(Music Playing) Thank you.

Good evening, and welcome to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Spring commencement ceremony for the class of 2025.

As MSU's first college, we acknowledg 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 ceded 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 an communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their homelands by offering this land acknowledgment, we affirm indigenous sovereignty, and we will work to hold Michigan State University more accountabl to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples.

And now I invite you all to stand or position yourselves to join our students and faculty in singing one stanza of the Star-Spangled banner, presented by the MSU Symphony Band under the direction of Craig Adams and accompanied by doctoral student Amira Coleman.

The lyrics are available on the screens.

Upon conclusion of the music.

Please remain standing.

O say can you see by the dawns early light What so proudly we haild at the twilights last gleaming Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight Oer the ramparts we watchd were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets 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 Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave You may be seated.

Toda we bring together our graduates, along with your families, supporters and friends, to honor you and celebrate your accomplishments.

Let's pause for a moment of silent reflection and thankfulness in your own way.

Silently express your thanks and gratitude for the education you have received, the friendships you have enjoyed, and honor those who could not be here with you today.

Thank you.

I'm Doctor Matthew Daum and I am serving as the interim 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 you with the completion of your degree.

You are now on a path full of opportunities.

A path that was paved by your hard work, your discipline and your sacrifice.

This is the time to celebrate your success as we, your mentors, advisors, faculty, and supporters also express our pride in your accomplishments.

I believe that what you've learned in your classrooms and communities during your time at MSU will prepare you to lead and serve, no matter where your life takes you in the coming years, you will look out on to horizons that we cannot yet imagine, and you'll use your educatio to take on the grand challenges of your generation.

And you will do it with skill, empathy, and the curiosity of a lifelong learner.

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

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

We pay tribute today to graduates who have the distinction of maintaining the highest grade point average in the class, thereby merit the 4.0 rate at which.

The names of the 4.0 students present today 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 honors designated by the green, white and gold braided cord worn with the academic robe.

This spring, 15 total students qualified in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have earned a grade point average of 4.0 students.

Would you please rise and remain standin to accept our congratulations?

Award recipients.

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

And on behalf of your classmates, the faculty administration, an the trustees of the university.

I congratulate you and wish you the best.

It's wonderful to gaze upon the sea of green robes on the graduates, and the various colors in the robes and hoods of the faculty.

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

You'll also notice gold cords around the neck of some of our graduates.

These cords signify that those students are graduating with honor.

Having a grade point average of 3.89 or higher or with high honor, a grade point average of 3.98 and above.

59 students in this class have achieved such a distinction.

Students graduating with honor or high honor, please stand and be recognized.

Michigan State Universit and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources would like to recognize individuals who have helped ensure this great nation's safety.

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

Yeah.

Congratulations and thank you for your service.

I invite now Docto Dorica Chaison, associate dean, to the podium to introduce our student speaker.

Each year, the college accepts nominations from faculty and academic advisors for the CAA and our outstanding student leadership Award.

This award is given to a graduating senior who demonstrates dedication to 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 and a reflection of their MSU experience.

The 2025 Award winner winner is Kendall Brochert.

Kendall is a senior at Michigan State University, graduating with the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a minor in business.

Born and raised in Shelby Township, Michigan, Kendall has been a standout member of the construction management Program and the School of Planning, Design and Construction.

Her education at MSU has provided her with a strong foundation to build upon her future, preparing for her challenges and opportunities ahead.

Since her sophomore year, Kendall has served as president of the Professional Women's Builders Association.

She has fostered a strong community sense of community with the built environment across the Spartan network, connecting students, alumni, and industry professionals.

In addition to her role would be, Kendall has been the team leader of the Associated General Contractors Student Chapter and has represented the program at local and national conferences.

She is a member in good standing of Sigma Lambda Chi and the CCM program Honor Society.

Kendall has also been a student presenter at Undergraduate Orientations, whereby she encourages first year admits to get involved in the CCM program beyond required courses and seeking out mentors.

Her dedication to student recruitment extends to middle and high school levels through the WBS annual Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Stem Career Exploration, which empowers young students to explore opportunities in the construction industry.

Kendall's academic excellence and professionalism have been recognized with multiple CCM program scholarships.

She is also authored an article titled title entitled The Power of Internships.

Waller-bridge's Path to Success.

With three years of internship experience at Walbridge.

Kendall has developed a strong foundation in estimating and project engineering.

Upon graduation in May, she will start her full time career at Walbridge as a project coordinator, with her first project being based in New Albany, Ohio.

Excuse me.

Her passion for construction drives her ambition to manage projects and beyond.

With that, please welcome Kendall to the podium.

Thank you, Doctor Chaison for the introduction.

Good evening.

