(festive graduation music) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (festive graduation music continues) (graduates applauding) - Good afternoon.

On behalf of Michigan State University, welcome to the Spring 2024 Doctoral Degrees Commencement Ceremony.

For those joining us on livestream, greetings as well.

You may be seated.

Today, we recognize the scholarship and dedication of our doctoral degree candidates and celebrate their achievement.

(graduates applauding) Graduates, in a few minutes, I will introduce our honorary degree recipient and featured speaker, Bolaji Balogun, CEO of Investment Bank Chapel Hill Denham.

At a recent event focused on growing developing economies, he said that if you unlock entrepreneurship where the tools to unlock it are scarce, you can change the world.

Doctoral candidates, I've had the opportunity to meet many of you since I arrived on campus.

Some of you just last week at Cowles House as we began this week of celebration.

And I can tell that you are passionate, dedicated, and resourceful scholars who are likewise focused on making a difference by taking on the grand challenges facing our society.

We are counting on you to not only contribute to solving the grand challenges of today, but identifying and developing a plan to solve the grand challenges of tomorrow.

No pressure.

You have already made a difference in the course of your doctoral studies.

I've been privileged to work with and mentor many outstanding graduate students and I can attest to their importance to my success and that of a proud public research university like Michigan State University.

You have stepped beyond your roles of students to assume leadership in classrooms, laboratories, and in the spheres of your academic disciplines.

You support our research enterprise and faculty mentors by applying your perspectives to uncovering, analyzing, and presenting new information.

You have added the diversity of your unique backgrounds to the university's educational community as well as your scholarship.

Among this assembled group, you range in age from 24 to 69.

(graduates applauding) And you represent 37 states and 31 countries.

(graduates applauding) As one of the world's great research and land grant universities, it's in Michigan State's DNA to marshal cutting edge knowledge and innovation to address society's great challenges.

And as emerging knowledge leaders, you are the next generation of teachers and doers fit to grapple with those challenges.

So graduates, thank you for your partnership and fulfilling this passionately public university's commitment to creating new knowledge and transforming lives.

Today, one chapter in your life journey story might be closing, but another exciting chapter opens with new possibilities in an unfolding future.

I'm confident that your MSU degrees will serve you well as you pursue your careers, whether in academia, industry, or government.

And now, we ask our guests to join students and faculty in singing one stanza of the "Star-Spangled Banner" performed by the MSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Professor Kevin Sedatole, professor and director of bands in the College of Music.

The singing will be led by Anna Jesko, a senior in music performance.

Will you please rise as you're able?

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

("The Star-Spangled Banner") ♪ Say, can you see ♪ ♪ By the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hailed ♪ ♪ At the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ O'er the ramparts we watched ♪ ♪ Were so gallantly, yeah, streaming ♪ ♪ And the rockets' red glare ♪ ♪ The bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ Gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ That our flag was still there ♪ ♪ O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ O'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪ (graduates applauding) - Thank you, Anna.

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

On this joyful occasion, let us also briefly acknowledge the fellow students you have lost along your journey to reach this moment.

Those scholars are forever part of our Spartan family, so let us pause here for a moment of silence and remembrance.

Please be seated.

Interim Provost Jeitschko will now present this afternoon's candidate for the awarding of their honorary degree.

- Mr. Balogun, please come forward.

President Guskiewicz, I have the honor to present Mr. Bolaji Balogun for awarding of the Honorary Degree Doctor of Business.

(graduates cheering and applauding) - You are a highly accomplished and inspiring investment professional and entrepreneur who has committed your life to providing the knowledge of financial sustainability.

You have utilized your extensive background in investment banking to assist multiple corporations and serve on a variety of boards and groups.

You have shared your expertise in a range of settings through the instruction and leadership displayed as chief executive officer of Chapel Hill Denham.

Chief investment officer of the Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund, and your guidance as co-founder and director of Econet Wireless Nigeria.

Your dedication to gender diversity, including your achievements of maintaining high levels of women employment at your firm and promotion of SME.eng, Nigeria's leading gender lens investing platform is an inspiration to all Spartans.

For your notable career in the investment sector and your time, expertise, advice, and dedication to Nigeria's success, I am pleased to award you an Honorary Doctor of Business Degree for Michigan State University.

(graduates applauding) - Thank you very, very much.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished faculty members, proud parents, spouses, friends and family, and most importantly, the 2024 advanced degrees graduating class of MSU, good afternoon.

I'm most delighted to be here today and I'm humbled to have this honor and privilege.

Let me start first and foremost by thanking Dan Kelly, chair of the Board of Trustees and the trustees, President Guskiewicz, Interim Provost and executive vice president, Thomas Jeitschko, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, deans, and in particular, I want to highlight Steven Hanson, dean of the International Studies and Programs who I met in Nigeria in September, 2022.

Thank you, Steve, once again for your very kind letter when my late father and my life's inspiration, the Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun passed in May of 2023.

Dean Whipple of the Broad Business School, you've graciously hosted me this week and I want to thank you most sincerely and the school is in very, very thoughtful hands.

I should also acknowledge Soji Adelaja.

Soji is my initial connection to this school.

John Hanna, distinguished professor in land policy, but more importantly for me, he's also the chairman of my board at Chapel Hill Denham.

I want to commend all of the professors and faculty who have worked hard to producing all of you graduates who are seated in the hall here today.

To the parents, the spouses, partners, children, family, friends, and loved ones of today's graduates, your support is truly commendable.

As a father, I understand the commitment and sacrifice that some of you have made financially and through advice and mentoring.

My wife and biggest cheerleader, Kemi and two of our children, my daughters, Michelle and Marian are seated somewhere in the stands today.

I'm so sorry that my other children and I'm a typical African father with a house full of kids, Michael, McKayla and Matthew, aren't with us today.

If I didn't acknowledge my late mom, I would be somewhat remiss.

Professor Oluwale Osisanya, my mother was a professor of English at the University of Lagos where she was on the faculty for 35 years.

And she gave everything for my educational foundation and values.

She always hoped that after I got my economics degree at the London School of Economics, I would go on to do a master's and with a bit of luck, I might even get a doctorate.

Well, not quite the way you imagine, mom, but nevertheless, I hope you are proud.

(graduates applauding) To today's graduates, I congratulate you heartily, and you've worked very hard to earn your degree from a leading research institution.

With a stellar reputation, not only in the US but globally, but most especially in Africa.

I commend your collective spirit, dedication and perseverance, which is what we're celebrating here today.

