(Music Playing) Introducing the president of Michigan State University Doctor Kevin M. Guskiewicz.

Thank you.

And good afternoon, Spartans.

Welcome to Michigan State University's Spring 2026 convocation for graduating seniors here at the Breslin Center.

To those joining us by Live Spring Stream we offer you greetings as well.

You may be seated.

I always marvel at the view from here.

So many smiling faces in a sea of spartan green.

It's an awesome view.

For the past two years, I've enjoyed meeting and celebrating the excellence of our graduates at every opportunity.

Making these encounters among my personal highlights throughout the academic year.

I love seeing students pride up close, including at a fun graduation tradition that I introduced, a little over two years ago.

Climbing the stairs of Beaumont Tower.

So thanks to all of those who joined us at the tower over the past few weeks.

Pretty incredible view from up there.

The music's not bad either, but this time of year, I also feel the deep affection that all Spartans have for this magical plac on the banks of the Red Cedar.

It's a feeling I know runs through multiple generations, and many families who are attending here today and now graduating seniors.

Today is your day.

All of us are thrille to celebrate your accomplishment of earning a Michigan state degree, something that will carry you far in life.

Class of 2026.

You graduate as a diverse group, ranging in age ages from 19 to 51, coming to us from every stat in the nation in 73 countries.

I think that deserves a round of applause.

Nearly two thirds of you earned degrees in different majors than you started in, and very impressively and very impressively, 214 of you earned more than one degree.

Congratulations.

As for our student athletes, 130 of you have represented the university in athletic competition and 33 of our soon to be graduates are veterans who have served our country in the military.

And thank you for your service.

But perhaps most importantly, all of you have what it takes to call yourselves Spartans for life.

So let's all celebrate our graduates with our applause.

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

I want you to have confidence that you are ready to do just that.

You carry valuable knowledge and networks you've acquired at Michigan State, and your degree will prove to be an appreciating asset.

I want to leave you with four parting thoughts today.

First, I urge you to maintain the tools of understanding you forged here, including the methodologies o inquiry that you've developed.

I hope you never lose the curiosity that drives you forward.

Curiosity will take you far if you always ask why or why not, you'll be on the right track to leading a life of purpose and meaning.

Second, for your self-respect as wel as your long term advancement.

Never surrender your integrity.

Your good name is a priceless asset.

Third, continue to hone your capacity to advocate for yourself tactfully and methodically, which is something I preach to my own children.

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

And finally, remember that Spartans are about building community, which hinges on something I've emphasized for the last two years civil discourse across differences.

In my view, it's how we're all going to be able to move forward together.

And so you graduate today well-equipped to view the world through different lenses, identifying the most pressing challenges of our time processing all the inputs of our complex, interconnected world, and exercising informed critical reasoning to support the democracy that sustains our futures.

Thank you.

And 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 t the challenges and opportunities ahead.

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

I'm built for this.

I can reach my destination and achieve my aspirations.

At this time, I'm going to ask everyone to rise as you are able.

And we're going to sing one stanza of the Star-Spangled banner, accompanied by the MSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Doctor Kevin Set, a tall professor and director of bands in the College of Music.

The singing will be led by Ameera Coleman, a doctoral student in music performance.

Now please rise as you were able and upon conclusion of the singing, please remain standing for a moment of silence.

(Singing and performance of Star-Spangled Banner) Thank you Ameera.

And as you remain standing, I ask Provost andd executive vice president for academic affairs, doctor Laura Lee McIntyre, 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 foreve a part of our Spartan family.

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

Thank you.

You may be seated.

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

Mrs.

Gretchen Whitmer, please come forward.

President Guskiewicz, I have the honor to present Gretchen Whitmer for awarding of the honorary degree.

Doctor of education.

Our commencement speaker.

An honor honorar degree recipient this afternoon.

Is a two time Spartan graduate.

She was president of Kappa Alpha Theta.

She loves the dairy store and served as a Spartan aide for MSU Athletics.

She came back after her undergraduate degree in communications to earn a JD, at which at what she firml believes is the best university in the world.