Family, friends, alumni, faculty, and the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, class of 2025.

To all of us.

Congratulations.

It's truly been an honor receiving the Outstanding Student Leader Award, and I'm proud to stan before you today as we celebrate this incredible milestone together.

Graduating from college is no small feat.

And each of us has lai a solid foundation to get here.

The class of 2025 began this journey in the midst of uncertainty.

We started college during a time when the world was still recovering from a global pandemic.

When the idea of normal was constantly shifting, we navigated remote classes, social distancing, and the challenge of building connections at a time when everything felt so distant.

I remember not knowing what any of my classmates looked like without a mask in my first year.

And yet, through all of this, we adapted.

We found ways to support each other, to persevere, and to construct an unforgettable college experience.

Despite the obstacles.

And today we stand here together, not just as graduates but as a class that has learned firsthand the power of resilience and adaptability.

And let us be honest.

Being a first year at Michigan State University was an experience of its own.

Our first night sleeping in the dorms felt like we had just been dropped off for summer camp.

We all got lost on our class way to class at least once or multiple times.

We saw we get a snow day, only to learn that MSU doesn't believe in those.

We felt the energy of our first football game at Spartan Stadium, chanting the MSU fight song at the top of our lungs.

We quickly figured out which dining halls were worth the walk, in which classes we absolutely dreaded.

And of course, we discovered the magic of the MSU Dairy Store, where Spartan Swirl became my instant favorite.

These moments, big and small, helped shape our journey and made this campus feel like home.

Some of us have known exactly where we're headed since we were young while others, myself included, had these moments of doubt, struggle, changing a major, or questioning our impac and purpose at this university.

And yet, here we are, standing tall with the blueprints of our futures unfolding before us.

When I first started college, I was terrified.

I already knew that I wanted to follow in my dad and brother's footsteps by studying construction management, but my life was changing in ways I never experienced before.

Despite the unwavering support of my family and friends back home, I was stepping into the unknown, forced to pave my own path.

I didn't know if I was ready to step into the real world, but I quickly learned that the fear of change should never be greate than the possibility of growth.

I had to embrace this comfort, lay every brick with intention and trust that even when things felt uncertain, I was exactly where I was meant to be.

As a woman in construction, I quickly learned that doubt and skepticism can sometimes come with the territory.

Looking around and not seeing many other who looked like me in my field, I realized early on the perseverance would be just as crucial as any technical skill.

I learned.

But let me tell you something.

When someone tells you that you cannot do something, that is not a reason to back down, that's a reason to stand taller, to reinforce your structure, and to remind yourself that your dreams are not up for debate.

Ther will always be moments in life when we feel like we don't belong, like we're not good enough, like we should take the safe road instead of the one that challenges us.

But if I've learned anything over these past few years, it's that growth doesn't come from comfort.

It comes from stepping into the unknown.

Embracing change and deciding that fear of failure is not nearly as powerful as the desire to succeed.

Change is not something to be afraid of.

It's something to welcome, because it is often through the change that we build.

The strongest foundations.

Graduating from college is like completing the foundation of a towering skyscraper.

Right now we stand at the base, having spent years laying the groundwork, reinforcing our knowledge, developing our skills, and preparing for the weight of what comes next.

As we move forward, we begin the framing stage where our careers, experiences, and choices shape the structure of our lives.

It will take patience, adaptability, and hard work to construct something remarkable.

And there will be setbacks, unexpected delays, weathering storms, maybe even reworking some sections.

But every challenge is just another being, another floor, another step closer to the vision we have for ourselves.

Thankfully, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has equipped us with mor than just classroom knowledge.

It's given us the tools to navigate those tumultuous moments with resilience.

The range of our majors may be vast, but this is what makes us stronger.

We're bound by a shared passion for the environment, whether grown or built from the ground up.

We all live with a commitmen to improving the world around us and staying true to the land, the water and the people.

From the hands on learning to the support systems we found within CNR.

We are able to build the next level of our lives.

One day we'll look back from the penthouse level, knowing that every lesson, every struggle, and every triumph was part of what made the journey worthwhile.

One of the most defining aspects of our college journey has been the connections we built along the way.

And of course, the structure isn't complete without its connections.

For me, it was my involvement as president of the Professional Women Builders Organization.

What started as a student group quickly became a powerful support system.

A space where women studying construction management could come together, uplift one another, and remind each other that we belong in this field.

Through that experience, I found my voice and passion for leadership.

And many of us found similar spaces.

Whether through studen organizations, leadership roles, or simply surrounding ourselves with people who shared our passions.

From sailing to dance chess club to student government engineering societies to professional organizations like professional women builders.

These opportunities gave us more than just extracurriculars.

