(Music Playing) Thank you.

Please be seated.

Good afternoon, Spartans, and welcome to Michigan State University's Spring 2025 convocation for graduating seniors here at the Breslin Center.

Those joining us by live stream.

Greetings to you as well.

How about a warm up round of applaus for these incredible Spartans?

What an amazing view.

So many smiling faces in a sea of spartan green.

I know I'm still kind of the Junior Spartan in this group.

And over this past year that I've been president, it's been among my personal highlights to have met so many of today's graduates.

I've seen their pride up close many times, including at a fun graduation tradition that I inaugurated just last year.

And that's climbing the stairs of Beaumont Tower.

I can feel the dee affection Spartans have for this magical plac on the banks of the Red Cedar.

It's something I know runs through multiple generations in many familie attending today's convocation.

Graduating seniors, today is your day.

We are all thrilled to celebrat your accomplishment of earning a Michigan State degree.

You are a diverse group, ranging in age from 19 to 56.

Hailing from, and that deserves a round of applause.

Hailing from every state in the nation and 57 countries.

That's amazing.

Two thirds of you earned degrees in different majors.

Then you started out in.

And 39 of you are veterans who have served this country.

And all of you have what it takes to call yourselves Spartans for life.

So let's all celebrate our graduates with one more round of applause.

We are so proud of you.

Graduates, your arrival, your arrival at this moment now calls on you to seek new horizons.

But I want you to hav confidence that you are ready.

You have new assets to tak with you, including a Michigan state degree, which is an asset that will appreciate over time in so many ways.

I urge you to maintain the other tools that you've honed here as well, including your capacity to advocate for yourself tactfully and methodically, which is something I preach to my own kids.

Build your case for yourself, and you will come to the attention of people who can take you places.

Remember also the methodologies of inquiry you've learned, and never lose the curiosity that drives you forward.

If you always ask why, you'll be on the right track to lead a life of purpose and meaning and for your self-respect as well as your advancement.

Never surrender your integrity.

Soldier and statesman Dwight Eisenhower knew how adversity can test people.

He said that the supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity.

Without it, no real success is possible.

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 the democracy that sustains our futures.

I'm confident that in five or maybe 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.

You'll be you'll be able to say, I've got this.

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

So at this time, I'm going to ask everyone to rise as you're able.

And we're going to sing one stanza of The Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by MSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Professor Doctor David Thornton from the College of Music.

The singing will be led by Amira Coleman, a doctoral student in music performance upon upon conclusion of the singing.

Please remain standing for a moment of silence.

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

And the rockets red glare the bomb bursting in air Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave Thank you Amira.

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 family.

So let us pause here for a moment of silence.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

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

Mr. Ishbia please come forward.

President Guskiewicz, I have the honor to present Mr. Matt Ishbia for awarding of the honorary degree.

Doctor of Business.

You are... We'll clap no and we're going to clap again.

You are a highly accomplishe leader in the world of business, leading a massively successful company.

As the president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, under your expertise, you have transformed you from an unranked lender, starting with just 12 people in what is now the number on mortgage lender in the nation.

Your dedication has contributed to the growth and betterment of mortgage brokers nationwide.

Your educational accomplishments include a bachelor's degree in business managemen from Michigan State University, receiving the academic All-Big ten honors for three consecutive years, along with the President's Award for the highest GPA among all male athletes.

As a walk on point guard under Tom Izzo, you helped the team to a national championship victory in 2000.

A proud moment in our university's long history.

Let's clap right now.

It started right there.

Through your dedication to Michigan State University.

You have continued to give back to the Spartan community, including numerous philanthropic contributions.

Your generous benefaction toward funding the Tom Izzo Football Building, as well as the football program and charities like the V Foundation for Cancer Research, are a testament to your commitment.

Commitment to Spartan success.

For your impressiv career, continued contributions, and dedication to the greatest of our beloved University.

I am pleased to award you an Honorary Doctor of Busines from Michigan State University.

Congratulations!

Doctor Ishbia.

The podium is yours.

Well, thank you very much.

What an honor to be here.

