("Pomp and Circumstance") (audience applauding) - Michigan State president, Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz.

- Good afternoon, Spartans, and welcome to Michigan State University's Spring 2024 convocation for graduating seniors here at the Breslin Center.

To those joining us by livestream, greetings.

From my perspective, this is one amazing view.

I see so many smiling faces in a sea of Spartan green.

Round of applause for you.

(President Guskiewicz and audience applauding) As some of you might know, I'm still kind of the new guy on campus.

I'm close to graduating into my third month as president.

But I can already feel the deep love that Spartans have for this place.

And that is especially evident today as we join in community to celebrate our amazing graduates.

Graduates, today is your day, and we are all so thrilled to celebrate your accomplishment of earning a Michigan State degree, to close one chapter in your life's story while celebrating the opening of a new chapter with new possibilities in an unfolding future.

I've spent much of my first two months here on a listening and learning tour of the university, as well as attending dozens of games and events, and I've had the opportunity to meet many of you, and I'm always impressed by your affection for our university.

In many cases, an attachment that spans generations of Spartan families, some of whom I'm sure are here today.

The 6,829 members of the class of 2024 we celebrate today are a diverse group ranging in age from 18 to 61.

(President Guskiewicz and audience applauding) You represent almost every county in Michigan, 47 states and 51 countries.

You are an accomplished group.

More than 6,000 of you have made the Dean's List at least once.

Your class includes 780 honors college members and 135 student athletes.

And 163 of you graduate with more than one degree.

And you are a determined group who pushed through the uncertainty and adversity of the COVID pandemic all while keeping your eye on your destination.

Congratulations, you've arrived.

(President Guskiewicz and audience applauding) As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your story, I would like to share with you a quote from legal thriller author John Grisham, who happens to be a good friend of mine.

He advises writers not to start your first scene until you know the final scene.

If you know the final scene, he said, it's hard to get lost.

And so you arrived at this destination in your academic journey by keeping your eyes on the outcome.

But like any long journey, I'm sure you had to navigate around unexpected detours, dead ends, and heavy traffic.

Among this group, for example, two thirds of you switched your major along the way, and nearly a third of you earned your degrees from a different college than you started in.

And that's great.

The whole point of being here is to explore and learn, and that includes learning what destination you'd like to arrive at.

If there's one thing I would add to Grisham's quote, it's simply this, always stay curious.

It will help identify your true north.

While I can't tell you what exactly your true north should be, I do know that if you always stay curious, if you always ask why or why not, you'll be on the right track to lead lives of purpose and meaning.

Our world needs engaged citizens and leaders who can address not only the grand challenges of today, but also the grand challenges of tomorrow.

That's what your MSU education has prepared you to do.

You graduate today well equipped to view the world through different lenses, to identify the most pressing challenges, to process all the inputs of our diverse interconnected world, and to exercise informed critical reasoning to support democracy.

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

And you'll say, "I got this.

"I'm built for this, and I can reach my destination and achieve my aspirations."

At this time, I ask everyone to rise as you are able and sing one stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner," accompanied by the MSU Wind Symphony under the direction of 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.

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

♪ O say can you see ♪ ♪ By the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hail'd ♪ ♪ At the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ O'er the ramparts we watch'd ♪ ♪ Were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ And the rocket's 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 ♪ (audience applauding) - Thank you, Anna.

And as you remain standing, I ask interim provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, Thomas Jeitschko, to 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 community.

So let us pause here for a moment of silence and remembrance.

Thank you, please be seated.

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

- Mr. Dantonio, please step forward.

President Guskiewicz.

(audience applauding) President Guskiewicz I hereby present to you Mark Dantonio for the bestow of an award of his honorary degree, Doctor of Education.

- Thank you very much.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) - You're a highly accomplished and inspiring coach who has committed your life to providing expansive leadership and development to students in a wide variety of aspects, both on and off the field.

Your notable career includes 13 seasons as head football coach at Michigan State University, including three Big Ten Championships and victories in several ball games.

(audience applauding) You have shared your expertise in countless settings throughout your coaching career, including terms at Purdue and Ohio State, serving on Coach Jim Tressel staff at Youngstown State.

And your 16 seasons as head coach at both Cincinnati and Michigan State University.

You have cemented your place in college football history and actively served as an inspiration to Spartans across the nation through dedication, resiliency, and winning football.