For many of us when we think about MSU, we see an institution that epitomizes that remarkable power, that education has to change lives.

And given its rich tradition as a land grant university, the academic excellence, the innovative research and commitment to global engagement, I have found that MSU is the most impressive institution.

It is also the US University that is most engaged with Africa through the incredible work that is done here through by the Alliance for African Partnership.

I spent the last couple of days on this most impressive campus and I've had the opportunity to interact with faculty and students here.

And what has made an impression on me is a commitment that everyone has to producing well-rounded individuals who are equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.

Your time at MSU has equipped each and every one of you with more than just knowledge and a doctorate.

I believe it has provided you a diverse set of perspectives, practical learning, innovation, all of which are going to be invaluable as you embark on your next steps.

I put it to you that you're all in that lesson.

1% of people globally who have a doctoral degree.

And you're both lucky and at the same time, under pressure to provide the less well-read, 99% of us with some leadership.

And so what right does this Nigerian or African young man who didn't get a doctoral degree have to share these thoughts with you?

Some of you may be wondering what next?

Armed with your MSU PhD or doctoral degree, please allow me to share today no more than four pieces of useful or perhaps not so useful advice or life lessons.

A potential pathway that might make the next few years and all the actions and decisions and investments that you make have a real impact.

First piece of advice is work hard and enlarge your influence.

Secondly, work smart and live a life of significance.

Thirdly, spend time with your loved ones and travel a lot with them as travel is the enemy of ignorance.

Final piece of advice, I want to speak to you about something that I truly believe will be a part of your future but only a few of us have in our contemplation.

And this final piece of advice is that we all need an Africa plan.

Work hard and enlarge your influence.

You'll find dependent on how old you are, that you only have no more than about 25 to 35 years to work hard before you start getting old and tired.

Do not waste these years of your prime and use these years to enlarge your influence or your coast by being the very best version of whatever you do.

I believe that a few things make us truly influential.

Knowledge, success, innovation, entrepreneurship, relationships, and charity.

My second piece of advice today is work smart but live a life of significance.

The quickest path to these things I've just spoken about is to work not just hard but smart and live a life of meaning or purpose or significance.

You need not be a wealthy entrepreneur or banker or tech entrepreneur or investor or property owner or politician or farming business owner or a creative genius or even a sports star to live a life of significance.

It is a choice that we all make, whether in a long career in academia or in medicine or in charitable work or not-for-profit or for that matter, in God's work or as a spouse or as a father, a sibling, mentor, that your life will be impactful in your community, state, country or the world.

And that when you finally bow out, it is said that you have lived a life of significance.

Let me encourage us all to spend time with our loved ones and travel a lot with them.

As travel is the enemy of ignorance.

This time is truly priceless and you cannot make up for it or reinvent it at the end of your career or later in life.

Travel together and see the world and not just visit New York or Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Nashville and Atlanta, but go to Latin America and the Caribbean.

They're just a shot hop away from you.

Europe and the UK also offers something different, history and culture wise, but you've only lived a well-rounded life when you've traveled to or visited Asia, the Middle East, Israel and Africa, especially Nigeria.

(graduates laughing) (graduates applauding) Now, when I speak of Africa, I'm not referring to a singular country or big village where everyone knows everyone as some belief.

Rather, I'm speaking about 54 countries with diverse cultures, languages, and governments.

Let me also clear this up, that stepping out of an African airport doesn't mean having to dodge lions or a few animals and the occasional cheetah.

Yes, the wildlife in Africa is unmatched and impressive, but you're most likely to experience a traffic jam and lots of color on your daily commute.

As a financier, I'm going to speak to you about Africa in numbers.

I truly believe that demography is destiny.

Africa is 10% of the world's population today, but when you all retire later this century, it could be 1/3 of the world's population.

That population will not be isolated from you.

And already, Africans have migrated across the world and are integrated in every major economy globally.

One in four babies are African.

One in 10 babies born in the world today are Nigerian.

By the end of this century, the share of the world's babies born in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to reach 55% from 30% in 2021.

This transition is inevitable.

Let me also talk about your 401k.

(graduates laughing) When you start accumulating your 401k, you will find that you're immediately invested in Africa as every major global company is already there.

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are available throughout the continent as are Visa and MasterCard, Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta are all investing on the continent.

The largest American reese, American Towers and Equinix data centers are huge in Africa and all the major resource companies are in Africa.

By the time you retire, I predict that your 401k will have African homegrown brands like MTN, Dangote, Access, and Florida Wave as behemoths in your portfolio.

Let me talk to you about the African free trade zone.

This is the largest of its kind covering 54 countries, and by the second half of this century, it will also cover a third of the world's population.

Goldman Sachs estimate that this free trade zone could be 50% larger than the European Union by 2075, but that analysis excludes Africa's diaspora or international GDP.

Which if you were like Mexico, to infer that diaspora remittances are somewhere around 11 to 12 times what diaspora GDP could be already suggests that Africans in diaspora today may represent 40% of total African spending power.

We're all taught that infrastructure has a huge multiplier impact on GDP and in creating jobs and opportunities.

But the impacts of the first or early infrastructure investments in your community can be catalytic.

Putting electricity into Africa or mobile phones as we did in January of 2001, Internet access, roads is much larger than simply upgrading your 4G coverage to 5G basic infrastructure is already unleashing a continent and the growth rates will reflect that.

Let me talk about something that I'm very passionate about, which is climate.

And if Africa were to develop like the rest of the US or the rest of the OECD over the next quarter of a century, the carbon per capita that will be delivered will destroy the world's climate targets.

And in order to build a low carbon development future, Africa requires capital and know-how along with its abundant resources for the energy transition.

I'm sure some of you would've studied statistics and we're all taught that risks are balanced like a bell curve, positives and negatives.

And in hindsight, the development of China, India, or Indonesia over the last 25 years has been inevitable.

And the same trends apply today all across Africa.

Population growth, low leverage, low dependency ratios, high growth, cheap valuations has made this an asymmetric one-way bet.

And Africa today is no different.

And I truly believe that Africa can feed the world, resource the world, and power large parts of the world, support the world, entertain the world.

It's already doing that.

How many of you know about Burna Boy?

Great.

And Africa, in NBA terms, can also beat the world.

Africa's narrative about Africa is becoming more reflective of its truth and the continent is rapidly emerging a global powerhouse.

It has 65% of the world's arable land and 60% of the world's uncultivated land.

And I believe an institution like MSU can have such a remarkable role to play in Africa's future.

When one considers this alongside the increasing focus on sustainable agricultural practices.