President Guskiewicz, thank you for the kind words.

truly honored to be here with all of you.

First off, congratulations to you guys.

Everybody here excited?

Yeah.

Good.

Well deserved.

So, listen, you guys just graduated from the best university in the country.

We're honored to be Spartans together.

And you guys have done an amazing, amazing job.

And you should not think of it just as, hey, I'm graduating today of the last three or 4 or 5 years of work, but it's been a culmination of your life getting to into Michigan State University getting to where you are today.

It's a real honor.

So congratulations to all of you.

It's well-deserved.

You should celebrate, enjoy, and hopefully have a great time, celebrating and then taking the next step of your career in your life.

Now, you know, I put a little bit of thought into a couple different thing I'm going to speak about today.

I'll take les than ten minutes of your time.

But the goal here is simple.

Hopefully you think of one thing I say, or two thing I say to help you in some way.

This is not about business.

It's about life and things that I wish maybe I had known 22 years ago when I was in your seat graduatin from Michigan State University.

I didn't put it through ChatGPT.

That didn't put it like I got nothing.

I don't I don't have anything written down.

This is going to be from my heart and I speak pretty fast, so I apologize ahead of time.

But, as president Guskiewicz talked about my my career at Michigan State University was fantastic.

I got a chance to learn so much from the professors, my fellow students.

Playing for coaches, though, Tom Izzo, Michigan State, I was I joke, I was the worst player on that team, but it's really not a joke.

I was really not that good.

But I had a great time.

I learned so much from Tom Izzo and, you know going to the mortgage company, like taking a 12,01 people and 9000 people now and, United Wholesale Mortgage and then recently buying the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury.

All this started right here at Michigan State University.

And so I'm really, really prou of the opportunity to be here.

You know, when you go through all these different things.

And so I'm going to spen a couple minutes talking about, you know, 3 or 4 things that maybe I thought of that I wish I would've known, or maybe I could have done a little differentl or got to where I'm at faster.

And but before I go into those 3 or 4 things, it all starts with one thing in life.

The goal is to be happy.

You live only once, right?

You only have so many years on this earth.

So what's happiness for you?

It's not just about happiness today.

It's short term and long term.

And so the goal is happiness.

So think with everything in your life, like put it through a lens of happiness.

How do you make your life happier?

How do you make your life better?

And I'm going to give you 3 or 4 things that have helped me.

And like I said, hopefully one of them resonates with you in a way that makes you think, hey, that's going to maybe tell me how to do a little bit differently now and maybe catapult your life in a better way towards the goal of happiness.

So the first thing I always talk about, and I talk about it with my company and people, is no matter how successful you are, no matter how much money you have, no matter anything about it, we all get 24 hours a day.

What are you doing with your minutes?

1440 minutes a day?

What are you going to do every day with them?

How do you use them?

You know, when I played for Tom Izzo, when I coached with him, you know what he did?

You watch film till midnight.

He came back at 7:00 am.

He was grinding.

He might not b the smartest coach in the world, but you know what?

He's one of the best and the hardest working.

And you know what?

Hard work always wins.

And the effort and the attitude and the mentality of I'm going to work harder.

I'm going to put more of my time in and same thing with me.

Same thing with you.

Lik how do you invest your minutes?

It's not wasting minutes.

How do you invest them?

You know, for my whole career, I was in the office suit and tie 4 a.m., not waking up at 4 a.m. suit and tie.

And I thought to myself, hey, if I got there three hours before the other CEOs, that's three hours a day, 15 hours a week, 60 hours a month, 720 hours a year.

I'm and I'll work them.

And whoever works the hardest usually wins.

It took me 17 year to become number one doing that.

And it's the grind that you have to put your time in every single day.

So what would I do if I were you?

The action item from this is My Head is sleep 30 minutes less, right?

Don't.

I'm not saying get up at 330 and be crazy.

Right?

But can you set your alarm 3 minutes earlier if you did that?

I just created 182 hours a year for you, 182 hours that you can spend with family, with friends, with your boyfriend, with your girlfriend, with whoever you want.

And then on there and then some of that time you can say, I'm going to invest in my grind, invest in my business, learn more, invest in being the best teacher, whatever I can be.

