(processional music) - Thank you.

Good evening, and welcome to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Spring Commencement Ceremony for the class of 2023.

(audience cheers) (audience clapping) You may remind your family, friends, and supporters unable to attend today's ceremony to watch the live stream on the MSU commencement website.

As MSU'S first college, we acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg-Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples.

In particular, the university resides on land seated in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

We recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan's 12 federally recognized Indian nations for historic indigenous communities in Michigan, for indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their homelands.

By offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm indigenous sovereignty and will hold Michigan State University more accountable to the needs of the American Indian people and indigenous peoples as a whole.

Now, I invite all guests to stand or position yourselves appropriately to join our students and faculty in singing one stanza of America, the Beautiful, presented by the MSU Symphony Band, under the direction of Michael Parker and accompanied by singer, Amira Coleman.

The lyrics are available on the screens.

Upon conclusion of the music, please remain standing.

(inspirational music) ♪ Oh beautiful for spacious skies ♪ ♪ for amber waves of grain ♪ ♪ For purple mountain majesties ♪ ♪ Above the fruited plain ♪ ♪ America, America ♪ ♪ God shed his grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ (audience cheering) (audience clapping) - Today we bring together our graduates, along with their family and friends, to honor you and celebrate your accomplishments.

We gather today while being mindful that our community is still mourning the violence that we experienced on February 13th.

Celebrating may feel uncomfortable.

While that occasion still occupies our minds, we are dedicated to supporting everyone impacted by the event.

Today, we celebrate your accomplishments, but first, let's pause for a moment of silence to consider how we can live our lives in a way that honors all Spartans, including those who are no longer with us.

Please be seated.

I'm Dr. Kelly Millenbah, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

It is my honor to lead today's commencement ceremony.

Commencement signifies a new beginning, the new life that lies before all of you.

With a completion of your degree, you are now on a path full of new opportunities, a path that was paved by your hard work, your discipline, and sacrifice.

This is the time to celebrate your success, and your mentors and faculty are so very, very proud of you.

I believe that what you've learned in your classrooms and communities during your time at MSU will prepare you to lead and to serve, no matter where your life takes you.

In the coming years, you will look onto the horizons that we cannot yet even imagine.

You will use your education to take on grand challenges of your generation, and you will do it with the skill and empathy and with curiosity of a lifelong learner.

Graduates, your mentors and faculty are very proud of you, and we hope that you will find your way back to our campus in the years ahead.

You will always, always have a home here in our exceptional College of Agriculture and Natural Resources community.

The Honorable Kelly Tebay, an MSU Board of trustees member from Shelby Township, will now greet our graduates and guests.

(audience clapping) - Thank you, Dean Millenbah.

On behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I welcome all the graduates, families, and friends with us at this evening's undergraduate commencement.

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

Today's ceremony represents the culmination of discipline, intellectual work, and creative imagination.

Indeed, no small accomplishment.

But for many of you and your families here today, the sacrifices have been long and great.

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

Our wish is that you will always be leaders who generously use your intelligence and your knowledge to improve the quality of life in your community, advance the common good, and renew hope in the human spirit.

Our faculty, the administration, and the MSU trustees are all very proud of you.

Please accept our warmest congratulations and best wishes.

Go green.

(audience cheers) - Thank you Trustee Tebay.

We will now acknowledge several students noted by the university and college for their work and impact as student leaders or for their academic prowess while at Michigan State University.

As your name is called, please stand and remain standing.

Nicholas Presley.

(group cheers) Nicholas has served as a College of Agriculture and Natural Resources representative on the Senior Class Council.

Senior Class Council members are the voice of their class to MSU'S undergraduate student government.

Nicholas graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Education.

Nicholas, thank you for serving your peers and our colleagues, and your college.

(audience applauds) Each year we pay tribute to graduates who have the distinction of maintaining the highest grade point average in the class, thereby meriting the Board of Trustees award.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has 15 of the 206 students in this year's class who have achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average as of fall 2022.

Students, please stand and remain standing as your name is announced and your biography read.

I ask that all applause and cheers be held until all awardees are recognized, and students, I practiced your names so hopefully I'll get all of them right.

Brooke Bannon.

Brooke is from Hartland, Michigan.

Brooke will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Packaging with a minor in Business.

Brooke's accomplishments include a six month internship and sorority membership.

After graduation, Brooke will begin a career in packaging in Chicago.

Samantha Bourgeois.

Sam is from Berkley, Michigan.

She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a Bachelor of Arts in English.

As a member of the Honors College, Sam conducted research under special education professor, Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller.

After graduation, Sam will also move to Chicago to begin her career in construction.

Abigail Virginia Comar.

Abigail is from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Go Pack, go.

She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

A member of the Honors College, Abigail has published numerous environmental news stories and is recognized as the Mary Gardner scholar with the school of journalism.

After graduation, Abigail will pursue a career in public, environmental, and conservation issues.

Michael Dotty.

Michael is from Conklin, Michigan.