And she has told me that many, many times.

So it is my pleasure.

By the authorit of the state of Michigan, vested in the Board of Trustees and delegated to me, I confer upon yo an honorary doctor of Education.

Thank you.

And please help me welcome Governor Whitmer.

All right.

Good morning, fellow Spartans.

Go green.

I think that's a good effort, but go green.

Go white.

All right, that's a little better.

I am thrilled to be here back at Michigan State.

You know, this really is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world.

And I am honored to join you for your graduation.

Effective today.

You all have something in common with me and more than half a million other people around the world.

You are Spartans forever and I am damn proud of you.

You should be too.

The only people prouder are your friends and family.

Graduations are about the graduates, but as I'm sure you've learned by now, big accomplishments.

Take teams.

So let's take a second and look around for your loved ones in the crowd.

Wave.

Blow them a kiss.

Yell thank you.

Later today, whe they are embarrassing you with when they want to take what seems like a thousand pictures, just let them.

They're bursting with joy and they love you so much.

So let's applaud your team up there.

Let's also recognize everyone here at MSU the staff, the faculty, the administration, and of course, our handsome boss mascot, Sparty.

You know, think about those poor students in Ann Arbor.

They have a weasel for their mascot.

I spent the happiest years of my life right here at MSU.

I earned my bachelor's and returned for law school.

I always knew I'd be a good fit here.

I was born just a few miles down the street, bound Harrison, and spent the first ten years of my life in East Lansing.

My dad took me to watch Magic Johnson play at Jenison Fieldhouse when I was a kid, and coming back here for college on the banks, the Red Cedar always felt like coming home.

I started my freshman year in 1989, a long time ago.

It was an iconic year.

Of course, two major world events happened that fall.

The Berlin Wall fel and the first couch was burned in Cedar Village.

I may or may not have been at one of those events.

Let's just say I didn't have a passport.

So you know what I'm saying.

Harry met Sally, Dead Poets Society and The Little Mermaid were in theaters.

The radio was pumping.

Paula Abdul and Phil Collins, Bon Jovi and New Kids on the block.

My hair was big, my jeans were baggy, and my jackets were leather.

That's two out of three persists to this day at MSU.

That fall, just like every perfect East Lansing fall possibility was in the air.

Student from every county in Michigan, every state in America, and dozens of countries around the world had arrived here to learn, grow, and become Spartans.

Those first few weeks were just magical.

One of my mom dropped me off at Wonder's Hall.

We cried, we hugged, and then she didn't hear from me for two weeks.

She left several message on my dorm phone.

Answering machine?

Yes, an answering machine in the dorm room.

We didn't have cell phones.

Thank God.

Or I don't know, I'd be standing here is your governor today.

When I finally called her back, she was relieved and a little concerned.

I said, don't worry I'm having the time of my life as a comm major.

I came here with dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster and working for ESPN.

Like any good Spartan, I would tailgate and go to games afterward to.

I lived in South Complex with many of the athletes, and I worked as a Spartan aid for MSU athletics, givin recruit families, campus tours.

And of course, I loved basketball too.

John Heath, coach was our coach.

Tom Izzo was his assistant coach.

Now, I love that guy.

I love coaches, though no one embodies what it means to be a Spartan more than coaches, though.

Yeah, let's give coaches all I had.

I also did all the classic MSU things, joining the Midnight Yell during finals, downing my fair share of Shark Bowls, taking fun classes outside my major like ice skating and bowling, much to my father's sugar.

In, people usually assume my first elective office wa in the House of Representatives, but it was actually here when I was elected president of my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.

Any Thetas in the house feel all right?

Well, leading that organization of 150 strong, independent young women remains one o the hardest jobs I've ever had.

Seriously.

And I've governed through a pandemic and plots.

But the single MSU experience that shaped my life most, however, was an internship I did at the state Capitol.

See my dad encouraged me to give it a shot.

I was hesitant because I wasn't.

It wasn't originally what I wanted to pursue, but I was curious.