(audience applauding) I agree.

Your endeavors and achievements also extend beyond the field, giving back to your surrounding East Lansing community, culminating in your reception of the 2016 Gene Stallings Award.

During your time as head coach of the Michigan State University football program, you exhibited your dedication to the success and development of the Spartan community and solidified your place in history as Michigan State's all time winningest football coach.

(audience applauding) For your notable career in the world of football and beyond, and your time, expertise, initiative, and dedication to Michigan State University's prominence and success, I am pleased to award you an honorary Doctor of Education degree from Michigan State University.

Congratulations.

(audience applauding) Thank you for being here.

Congratulations.

- Thank you.

First off, I'd like to welcome everybody here today, and, you know, I'm a ball coach, so I'm gonna try and keep it as easy as possible as we go forward here.

But I'd like to thank President Guskiewicz for this honor.

You know, I came to Michigan State 1995 for the first time.

I've been here 20 years as a coach over that spectrum, you know, as an assistant for six with Nick Saban, then 13 as a head coach back in '07 to '19, and then one last year as a consultant.

So I've been around a little bit.

I know what you guys have gone through, the ups and the downs of it all.

And I can appreciate where you're coming from and where you're going here in the future.

I have two daughters that have graduated from Michigan State, Kristen, her husband, Nathan, my two grandchildren.

Little Mark and Charlotte are here with us today and I just wanted to give him a shout out real quick.

And then Lauren obviously is not here today, but Lauren Catherine graduated as well from here.

I graduated from college in 1979.

It's been a while.

There's '79 grads out there, I heard one.

But I've coached college football for 40 years, and again, I'm truly honored for this opportunity today to talk to you for a couple minutes here.

MSU President Guskiewicz read a lot of the different things, but I think the thing you need to know about MSU if you take it forward is, created in 1855, first land grants institution in this country, created for all people, white, Black, minorities, women, men, rich, poor.

The government gave land to the state of Michigan to create a university.

And I believe the first classes, there were six classes of 63 students, I think, five faculty members now in that first year in 1857.

Now 51,000 students attended MSU.

He's already talked to you a little bit about the graduating class, but well over 6,100 graduates, over 6,900 graduates in the bachelor's degree.

But it's a sensational place, and it's a place that I try to call home and I'm trying to get through this teleprompter here so I can catch up, 'cause some of the things have already been said.

518,000 living alums, they're gonna serve you well.

272 of you have 4.0's, 175, (audience applauding) 175 student athletes.

Forever, wherever you go in this world, not just the US but wherever you go in this world, if you get a go green, you're gonna get a go white back.

It's gonna be very, very impressive, and your alumni will serve you very, very well as you move forward.

You'll meet amazing people over and over.

So congratulations to your family and your support group, and all of you once again as I move it forward here.

Goal of the talk.

I'm gonna try and stay on the clock here for about 10 minutes, but the goal of the talk is that always when I talk to somebody is trying to give somebody something that they can take home with them and maybe, you know, make things a little better for somebody or someone or for yourself.

But that's my goal as you go today.

So I'm gonna put you all in my team meeting room, got your green and white on, it's your first day of meetings, and so you're with me and you're just one of our players.

The first thing I always told our players was to chase your dreams.

Dream big, dream big.

It's impressive when you think about the people that have sat in those seats before, whether you are a football player or now a student.

The people that are sitting in those seats have done amazing things.

Jim Cotter, longtime admissions director here.

In 1995, I was at a recruiting dinner.

He ended it by saying, "Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world," Archimedes.

And I think that's exactly what you have the ability to do.

When I look at some of the things that have happened in my career, it's hard to really even explain.

To hear the president up here talking about those things.

When I was sitting in that seat in '79, and I don't think I went to the graduation, by the way, but it's hard to sort of comprehend the things that you'll be able to accomplish.

Need a little audience participation.

So what I did with our players all the time, I may have to use my coaching voice a little bit here, is I'm gonna say give me three, and after every one of these things, we're gonna clap three times.

I say give me three, I'll say ready, then you got to clap.

So we'll practice it one time here.

Here we go, give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) All right, you're doing all right.

So when I say that, I put the ready sign on you, you give me three.

Throughout 16 years as being a head coach, you've got five goals.

You've sort of stood the test of time, and this is how we build our team.

Number one, you've gotta have personal relationships with the people that you care about.