He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management with a minor in Agronomy.

Michael is an Honors College member, was awarded the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award in Agribusiness Management, and Michael has enjoyed working right here in the Breslin Center as the assistant director of facilities operations.

After graduation, he will attend the University of Arkansas for a Masters in crop science.

Rachel Drobnak.

Rachel is from Olmsted Township, Ohio.

She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences with minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies and Sustainability.

Rachel was particularly active with the Honors College Impact program.

Rachel enjoyed playing the Carillon at Beaumont Tower and being involved in One Community campus ministry.

After graduation, Rachel will begin a Masters in Crop and Soil Science at Michigan State University.

Shannon Good.

Shannon is from Caledonia, Michigan.

She is graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Sustainable Natural Resource Recreation Management.

Shannon was a member of the STEM-FEE scholars program and served as the president of the MSU Driving Club.

Shannon completed the equine industry education abroad program in Ireland.

After graduation, Shannon will begin her career as an animal health inspector at the state of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Evan Griffiths.

Evan is from Newberry, Michigan.

He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife with a minor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability.

Evan has worked for the Michigan State Bird Observatory for four years and led the Spartan Stadium Peregrine Falcon Nest Box project.

After graduation, Evan travels to California to work for Point Blue Conservation Science.

Taylor Horry.

Taylor is from San Diego, California.

She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Entomology.

Taylor received a College of Ag and Natural Resources and entomology research grant, volunteered with the Bughouse, and won second place at the National Entomology Conference for her work with Dr. Henry Chung and Dr. Zinan Wang.

After graduation, Taylor will pursue a career in integrated pest management.

Faith Kurtz.

Faith is from Traverse City, Michigan.

She will graduate from the Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a minor in Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology.

She completed an education abroad in Dublin, Ireland and enjoyed doing research at the MSU Swine Teaching and Research Center.

After graduation, Faith will attend the University of Guelph for a master's in Animal Biosciences with a focus on swine nutrition.

Elizabeth Litwin.

Elizabeth is from Clarendon Hills, Illinois.

She graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife.

In addition to being an Honors College student, Elizabeth competed on the Michigan State Archery Team and completed an internship with the National Park Service in California.

After graduation, Elizabeth plans to work as a park ranger in South Dakota.

Skylar Mack.

Skylar is from Hollis, New Hampshire.

She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Bachelor of Science in Genomics and Molecular Genetics.

Skylar is a member of the Honors College and participated in the honors professional assistantship program.

After graduation, she will work in a vet clinic for a year and then pursue vet school.

Anna Malik.

Anna is from Harrison Township, Michigan.

She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics.

Anna started as an early college student, which she credits for developing the skills that helped her be successful at Michigan State University.

Anna completed an internship last summer as a dietary lead, and after graduation, Anna plans to pursue a graduate degree right here at MSU to become a registered dietician.

Mackenzie Mazur.

Mackenzie is from Greybull, Wyoming.

She graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife with a minor in Spanish.

She is a STAR scholar through the STAR Charitable Foundation Scholarship and deeply appreciates the program for making her time at MSU possible.

Mackenzie also enjoyed working with the Michigan State Bird Observatory and spending a semester in Spain.

Ramsey Miller.

Ramsey is from Butler, Kentucky, and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science.

As a member of the Honors College, Ramsey participated in the Honors College Impact program.

Ramsey aided in a completion of three research projects and presented the findings at ASERV and URAF, along with her peers, research assistants.

After graduation, Ramsey begins her doctor of veterinary medicine program at the Ohio State University.

Andrew Smith.

Andrew hails from Bayport, Michigan.

Andrew graduates with degrees in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Education and Agribusiness Management with a minor in Environmental Studies.

Andrew was involved with the Honors College, Michigan FFA Association, MSU Collegiate Farm Bureau, MSU College of Ag and Natural Resources Student Senate and Alpha Gamma Rho, Tau chapter.

After graduation, Andrew will move to Washington, DC to work for the Aluminum Association as their regulatory affairs manager.

On behalf of your classmates, the faculty, the senior class council, and the MSU Board of Trustees, I extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to you for these accomplishments.

Please join me in congratulating the class of 2023 Trustee Awardees.

(audience applauds) Students, you may be seated.

It is a wondrous site to gaze upon the sea of green robes on the graduates and the various colors in the robes and hoods of our faculty.

Our graduates wear either maize or russet tassels, depending on their major.

You will also notice gold cords around the necks of some of our graduates.

These cords signify that those students are graduating with honor, having a grade point average from 3.81 to 3.9499, or with high honor, a grade point average of 3.95 or above.

109 students in this class have achieved such distinction.

Students graduating with honor or high honor, please stand and let us recognize you.

(audience applauds) Students, you may be seated.

Michigan State University and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources would like to recognize individuals who helped ensure that this great nation's safety has been protected.

At this time, will all graduating veterans and military personnel please stand to be recognized?

(audience applauds) Congratulations, and thank you for your service.