And so think about how you can spend your minutes wisely, because I think that's been a big part of my success, is time management and using every minut that we're allocated every day to be the best I can be.

The second thing I'd say, an this is my most common question I get about me, is this is all I'll tell you is money follows success, not the other way around.

Everyone's thinking, I'm gonna go chase money.

This job pays me 50,000.

That one pays me 48.

I'm gonna go to that job.

It's not about money.

Try to be the best.

Go be the best teacher, the best veterinarian, the best scholar, the best basketball player.

You know what happens with the best musician?

The best.

You know what?

They all have a lot of money.

Money always follows.

It doesn't lead.

So focusing on money is the wrong way.

Think Chase winning, chase being the best.

Chase dominating.

Chase that don't chase.

I got to figure out how to make more money.

Money is the outcome.

People ask me why do you work every day?

If my goal was money, I would have quit a long time ago.

My goal was being the best in the world.

And you know, at Michigan State University, you guys have the foundation to do anything you want.

But don't chase money.

Only chase success, chase winning, chase greatness and money will follow.

The third thing I like to hit on is one that's actually probably hits home to a lot of people, because it hits home to me and hits home.

The anyone I talk to is positivity.

Be the most positive person all the time.

Think of situations like everyone says.

Now is going to be a great weekend and you got some friends like, oh, it's supposed to rain on Saturday, like get away from me.

You know, like that's not who I want to be around.

Oh, I got this business idea.

What do you think about.

Oh, well, what about this?

That's not going to work because this.

How about being aroun the people that are like, Matt, if you think it's going to be great, I bet you'll make it great.

I believe in you.

I want to be around those people.

I want to bring people that are positive people that suck life out of me.

There's people out there that will blow your candle out to make theirs look brighter.

Stay away from them.

Honestly positivity is the easiest thing you get to control every day and every single day that you're positive and have a good mood and talk about the great things that you have going on in your life, rather than the things you don't get.

You used to say you get to, you don't got to.

My time at Michigan State, I was a third string point guard.

A lot of people would say, oh why don't you transfer and go, I can't believe you're not playing.

I wasn't playing because I was no good.

But that's another discussion, right?

I can't believe why don't you transfer this school?

You could be a starter there.

You know what?

I'm going to be the best third string point guard in the country.

That's what I decided to do.

And you know what?

Yeah, you can clap.

Because you know what?

I was?

Because.

Because it's on you.

Don't put me in unless we're up by a lot.

So he knew.

But you know what I thought to myself?

How can I be positive?

What can I do here?

Can I contribute to us winnin without stepping on the court?

Can I watch film and prepare Mateen Cleaves, the star point guard, even better during the game?

Can I cheer the team?

I can I remind them of wha the other team is going to do?

What can I do to be the best third string point guard in the country?

And that's the positive way of looking at it.

Rathe than saying what you don't have, I get to be on that team.

I get to be part of it.

And so positivity, it always wins.

There's too many negative people.

And so an action item I would tell you is like, I'm not saying that cut out the peopl that are negative in your life.

Well, here's what I would say.

Find the 3 or 4 that are really supportive, that always think positive.

They always tell you great job and I believe in you and spend more time with them.

You spend more time with those people.

Your life will be better and you have a better chanc at the goal, which is happiness.

And then the last thing I'll leave you with is maybe one of the thing that I learned from my father, my mother, just in general in life, do what's right when no one is looking.

We all know the right thing to do.

You know the right way to handle something and also do what's right, even without any expectation of things in return.

In business where everyone's like, oh, if you do this for me, you'll get this.

No, no, I'm going t do the right thing and help you.

And you know what?

If something good comes my way, great.

If not, I did the right thing.

Even when you to play basketball, even if you're working for a company, when there's a to stay late because the boss is there now, stay late because you're investing in yoursel and you're trying to get better.

Stay late because you believe that if I stay late, that will help me.

And it's the right thing to do.

Help me be more successful.

Do what's right when nobody's watching.

Give a homeless person a dollar.

Hope no door for someone.