Real personal relationships.

"Nobody cares how much they know till they know how much they care," Theodore Roosevelt.

Build on a shared commitment, a shared commitment.

You gotta have things in common if you're gonna have the relationship strong as you move forward.

That can be hard when the social media, they gotta slow that thing down a little bit, guys.

Personal relationships are built on commitment, on problem solving, communication, and on trust.

On trust.

And if you can find that with the people in your life, that's the first thing that you're gonna have to do to be successful.

Whether it's a marriage, whether it's a work relationship, whatever it may be.

Those are the things that are gonna make it happen.

Social media world that we have right now, very difficult.

A lot of you have been penned up in your rooms, COVID and those type of things, some of you'll be working remote, but I encourage you to get out there and find the people that are in your foxhole, the people that you care about, the people that are gonna be important in your life, to make sure that you're following them and being a part of their lives and having that shared commitment, et cetera.

Invest in people and relationships, and you'll reap a lifetime of benefits as you move through it.

When I had our player meetings, I had 120 players, I would take the entire month, and I know Jonathan Smith's doing the same thing right now, new football coach, but I would take the whole month and meet with our players, every single player I had.

Talk about their family, talk about their goals every year, talk about the things that were important to them, all the different things that they needed to find out about themselves and about the program here.

They needed to be bought in, they needed to have a sincere buy-in and be fully engaged as you went forward.

That's tough in this day and age.

It's tough.

Our assistants had the same thing.

They met with their players, the strength coach met with every single player.

The academic people met with every single player.

The defensive coordinator, the offensive coordinator met with the defense, and I, as the head coach, met with every player.

And it's amazing the things that you found out about people and how that became an opportunity to connect as individuals.

So make sure that you're striving for that personal relationship as you move forward.

That's number one.

Give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) All right, that's good.

Education, number two, you gotta get your education, takes you to a higher level.

Have a passion, inside and outside your vocation, have a passion.

You're gonna change, as the president has said, you're gonna go from one thing to another and jump from thing to thing as you go, but you'll be rerouted a little bit along the way, but sort of a natural progression.

Had a lot of good football players, their number one goal were, regardless of where they were at in the scheme of things, all 120 of 'em, they wanted to go to the NFL.

Not for long.

Competition is at its highest level usually.

So they were unable to do that.

They had to have a passion in something else to be able to deliver on those different things as they move forward.

It takes 10,000 hours, they say, to be an expert at something.

So you got 10,000 hours in front of you as you move forward with your next career.

And you'll continue to be cutting edge, innovative as you move forward.

Kirk Cousins came to, Kirk Cousins came to our Minnesota game last year as I was an advisor, consultant, and came down and spoke to our team.

And he was amazing as usual, but the thing he talked about was that he was in it for the long haul.

That every decision that he made, everything he does was for the long game.

For the long haul, for the long game, you know, not for something that's gonna just be here and there and gone, but for the long haul.

So when you make decisions and you make the decision to move onto another job or you make decisions in your home life, you gotta look at it as long term, what's gonna be best for me long term.

That's number two, give me three claps, ready?

(audience claps three times) Give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Getting better, getting better.

Got a little ways to go.

Work.

You gotta work to get better, guys, I just gotta tell you, you gotta work.

"Things which matter he most must never be at the mercy of things which matter the least."

That hung above our staff table.

As I looked at our staff every day, that hung above our table there for 13 years.

And I tried to make sure that we were gonna take care of the big things, let the little things catch up.

But the big things in your life needed to be handled right away and be taken care of.

Work provides a sense of purpose.

I used to always tell my two girls, if you have discipline and maturity, you can accomplish anything.

It leads to perseverance, it leads to the ability to sacrifice, it leads to attention to detail, staying on time, all the different things you have to do.

But discipline and maturity in this area will carry you far.

Today you have a plan probably, but it's gonna need an adjustment much like the president has said.

So I had a Marine colonel come in and talk to our players one time, and he basically handled all the recruits, the incoming Marines at Paris Island.

So his end game for those guys were, his end game was readiness in three areas.

Their spiritual life, their physical life, and their mental life as he prepared his Marines.

And the first thing he said to them was that the plan, whatever the plan was, would not survive contact.

In other words, it's gonna change.

Your ideas, what you think, everything's gonna change as you move forward in your life.

There'd be friction points along the way that would cause you issues sometimes.