I now would like to invite Dr. Dorcia Chaison, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies, to the podium to introduce our student speaker.

- Each year, the college accepts nominations from faculty and academic advisors for the CANR Outstanding Student Leadership Award.

The award is given to a graduating senior who demonstrates dedication to the department, college, university, and community activities.

It is the tradition of the college to ask the student who receives the Outstanding Student Leadership Award to represent the senior class in a reflection of their MSU experiences.

The 2023 award winner is Andrew Smith.

(group cheers) Andrew is earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Resource Education and in Agribusiness Management with a minor in Environmental Studies.

Andrew was raised on a sixth generation family farm in Bayport, Michigan.

He grew up learning the agriculture values of serving your community, and he learned to work with the networks and engage in investment and work needed to sustain the world.

Andrew's goal is to give back to the farming community by serving as a voice for them through a career in agricultural policy and advocacy at a government level.

As a student, Andrew was involved in various organizations that engaged his passions for service, advocacy, and creating meaningful connections with others.

During his freshman year, he served as the Michigan FFA state treasurer, representing over 9,000 FFA students statewide.

Andrew has also served as vice president of programming for the CANR Student Senate, where he planned and facilitated the Agriculture and Natural Resources Olympics.

Andrew was an active e-board member of the MSU Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter helping to revitalize the group, and he is a brother of Alpha Gamma Rho, Tau chapter.

As a member of Honors College, Andrew has been recognized on the Dean's list and as a reminder, he is being recognized for graduating with High Honor as a board of Trustee awardee.

Following graduation, Andrew will move to Washington, DC to work with the Aluminum Association and their regulatory affairs manager, where he will be leading their environmental safety and health policy portfolio.

He seeks to gain knowledge, skills, and relationships in the policy field to continue serving Michigan communities.

I bring you Andrew Smith.

(audience applauds) - Sorry, I'm tall.

Thank you Dean Chaison for the introduction.

Welcome, family, friends, alumni, faculty, and the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources class of 2023.

(graduates cheer) Now, I just wanna say, the last time I spoke in a crowd this large, it was at the Wharton Center, and it was dark, and I couldn't see anything, but now I can see all your faces.

I'm a lot more nervous right now, but it's also a lot more special 'cause I see friends, loved ones, brothers from Tau, and classmates who challenged me intellectually.

So from the bottom of my heart, congratulations to all of you.

More than just receiving a diploma, let's also celebrate the challenges we overcame, and the successes and memories we made these past four years.

Be proud of yourself and our peers today.

It took me a long time to decide what message to leave our class with.

In the past, my inspiration for speeches was being as theatrical and pizzazz-y as possible, which usually meant singing parts of my speeches to Disney songs.

Fortunately for us, I left my singing voice at Crunchy's karaoke night, so I will be sparing our ears at this commencement ceremony.

Instead, today I want to share my newest inspiration, mustard.

I know I just made a very confusing, if not very controversial statement.

Mustard has to be the least popular condiment.

The color mustard is a little too close to maize, which reminds us of a certain school that shall not be named.

And as our crop and soil science peers learned, mustard seed is the smallest and simplest weed seed, which makes it a pain to identify on exams.

Yet there is a powerful story that compares a mustard seed to a righteous utopia.

It seems to be an impossible comparison.

What good can come from this small seed?

What impact does it have?

What difference can it make?

The story explains when this seed is sown into the earth, it grows into one of the tallest mightiest of plants whose limbs give shelter, shade, and food to birds, bugs, and all of us.

The small and insignificant has transformed into the grand and influential.

The same is true in making the world a better place.

Small seeds of positivity and virtue sprout into towering movements, work, and leadership that change the world.

However, when it comes to seeds, it can be impossible to know when they are planted, when they will sprout, or what they will grow into.

Spartan graduates, we are like mustard seeds.

When we came to MSU, we were small and questioned our impact in a college of over 50,000 people.

Our challenges and worries were unique, but we all had them.

We had few, if any friends, we stressed about our first papers and quizzes, and lost a lot of sleep, and many of us wore headphones on our walk to class, so our GPS did not give away the fact that we were lost.

It was difficult to define success, much less guarantee it would happen.

Yet in our dorms, classes, and stadiums, we were unknowingly sowing small seeds.

We went to events like Sparticipation and found groups who shared our interests.

Whether it was fisheries and wildlife, dairy cattle, eSports teams, Irish dancing, or even underwater hockey, we saw open doors in our hallways, and we chose to step in and introduce ourselves.

We went to our first tailgates and MSU sports games and made a new passion for cheering on our Spartans.

We discovered subjects we loved and subjects we hated, and seeds were sown as we adjusted our class schedules, career goals, and sometimes even our majors.

Though small and unnoticeable, these actions planted potential.

Against all odds, we started to sprout.

We made friends and found a passion in extracurriculars, and learned the rules and traditions of being an MSU student.

Eventually, we even started to produce the fruits of success.