I truly believe that Africa can solve the world's food security challenges over the next 25 years and that will be made possible by intersecting that with the sort of global expertise that exists in this university, in biotechnology, in the agricultural sciences, in land policy and in supply chain management.

Africa, you may not know, is home to 30% of the world's mineral resources, but it only accounts for about 10% of global mining exploration spend.

And what that suggests is that there could be much more significant on verified additional reserves across the continent.

But what we do know today is that the continent is home to around 65% of EV minerals.

Lithium, cobalt, graphite, manganese, all of those things that will be necessary for powering our electric vehicles over the next 30 to 50 years.

And Africa's untapped potential for renewable energy sources is compelling.

It's also home to 60% of the best solar resources in the world.

And it said that a small part of the Sahara desert could power all of Europe and certainly, all of the world could be powered from the Sahara Desert.

But not only does it have incredible solar potential, it also has tremendous wind potential and hydropower potential.

But above all things, 60% of Africa's population is under the age of 25, and Nigeria, the country that I come from has an average age of just short of 19 years old.

The economic rise of China and India were the first great shocks of this century, and Africa's rising useful tide will almost likely drive the next seismic shift.

Africa is changing so rapidly that it's becoming very, very hard to ignore and the world is becoming more African said, a recent New York Times headline, "The world is changing and we need to reimagine Africa's place in it."

So as you start this new journey, remember that with every change, there are always opportunities to explore.

Let me ask each and every one of you to be bold, resilient, embrace diversity, show empathy, stand strong, and always strive for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

There might be times you fail or face challenges that seem insurmountable, but your indomitable Spartan spirit has been nurtured within these halls of learning and I hope that you'll find the strength to keep moving and succeed.

Today, you are not just advanced degree graduates of Michigan State University, you are global citizens.

Poised to make a difference in the world.

Congratulations, class of 2024.

The world is yours to shape and to improve.

Never forget that the impossible is the untried.

So let me encourage each and every one of you to go out and make a difference.

Thank you all and Godspeed.

Go Green.

- [Graduates] Go White.

(graduates applauding) - [Bolaji] Thank you very much - Bolaji Balogun, thank you.

And I enjoyed your inspiring words of wisdom and advice to our doctoral graduates and as I said on Wednesday in our meeting, I very much look forward to visiting you in Nigeria and strengthening our alliance for African partnership.

You can count on, and we're gonna see some cool wildlife, I hear?

(graduates laughing) All right, so thank you.

Another round of applause for Bolaji.

(graduates applauding) We will now have the privilege of hearing a special music selection by MSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Kevin L. Sedatole.

This selection is called "Fantasy on MSU Songs" composed by James Curnow.

(MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (MSU Wind Symphony performs "Fantasy on MSU Songs") (graduates applauding) - Thank you, Dr. Sedatole.

That was wonderful.

I would now like to introduce the Honorable Dan Kelly chairperson of the MSU Board of Trustees.

After Trustee Kelly, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Thomas Jeitschko will present members of the platform party.

- Thanks, Kevin.

Thank you, President Guskiewicz.

On behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I welcome graduates and your family and friends who join us here today.

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

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

(graduates applauding) Today's ceremony represents the culmination of your academic achievement.

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

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

Our faculty, administrators, and trustees are proud of you.

Thank you for allowing us to share this very special time with you today and congratulations.

Thank you.

(graduates applauding) - Thank you, Trustee Kelly.

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

Graduates, each of you embodies a unique confluence of new knowledge.

The discoveries you have made and delivered to the world and the new capabilities you possess are represented in your curiosity and in your drive to innovate, to express, to discover, and to perform.

These scholarly achievements culminate today in the conferral of a degree along with the conferral of our great faith, our hope, our pride in what you will now do as a result of these achievements.

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

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

(graduates applauding) We are honored to welcome the university leaders seated on the platform but will not be speaking today.

In their many and varied roles, they provide support across our academic mission and are deeply invested in ensuring academic excellence and student success at Michigan State University.

Their presence marks the solemnity and the significance of this moment.

Colleagues, please remain standing as you are introduced.

Members of the audience, please hold your applause until all are introduced.

Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, Laura Bix from the College of Agricultural Natural Resources.

Dean Christopher Long from the College of Arts and Letters.

Interim Dean, Judith Whipple from the ELI Broad College of Business.

Interim Dean Teresa Mastin from the College of Communications Arts and Sciences.

Dean Jerlando Jackson from the College of Education.

Dean Leo Kempel from the College of Engineering.

Dean Aron Sousa from the College of Human Medicine.

Dean James Forger from the College of Music.

Dean Phillip Duxbury from the College of Natural Science.

Dean Leigh Small from the College of Nursing.

Dean Joyce deJong from the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dean Brent Donnellan from the College of Social Science.

Associate Dean Srinand Sreevatsan from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Norman Beauchamp, executive vice president for Health Sciences.

Rebecca Barber, vice president for Financial Planning and Analytics.

Kwesi Brookins vice provost for University Outreach and Engagement.

Stefan Fletcher, chief of staff of the Board of Trustees.

Lisa Frace, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer.

Douglas Gage, vice president for Research and Innovation.

Emily Gerkin Guerrant, vice president for Media and Public Information and university spokesperson.

Thomas Glasmacher, interim executive vice president for administration and director of the facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

Ashley Green, Office of the Provost chief of staff.

Steven Hanson, vice provost and dean of International Studies and Programs.

Mark Largent, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Neil Romanosky, Dean of Libraries.

Dave Weatherspoon, vice provost of Enrollment and Academic Strategic Planning.

Mike Zeig, Office of the President, chief of staff.

And Jack Lipton, professor and chairperson of the faculty Senate MSU Academic Governance and the University mace bearer.

(graduates applauding) Lastly, I would like to thank our sign language interpreters who are with us this afternoon.

Emily Gordillo and Katie Cor.

And also our live captioner, Sherry Benson.

Thank you.

(graduates applauding) I now invite all past and present members of the Council of Graduate Students to stand.

We honor executive board members, department representatives, and all COGS members.

Thank you for your contributions to the university and your fellow graduate students.

Please accept our appreciation for your contributions.

(graduates applauding) I now invite Pero Dagbovie, vice provost for Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies and dean of the Graduate School to join me for the announcement of the degree candidates and to direct doctoral hooding.

- Will the candidates for the doctoral degrees please rise?

(graduates cheering and applauding) President Guskiewicz and Interim Provost Jeitschko, on behalf of the faculty and their respective colleges, I present these candidates to you for the conferral of their degrees.

