.

Following the singing we ask guests to remain seated until the recessional of the platform.

Part faculty and students, thank you.

[Music Alma Mater] [Music Fight Song]