Smile at someon when you walk by them in target.

Be friendly, you know.

Do the right thing and you know what happens.

People say, is karma a real thing?

You know, I don't know, but I know when I do the right thing and I'm kind and I'm caring about people, great things always come back my way and so do the right thing.

Even when nobody's watching.

Be the person that goes of the way to do the right thing all the time.

And then the last thing to finish is like, I'm just going to quickly summarize it in one minute.

And hopefully in this eight minutes, nine minutes, you found some value in it.

If not, it was only ten minutes, so it didn't bother you too much.

Is this happiness is the goal?

What can you do to dictate your short term and long term happiness?

How can you change something you do on a day to day basis to make that happen?

And what I would think about is, like I talked about how do you maximize your minutes every single day, set the alarm 30 minutes earlier.

How did 24 hours a day how do I maximize those things?

Or money follows success, you know, set big goals, reach for the sky.

Don't limit yourself.

But you know what?

Chase success, chas winning and money will follow.

Find the positive in all situations.

Spend time with positive people.

Always do the right thing, even when no one's looking.

And as we say here in Michigan State, Spartans will, right?

And Spartans will.

We are proud of you guys.

I'm proud to be here.

But let me add one thing to Spartans.

Will Spartans will.

Together we do it together.

Michigan State people We watch out for Michigan State.

People.

We're a team.

We take care of each other.

We're going to graduate together.

I'm proud to be part of this team with you.

And you guys are just getting started.

You've done one of the most impressive things.

You graduat from Michigan State University, and now it's time to take your life and your opportunity to the next level with this amazing foundation.

So as we say, Spartans will.

And like I said, Spartans will together.

It's an honor to be with you guys.

Have a great day.

Congratulations.

Wow, what an awesome message.

And, happiness.

Positivity.

Finding more time in your day to connect with others and I don't know, Matt, I can't I don't know if you were the first, second or third best point guard on the team back then, but I know there's no more passionate alumnus.

who cares about this place than you do.

So thank you.

That was inspiring.

So, we will no have the privilege of hearing, special music, by the MSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Doctor David Thornton.

The selection is called fantasy on MSU songs composed by James Kernow.

(Music Playing) Have.

Me.

We.

Have.

I.

Feel.

You.

I. I.

Have.

I have.

Have, Have.

Never, ever.

By.

Through.

Excuse one.

Voice skis from, By.

And you can find, what I.

Went through.

And.

You.

All right.

No, that doesn't get you fired up.

on graduation weekend.

I'm not sure what will.

Thank you, doctor Thornton.

And, I would now lik to introduce the Honorable Kelly Tebay, the chair of the MSU Board of Trustees.

And after chair Tebay, interim provost and executive vice president Thomas Jeitschko will present members of the platform party.

Chair Tebay.

Thank you, president Guskiewicz.

On behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I would like to welcome our graduates and their family and friends who join us today under the Michigan Constitution, the Board of Trustees is the governing body of the university who whos authority degrees are awarded.

And we take great pride in sharing this exciting milestone with you all.

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

Graduates, today's ceremony represents the culminatio of your academic achievements.

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

Our wish is that will us your knowledge and understanding to improve the quality of life in your community, and to advance the common good.

Our faculty, administrators an trustees are all proud of you.

Thank you for allowing us to share in this special time with you.

Congratulations and go green!

Thank you.

Chair Tebay.

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 wil now do with these achievements.

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

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

We are honored to welcome university leaders seated on the platform, bu who will not be speaking today.

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

Colleagues, please remai standing as you are introduced.

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

Titus Awokuse, vice provost and dean of international studies and Programs.

Rebecca Barber, vice president for financial planning and analysis.

Bill Beekman, vice president for strategic initiatives.

Jabbar Bennett, vice president and chief diversity officer Stefan Fletcher, secretary and chief of staff to the board of trustees.

Lisa Frace.

senior vice president, chie financial officer and treasurer.

Vennie Gore, executive vice president for administration.

Emily Gerkin Guerrant, vice president and university spokesperson Ashley Green, office of the Provost.

Chief of staff.