They gave us purpose pride and a sense of belonging.

They shaped us into leaders, innovators and advocates and gave us the courage to take up space in our industries and lift each other up.

Throughout college, I've been surrounded by so many inspiring individuals.

Professors who have challenge me and made me use my fingertip knowledge, and classmate who encouraged me, and mentors who have reminded me that I am not alone in this journey.

And if there's one thing I've taken from all of this, it's that we're stronger together.

Our success isn't just measured by the degrees we earn, but by the support we've given and received along the way.

Here at MSU, we've built more than just our futures.

We've built a community, one that will stick with us long after our commencement ceremony.

I'm deeply grateful to the faculty and staff for their guidance and to our families, friends and peers who cheered us on, especially when senioritis hit hard.

Without all of you, this journey would have been a lot tougher and frankly, a lot less fun.

You are the true pillars of our foundation.

So as we leave here today and step into the next chapter of our lives, whether that's starting a career, continuing our education, or taking time to figure out what's next.

I hope we all carry forward the resilience we've built, the courage to stand up for ourselves, and the belief that we are more than enough.

Because we are.

As we mov forward, let us not just strive to be successful, but to be significant.

Let us lift others up as we climb.

Let us channel our inner Spartan and challenge the status quo.

Break barriers and build a world where no one has to justify why they deserve to be here.

Because we all do.

We earned it.

Congratulations, class of 2025.

Let's go build something great.

And as always, go green.

Thank you.

Kendall.

Your experience and perspectiv are true to the Spartan spirit.

You have shared genuine expressions of grit, determination, and compassion.

These are two characteristics of great people and great leaders.

Our graduates and our guests will remember your powerful words.

Growth does not come from comfort.

It comes from stepping into the unknown.

Thank you for such a moving message.

Now I invite interim Dean Matt Daum back to the podium for a warning of the Bachelorette degrees across the major disciplines for the college.

Candidates in the School of Planning, Design and Construction will be presented by school director Doctor Jun-Hyun Kim.

Will the candidate majoring in construction management, interior design and landscape architecture.

Please stand if we are able.

So interim Dean Daum.

These students have completed all the requirements for their degree and they are so ready to create and build a resilient sustainable and healthy world.

On behalf of all fantastic faculty members, critical planning, design and construction, I present them to you fo the awarding of their diplomas.

So candidate please remaining stand.

Candidates from the Department of Food, Science and Human Nutrition will be presented b chairperson Doctor Les Bourquin.

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

Interim Dean Daum.

The students have all completed the requirements for their degrees.

And on behalf of the faculty it's my pleasure to present them for the awarding of their diplomas.

Please remain standing.

Candidates from the Schoo of Packaging will be presented by interim school director Doctor Laura Bix.

All right.

Will the candidates majoring in packaging?

The first school of its kind in the world please rise and remain standing if you are able.

Interim Dean Daum.

These students have completed all the requirements from their degrees.

And on behalf of the faculty and staff at the school, I present them to you fo the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates from the Department of Horticulture will be presented by Assistant Professor nofull professor Doctor Vance Baird.

Good evening.

Will the candidate majoring in horticulture please stand?

Interim Dean Daum.

These hardworking and dedicated students and veteran have completed all th requirements for their degrees.

And on behalf of the faculty in the Department of Horticulture, I present them to you for the awarding of their diplomas.

Please remain standing.

Candidates from the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics will be presente by Chairperson Doctor Chad Cotti Will the candidates majoring in agribusiness management, environmental economics and Management and food industry Management please stand?

Interim Dean Daum.

These students have completed all the requirements for their degree.

And on behalf of the faculty, I present them to you fo the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

Candidates from the Department of Community Sustainability will be presented by chairperson Doctor Rebecca Jordan.

Okay.

Will the candidates majoring in environmental Studies and Sustainability and Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and agri foo and natural resources education.

Please stand up.

Now everybody wave.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Interim Dean Daum these very excellent 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 from the Department of Animal Science will be presented by chairperson doctor Cathy Ernst.

Will the candidates majoring in animal science please stand?

Interim Dean Daum These students have completed all of the requirements for their degrees.

And on behalf of the faculty and the staff and the department of Animal Science, I present them to you fo the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

Candidate from the Department of Forestry will be presented by chairperson Doctor Richard Kobe.

Will the candidates majoring in forestry please stand?

Interim Dean Daum.

These fantastic students have completed all the requirements for their degrees.

And on behalf of the faculty, I present them to you fo the awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

Candidates from the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences will be presented by interim chairperson Doctor Wei Zheng.

We are candidate major in crop and soil science.

Please stand if you are able.

Interim Dean Daum.

The students have completed all their requirements for their degrees.