Some of us got elected to leadership positions.

Others found amazing internship and travel opportunities.

Those in Greek life found a new family on campus, and some of us moved down from the nosebleed sections at games to the front to lead the cheers.

Not all of our fruits were actions, but instead personal and emotional growth that allowed us to understand ourselves and each other better.

Our fruits contain their own seeds that were planted as we became upperclassmen.

We started new traditions in our clubs, served others through fundraisers and community-building events, and inspired the new seedling freshmen to take on challenges and get involved.

When us Spartans were met with adversities, we grew into the spaces that were created and filled them with love, support, and advocacy for change.

We all have seeds that have grown into productive plants, seeds that we are still waiting on to sprout, and seeds that are planted, but we're not even aware they are there yet.

Everyone's growth is unique, and it's all at a different pace.

Yet, being a spartan has planted potential in all of us.

Uniquely, as students of agriculture and natural resources, we have a shared sense of optimism and hope that our seeds will perform in the future.

Now, raise your hand when I mention something that relates to your career goals, your passions, your majors, in these next couple examples.

Despite uncontrollable markets, biology, and weather, our future agriculturalists believe that their small seeds or newborn livestock will grow to feed and cloth the growing population.

Future environmental.

(student yelling) There we go.

Future environmentalists, despite threats of climate change and pollution, act on optimism, planting seeds and change of sustainability to make a world a better place.

Our future veterinarians and nutritionists plant seeds of health in ourselves, our pets, and our livestock, that eventually produce relief and strength.

Those of us in businessing or packaging have hope in all the small seeds of action.

(students cheering) You guys are perfect for this speech.

Small and mighty.

They have hope in all the small seeds of action that need to sprout for the entire supply chain to function properly.

No matter the future of our careers, the small seeds of action and change we plant will create a more virtuous and interconnected world.

If we did not believe this, we would not be going into the careers we are going into.

Those in agriculture and natural resources believe we have great impacts on our communities with small actions, and we act on that belief.

As we enter our careers, take moments to network in our industries, connect with our coworkers, volunteer, pursue our hobbies, and prioritize our mental health in order to build energy and create opportunities to advance.

Be comfortable in knowing that small investments in ourselves and others grow in unpredictable ways.

Finally, there is no growth without the help of others.

Thank you to our families, who through their love, support, and advice, gave us the character and values needed for us to make it to graduation.

Thank you to our university staff who taught us, fed us, and advised us.

You made MSU our home.

Thank you to my friends, Drew Davis, Nick Presley, Madison and Hoorvath, Alessandro Delavert, and my girlfriend, Sarah Sketch, for all their advice and support in this speech writing process and in life.

Finally, thanks to every one of you for being my friends and classmates.

I will greatly miss our time shared together, cheering on Spartan Athletics, celebrating at Harper's Honky Tonk, in the quieter moments of Euchre games, movie nights, and walking along the Red Cedar.

Graduation is bittersweet because I am leaving the best community that I will ever have.

Thank you all for planting seeds that have given me inspiration, love, and fulfillment.

MSU class of 2023, as we prepare to leave our university home and start fresh in this next chapter of our lives and careers, continue building in the power of small seeds that we plant in our journeys.

Like the mustard plants, we have the potential to grow into the unimaginable, forever transforming our world.

Spartans, start small.

Spartans, start planting.

And lastly, go green.

(audience cheering) Thank you.

- Andrew, thank you for those encouraging words.

Words that are true in the Spartan spirit.

I know your graduates and your guests will consider the seeds that they are planting and will make the investments to ensure that things spring up will be beneficial for all.

Thank you for your powerful message.

And now, we will award the baccalaureate degrees to candidates from the major disciplines in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Candidates for the school of Planning, Design, and Construction will be presented by school director, Dr. Ming-Han Li.

(group clapping) - Will the world's best candidates in construction management, interior design, and landscape architecture please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed the requirement of their degrees, and on behalf of the faculty, I present them for the rewarding of their degree.

Candidates, please remain standing.

- Candidates from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition will be presented by chairperson Dr. Les Bourquin.

- Will the candidates majoring in food science, dietetics, and nutritional sciences, please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all the requirements for their degrees, and on behalf of the faculty, it's my honor to present them for the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, remain standing please.

- Candidates for the School of Packaging will be presented by the School Director, Dr. Matt Daum.

- Will the candidates from the School of Packaging rise?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all the requirements for their degrees.

On behalf of the School of Packaging faculty, I present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

- Candidates from the Department of Horticulture will be presented by assistant professor, Dr. Courtney Hollender.

- Will the candidates majoring in horticulture please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all of the requirements for their degree, and on behalf of the faculty, I present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

- Candidates from the Department of Agricultural Food and Resource Economics will be presented by chairperson, Dr. Scott Swinton.

- Will the magnificent managers who are candidates majoring in agribusiness management and environmental economics and management and food industry management, please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all requirements for their degrees, and on behalf of the faculty, I present them to you for the awarding of diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

- Candidates from the Department of Community Sustainability will be presented by chairperson, Dr. Rebecca Jordan.