Mark Largent, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education Neil Romanowsky, dean of libraries.

Allyn Shaw, assistant vice president and co-lead of the Division of Student Affairs.

Heather Swain, vice president and chief marketing officer.

Kim Tobin, vice president of university advancement Dave Weatherspoon, vice provost of enrollment and academic planning.

Mike Sykes office of the president, chief of staff.

And Angela Wilson, associate dean and chairperson of the Faculty Senate.

MSU Academic Governance and the University.

Mary Spear.

Now, deans of our degree granting colleges, please stand and remai standing as you are introduced.

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

Matthew Daum, interim Dean, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources.

Glenn Chambers, interim dean Residential College in the Arts and Humanities and interim dean of the Honors College Yen-Hwei Lin , interim dean, College of Arts and Letters David Souder, dean, Eli Broad College of Business Heidi Hennink-Kaminski, dean, College of Communications, Arts and Sciences.

Jerlando Jackson, Dean College of Education.

John Papapolymerou, interim dean, College of Engineering.

Cameron Thies, Dean, James Madison College.

Kendra Spence Cheruvelil, Dean Lyman Briggs College.

James Forger, Dean, College of Music.

Eric Hegg, Dean, College of Natural Science.

Leig Small, Dean, College of Nursing.

Joyce Dejoung, Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine.

And Brant Donnellan Dean, College of Social Science.

Please join me now and applause for these academic leaders.

Lastly, I would like to than our sign language interpreters, Cassian Mars and Julie Vance.

Our live captioner, Miss Sherry Benson and our teleprompte technician, Doreen Oharachetski.

Thank you.

I am no pleased to invite Mishthi Kapoor to deliver the class of 2025 student address.

Mishthi was selected as the student speaker by the senior Class Council.

She's a marketing major from the Eli Broad College of Business and a public relations major in the College of Communications, Arts and Sciences.

Please join me in welcoming Mishthi to the podium.

Thank you so much Doctor Jeitschko.

Good afternoon.

Class of 2025.

We're gathered here today surrounded by friends, family, mentor and the people who have worked alongside us through these unforgettable years.

Today we stand on the edge of a moment we once only dreamed about.

We made it.

And not just in the way we survived exams and assignments kind of way, but in the we faced challenges we never saw coming.

We pushed through and we grew stronger.

Kind of.

We we've been counting down to this moment for years, crossing off our calendars wishing time would move faster.

And now that it's here, I admit part of me wishes it wasn't because it means closing a chapter that brought me some of the most inspiring friendships, incredible mentors, and amazing people who have shaped not just my time at MSU, but my life as well.

But before we step forward, I want to take a moment to step back to that very first day.

We walked onto this campus excited, nervous, maybe even a little lost.

Some of us came from different states and some, like me, came from different countries altogether.

Stepping on to soi that felt unfamiliar, carrying dreams too big to fit inside a suitcase.

I vividly remember my first night here.

The air felt different.

The people sounded different.

I was both excited and uncertain about everything ahead.

And at some point, I kno many of us wondered, do I have what it takes to be successful at MSU and yet look at us now.

We made a home here.

We found our people.

We stumbled to our first career fair, learned to navigate tough classes and turn failures into fuel.

We called our families at odd hours trying to explain why we were about to am writing a paper.

We swore we'd start two weeks ago.

We pushed ourselves past limits.

We once tried to find us.

Somewhere along the way we stopped just getting to it.

And we started becoming.

We became resilient.

We became leaders.

We became the kind of people who lift others up because we know what it feels like to fall.

For me, one of those defining moments came in a classroom on one day, I felt completely defeated.

The weight of expectations felt heavier than usual, and I wondered if all the hard work was worth it.

And then my professor, doctor Anita Pansari.

She saw me.

And she didn' just see a struggling student.

She saw a person struggling to hold it all together.

She walked up to me, hugged me and said, hard work never goes to waste.

And whatever is meant for you will never, ever miss you.

That moment changed me.

Because sometimes we just need someone to remind us that we are not lost.

We are simply in progress.

And every late night, every setback, every moment of doubt, it was all leading us here.

But I didn't walk this journey alone.