On behalf of the faculty, I now present to you for awarding their diplomas.

Candidate.

Please remain standing.

Candidate from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife will be presented by us by.

Presented.

Sorry.

Will be presented by chairperson Doctor Dana Infante.

Will the candidates majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife please stand?

Interim Dean Daum.

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.

Thank.

Candidates from the Departmen of Entomology will be presented by chairperson Doctor Hannah Burrack.

Will the candidates majoring in entomology please stand?

Interim Dean.

Damn.

These insect enthusiasts have completed all the requirements for their degrees.

And on behalf of our outstanding faculty, I present them to yo for the award of their diplomas.

Candidates.

You've said.

I've heard it.

I've heard it before.

Please remain standing.

On behalf of President Kevin Guskiewicz, who has delegated to him the authority of the state of Michiga vested in the Board of Trustees, I confer upon yo the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, or the Bachelor of Science degree for which you have qualified with all the rights and distinctions to which it entitles you.

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

This act represent the conclusion of an outstanding achievement and marks the beginning of a lifetime dedicated to service to humanity.

It's an achievement worthy of celebration.

We are here this evening to celebrate the 525 students who have completed their academic program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Congratulations.

And now we will recognize each of the new graduates.

A department marshal will escort the graduates to the stage.

Jamie Paisley and Linda Kernohan from WKAR will read their names.

And associate Dean Chaison will assist m in presenting a token diplomas.

Official diplomas will be mailed to the graduates after spring semester.

Grades are reported.

In addition to the individual recognition of all graduates, a professional photographer will take pictures of eac student receiving their diploma.

I would ask that families and guests please remain in the stands until all graduates receive their diplomas, and that graduates return to their seats for the remainder of the ceremony.

Congratulations to our newest College of Agriculture and Natural Resource alums.

You may be seated.

From the Department of Entomology.

(Conferral of Degrees, Reading Graduate Names) (Conferral of Degrees, Reading Graduate Names) From the Department of Community Sustainability.

(Conferral of Degrees, Reading Graduate Names) From the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics.

(Conferral of Degrees, Reading Graduate Names) From the Department of Horticulture.

(Conferral of Degrees, Reading Graduate Names) From Food Science and Human Nutrition.

(Conferral of Degrees, Reading Graduate Names) Go Green.

Go White.

Excellent.

Congratulations to our newest college of Agricultural and Natural Resources alums.

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 degree, while others have joined a lon tradition of degree completion.

And I just wanted to.

I want you to know how proud and honored that we are to have you among our outstanding graduates here at Michigan State University.

There is no greater goo that we and the Academy can do than to mentor and develo 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 Spartan proud to call 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 slowly growing and evolving relationshi with Michigan State University, where the conferring of your degree today that relationship is permanent.

You and MSU are forever joined.

Pleas join me again in congratulating the class of 2025.

In closing, I want to recognize those who are most important to our graduates, those who have loved and supported them long before they came to MSU.

So parents, partners caregivers, friends, families.

You uplifted your student in so many ways.

And as a parent of three college kids myself, I know the number of texts and the calls and the care packages and the pep talks that get your graduate through hard times.

This i a celebration for you as well, and I would like to recognize you.

So would you please stand so that we can thank you?

Graduates give your loved ones a hug today and offer them your heartfelt thanks for all their support.

I also want to recognize our faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

They have a great commitment to our graduates and their contribution to our graduates achievements.

They're essential.

The faculty and staff in our colleg are among the best in the world, and we are very proud of them as well.

And I ask the faculty and staff represented today, would you please stand and accept our gratitude for your contributions?

Hey.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Please join me also in thanking our commencement coordinator, Yu Sheng Li, for arranging this wonderful ceremony.

And our administrative staff.

Ann Hill and Cecilia Flores.

Who also support our students and the college, as well as all the department volunteers who have helped us with tonight's event.

I also want to thank our captioner, Christine Brends, for supportin our accessibility needs today.

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

And now to close, I would like to ask you if you are able to please join us in singing the first stanz of the alma mater, MSU shadows.

The lyrics are available on the screen.

The MSU Symphony Band, Craig Adams and singer Amira Coleman will accompany us.

After MSU shadows We request that our guests remain seated until the recessional of th platform party, and the faculty.

The students will finish by singing the fight song, and graduates, please remain in the stands until the marshals signal for you to leave.

Thank you all for participating in this joyous occasion.

And once again congrats to our class of 2025!

Go green!

Go White!

MSU we love thy shadows When twilight silence falls Flushing deep and softly paling Oer ivy covered halls Beneath the pines well gather To give our faith so true Sing our love for Alma Mater And thy praises MSU.

(MSU Fight Song)