(Music Playing) Good afternoon, and welcome to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Spring commencement ceremony for the class of 2026.

I am Doctor Dorcia Chaison associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

And I have the honor of representing Dean Matthew Dong at today's ceremony.

As image shows, First College, we acknowledg that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary land 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 and for indigenous individuals and communities who live here and now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their homelands by offering this land acknowledgment, we affirm indigenous sovereignty will work to hold Michigan State University more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples.

Now, I invite you to stand or position yourselves to join our students and faculty and singing one stands out of the Star Spangled Banner, presented by the MSU Symphony Band under the direction of David Thorton and accompanied by doctoral student Ameera Coleman.

The lyrics are available on the screen.

Upon conclusion of the music, please remain standing.

(Singing and performance of Star-Spangled Banner) Toda we bring together our graduates, along with your families, supporters and friends, to honor and celebrate your accomplishments.

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

Silently express your thanks and gratitude for the educatio you've received, the friendships you have enjoyed and honored those who could not be here with you today.

Please be seated.

We are privileged to have members of the Board of Trustees with us this afternoon.

The Honorable Rebecca Bahar-Cook and board chairman Brianna Scott.

Trustee Bahar-Cook will now welcome you to tonight's activities.

Thank you, associate Dean Chaison, on behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I welcome all the graduates, families and friends who are with us this afternoon.

And for the undergraduate commencement.

Today's ceremony represent the culmination of disciplined intellectual work and creative imagination.

Certainly no small accomplishment 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 i that you will always be leaders who generously use your intelligence and your knowledg to improve the quality of life for your community, to advance the common good, and to renew hope in the human spirit.

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

Please accept our warmest congratulations and best wishes.

Thank you, Trustee Bahar-Cook.

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

Names of the 4.0 students present today on the screens behind me.

To be eligible for 4.0, at least three fourths of the credits for the degree must be earned in residence here at Michigan State University.

This honor is designated by green, white, and gold braided cords worn with the academic robe.

This semester, 15 students qualified in the College of Natural Resources, earning a grade point average of 4.0 students.

Please stand and remain standin to accept our congratulations.

Award recipients.

You should be proud of your outstanding academic records that honor you, as well as the university, on behalf of your classmate and faculty and administration, as well as the Board of trustees of the university.

I congrats to late you and wish you the best.

You may now be seated.

It is wonderful to gaze upon the sea green robes that the graduates and the various colors of the robes and the hoods of the faculty members.

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

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

These cords signif that the students are graduating with honor, having a grade point average of 3.88 or higher, or with high honor with a grade point average of 3.98 and higher.

There are 98 students in this class that have achieved such a distinction.

Students graduating with honor and high honor.

Please stand and be recognized.

You may now be seated.

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

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

Congratulation and thank you for your service.

You may be seated.

I now invite Doctor Laura Bix, associate dean, to the podium to introduce our student speaker.

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

This award is given to a graduating senior 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 in a reflection of their MSU experience.

The 2026 award winner is Jj bird.

Jj bird is a senior in the Honors College at Michigan State University.

He is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Entomology and a minor in Spanish.

Originally from Plymouth, Michigan, Jj has distinguished himself through academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to community.

During his time at MSU, J has built an impressive record.

He has also been deeply involved in research.

Campus employment, and student leadership.

He currently serves as president of the Bug Club, where he has created inclusive and engaging space for students interested in entomology.

He is also represented MSU in the Entomology Games at the Homological Society of America.

JJ's passion for education is evident in his work as an undergraduate learning assistant, where he has helpe many students develop a greater appreciation for insects and turn fear into curiosity.

I could use your help with that.

Outstanding.

Outside the classroom.

He has demonstrate a strong commitment to advocacy and inclusio through his work with the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, supporting fellow students and contributin to more inclusive campus spaces.

His research experience spanned multiple institutions, including work in insect systematics, molecular physiology, and applied diagnostics.

Notably, his contributions to date of visualization and mapping have supported agricultural stakeholders across the state of Michigan.

After graduating, he plans to pursue a career in teaching and research, aimin to inspire the next generation of scientists and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

With that, please join me i welcoming JJ bird to the podium.

Thank you for the introduction.

Doctor Bix.

Hello everyone, and welcom to the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, class of 2026, as well as the loved ones who have been with us every step of the way.

We've officially done it.

I'm incredibly honored to receive the Outstanding Student Leadership Award, and I'm equally as excited to share some parting words with all of you as we prepare to transition into an exciting new stage of our lives.

It feels like just yesterday I was in preschool, spending my days flipping over my mom's carefully designed landscaping rocks in search of bugs.

I bet you all can imagine how overjoyed she was to have a bug obsessed chil running around covered in dirt, leaving heavy rocks on the grass and bringing all sorts of critters into the house.

As I prepared to transition to college, everyone told me that this stage of my life would be much easier.

Though some aspects have been less difficult than when I was younger.

I found colleg much more challenging overall.

In fact, I'd say that coming here over the past four years has been one of th hardest things I've ever done, yet is also been one of the things I'm most grateful for and proud of.