- Thank you.

I invite the trustees to please join me in conferral of the degrees.

Please rise.

By authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Board of Trustees and delegated to me, I confer upon you the degrees for which you have been recommended with all the rights and distinctions to which they entitle you.

Congratulations, graduates.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Please be seated.

- Graduates will now be individually hooded by their faculty member.

This solemn ceremony and the moment of Hooding represents a transition to the company of learned society, of one's discipline or field of study.

The moment of the hooding by one's academic mentor is the culmination of years of study and the welcome by your mentor into a new role, that of an intellectual colleague.

As such, this tradition and our academic rituals are imbued with great relevance and solemnity.

I invite everyone who witnesses the hooding to think deeply about the candidates as they approach the dais, are hooded, and turn to walk forward.

Think of the individual scholar and how great universities like MSU foster the circumstances and culture for academic advancement and excellence.

I thank our doctoral students for their contributions as MSU scholars and congratulate them on the conferral of their doctoral hood.

All members of this graduating class are part of the Spartan family.

We ask the audience to respect the desire of all family and friends to be able to hear their graduate's name.

Graduates, please return to your seats after you are introduced, your token diploma is presented and photos are taken.

Jody Noel and Scott Poll will announce the names of graduates as they receive their diplomas.

I now ask the associate deans of the colleges to please lead their graduates to the platform.

- The academic attire worn by students and faculty was first used in 12th and 13th century Europe.

The current system in the United States was designed in 1895 and is today used in advanced degree ceremonies across the country.

The hoods being placed on the doctoral candidates are derived from the design of medieval monks' cloaks.

The three chevrons on the sleeve represent doctor of philosophy.

The light blue velvet on the front signifies doctor of education.

The pink velvet on the front signifies doctor of musical arts and the apricot velvet on the front signifies doctor of nursing practice.

The green and white chevrons on each hood represent Michigan State University.

The cap, the gown, and especially the hood represent both the responsibility and the freedom that accompany the achievements in research and scholarship that these candidates have earned through years of hard work.

The ceremony of hooding doctoral candidates symbolizes the faculty welcoming these students as our full fledged colleagues.

- [Announcer] From the College of Music, Ryan Fellman, hooded by Dr. Sandra Snow.

(graduates applauding) Katie Elizabeth Green, hooded by Dr. Sandra Snow.

(graduates applauding) Geunyoung Kim, hooded by Professor Yvonne Lam.

(graduates applauding) Emelyn Taylor Bashour, hooded by professor Yvonne Lam.

(graduates applauding) Gerardo de la Torre, hooded by Dr. Mark Rucker.

(graduates applauding) Erin Elizabeth Dowler, hooded by Dr.

Guy Yehuda.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Ethan Taylor Hicks, also hooded by Dr.

Guy Yehuda.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Ceon Rumphs, Hooded by Dr. Kevin Sedatole.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jiyuan Zhang, hooded by Professor Deborah Moriarty.

(graduates applauding) Shaoming Yang, also hooded by Professor Deborah Moriarty.

(graduates applauding) Mu He, hooded by professor Deborah Moriarty.

(graduates applauding) Dante Lee, hooded by Professor Deborah Moriarty.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Feng Kang, hooded by Dr. Derek Polischuk.

(graduates applauding) Yifu Peng, hooded by Dr. Eric Zuber.

(graduates applauding) Ruoyu Yang, also hooded by Dr. Eric Zuber.

(graduates applauding) Melanie Elizabeth Walker, hooded by Professor Jane Bunnell.

(graduates applauding) Lei Min, hooded by Professor Jane Bunnell.

(graduates applauding) Jen Wong, hooded by Professor Jane Bunnell.

(graduates applauding) John Robinson, hooded by Professor Ava Ordman.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Joshua Nicholas Kallai McNiven, hooded by Professor Philip Cinder.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jeffrey Alerdeiz, hooded by Professor Joseph Lulloff.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jacinda Kathryn Ripley, hooded by Professor Justin Emerich.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Michael Giunta, hooded by Professor Gwendolyn Dease.

(graduates applauding) Benjamin John Mapes, hooded by Professor Gwendolyn Dease.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Benjamin Michael Kambs, hooded by professor Karen Salvador.

(graduates applauding) Emily Suzanne Moler Huddleston, hooded by Dr. Ryan Shaw.

(graduates applauding) Andrew Bone hooded by Dr. Ryan Shaw.

(graduates applauding) Octavius Hernandez, hooded by Professor Michael Croft.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the College of Nursing.

Pablo David Garcia Ortiz, hooded by Dr. Gayle Lourens.

(graduates applauding) Paul Glaza, hooded by Dr. Gayle Lourens.

(graduates cheering) Steven David Welsh Jr., hooded by Dr. Gayle Lourens.

(graduates applauding) Rebecca Boik, also hooded by Dr. Gayle Lourens.

(graduates applauding) Morgan Elizabeth Staley, hooded by Dr. Gayle Lourens.

(graduates applauding) Kristen Bach, hooded by Dr. Gayle Lourens as well.

(graduates applauding) Melissa Wills hooded by Dr. Lindsay Mason.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Richmond Espiritu Romero, hooded by Dr. Lindsay Mason.

(graduates applauding) Emily Lauren Ash, hooded by Dr. Lindsay Mason.

(graduates applauding) Michael Klein, Dr. Lindsay Mason, hooder.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Emily Hitch, hooded by Dr. Lindsay Mason.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Justin Drzewicki, hooded by Dr. Mason.

(graduates applauding) Tolulope Jowojori, hooded by Dr. Angella Ruley.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Dominique Yvonne Priscilla Pearson, hooded by Dr. Angella Ruley.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Sarah Ruthruf, also hooded by Dr. Angella Ruley.

(graduates applauding) Brogan Rister, hooded by Dr. Angella Ruley.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Darian Lupton, hooded by Dr. Angella Ruley.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Austin Wilson, hooded by Dr. Ruley.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Catherine Potter, hooded by Dr. Jackeline Iseler.

(graduates applauding) Audrey Rutkowski, hooded by Dr. Jackeline Iseler.

(graduates applauding) Alisha McKay, hooded by Dr. Jackie Iseler.

(graduates applauding) Katie Mae Averill, hooded by Dr. Jackie Iseler.

(graduates applauding) Stephanie Chamberlain, hooded by Dr. Jackie Iseler.

(graduates applauding) Joshua Michael Winowiecki, hooded by Dr. Jackeline Iseler.