None of us did.

My parent, my unwavering pillars of strength have been behind me during every step I took forward.

Their sacrifices their encouragement and belief in me from miles away in India have been my guiding light.

Every time I doubted myself, they reminded me exactly why I started.

And then there i someone who is no longer here, but who has been with me every step of the way.

My grandfather, when I was little he used to hold my hand and say, one day you're going to do something big.

And today, as I stand here, I know he is watching.

And I know he is proud.

I want you all to als pause and think about the people who have carried you through this unforgettable journey.

The family, the friends, the professors, the mentors.

The ones who believed in yo when you forgot how to believe in yourself.

Beyond textbooks and exams.

MSU gave us something greater.

Lesson that will stay with us for life.

We learned that growth happens in discomfort.

That failure isn't the end, but a necessary step towards success, and that the scariest leaps often lead to the greatest rewards.

For me being an international student meant learnin to live in two worlds at once.

The one I left behin and the one I was building here.

And in doing so, I realized that every single one of us in our own way, has stepped out of our comfort zones and redefine what home, success and belonging really mean.

As Spartans, we are defined not by how perfectly we walk, but how we rise again and again.

We are a reflection of strength, and strength often looks like showing up even when we're tired.

Choosing kindness when it's hard and finding meaning in the moments that challenge us.

And today, I want you to look around and realize we are leaving with more than just degrees.

We are leaving with friendships that carried us through, with professors who pushed us, with memories that made all this exhaustion worth it.

And the best part?

This is just the beginning.

Now we step into a world tha will challenge us in new ways.

But if these four years hav taught us anything, it's this.

We are ready.

Spartans are ready.

We are resilient.

We are thoughtful and we are bold.

We are ready to take risks, to embrace the unknown, and to bet on ourselves eve when the path ahead is unclear.

Because what is meant for us will never miss us.

So, class of 2025 as we throw our caps into the air let's carry this truth with us.

We are more than just graduates.

We are proof that we can rise, rebuild and create the live we once only dared to imagine.

And that Spartans, is only the beginning.

Congratulations, class of 2025.

We did it!

And I think we nailed it.

Go green!

Thank you, Mishthi The senior Class Council has worked tirelessly in support of the senior class gift campaign.

The presentation of the senior class gift will now be given by Benjamin Fox, a political theory and constitutional democracy major from James Madison College, and Manvir Bamrah, a human biology major from Lyman Briggs College and a psychology major from the College of Social Sciences.

Good afternoon, graduates, families and friends of the spring.

Class of 2025.

My name is Benjamin Fox, and I served this year as the Senior Class Council president.

I hope that you are able to take the time that you need after today to not only relax, but soak in the joy of the major milestone that you just completed.

Graduatin from Michigan State University.

And my name is Manvir Bamrah, and I've been the chief of staff for the associate students at Michigan State University for this past year.

On behalf of the Senior Class Council, we would like to congratulat you on accomplishing something that your younger self would be so proud of, and we hope that you push yoursel to continue that drive, passion and dedication throughout the rest of your life.

As we prepare to leave Michigan State's campus and start a new chapter of our lives, the Senior Class Council wanted to ensure that we focus our efforts on the fun that creates meaningful change, and truly embodies Spartans well, and makes an impact in the lives of students.

Every year, the senior class counsel advocates for an organization on campus and encourages our fellow seniors to direct their class gifts to that organization, where you can support any caus that has deep personal meaning to you.

The Senior Class Council would like to highlight one specifically.

The Support our Spartans Studen Emergency Needs Fund was set up to provide student with immediate financial support to help cover educational costs and anticipated expenses during crises such as accidents, illnesses, family emergencies, fire damage and temporary housing.

We highly encourage you to consider the Support our Spartans Student Emergency Needs Fund when making your senior class campaign gift.

With this in mind, we're proud to award this check for $37,000 to President Kevin Guskiewic and Michigan State University.

We're beyond thankful for those who have donated to the senior class campaign, and encouraged those who have not to do so soon.

Our work as advocates of change will only continue as we walk across the stage this weekend and into the bigger world as we go forward.