But that was a natural progression, especially when you hit your LOD, your line of departure.

Today is your line of departure.

It's the day where you walk out of Michigan State with a plan.

Again, you're gonna hit some friction points along the way, but everything's gonna be okay.

It's a natural progression, and we wish you the best with it.

My father used to always say, complete your circles.

You started one thing.

My mom always used to say, "Hey, I said that first," but I'm gonna go with my dad today.

But, you know, when you start something, you wanna try and finish it and it's gonna take time, but you wanna try and finish it.

So complete your circles.

You're gonna have times where you're gonna just be in one position and you're gonna have to assess what you've done, adjust to it, and then repeat what you've done to get better at what you're doing.

But the work ethic has to be there, there's no question about that.

And you won't get there without great work ethic.

So number three, give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Let me walk over here, give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Number four, gotta be a light for such a time as this.

You need to be a light in your community.

"For such a time as this" hung in our hallway every day I walk by that and I would just say, what are we gonna do today to make somebody's life a little bit better?

The actual quote comes out of the Bible from Esther, "And who knows but you have come to such a royal position for such a time as this."

You're at quite a position right now.

You're a graduate of Michigan State.

You'll be able to take that forward with you as you go forward.

I think it's important that you go morally, if your spiritual part of you, that's good too, but I think it's important both in those two endeavors that you take it very personal, personal decision.

This thing's flying again up here.

Your faith is a very personal decision.

I'm not here to to talk about that really, but it's carried me through in the good times and the bad times.

And I can tell you this, it'll either grow or diminish as you move forward.

So are your morals.

It'll either grow or they will diminish as you go forward with your life.

The world, no question, needs more heroes.

And you're looking out in this group of people and you wonder who the next heroes are gonna be.

Spartans will.

I've heard that being said around here for quite some time.

What does that mean to you?

What does that mean to me?

Probably three different things.

But for me it talks about going above and beyond, do whatever it takes, whatever it takes to get the job done.

Whatever it takes to make some lives better.

Whatever it takes.

You gotta put yourself out there.

I coached for 40 years.

My goal in that career hopefully would be defined by more what I did for people than wins and losses.

Sometimes you wonder about that, but hopefully that is the case as I go forward.

You have an opportunity to make a lifetime impact on people and make a difference.

You need to take advantage of that.

Give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Last one, winning.

Quote from Coach Izzo.

"Every opportunity is one that needs to be seized."

You have got to win.

I can promise you I don't have this around my chest, I don't have the the plaque, I don't have anything else if we didn't win here.

It's just a natural, natural deal.

Winning is the product to me of the four points above.

If you don't have a personal relationship with your players, if you don't work, if you don't educate them the finest things, if you're not cutting edge, innovative, et cetera, if you don't show them that there's other things out there that they can be a little bit of a light to other people, then they're missing the boat a little bit.

But winning is a product of the four points above.

NFL, again, not for long.

If you don't win, not for long, guys, not for long.

Life is a game of inches.

So many games and things that I've seen over the course of time, my 13 years here, or really 20, they've been won or lost and hanged by a thread.

Literally hanged by a decision somebody makes on the field or off the field away from it.

Dr. Edward Barksdale, one of our player's father who's a renowned surgeon, used to always talk about falling forward, gaining ground if you're not successful, falling forward.

Make sure that you're winning a little bit as you fall forward.

The next time you get up to play that you're a little bit more successful.

Winning comes in many different forms, tangible and sometimes intangible.

2013, we won the Big Ten Championship, went to the Rose Bowl, beat Ohio State.

(audience applauding) In 2011, we went to the Big Ten Championship game, and I don't know, you guys were probably 10, so you might not remember it, but we went to the championship game, played Wisconsin, and lost of the last seconds after the game went back and forth.

And I knew though that it was a great disappointment, but I knew after that game that there was gonna be opportunity the next time around that the next time we would have enough players who have been there before that we would be successful.

Sometimes it's not about just winning.

Arthur Ray was a four-star offensive lineman that was in our first recruiting class.

And in the spring before he'd even gotten here, he got cancer in his shin and went through seven surgeries, didn't come to school for a year and a half.

After seven surgeries later, he walked down the ramp in my team room, in our team room.

And it was one of the most emotional days I think that we've had there at Michigan State Football.

So, you know, winning is not just on the field.