When I began my first year here, I remember barely believing that I was actually a college student.

It might have been the rickety, lofted beds my incredibly optimistic belief that I would be fine taking 8 a.m.

classes, or maybe the August heat in a dorm room that many people on my floo initially thought was a closet.

As I started attending classes, I was absolutely determined to not look like a freshman and to blend in with everyone else.

Newsflash that didn't work.

Since then, time has absolutely flown.

These past four years have been an absolute whirlwind of hardships successes, and creating memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

In my freshman year, I joined Bug Club, a student organization for insect enthusiasts.

There, I quickly found an engaging, supportive community of people who shared my love of bugs.

I also began conducting research in an entomology lab, which opened my eyes to a wonderful world of knowledge and education that I hope to inhabit for the rest of my life.

Through my work in education and campus activism, I've cultivated a lifelong passion for helping and investing in others growth.

One of the best parts of my week each semester has been the introductory entomology course I've assiste with over the past three years.

Most folks in this class aren't entomology majors, and many studie are to study something entirely outside the biological sciences.

Throughout the semester, we begin to introduce the to the wonderful world of bugs.

We have the student take a survey at the beginning and end of the class that asks how they feel about insects, and without fail, their opinions improved significantly by the end of the course.

Being an undergraduate learning assistant for this class has helped solidify my desire to continue paying for the assistance, kindness, and education I've been given over the past four years.

For the rest of my life, the world after graduation is both exciting and incredibly terrifying.

We've spent the past few years in a structured environment that's tailored to students, designed to support us as we learn and grow.

Now it's tim to take off the training wheels.

Some of the graduates being recognized here today likely have concrete plans for the future, while others are waiting to see what the next stage of their lives will bring.

During this exciting transitional period, it's essential to step back and appreciate how much each and every one of us has grown here.

Regardless of what the future holds, we're entering into a world with infinite opportunities and possibilities for growth.

Yet also with daunting instances of adversity and oppression, it's almost impossible to know where to begin when trying to creat meaningful change in the world.

I often feel like what I hope to do with my life won't make a difference to the big picture at all.

So instead of looking at a zoomed out version of what's happening, I try to focus on how I can help individual people.

One motto I like to live by is the idea that life is not a competitio about who's struggling the most.

There may be times where I have advantages or certain privileges in certain environments.

When I'm able to succeed.

I will always endeavor to uplift, support, and advocat for others who are struggling.

Likewise, I hope and expect that they will do the same for me.

In addition to this philosophy I also like to think of a story you may have heard before about a man throwing starfish back into the sea.

For those who aren't familiar with the tale, here's an abridged version.

A young man is walking along the ocean and sees a beach strewn with thousands and thousands of starfish that have washed ashore.

Further along, he sees an old man walking slowly and stooping, often picking up one starfish at a time and tossin each one gently into the ocean.

Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?

He asks.

Because the sun is going up and the tide is going out.

And if I don't throw them further in, they will die.

But, old man, don' you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along?

It?

You can't possibly save them all.

You can't even save one tenth of them.

In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won't make any difference at all.

The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfis before throwing it into the sea.

It made a difference to that one.

Instead of trying to change the tides or the ocean, focus on helping each individual starfis find its way back to the water.

Something you do for one person that might seem easy or even insignificant to you, could change the course of their entire life.

I'd like to challenge each and every graduate being recognized here today, to go forth into the world as a star thrower.

Not every one of us is going to change the entire world for everyone, bu every single person here today is capable of changing someone else's world.

No matter what you may achieve.

Make sure to remember how far you've come.

Whether you approach your life from the perspective of an inquisitive child flipping over rocks to look for bugs, the pragmatic adult needing everything up or somewhere in between.

We've all grown immensel over the past four or so years, and I know for a fact that a part of my heart will always be here.

As a teacher I once had always used to say, go forth and do great things.

Go green.

Thank you, Jj.

Your experience and perspectiv are true to the Spartan spirit.

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

These are two characteristics of great people and great leaders.

Our graduates and guests will remember your powerful words.

Not only one of us is going to change the entire worl for everyone, but every single one of us is capable of changing someone else's world.

Thank you so muc for such a moving message.

Now it's time to confer the bachelor degrees upon candidates.

Candidates in the School of Planning, Design and Construction will be presented by associat Professor and Program Director, Doctor Linda Nubani.

Will the candidates majoring in construction management, interio design, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning please stand if you're able.

Associate dean Chaison.

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

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

Associate dean Chaison.

The students have completed all 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 majorin packaging please rise as you are able?

Associate Dean Chaison.

These students have completed all the requirements for their degrees.

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

Candidates from the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics will be presented by chairperson, doctor Chad Cotti.

Will the candidates majoring in agribusiness management, Environmental Economics and Management, and Food Industry Management please stand?

Associate Dean Chaison.

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

Okay.

Will the candidates majoring in agriculture, food and Natural resources, education, comma.

Environmental studies and sustainability.