It is up to every single one of us to stand together and be the change that we wish to see in the world.

When we do this, we can ensure a better future for every generation that comes after.

Thank you and as always, go green.

Thank you Benjamin and Manvir.

We pay tribute today to graduates who have had the distinction of maintaining the highest grade point averages in the class, thereby meriting a 4.0 grade point average to be eligibl for the 4.0 grade point average, at least three fourths of the credits for the degree must have been earned in residence at Michigan State University.

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

This semester, there were 27 students who qualified students.

Please rise and remain standing to accept our congratulations.

(Music Playing) (Music Playing) 4.0 recipients.

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

I congratulat you and wish you the very best.

275 (Music Playing) (Music Playing) Thank you.

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

And the Sadler Prize in the arts.

Will those students please rise?

Please.

Now, join me in applauding these outstanding seniors for their extraordinary academic achievements.

Congratulations.

I now ask my colleague Glenn Chambers, interi dean of the Residential Colleges in the Arts and Humanities and interim dean of the Honors College, to acknowledge graduates.

Good afternoon.

Students who participate in and fulfill the requirements of the Honors College by completing enhanced programs of study.

Are identified as graduatin with Honors College distinction.

These graduates wear a white star with the HC designation, while all students who are graduating as members of the Honors College.

Please rise if you are able and accept our congratulation on behalf of the Honors College.

Thank you.

Students who attain a minimum grade point average of 3.98 are awarded University High Honor.

University honor is awarded to students who earn a minimum grade point average of 3.89.

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

All students graduatin with high honor and with honor.

Please stan and accept our congratulations.

Thank you.

I would like to commend those who have worked diligently during the past yea representing the senior class.

We congratulate each of you for your outstanding contributions to the class of 2025.

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

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.

In recognition of Michigan State's ongoing commitment to study abroad.

I ask graduates who have had an international experience as a study abroad student outside of the United States to please ris and accept our congratulations.

In addition to those students who traveled abroad, Michigan State is committed to students traveling from other countries to study here at MSU.

I asked graduate who are international students that have traveled her to study at MSU to please rise and accept our congratulations.

All first generation graduates, please stand and accept our congratulations as we are grateful you selected Michigan State University and we are proud of your achievements.

Graduates, if you have transferred to Michigan State University to complete and earn your lariat degree, please rise and accept our gratitude and congratulations.

In recognition of our students who served in leadership or service roles while her at MSU, I ask all graduates who participated in organizations such as Tower Guard, ASMSU, or any other servic organizations to please stand.

Thank you.

Thank you, interim Provost Jeitschko.

Graduates your degrees will be officially conferred at your college commencement ceremonies.

But for now, kno that we are very proud of you.

There are many people who celebrate 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 that finish line.

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 family and friends pleas rise as you are able to receive the appreciation of today's graduates?

Thank you.

There's another group who deserve a shout out.

Our amazing world class faculty and staff who supported your success at Michigan State University.

Can we show them our appreciation to.

One of our accomplished alums Jillian Lorenz, has quoted poet Ralph Waldo Emerson to students, what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

She asked, what if the only thing standing betwee you and your greatest potential is the courage to live your truth if we stay committed?

She said, usin our Spartan will to make choices that allow our souls to shine.

Full power.

We can together illuminate the world.

And I hope you remember what another distinguished alum said today.

Matt Ishbia.

He talked about happiness, positivity, connectivity with people, and talked about what Spartans will can do when we stay together.

And so I hope you continue t reflect on those words of wisdom for many years to come.

Now, members of the graduating class of 2025, please rise as you are able.

You came together to share your fellowship, this campus and all it had to offer.

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

I urge you to remember to advocate for yourself, to stay curious and maintain your integrity.

And please stay connected to this magical place, Michigan State University as you join the ranks of a half a million degreed Spartan making the world a better place.

So go forth, Spartan graduates, and illuminate the world.

Go forth and go green.

Go green.

Okay, I now invite everyone to please join in the singing.

The first stanza of the alma mater, MSU shadows.

Miss Coleman 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 again for being here.

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

(MSU Fight Song)