You're gonna win in life as well.

You're gonna win with people as well as you've gone through it.

I've had approximately 300 players get a degree from Michigan State.

There are college coaches in that area.

There's athletic administrators, there's business leaders, doctors, lawyers, law enforcement, firefighters.

There's players that have played in the NFL, countless players.

There's Jack Conklin, number one pick, was a walk-on.

There's Darqueze Dennard, Jim Thorpe Award winner, first round pick, not very highly recruited.

Connor Cook, Kyler Ellsworth, MVPs at the Rose Bowl.

There's a tremendous amount of players that have done amazing things here.

We've had I think eight players become the Big Ten position of the year players, been in the top 25 out on a seven, eight times top 10, I think four times, something like that.

But we won on a big stage, and that's what you'll now have an opportunity to do.

David Fennell, one of our players, didn't play all that much, had two bad feet, literally bad feet, had one operated on, six minutes later got the other one operated on, graduated in engineering, walked up to me and handed me a letter.

And I looked at the letter and, you know, it's sort of been life-altering a little bit and I think it speaks to all of you today.

It says, "Tomorrow, " he gave me the letter, three points of the letter.

Tomorrow will not be different until you change today.

Number two, It's the journey that makes you strong.

And three, a man who is certain of his path pays no attention to the odds against him.

Give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Finally, in closing, the Spartan's greatest strength is the warrior standing next to him.

Another sign that we had up in our team room.

Spartan's greatest, wing it back down there, greatest strength is the warrior standing next to him.

And I've had the pleasure from learning from three of the greatest coaches in college football.

Number one, Tom Izzo.

(audience applauding) I used to look across Munn Field from our building over there and see how you win championships and just try and measure up to that degree.

Number two, every opportunity is one that needs, that's what he said, Nick Saban, five years as his defensive back coach.

If you're not coaching it, you're letting it happen.

Great believer in consistency in performance.

I think he's won eight national championships.

If you're not coaching it, you're letting it happen.

Everywhere you go, you're gonna have an opportunity to see it being done correctly and an opportunity to see it done incorrectly.

You gotta coach it.

You gotta stand by for what's right.

And then Jim Tressel, five years at YSU, at Youngstown State with him and then three years as his defensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Tremendously patient and resilient individual.

This too shall pass.

Whatever you're going through, you'll get through it.

Take some time, readjust yourself.

Make sure that you stay positive in your role, and go through it at one step at a time.

Those three and so many more have been the warriors in my life.

You've helped shape my journey.

You know, in 2013, a little video out in California and talked and brought it back to our players telling them that you will be the ones, you'll be the ones that win a championship.

Today I'm telling you, you will be the ones.

You will be the ones that carries Michigan State forward in so many different areas of this society.

It's up to you now to take this degree and do something with it.

And you look to the right, you look to the left, there's somebody special sitting next to you.

So make sure you dream big, leave a legacy, and give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Okay, what we're gonna do, 'cause we got a team here, so what we're gonna do is I'm gonna walk right down in front there in the middle, and we're gonna have a team picture, and I'm gonna tweet that out, okay?

'Cause I'm living in your age.

And then we're gonna have another team picture and we always did this for 13 years where it's sort of a silly picture where you do whatever you wanna do, and I'll tweet that out too.

So I'm gonna walk right down in the middle.

You may have to scrunch in a little bit, right, Derek, but we'll try and get that done and then I'll get outta your way.

Thanks so much, go green.

(audience applauding) (audience applauding) - Well, coach, you may not have attended your own graduation ceremony in 1979, but we're certainly grateful that you showed up today for the class of 2024.

(audience applauding) I think we can all agree that coach's playbook for the playing field is a great playbook for life.

And so we are so thankful that the coach shared his wisdom and inspiration with us today.

And so before we move on, I'm gonna ask, let's, for Coach Dantonio, give me three.

(audience claps three times) Thank you.

All right, we'll now have the privilege of hearing special music selection by MSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Kevin Sedatole.

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

("Fantasy on MSU Songs") ♪ Go right through for MSU ♪ ♪ Watch the points keep growing ♪ ♪ Spartan teams are bound to win ♪ ♪ They're fighting with a vim ♪ ♪ Rah, rah, rah ♪ ♪ See their team is weakening ♪ ♪ We're going to win this game ♪ ♪ Fight, fight, rah, team, fight ♪ ♪ Victory for MSU ♪ (audience applauding) - Thank you, Dr. Sedatole, that was fantastic.