(graduates applauding) Robert Rodway, hooded by Dr.

Dawn Goldstein.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Chinenye Ogbonna, hooded by Dr.

Dawn Goldstein.

(graduates applauding) Olga Dmitryuk, also hooded by Dr. Goldstein.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Thomas Thompson, hooded by Dr. Goldstein.

(graduates applauding) Diana Wiggins, hooded by Dr.

Dawn Goldstein.

(graduates applauding) Tanaija Carbin, hooded by Dr.

Dawn Goldstein.

(graduates cheering and applauding) TaSharra Stephens-Green, hooded by Dr. Goldstein.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Janelle Wilkey, hooded by Dr. Goldstein.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Asaad Mahmoud, hooded by Dr. Goldstein.

(graduates cheering and applauding) - [Announcer] Angela Grace DeVore.

The hooder is Dr. Kara Schrader.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Lauren Esper, hooded by Dr. Kara Schrader.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Alexandria Rocha Barbara Braun, (graduates applauding) hooded by Dr. Kara Schrader.

(graduates laughing) Rachel Price, also hooded by Dr. Kara Schrader.

Kristin Nicole McClure, hooded by Dr. Kristin Castine.

(crowd cheering) Monica Irene Buhr, hooded by Dr. Kristin Castine.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Lindsay Runft, also hooded by Dr. Kristin Castine.

(graduates applauding) Kayla Shay Huber, hooded by Dr. Kristin Castine.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Anna Elizabeth McCarthy, hooded by Dr. Kristin Castine.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Cailin McDaniel, hooded by Dr. Kristin Castine.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Cherilyn J. Patton, the hooder is again, Dr. Kristin Castine.

(graduates cheering and applauding) - [Audience Member] Let's go, girl!

- [Announcer] Samantha Natalie Norcia.

The hooder is Dr. Jeneen Hinkle.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Charlene Deanna Dengler, hooded by Dr. Jeneen Hinkle.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Sergei Dytch, the hood is Dr. Patrick Crane.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jacob Bride, hooded by Dr. Patrick Crane.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Christina Richard, hooded by Dr. Patrick Crane.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Dhurata Prenga, hooded by Dr. Patrick Crane.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Sharifa Amini, the hooder again is Dr. Patrick Crane.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the College of Natural Science, Megan Caroline Gruenberg Cross.

The hooder is Dr. Amy Ralston.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Isuri Nirmani Dammulla, hooded by Dr. Amy Ralston.

(graduates applauding) Shashika Saba Ragamue, hooded by Dr. Amy Ralston.

(graduates applauding) Joshua Kaste.

The hooder is Dr. Yair Shachar-Hill.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Ken Chan, the hooder is Professor Thomas Hammond.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Samridhi Satija sat hooded by Dr. Greg Severin.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Nian Liu, the hooder is Dr. Lyudmila Sakhanenko.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Sang Kyu Lee, hooded by Dr. Lyudmila Sakhanenko.

(graduates applauding) Britt Morgan Eggly by Dr. Lynmarie Posey.

(graduates applauding) Rabeo Khan, hooded by Dr. Gina Leininger.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Luis Enrique Martinetti, the hooder is Dr. Gina Leininger.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Zach Fernandez, hooded by Dr. Anne Dorrance.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Joshua H. Baker hooded by his wife, Dr. Sarah Tilden.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Nikolas Stergios, the hooders are doctors Laura McCabe and Nara Parameswaran.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Meenakshi Sudhakaran, hooded by Dr. Nara Parameswaran.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Tim Florian Dorweiler, hooded by Professor Julia Busik.

(graduates applauding) Mihiradi Gunasekara, hooded by Professor Heedeok Hong.

(graduates applauding) Anthony Sulak, hooded by Dr. Jeff Schenker.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Yuta Hozumi, the hooder is Professor Guowei Wei.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Min Lee Hooded by Professor Zhengfang Zhou.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Tristan Wells Filbert, hooded by Professor Teena Gerhardt.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Danica Van Neil, also hooded by Professor Teena Gerhardt.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Rob McConkey, Hooded by Dr. Effie Kalfagianni.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Tingting Liang, hooded by professor Bruce Sagan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Hannah Makayla Parks, hooded by Professor Cornelius Barry.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Emily Marie Roggenkamp.

The hooder is Professor Martin Chilvers.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Tian Xu Hooded by Professor Liangliang Sun.

(graduates applauding) Sqianjie Wang, hooded by Professor Peter Lundquist.

(graduates applauding) Roselane Kithan-Lundquist, hooded by Dr. George Sundin.

(graduates applauding) Kaila Ellis Smith, the hooder is Professor Berkley Walker.

(graduates applauding) Luke Gregory, hooded by Professor Berkley Walker.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Serena Ghantous Lotreck, hooded by Professor Bob VanBuren.

(graduates cheering and applauding) McKena Lipham Wilson, also hooded by Professor Bob VanBuren.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Emily Conway, The hooder is Professor Lars Brudvig.

(graduates applauding) Bethany Gettings, hooded by Dr. Tammy Long.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Catherine Carter Wynn, hooded by Professor Lauren Sullivan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Eleanor Jean Ritter, hooded by Dr. Andrea Case.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Bruce Stagg Martin.

The hooder is Dr. Marjorie G. Weber.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Abby Patrice Grieb, also hooded by Dr. Marjorie Weber.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Kie Chang, hooded by Professor Dalton Hardisty.

(graduates cheering and applauding) (graduates laughing) Connor Droof, hooded by professor Jeff Freymueller.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Corinne Elizabeth Wakarski, hooded by Professor Sarah Evans.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Geowe Yang, hooded by Professor Xuefei Huang.

(graduates applauding) Po-Han Lin, also hooded by Professor Xuefei Huang.

(graduates applauding) Mona Monica Ashteyane, hooded by Professor Tim Warren.

(graduates applauding) Razar Gafar, also hooded by Professor Tim Warren.

(graduates applauding) (graduates laughing) Brandon Barker, the hooder is Professor Sean Couch.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Justin Grace, hooded by Professor Ed Brown.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Chin Yi Wong, hooded by Professor Remco Zegers.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Tyler Markham Wheeler, also hooded by Professor Remco Zegers.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Douglas van Allen Goucher, hooded by Professor Robert Quinn.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jacob Watkins, the hooder is Professor Dean Lee (graduates cheering and applauding) Joseph Bonatadi, also hooded by Professor Dean Lee.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Thomas Chuna, hooded by Professor Michael S. Murillo.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Daniel Salazar-Gallegos.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Hooded by Professor Kirsten Tollefson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Arnab Chakraborty, hooded by Professor Piotr Piecuch.