- Will the candidates majoring in community sustainability please stand?

(group cheers) Yes.

And smile.

I know, I think you guys were louder than packaging.

Just saying.

Dean Millenbah, these students have completed the requirements for their degrees, and on behalf of the faculty, I present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

- Candidates from the Department of Animal Science will be presented by chairperson, Dr. Cathy Ernst.

- Will the outstanding candidates majoring in animal science please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all of the requirements for their degrees, and on behalf of the faculty and the staff, I am honored to present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

(group cheers) - Candidates from the Department of Forestry will be presented by chairperson Dr. Richard Kobe.

- Will the outstanding candidates majoring in forestry please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all the requirements for their degrees, and on behalf of the faculty, I present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

- Candidates for the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences will be presented by Associate Department chairperson, Dr. Brian Horgan.

- That's okay.

Will the candidates for the Crop and Soil Science degree please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all the requirements for the degrees, and on behalf of the faculty from the Department of Plant Soil Microbial Sciences, we recommend them for their bachelor degree.

Thank you.

Please remain standing, students.

- Candidates from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife will be presented by chairperson Dr. Gary Roloff.

- Will the candidates from Fisheries and Wildlife please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all the requirements for their degrees, and on behalf of the faculty, I present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

Please remain standing.

- Candidates from the Department of Entomology will be presented by chairperson Dr. Hannah Burrack.

- Will the candidates who are insect experts majoring in entomology, please stand?

(group cheers) Dean Millenbah, these students have completed all the requirements for their degrees, and on behalf of our faculty, I present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

And for the last time, candidates, please remain standing.

- Dean Millenbah, I invite you to confer the Bachelor's degrees upon our graduates.

- On behalf of interim President, Dr. Teresa K Woodruff, who has delegated to her the authority of the state of Michigan, vested in the Board of trustees, I confer upon you the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, or Bachelor of Science degree, for which you have qualified with all of the rights, distinctions to which it entitles you.

Graduates, according to custom, you may now move your tassels from the right side of your caps to the left.

Congratulations.

(graduates cheer) This act represents the conclusion of an outstanding achievement and marks the beginning of a lifetime of dedicated service to humanity.

It is an achievement worthy of celebration.

We are here this evening to celebrate the 553 students who have completed their academic program of choice in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Congratulations students.

(audience cheers) Students, you may be seated.

Now we will recognize each of the new graduates.

A department marshal will escort the graduates to the stage.

Mr. Jamie Paisley and Mr. Mark Bashore from WKAR will read their names, and Dr. Chaison will assist me in presenting token diplomas.

Official diplomas will be mailed to our graduates after spring semester grades are reported.

(audience chuckles) In addition to the individual recognition of all of our graduates, a professional photographer will take pictures of each student receiving their diploma.

I ask that the families and guests please remain in the upper stands until all of the graduates receive their diplomas.

And graduates, I would ask that each of you please honor each other, your family and friends, and yourselves by also returning to your seats.

With that, we will get started.

One thing I'm going totally off script on, sorry Stratton.

Last year, I brought the green fist, and we're doing it again this year.

We'll see you down there.

- [Announcer] Isla K Tuller.

Taylor Horry.

From the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Jared Konigsburg.

Renee Fromwiller.

Abigail Virginia Comar.

Maxwell Randalls.

Andrea Paul.

John Ellwood.

Jessica Ann Meister.

Ethan Baxter.

Haley Taylor.

Daniel Miller.

Olivia Noel Trilch.

Elizabeth Litwin.

Asia Edwards.

Lauren Emerick.

Avery Ryan Tilley.

Maggie Haight.

Michelle Zimkey.

Willow Krupin.

Gabriel Fibbs.

Brayden Richards.

Sean Paul Ortiz.

Kelly Baltusis.

Sarah Ung.

Evan Griffiths.

Matt Mezowitz.

Thomas Rondo.

John Netto.

Noah Strogala.

Francis Kudwa.

Catherine Knox.

Sophia Galvin.

Vercinda Hernandez.

Avery Rutland.

Justin Stowe.

Caitlin Helsel.

From the Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences.

Jackson Severns.

Matthew Deshaun.

Bryce Walter.

Ryan McKeen.

Spencer Fleming.

Rachel Rantz.

Carolina Profes de Serio de Righteous.

Rachel Drobnak.

Darla Knuth.

Alyssa Ball.

Kelsey Broughton.

Andrew Davis.

From the Department of Forestry.

Christian Gabler.

Andrew Delaruel.

Rachel Ray.

Abigail Moore.

Ryan Sabo.

Nathan Maidlow.

Jonathan Vaughn.

Connor VanWagner.

From the Department of Animal Science.

Miles Adams.

Arjun Sharma.

Albrianna Fletcher.

Alicia Cox.

Alicia Lubis.

Megan Tobias.

Monica Shurg.

Hannah Kale.