I would now like to introduce the Honorable Dan Kelly, chairperson of the MSU Board of Trustees, and after Trustee Kelly, interim provost and executive vice president, Thomas Jeitschko, will present members of the platform party.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, President Guskiewicz.

I would, I'm sorry, 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 colleagues on the MSU Board who are here with us this afternoon, the Honorable Dianne Byrum (audience applauding) and the Honorable Brianna Scott.

Today's ceremony represents the culmination of an academic achievement.

The degree that you have earned acknowledges your success and it honors those who have encouraged and supported you along the way.

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, administration, and trustees are proud of you.

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

Thank you.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Trustee Kelly.

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

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

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

Indeed, as we send you forth, we are 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.

(audience applauding) We are honored to welcome university leaders seated on the platform but who 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 significance of this moment.

Colleagues, please remain standing as you're introduced.

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

Norman Beauchamp, executive vice president for Health Sciences.

Rebecca Barber, vice president for Financial Planning and Analytics.

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

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

Vennie Gore, senior vice president for Student Life and Engagement.

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

Rob Glew, associate dean for Academic Programs from International Studies and Programs.

Ashley Green, Office of the Provost, chief of staff.

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

Neil Romanosky, dean of Libraries.

Kim Tobin, vice president for University Advancement.

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.

Now, deans of our degree-granted colleges please stand and remain standing as I introduce you, but first a round of applause for our platform party.

(audience applauding) Laura Bix, assistant dean of Graduate Studies, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Glenn Chambers, interim dean, Residential College in the Arts and Humanities.

Christopher Long, dean, College of the Arts and Letters, and dean of the Honors College.

Judith Whipple, interim dean, Eli Broad College of Business.

Teresa Mastin, interim dean, College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

Jerlando Jackson, dean, College of Education.

Leo Kempel, dean, College of Engineering.

Cameron Thies, dean, James Madison College.

Kendra Spence Cheruvelil, dean, Lyman Briggs College.

James Forger, dean, College of Music.

Phillip Duxbury, dean, College of Natural Science.

Leigh Small, dean, College of Nursing.

Brent Donnellan, dean, College of Social Science.

And now please join me in applause for our deans.

(audience applauding) Lastly, I would like to thank our sign language interpreters who are with us this afternoon, Emily Gordillo and Katie Kaur, as well as our live captioner, Sherry Benson.

Thank you very much.

(audience applauding) I'm pleased to invite Advait Paliwal to deliver the class of 2024 student address.

Advait was selected as the student speaker by the Senior Class Council.

He's a computer science major from the College of Engineering.

Please join me in welcoming Advait to the podium.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, President Guskiewicz, Interim Provost Jeitschko, EVP Beauchamp, trustees, faculty, staff, proud parents, jealous siblings, ChatGPT, and above all, the graduating class of 2024.

(audience applauding) My name is Advait Paliwal, and I'm honored to stand before you today.

Our journey here has not been easy to say the least.

During freshman year, our lives were turned upside down due to the pandemic.

Instead of the perfect college experience we had all dreamed about, we found ourselves in lockdown.

But despite this challenging start, we persevered.

Over the last four years, we have worked tirelessly both online and in person, and I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge all the sacrifices, the late nights, and the hours of dedication that have brought us to this moment as we prepare to graduate from the incredible Michigan State University.

(audience applauding) This place has made me who I am.

It was the classes and the research here that made me fall in love with computer science.

And it was through the Burgess Institute where I found my passion for entrepreneurship.

Today I wanna talk about something that we have all experienced and are scared of, rejection.

I am too, and I'd like to share with you some of the lessons I've learned from being rejected.

Lessons that have challenged my assumptions, changed my perspectives, and ultimately shaped me into the person I am right now.

When I first arrived at Michigan State, like many of us, I was shy, terrified of putting myself out there.

Every day I would go to the dining hall on a date with my phone or laptop.

I mean, after all, that's the normal thing to do, right?

One day at Sny-Phi, my phone ran out of battery.

And as I sat in silence, I found myself surrounded by others also sitting alone lost in their digital worlds.

In that moment, I realized I had a choice.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my food, walked up to a random student sitting by himself, and with my heart pounding in my chest, I asked, "Can I sit with you?"