(graduates applauding) Angkush Chakraborty, hooded by Dr. Babak Borhan.

(graduates applauding) Yaborshi Chakraborty, hooded by Professor Babak Borhan.

(graduates applauding) Aria Vadale, hooded by Dr. Babak Borhan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Nick Valverde, hooded by Professor Steven Lund.

Haleigh Nicole Gilliland, hooded by Dr. Andrew Olive.

(graduates cheering and applauding) (graduates member yelling indistinctly) (graduates laughing) Esther Chen, hooded by Professor Sean Crosson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Christian Gonzalez Ortiz, hooded by Professor Peter Ostroumov.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Mimi Gong, the hooder is Professor Jack Lynn.

(graduates cheering) Veronica Felicia Frans.

The hooder is Professor Jack Liu.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Nan Gia, hooded by Professor Jack Liu.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Yuchen Jan, hooded by Professor Jack Liu.

(graduates cheering and applauding) - [Announcer] From the College of Social Science.

Mckayla Sluga Hooded by Dr. Michael Stamm.

Danny Wilcott, hooded by Dr. Aminda Smith.

Erica Holt, hooded by Dr. Aminda Smith.

Sergio Miguel Marquez, hooded by Dr. Daisy Chang.

Connor Eichenauer, hooded by Dr. Ann Marie Ryan.

Joe Alanise Barker, also hooded by Dr. Ann Marie Ryan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Kaitlyn Briggs, hooded by Dr. Ann Marie Ryan.

Rahul Jain, hooded by Dr. Hendrik Schatz.

(graduates cheering) Erin Elizabeth White, hooded by Dr. Jaideep Singh.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Bradley Allen Ryva, hooded by Dr. Rita Strakovsky.

And we now return to the College of Social Science.

Christina Scheller, hooded by Professor Jeff Conroy-Krutz.

Erika Lee Vallejo, hooded by Dr. Eric Gonzalez Juenke.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Lauren Olivia Wiklund, hooded by Professor Nicole Buchanan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Courtney Lewis, hooded by Dr. Jason Moser.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Diondra Straiton, hooded by Dr. Brooke Ingersoll.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Aksheya Sridhar, hooded by Dr. Amy Drahota.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Atika Haira Bagawan, hooded by Dr. Sarah Douglas.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Caitlin Phoebe Edwards, hooded by Dr. Andrea Wittenborn.

Luria Unji Kim, hooded by Dr. Claire Vallotton.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Kyla McRoy, hooded by Dr. Lori Skibbe.

Abbie Rebekah Nelson, hooded by Dr. Hyunkag Cho.

Samin Ayena Fard, hooded by Dr. Hyunkag Cho.

Daniel Octavio Fandino, hooded by Professor Julian Chambliss.

Ragav Rakesh, hooded by Professor Todd Elder.

Yi Chung Wong hooded by Professor Chris Ahlin.

Mariama Sao, hooded by Professor Chris Ahlin.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Yu Xan Xiao, hooded by Professor Anderson.

Minkyu Kim, hooded by Professor Kyoo il Kim.

Taiyun Huang hooded by Professor Tim Vogelsang.

Rosaro Dominguez Rebojar, hooded by Dr. Ignacio Acevedo.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Abigail Marie Dester Mundorf, hooded by Professor Karl Healey.

Allison Costello, hooded by Professor Lily Yan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Alejandro Carrillo, hooded by Dr. Joseph Cesario.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Prachi Syudir Solanki, hooded by Dr. Joseph Cesario.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Mariah Faith Purol, hooded by Dr. William Chopik.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Brian Brutzman, hooded by Professor Jennifer Watling Neal.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Abigail Elizabeth Buchanan, hooded by Professor Monir Moniruzzaman.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Cara Elizabeth Jacob Hooded by Professor Heather Howard.

Micayla Christine Spiros, hooded by Dr. Joe Hefner.

Noah Daniel Turner, hooded by Professor Steven Chermak.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Elizabeth Ann Adams, hooded by Dr. Steven Chermak.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Travis Carter, hooded by Professor Scott Wolfe.

Matthew Galasso, also hooded by Professor Scott Wolfe.

Madeline Nash, hooded by Professor Stephen Gasteyer.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Raven Mitchell, hooded by Dr. Frederick Nelson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Carolina Maria Teresa Vargas, hooded by Dr. Nicole Mason-Wardell.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Rania Lachhab by Dr. Molly Sears.

Caitlin Herrington, hooded by Dr. Mywish Maredia.

Jayu Sun hooded by Dr. Vincenzina Caputo.

Hejim Liu, Hooded by Professor Mark Skidmore.

Camila Elbahaye Churihan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Also hooded by Dr. Mark Skidmore.

Natalie Loduca, hooded by Dr. Scott M. Swinton.

Hanna Carlson, Hooded by Dr. Veronique Theriault.

Sibbir Ahmad, also hooded by Dr. Veronique Theriault.

Mohammed Beroud, hooded by Dr. Titus Awokuse.

Thomas Carl Keen hooded by Professor Scott Loveridge.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Minsu Kim Hooded by Dr. Richard Hovan.

Shane Flynn.

Hooded by Dr. Kelly Robinson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Grant Falvo hooded by professor Phil Robertson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jenna Walters hooded by Dr. Rufus Isaacs.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Natalie Constancio, hooded by Zsofia Szendrei.

Brianna Foster, hooded by professor Marianna Szucs.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Luisa Maria Parrado-Guevara hooded by Professor Marisol Quintanilla.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Thaina Minela, hooded by Professor Richard Pursley.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Alicia Bales, hooded by Dr. Adam Lock.

Harkirat Kaur, hooded by Dr. Maninder Singh.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Ankita Bhattacharya, hooded by Professor Courtney Carignan.

Rick Jorgensen, hooded by Dr. Venu Gangur.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Brockton Feltman, hooded by Professor Adams Zwickle.

- [Announcer] Sheril Rose Kirshenbaum, hooded by Dr. Rebecca Jordan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Diana Seales, hooded by Dr. Lissy Goralnik.

Shivan GC, hooded by Dr. Potter-Witter.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Yousef Mafuz Abdalaal, hooded by Dr. Ehsan Ghane.

Shiva Esfahanian, hooded by Dr. Euihark Lee.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Manjot Kaur Sidhu, hooded by Dr. Debalina Saha.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the College of Arts and Letters.