Danielle Casanos.

Malaysia Nash.

Madison Carol Anne Hall.

Sidney Ringswelski.

Caitlin Coletta.

Jessica Valley McCurdy.

Hannah Udel.

Camille Marie Buckley.

Mariah Janssen.

Rachel Kemker.

Taylor Rosario.

Rebecca Morris.

Rebecca Dowson.

Rebecca Agnew.

Allison McAlear.

Jessica Crane.

Kaylene Ramirez.

Nicole Bird.

Chloe Feltske.

Alexis Audra Roar.

Zoe Gibbs.

Madison Horvath.

Haley Moore and guest.

Mackenzie Johnson.

Madison Snelling.

Ryan Kenard.

Rebecca Leanne Hevelka.

Shannon Good.

Faith Kurtz.

Emily Beason.

McKenna Adams.

Aaron Thompson.

Alexis Satterfield.

Jacob Abraham.

Skylar Mack.

Paige Roseanne McDonald.

Mia Riley Charlon.

Haley Shaw.

Rahanna Harris.

Consuelo Guadalupe Crump.

Adam Palazzolo.

Caitlin Tree McNeil.

Lydia Capellar.

Cailin Carpenter.

Kamari Harris.

Kennedy Robinson.

Olivia Garron.

Paige Brown.

Mackenzie Lochner.

Claire Bott.

Alison Baker.

Caitlin Leach.

Elizabeth Youngblood.

John Xi Jao.

Lauren Elizabeth Alsvig.

Kirsten Hickman.

Devin Romo.

Avery McSweeney.

Savannah Avent.

Emily Patton.

Sarah Sketch.

Catarina Jarmolik and guest.

Arianna Chapeta.

Stephanie Postma.

Joanna McGonagal.

Eva Napolitan.

Lauren Marfio.

Brooke Volker.

Amanda Kozel.

Alyssa Wright.

Thomas Catton.

Amanda Schneezy.

Grace Schmidt.

Jessica Frankevich.

Ramsey Miller.

Jake Rasmussen.

Pruitt Walter.

Mackenzie Brayman.

- [Announcer 2] Chase Revert.

Stephanie Wieder.

Kate Hoff.

Emily Aukerman.

Nicholas Grodenrath.

Aaron Rittenhauer.

Ethan Jackson.

Kelsey Pash.

McKayla Bowen.

From the Department of Agricultural Food and Resource Economics.

Scott Fallon.

Madison Marsh.

Grant Lemeron.

Yocelyn Magdaleno.

Micah Diane Cuevas.

Triana Manor.

Sophia Turner.

Cranston Wright, III.

Yua Chen.

Wyatt Bullinger.

Jake Urban.

Daniel Doyle.

Catherine May Draeger.

Brendan Gordley.

Amelia Kuya.

Jasmine Bonrager.

Clement Aboyboden.

Nicholas Mason.

Lexus J DePetro.

Ben Lavin.

Madeline Carrey.

Riley Harding.

Addison Miller.

Logan Lean.

Adam Reinhardt.

Ian Frolley.

Nicholas Wolf.

Roseanne McAloon.

Leah Bowes.

Rachel Senna.

Rihad Abid.

Drew Revert.

Owen Boyce.

Logan Soa.

Harley Huddle.

Alexander Barnes.

Connor Christianson.

Vincent Hooks, Jr.

Core Hujin.

Sean McGregor.

Christopher Barker.

Mattias Beland.

Dustin Varco.

Zachary MacArthur.

Patrick Kimble Balo.

Tao Polega.

Michael Dotty.

Cole Krieger.

Christopher Murdoch.

Zachary Basonic.

Raymond Blake.

Brody Spink.

Garrett Spink.

Kyle Borges.

Matthew Neiman.

Sarah Baig.

Emily Rick.

Wyatt Banashefsky.

Daniel Jackson.

Luke Shar.

Harrison Hawthaw.

Garrett Zuver.

Ty Finnegan.

From the Department of Community Sustainability.

Isabel Iven Imms.

Justin Kohler.

Layla Malecki.

Ariel Smith.

Marissa Vandermolen.

Sarah Grassle.

Violet Renna.

Angelica Bejas.

Mikayla Saya Smith.

Danielle J Gallen.

Maya Flipchik.

Caroline Miora.

Gabby Sleeman.

Lauren Sawyer.

Kenwan Mack.

Haley Williams.

Matthew Albrecht.

Nathan Snow.

Nicholas Calvert Presley.

Megan Lapresto.

Patricia Ann Heavenstreet.

Andrew Smith.

Andrew Jacob Smith.

Lauren Schaffner.

Amon Orion Eberhardt.

Lauren Goodritz.

Savina Osan.

Josie Swass.

Emily Joriga.

Garron Little.

August Woyword.

Alexandra Swartz.

Sarah Hubbard.

Addie Stever.

Grace Regan.

Emily Sahm.

Casey Charles Lee Heath.

Elise McKenna Campbell.

Juliet Hoytnoski.