Comma and sustainabl parks, recreation and tourism.

Please stand.

All right.

Now, I need y'all to smile big.

We're gonna get a nice, big photo.

Woo!

All right.

Keep it going, Associate Dean Chaison and these students have completed all th 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 Horticulture are presented by chairperson Doctor Vance Baird.

Good afternoon.

Will the candidates majoring in horticulture please stand?

Associate Dean Chaison.

These students have completed all the requirements for their degree.

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

Candidate from the Department of Forestry will be presente by chairperson doctor Rich Kobe.

Will the candidates majoring in forestry please stand?

Associate Dean Chaison.

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 from the Department of Animal Science will be presented by the Director of Undergraduate Education.

Doctor Karen Warner.

Will the outstanding candidates majoring in animal science please send.

Associate Dean Chaison.

These students have completed all the requirements for their degrees.

And on behalf of the faculty and staff in animal science, I present them to you for their awarding of their diplomas.

Candidates, please remain standing.

Candidates from the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences will be presented by Department chairperson, doctor Sydney Everhart.

Will the candidates majoring in crop and soil sciences.

Please stand.

Associate Dean Chaison and these students have completed all the requirements for their degrees.

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

Candidates, please remain standing.

Candidates from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife will be presented by chairperson Doctor Dana Infante.

Will the candidates majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife, applied conservation biology, aquatic ecology and Management, fish ecology and management, and wildlife ecology and management.

Please stand.

Associate Dean Chaison.

These 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.

Please remain standing.

Thank you.

Candidates from the Department of Entomology will be presented by chairperson doctor Hannah Burrach.

Will the candidates majoring in entomology please stand?

Associate Dean Chaison.

These insect experts have completed all the requirements for their degree.

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

Will all candidates 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 you the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, or Bachelor of Science degree, for which you have qualified with all the rights and distinctions and which it entitles you.

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

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

It is an achievement worthy of celebration.

We ar here this afternoon to celebrate 580 plus students who have completed the academic program of their choice here in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Congratulations again.

Now we will recognize each of the new graduates, the department marshal with its escort, the graduates to the stage.

Jamie Paisley and Linda Kernohan from WKAR will read names.

And associate Dean Laura Bix will assist me in presenting token diplomas.

Official diplomas will be mailed to graduates after spring semester grades have been reported.

In addition to recognizing each graduate individually, a professional photographer will take a photo of each studen as they receive their diploma.

We please ask the audience to be considerate when applauding.

As graduates, names are read so that each and every name can be clearly heard after receiving your diploma.

All degree recipients should return to their seats and remain for the duration of the ceremony.

Every graduating senior is a member of the Spartan family, and we ask that you show the same respect for the last graduate as you do for the first.

We recognize that commencement is lengthy and we encourage everyone to remain present through its conclusion.

Let's do it.

You may now be seated.

(Conferral of degrees reading graduate names) Congratulations to our newest college of Agriculture and Natural Resources alumni.

Yes.

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 long tradition of degree completion.

I want you to know how proud and honored we are to have you among our outstanding graduates.

There is no greater good than we at the Academy can do, than to mentor and to develo those who will forge the future, the future of Michigan.

The future of our great nation.

The future of the world.

The graduates her today represent the best of the University and make this Spartan proud to call all of you a fellow alum.

I must tell you, the 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.

With the conferring of your degrees today.

That relationship is permanent.

You and MSU are forever joined.

Please join me again in congratulating the class of 2026.

In closing, I want to recognize those who are most important to our graduates.

Those who loved and support them before they came to MSU.

Parents.

Partners.

Caregivers.

Friends.

Families.

You uplifted the student in so many ways.

No one can count the number of text or calls or care packages or even prep talks.

They excuse me.

That helped get your graduate through the hard times.

This is a celebration for you as well.

And I would like you to please stand if you can, so that we can recognize your contributions.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

Graduates, I encourage you t give your loved ones a hug today and offer them your heartfelt thanks for all of their support.

The faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Share your commitment to the graduates.

Their contributions to the graduate graduate' achievements are very essential.

The faculty and staff and CNR are among the best in the world, and we are proud of them.

I ask the faculty and staff represented today to stand and accept our gratitude for all of their contributions, as well.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

Please join me in thanking our commencement coordinator, Sam Chow, for arranging this wonderful ceremony and all of the college, as well as the department volunteers who have helped at this event today.

I also want to thank our captioner, Susan Hahayi for supporting our accessibility needs today.

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

Now, I ask you to please join us in singing the first stanza of the Alma matter.

MSU Seattle.

The lyrics are available on the screen.

The MSU Symphony Band, David Thorton and singer Ameera Coleman will accompany us after MSU shadows.

We request that all guests remain seated until the recessional of the platform party and faculty.

Students will finish by singing the fight song.

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

Thank you.

Thank you for participating in this joyful occasion.

And once again, congratulations to the class of 2026.

Go green!

Go white!

Please stand.

(Singing and performance of MSU Alma Mater) (MSU Fight Song performance)