Christine Peffer, hooded by Dr. Kathleen Fitzpatrick Kiana Gonzalez-Cedeno, hooded by Yomaira Figueroa Vazquez.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Kaelyn Muiru, hooded by Dr. April Baker-Bell.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Marlisha Marcellin, hooded by Dr. April Baker-Bell.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Gregory Rogel, hooded by Dr. Michael O'Rourke.

(graduates applauding) Taylor Elyse Mills, also hooded by Dr. Michael O'Rourke.

Kiyotaka Suga, hooded by Professor Shawn Loewen.

D. Philip Montgomery, hooded by Professor Peter De Costa.

(graduates applauding) Wenjuan Ma, hooded by Professor Paula Winke.

(graduates applauding) Shannon Cousins, hooded by Professor Grace Pregent.

Philip Pellino, hooded by Professor Grace Pregent.

Bethany Meadows, also hooded by Dr. Grace Pregent.

Madeline Shellgren, Hooded by Dr. Liza Potts.

Vanessa Lawson, also hooded by Dr. Liza Potts.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Stephie Minjung Kang, hooded by Dr. Steven Fraiberg.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the ELI Broad College of Business.

Jennifer Pucci, hooded by Professor Chris Hogan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Xiaoxu Wu, hooded by Professor Forrest Morgeson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Udit Sharma, hooded by Professor Thomas Holt and Professor Forrest Morgeson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Michael Wu, hooded by Professor Suman Basuroy.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Stephan Marich, the hooder is Professor Robert Wiseman.

- Congratulations.

- [Announcer] Sangmok Lee, hooded by Professor Jaeyoung Kim.

Shuting Wu, the hooder is Professor Isabel Wang.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Brian Allen Burgess, hooded by Dr. John Hollenbeck.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Ryan Hemsley, also hooded by Dr. John Hollenbeck.

Lydia Liu, hooded by Dr. Brent Scott.

Rachel Hahn, the hooder is Professor Nicholas Hays.

(graduates cheering and applauding) - Congratulations.

- [Announcer] Rowan Hilend, hooded by Dr. Stan Griffiths.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

He Xian, hooded by Dr. Patricia Huddleston.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Katharine Marie Mitchell, hooded by Dr. Bree E. Holtz.

(graduates cheering) Scott Shank, hooded by Professor Vernon Miller.

Suhwoo Ahn, hooded by Professor Dustin Carnahan.

(graduates cheering and applauding) From the College of Education, Jenny Marie Bauman, hooded by Dr. Shireen Al-Adeimi.

Kyle Chong, hooded by Dr. Alex Allweiss.

(graduates applauding) Rachel Ann Lockhart, also hooded by Dr. Alex Allweiss.

(graduates applauding) Lee Melvin Peralta, hooded by Dr. Joanne Marciano.

Christa Marie Robinson, hooded by Dr. Terry Flennaugh.

(graduates applauding) Sheila Orr, the hooder is Dr. Sandra Crespo.

(graduates applauding) Riley Luzac, also hooded by Dr. Sandra Crespo.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Brady Tyburski, hooded by Dr. Sandra Crespo.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jonathan Robert Bowers, hooded by Dr. Joseph Krajcik.

Selin Akgun, also hooded by Dr. Joseph Krajcik.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Tingting Li, hooded by Dr. Joseph Krajcik.

Maryann Orawczyk, the hooder is Dr. Marilyn J. Amey.

Jesenia Rosales, also hooded by Dr. Marilyn J. Amey.

Brandon Robert George Smith, hooded by Dr. Kristen Renn.

Amy Cummings, hooded by Professor Tasmin Dhaliwal.

Chelsi Ricketts, hooded by Dr. Leapetswe Malete.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Melissa Ann Quinn, hooded by Dr. David Ferguson.

Mary Anne Walker, the hooder is Professor Andy Driska.

Lauren Marie Secaras, also hooded by Professor Andy Driska.

Francesca Mika Genoese, hooded by Professor Shelby Baez.

Mollie Asiedu, hooded by Dr. Julie Helber.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Gabrielle Veronica Kokenakes, also being hooded by Dr. Julie Helber.

Cherlyn Tay Hardwick, hooded by Dr. Julie Helber.

Rachel Pollack, hooded by Dr. Julie Helber.

Nechole Drake-McClendon, hooded by Dr. Julie Helber.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Bo Liu, hooded by Dr. BetsAnn Smith.

Stephen John Keskes, also hooded by Dr. BetsAnn Smith.

Chris Hodges, hooded by Dr. BetsAnn Smith.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Mark Steven Dobson II, hooded by Dr. Kristy Cooper Stein.

Matthew James Dailey, also hooded by Dr. Kristy Cooper Stein.

Ryan Miller, hooded by Dr. Kristy Cooper Stein.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Felicia Nicole Adams, hooded by Professor Melissa Usiak.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Zaina Gennaoui, hooded by Dr. Melissa Usiak.

Alyssa Voort Uher, hooded by Dr. Marisa Fisher.

Cherish Marie Sarmiento, hooded by Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller.

Ian Marshall Clemente, hooded by Professor Troy Mariage (graduates cheering and applauding) Tanya Upthegrove Gregory, hooded by Professor Brendan Cantwell.

(graduates cheering) Chastity Stokes, also hooded by professor Brendan Cantwell.

Mia Robyn Murphy, hooded by professor Brendan Cantwell.

(graduates cheering) Andryce Clinkscales, the hood is Dr. Courtenay Barrett.

(graduates cheering) Madeline Kate Marie Esterer, hooded by Dr. John Carlson.

(graduates cheering) Lindsay Brianna Poole, also hooded by Dr. John S. Carlson.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Briana Joy Williams, hooded by Dr. John Carlson.

- [Announcer] From the College of Engineering, Saima Alam, hooded by Dr. Katy Colbry.

Sai Chaitanya Mangavelli, hooded by Dr. Katy Colbry.

David Butts hooded by Professor Michael Murillo.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Danielle Barnes, hooded by Dr. Elizabeth Munch.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Lincoln Mtemeri, hooded by Dr. David Hickey.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Chase Bruggeman, hooded by Professor David Hickey.

Sharmila Samaroo, also hooded by Professor David Hickey.

(graduates cheering) Sunanda Dey, hooded by Dr. David Hickey and Dr. Daniel Woldring.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Mehrsa Mardikoraem, hooded by Dr. Daniel Woldring.

(graduates applauding) Jung Lee hooded by Professor Alison Cupples.