Patrick Nugent.

Sidney Tognetti.

Grace Brandenburg.

Macy Minertsmot.

Kendall Travis.

Caleb Morasco.

Austin Robert Chigas.

Emma Kelly.

Jinsya Kim.

Hatty Stump.

Marion Ecker.

Megan O'Brien.

Edie Elizabeth Carney.

Jonas Stern.

Mohammed Hariri.

Nick Ruschak.

Tenor Graveret.

Kelly Krasinski.

Sophia Tesmer.

Sue Burns.

Katelyn Green.

Gianna Mendez.

Ryan Rinke.

Davis Bruno.

Richard Gottschalk.

Mickey Deliski.

Hannah Thomas.

From the Department of Horticulture.

Seth Benjamin.

Kelly Taylor.

Lily Rose Ariaga.

Katarina Gonzalez Garcia.

Joshua Cole.

Dane Kozinski.

Dante Luoco.

Rebecca Swift.

Chandler Dearing.

Savannah Raylene Morgan Rourke.

Nevaeh Marshall.

Anna Baker.

Emma Brinks.

Sam Sherwin.

Rachel Mushinski.

Wilkin Latham.

Jarret Bennett.

- [Announcer] From the School of Packaging.

Sarah Sulkinson.

Audrey Natman.

Camille Loken.

Owen Preston.

Abby Lammerson.

Chris Campanelli.

Jonah Lusky.

Colin Barrett.

Monroe Farage.

Olivia Badker.

Selena Cruz.

Nicholas Fracciovone.

Hayden Howard.

Brennan White.

Grant Kornberger.

Royce Puger.

Joseph Spencer.

Jiho Kang.

Evan Ponersvong.

Leia Silverman.

Claire McBride.

Allison Kondo.

Marissa Mann.

Martin Hunt, III.

William Jackman.

Gavin McAndrews.

Robert Thorne.

Nick Schoner.

Brett Tolinsky.

Woodrow English.

John Curth.

Lane Mathias.

Lindsay Kulka.

Nya Queen Lemmons.

Casey Meisner.

Lowell Mohammed Schobel.

Jillian Burrows.

Alexandra Lauren Alford.

Jake Campbell.

Max Gilbert.

Clayton Weiss.

Leah Christine Cook.

Avery Brothers.

Grace Harding.

Jacob Erickson.

Harrison Stein.

Matthew Tan.

Lily Kirkman.

Harper Massey.

Maggie Dwyer.

Gabriela Joka.

Jenna Marie Bolstrie.

Alandra Dawoud.

Brenna Swiftney.

Julia Pakiser.

Cheryl Tam.

Hao Xian Jao.

Maggie Toius.

Samantha Selinger.

Brooke Bannon.

Mackenzie Carter.

Anna Breitbart.

Hannah Haelstrom.

Raquel Kassa.

Natalie Leaning.

Megan Wier.

Sarah Carr.

Annie Wynn.

Madison Berger.

Owen Fowler Zimmerman.

Mason Kasmerik.

Jacob Mead.

Trent Kraus.

John Willemson.

Alexander Flegal.

Emmett Jarreau.

Cole Arnold.

Madeline Wazniel.

Michelle Navozny.

Mitchell Hannah.

Casey Taft.

Margaret Miller.

Brady Detter.

John Reed.

Sean Donahue.

Ryan Connelly.

Mario Alberto Yiannis.

Jordan Stoner.

James McMillan.

William Bailey.

Luke Bachelor.

Aaron Frampus.

Michael Ososky.

Ben Holmes.

Grace Sneed.

Mila Polinkas.

Reed Vote.

Juliana Cavalieri.

Gabriela Peruski.

Evan Bowen.

Aaron Apple.

Aaron Tucker.

Ellie Osterholdser.

Ava Menzo.

Madison Koshero.

Tulpa Brayden Martindale.

- [Announcer 2] From the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Carly Fernstal.

Gabriela Davis.

Jasmine Suri.

Kiara Reyez.

Madison Butler.

Catherine Chambers.

Michaela Heisler.

Sana Hamdin.

Alisar Elbas.

Zena Suleman.

Gonzalo Joshua Sundralla.

Heather Shtott.

Mason Green.

Mikayla Patrick.

Audrey Hensley.

Madeline McSweeney.

Anna Moksta.

Caroline Main.

Sioban Miller.

Emma McIntyre.

Lydia Marie Kutschall.

Corina Hernandez.

Paige Helmling.

Taylor Zizi.

Mallory Andronia.

Nina Voitotej.

Jacqueline Valerie Grace Duplesis.

Alex Hawley.

Lee Havilland.

Brandon Katanez.

Andrew Kuzera.

AJ Burdick.

Eric Diaz Santiago.

Isabella Granowitz.

Lauren Snarsky.

Olivia Grace Hale.

Carolyn Elizabeth Peterson.

Chloe Skyles.

Winter Graham.

Rachel Faith Vandynen.

Ethan Joseph Abborlaris.