He looked at me surprised and he agreed.

As we started talking, he mentioned he was an introvert and didn't really like social interactions.

Surprisingly though, he led the conversation opening up about his life and his goal of becoming a comedian.

We talked for an hour, and as I left, I realized I had taken the first step out of my comfort zone and I had made a new friend.

From that day forward, I sat with a new stranger every day and had conversations about their majors, their interests, their hopes, their dreams.

We often overthink and hesitate when it comes to initiating conversations with people we don't know, and fearing rejection, we never do.

But through this experience, I've learned that by making assumptions and by letting fear dictate our interactions, we miss out on the diversity of thought and experience that exists all around us.

In the last few months, I've made it my goal to chase rejection by asking for things that I expect to get a no for.

I asked my neighbor, whom I've never spoken to before, for a ride to class.

He was in a rush and said no.

I asked Chipotle for free guac and queso, and to my surprise, they agreed.

I asked out girls who are way out of my league, and yes, I'm still single.

(audience laughing) I cold messaged people to help me with side projects, and now they're the co-founders of my startup.

I applied to universities, (audience applauding) thank you.

I applied to universities, jobs, and opportunities that I never thought I'd get, but among the many rejections, I was accepted into an Ivy League school for masters.

(audience applauding) Thank you.

I landed a job at a startup in San Francisco and I got to speak here today.

Each and every attempt was scary.

Each and every rejection hurt.

But with every attempt and rejection, I became a little less scared and a little more confident.

Seneca said, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

I realized that actively seeking out rejection creates more opportunities, thereby increasing the chances of success.

I also realized that the only limits that exist are the ones in our minds, and anything is possible if we are bold enough to simply ask.

As we begin this new chapter of our lives, we will inevitably face rejections, but I wanna remind us of the power we hold.

We are Spartans.

We have the potential to be the change makers, the innovators, and the leaders of tomorrow.

To achieve this, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones, to take risks, and to pursue our passions with everything we have.

Before we go our separate ways, I wanna leave you with one challenge.

Introduce yourself to someone new today, a classmate you haven't met, a professor you haven't thanked, or even the person right next to you.

Start a conversation, learn something new about them, and maybe even ask them to get dinner tonight.

I know chasing rejection sounds crazy, but the people who have changed the world are those who were faced with fierce rejection, yet they believed in themselves and kept going.

As Steve Jobs once said, the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.

So let's be crazy enough to chase that no, crazy enough to dream big, crazy enough to forge our own path in life, because that is how we will change the world.

Thank you, and go green.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Advait.

The Senior Class Council has worked tirelessly in support of the senior class gift campaign.

The presentation of the new senior class gift will now be made by Shruti Elango and Shrishti Jalan.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon, spring class of 2024, families, faculty, and friends.

We are honored to be here today with you to celebrate this remarkable milestone.

My name is Shruti Elango, and I'm the general assembly liaison for the Senior Class Council.

- And I am Shrishti Jalan, the PR chair for the Senior Class Council.

Congratulations to all of you on this incredible achievement.

You've worked hard, and now you're about to step into the next chapter of your life.

- As we prepare to leave Michigan State University's campus and begin new journeys, the Senior Class Council wanted to focus on a cause that makes a meaningful impact and truly embodies the spirit of Spartans will.

Each year we encourage our fellow seniors to support a campus organization with their class gift.

This year we are highlighting the MSU Food Bank, an organization that helps the students in need.

- The MSU Food Bank was established in 1993, which is the first student run food bank in the nation.

It has been instrumental in addressing the student food insecurity, which is a great barrier to academic success that many of us can understand.

We encourage you to consider supporting the food bank as part of your class gift.

Supporting the MSU Food Bank is a way to give back to our community and ensure that future Spartans have the resources that they need to thrive.

Your contribution, no matter the size, can make a significant difference.

- Now we are proud to present this check to President Guskiewicz and Michigan State University on behalf of the Senior Class Council.

This gift represents our commitment to supporting the MSU community and creating a lasting legacy.

If you haven't yet contributed to the senior class campaign, we encourage you to do so.

As we move on to the next chapter of our lives, let's carry on the spirit of giving and continue to make a positive impact wherever we go.

- Thank you all for being here today.

Congratulations to the class of 2024.

Let's stand together, embrace the future, and make a difference in the world.

Thank you, and go green.