Steven Gross, hooded by Professor Anil Jain.

(graduates cheering) Saeed Memari, hooded by Professor Mantha.

(graduates cheering) Hamad Bin Muslim, hooded by Dr. Syed Waqar Haider.

Jasen Young hooded by Professor Jianrong Wang.

Julian Venegas, also hooded by Dr. Jianrong Wang.

Tyler Johnson, hooded by Dr. Andre Lee.

Reming Lu, hooded by Professor Jiliang Tang.

Hongzhi Wen, also hooded by Professor Jiliang Tang.

Han Xu, hooded by professor Jiliang Tang.

(graduates cheering) Shrirang Vishwanath Sabde, hooded by Professor Ramani Narayan.

Declan McClintock, hooded by Professor Charles Owen and Professor Patricia Huddleston.

Hao Dong, hooded by Dr. Kristen Cetin.

Soham Vanage, hooded by Dr. Kristen Cetin.

Jaron Aiden, hooded by Dr. Bora Cetin.

Pin Chen, hooded by Dr. Karim Chatti.

Zain Sheikh, hooded by Professor Songqiao Shawn Wei.

(graduates cheering) Amir Bahrololoumitabatabaei, hooded by Dr. Roozbeh Dargazany.

(graduates applauding) Augusto Masiero Gil, hooded by Dr. Nizar Lajnef.

(graduates cheering) Xuyang Li, also hooded by Dr. Nizar Lajnef.

Brijen Miyani, hooded by Dr. Nizar Lajnef.

(graduates cheering) Oyendrila Dobe, hooded by Dr. Borzoo Bonakdarpour.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jonathan Howard, hooded by Dr. Abraham Engeda.

(graduates cheering) Muhammad Ali Al-Haddad, also hooded by Dr. Abraham Engeda.

(graduates cheering) Michael Hayes, hooded by Dr. Abraham Engeda.

(graduates cheering) Aaron Feinauer, hooded by Dr. Abraham Engeda.

Philipp Schimmels, hooded by Dr. Abraham Engeda.

Guangyue Xu, hooded by Professor Abraham Engeda.

- There's another one.

- [Announcer] Dr. Chan Yu Young.

Meghan Lorene Hill, hooded by Dr. Taeho Kim.

(graduates cheering) Logan Dallas Sowell hooded by Dr. Erin Purcell.

Brett Volmert, hooded by Dr. Erin Purcell.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Jonathan Burkow, hooded by Professor Adam Alessio.

(graduates cheering) Muneeza Azmat, hooded by Professor Adam Alessio.

(graduates cheering) Guangjing Wang, hooded by Professor Qiben Yan.

Hung Jen Kuo, also hooded by Dr. Qiben Yan.

Sandeep Banik, hooded by Dr. Shaunak D. Bopardikar.

(graduates cheering) Demetris Coleman, hooded by Xiaobo Tan.

(graduates cheering) Shinhan Shiu, hooded by Professor Xiaobo Tan.

(graduates cheering) Lingyun Hua, hooded by Professor George Zhu.

(graduates cheering) Haritha Mullagura, hooded by Dr. Seungik Baek.

Eli Broemer, hooded by Dr. Sara Roccabianca.

Ru Tao, hooded by Dr. Michele Grimm.

Bharath Basti Shenoy, hooded by Dr. Lalita Udpa.

Yamini Devidas Kotriwar, hooded by Professor Lalita Udpa.

(graduates cheering) From the College of Human Medicine, Jazib Gohar, hooded by Dr.

Dawn Misra.

Raed Hailat, hooded by Professor Matthew Reeves.

Claire Louise Schertzing, hooded by professor Jim Anthony.

From the College of Veterinary Medicine, Erin Zaluzec, hooded by Dr. Colleen Hegg.

(students chattering) Raisa Ali Glabman, hooded by Dr. Colleen Hegg.

(graduates cheering and applauding) - Okay, we're almost to the finish line.

(students chattering) Well done.

Will all doctoral degree recipients, please rise as you're able?

(graduates cheering and applauding) I welcome you to our community of scholars, MSU Alums.

Everyone, please join me in congratulating these doctoral degree recipients.

(graduates cheering and applauding) Graduates, there are many who celebrate with you, people who have been with you throughout your academic journey, who rooted for you and perhaps helped you cross that finish line.

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

So let's show our appreciation to all the family members and friends who have been so important in your journey and are here joining by livestream to share in that moment.

Will family members friends, please stand to receive the appreciation of today's graduates?

(graduates cheering and applauding) There's another group of people richly deserving of our recognition, the amazing world class faculty and dedicated staff who supported your success at Michigan State University.

Can we show them our appreciation?

(graduates cheering and applauding) As an educator, I can tell you there are few joys greater than watching those you have taught and mentored become the knowledge leaders of tomorrow.

So graduates, as you finish this chapter of your life story and consider what you will write in the next.

I wanna pass along some guidance from Frank Herbert, the author of the epic "Dune" series.

There is no real ending.

It's just the place where you stop the story.

This then is a milestone, but not the finish line in your journey.

Now you carry your experience to a new chapter in your lives joining a proud line of Spartans who went before you, bringing your talents and energy to a world in need of both.

Last week, I had the great fortune of sharing a meal with somebody who did just that.

Clifton Wharton Jr., served as Michigan State's president from 1970 to 1978.

There might be some alumni here who remember him, the first Black president of a major US research university and a trailblazer in many ways.

That deserves a round of applause.

(graduates applauding) In an interview some years ago, he offered advice I think is applicable to everyone here as we depart.

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

Members of the graduating class of 2024, this is my parting charge to you.

Remember those who made this moment possible.

Not only family and friends, but generations of citizens, taxpayers, donors, and Spartans who have supported this great university for more than 160 years.

Your experience here and your degrees equip you to make a difference for yourself and for others.

As President Wharton would have it, you are prepared.

I urge you to continue your service to society by staying curious, staying engaged, and remaining committed to the scholarly and personal integrity that underlays the mission of Michigan State University.

And I urge you to remain connected to this special university as you join the ranks of a half a million degreed Spartans making the world a better place.

Go Green.

- [Graduates] Go White!

(graduates applauding) - I now invite everyone to join in singing the first stanza of the alma mater, "MSU Shadows."

Anna Jesko will lead us in singing.

Following the singing, we ask guests to remain seated until the recessional of the platform party, faculty and students.

Thank you.

("MSU Shadows") ♪ 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 ♪ (graduates applauding) (festive music) (festive music continues) (festive music continues) (festive music continues)