Chahat Sharma.

Weng Ying Li.

Jirah Jin.

Jennifer Foster.

Lauren Thomas.

Irene Hernandez.

Amanda Patah.

Anna Piccanini.

Rita Fay Ulabileh.

Cole Vonn.

Tenay Lanea Troupe.

Lena Hadah Ye.

Sheridan Phalen.

Devin Goodman.

Alexandria Arvy.

Emma Dietrich.

Maggie Schlet.

Esther Kim.

Leah Elston.

Emily Graham.

Ashley Rose Kalin.

Claire Winter.

Anna Malik.

Carly Fillion.

Natalia Jennings.

Anna Gawal.

Susie Gad.

Veronica Worth.

Juliana Adams.

Nicole Skeglio.

Rayana Nachey Dilworth.

Veronica Shin.

Emily Tallman.

Maria Tess Renesas.

Eliza Marguerite Hardenberg.

Avery VanValkenberg.

Marley Minertzma.

From the School of Planning, Design and Construction.

Rihannon Shook.

Samantha Horn.

Jenna Lauren Gafke.

McKayla Hayes.

Rachel Lang.

Abigail Debo.

Insia Burhani.

Emma Caroline Sturgill.

Emily Bojo.

Rachel Myers.

Elizabeth Roland.

Monica Karina Obertias.

Tiana Ross.

Caleb Strom.

Gabby David.

Marley Vandenbush.

Boe Yi.

Isabella Santano.

Benjamin Cooper.

Andrew Coravo.

Drew Gardner.

Michael Gallante.

Logan Buren.

Alex Daher.

Samantha Bourgeois.

Joshua Kramer.

And Jacob Wiesel.

(crowd cheering) - Congratulations to our newest College of Agriculture and Natural Resources alums.

(crowd cheers) This is a profound moment for each of you and the loved ones celebrating with you.

Some of you may be the first in your family to receive a Bachelor's degree while others have joined a long tradition of degree completion.

On behalf of the faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, I want you to know how very proud and honored we are to have you among our outstanding graduates.

There is no greater good that we in the Academy can do than to mentor and to develop those who will forge the future, the future of Michigan, our great nation, and the world.

The graduates here today represent the best of the university and make this particular Spartan very proud to call all of you fellow alums.

Former MSU President John Hannah made this tribute to each graduating class.

Up until this moment, each of you has had a slow growing and evolving relationship with Michigan State University.

With the conferring of your degree today, that relationship is permanent.

You and MSU are forever joined.

Please join me in congratulating the class of 2023.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) In closing, I want to recognize those that are most important to our graduates, those who loved and supported them all along the way before they even came to MSU, parents, partners, caregivers, friends and families.

You uplifted your student in so many ways.

No one can count the number of texts, calls, care packages, or pep talks that got your graduate through very difficult times.

This is a celebration for all of you as well, and I would like to ask that you please stand so that we can recognize your contributions.

Families, friends, please stand.

(graduates applauding) Thank you, and please be seated.

Graduates, I encourage you to give your loved ones an extra big hug today and offer them your heartfelt thanks for all the support that they provided.

The faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources share your commitment to our graduates.

Their contributions to our graduate achievements are essential.

The faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are the best in the world, and we are so very proud of them.

I ask the faculty and staff represented today to please stand and accept our gratitude for your contributions.

Faculty, staff, please stand.

(audience cheering) Thank you.

Please be seated.

Please also join me in thanking our commencement coordinator, Stratton Lee, for arranging this wonderful ceremony, our administrative staff, Ann Hill, Cecilia Flores, and Stephanie Van Luven for supporting our students and all of the college and department volunteers who have helped with this evening's event.

I also want to thank our captioner, Kelly Warner, and our ASL interpreters, Kathy Seraco and John Stuckless, for supporting our accessibility needs today.

Finally, we extend a big thank you to all of the Breslin WKAR and Creative Day staff for supporting today's experience.

Thank you all.

(audience applauds) Now, I'm going to ask that you please join us in singing the first stanza of the Alma Mater, MSU Shadows.

The lyrics are available on the screen.

The Symphony Band, Michael Parker, and singer, Amira Coleman, will accompany us.

After MSU Shadows, we request that our guests please remain seated until the recessional of the platform party and of the faculty.

The students, the students will sing the Fight Song.

Graduates, please remain in the stands until the usher signal to you to leave.

Thank you for participating in this wonderfully joyous occasion, and once again, congratulations class of 2023.

Go green!

(audience cheers) (audience applauds) ♪ 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 ♪ (drums beating) (triumphant music) ♪ Go right through for MSU ♪ ♪ Watch the points keep growing ♪ ♪ Spartan teams are bound to win ♪ ♪ They're fighting with a vim ♪ ♪ Rah rah rah ♪ ♪ See their team is weakening ♪ ♪ We're going to win this game ♪ ♪ Fight fight rah team fight ♪ ♪ Victory for MSU ♪ (triumphant music)