(audience applauding) (audience applauding) - Thank you, Shruti and Shrishti.

Now we turn to the recognition of our graduates.

We wish to recognize 272 graduating seniors who completed their academic programs successfully and have the distinction of maintaining the highest grade point average in the class, thereby meriting the Board of Trustees Award.

To be eligible for this award, a total of 60 or more credits for the degree must be earned at Michigan State University with numerical grades by the close of the proceeding semester.

All 272 recipients earned a 4.0 grade point average at the close of fall semester.

Will all student recipients of the award who are present today please rise if they are able?

(audience applauding) Each of you should be proud of your outstanding academic record that honors you and your university.

On behalf of your classmates, the faculty, and the officers and the trustees of the university, I extend our congratulations and best wishes.

Please join me in applause for the recipients of the Board of Trustees Award.

(audience applauding) Thank you very much, you may be seated.

Next, I would like to recognize the students who earned major national and international scholarships and fellowships and the Sudler Prize in the arts.

Will those students please rise?

(audience applauding) Thank you very much, congratulations.

I now ask my colleague, Christopher Long, dean of the College of Arts and Letters and dean of the Honors College to acknowledge graduates.

- Thank you.

(audience applauding) Thank you, Thomas.

Students who have completed the requirements for enhanced program with the Honors College are said to graduate with Honors College distinction and they are recognized with the stole with the HC on it.

Okay, Honors students, give me three, ready?

(audience claps three times) Please rise if you are able, and accept our congratulations, thank you.

(audience applauding) - Congratulations also to you.

Students who attained a minimum grade point average of 3.95 are awarded with University High Honor.

University Honor is awarded to students who earn a minimum grade point average of 3.81.

These honors are designated by the gold cord worn with the academic robe.

All students graduating with High Honor and with Honor, please stand and accept our congratulations.

(audience applauding) I would like to commend those who have worked diligently during the past year representing the senior class.

We congratulate each of you for your outstanding contributions to the class of 2024.

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

(audience applauding) Thank you very much.

Students who were selected to represent their college by carrying the college banner in both the processional and the recessional, please stand and accept our appreciation and congratulations.

(audience applauding) In recognition of Michigan State's ongoing commitment to study abroad, I ask graduates who have had an international experience as either a study abroad student or as an international student who traveled here to study at MSU to please stand.

(audience applauding) All first generation graduates, please stand and accept our congratulations.

We are grateful that you selected Michigan State University and we are proud of your achievements.

(audience applauding) And in recognition of our students who served in leadership or service roles while here at MSU, I ask all graduates who participated in organizations such as Tower Guard, ASMSU, or any other service organization to please stand.

(audience applauding) Thank you so much.

President Guskiewicz.

- Thank you Dr. Jeitschko.

Graduates, your degrees will be officially conferred at your college commencement ceremonies, but for now, know that we are very proud of you.

There are many people who celebrated with you, many of them here today, people who have been with you throughout your academic journey, who rooted for you, and perhaps helped you to cross the finish line, as we like to say.

They might be parents, siblings, aunts and 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.

Will the family and friends please stand as you're able to receive the appreciation of today's graduates?

(audience applauding) Thank you.

There's another group of people who deserve a shout out, our amazing world-class faculty and dedicated staff who supported your success at Michigan State University.

Can we show them also our appreciation?

(audience applauding) So as we wrap up, this volume of your life story is coming to a close and a new one is about to open.

Think about how you want to finish this next one.

There will be many in your life, but know the journey might not be as you expected.

You are writing the story, and this is not the ending.

The story is still going and we cannot wait to read it.

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

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

Clifton Wharton, Jr. served as Michigan State University's president through most of the 1970s.

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

In an interview some years ago, he offered advice I think is applicable to everyone here.

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.

Graduates, I have met many of you these past few months, and I am confident your education at MSU has prepared you to blaze your own trail forward.

Now, members of the graduating class of 2024, please rise as you are able.

(audience applauding) You might have begun your collective experience separated by distance, but certainly not by spirit.

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

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

I urge you to stay curious, to stay engaged, and as President Wharton would have it, apply your preparation to the benefit of our society.

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

Congratulations, and go green.

- [Audience] Go white.

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

Anna Jesko will lead us in the singing.

Following the singing, we request that students and guests be seated during the recessional of the platform party.

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 ♪ ("MSU Fight Song")