And during that internship, I fell in love with public policy.

I found the thing I loved and wanted to do for the rest of my life.

If I had been on any other campus, I would not have had that same kind of experience.

I am where I am today because of MSU, and I bet some of you've had some similar journeys, and even if you didn't, that's okay.

There's not one right way to spend your time here.

If you showed up, got involved, stayed curious, and made friends, you did MSU, right?

You probably got a parking ticket or two from your friends at pace.

You painted the rock, pet Zeke or snapped a selfie with Sparty.

You shovel down a combo stream and ended and joined Saturday nights at hallowed institutions like Crunchys or Harpers or Rick's.

And then you probably enjoyed a quiet Sunday morning at the new Trader Joe's with sunglasses and Advi and a big strange matter coffee?

You're nodding so I. Okay, I hope you lived it up during your time here and learned a lo about yourself in the process.

As a student, I certainly did.

This afternoon.

I want to share three things I learned at MSU that have stuck with me, and I hope you find them helpful.

The first thing I learned is simple.

It's a timeless lesson.

If you try, you will always get better.

That idea is the core of the tagline.

Spartans will.

Many of us, especially Michiganders and Midwest Westerners, are humble.

And that's a good thing.

But too often we underestimate what we're capable of.

At MSU, I had professors who believed in me and encouraged me to embrace my potential.

When I first arrived, I was not very confident in my academic ability.

In high school, I won Most Improved Student because I finally started to get my act together.

Junior year, an while MSU was a bit of a reach, it was the only place I wanted to be and it was the only place I applied.

My mothe wanted me to have a backup plan, so unbeknownst to me, she applied me to her alma mater, Western.

You can imagine my confusion when I got the letter.

Congrats.

You're a Bronco.

Thankfully, I had already gotten into state and MSU.

I remember a piece that I wrote about a traumatic incident from my life.

Professor Steve McCormick took me aside and told me how brave I was and how well I understood the assignment about cognitive dissonance.

It meant a lot.

I still remember it gave me confidence.

I also want to thank professo Sandy Smith, who's still here, and she was awesome too, as well as so many other professors.

I had and one of my atl courses.

We had to write an alternative ending to a book we had read.

The professor rea aloud from the three best papers to the whole class.

I was surprised when I recognized mine among them and MSU.

I learned that I was capabl of so much more than I realized.

I learned how fun it was to work at and get better at something I thought I couldn't do.

Graduates, you'll never be permanently bad at anything, so always remembe what Spartans will really means.

It's an incomplete phrase, and your job is to finish it by doing the work.

The second thing I learned here was to keep an open mind.

My daughters are both around your age.

They put a ton of pressure on themselves to succeed.

Certainly more than I did when I was 22.

The thing I find myself telling them most often is to keep an open mind, as you might say.

As you might say, go on sid quests, do things for the plot.

In our competitive world, it's tempting to choose what to do next based only on what you think will look good on a resume.

My advice is simple if something excites you, chase it.

Even if it doesn't have an obvious benefit, it'll probably be a good story someday, and it will inevitably come back to help you.

Every experience I've had, no matter how seemingly of random, has helped me and who knows.

Taking the unexpected step could also help you find your calling.

That's what happened to me.

My journey to policy and public service was not a straight line.

I wasn't a GMC kid.

They wouldn't have had me back then anyway.

I wasn't intereste in government when I got to MSU.

I wasn't even particularly political.

I took a chance with that internship in the state Capitol because it seemed different and interesting.

It was a detour, but it ended up being the scenic route that changed my destination.

Graduates, take the detour and enjoy the journey.

You'll never know where you'll end up.

The third thin I learned at MSU is about time.

I'm sure today brings back ton of memories of your time here.

You might think how did four years go by so fast?

As the saying goes.

Time flies when you're having fun.

But the old saying is only half true.

Time flies all of the time.

The best we can do is savor the good and remember the bad doesn't last forever.

Every season or phase of your life will be important in its own way.

It'll give your life shape and meaning.

A therapist once told me that when we are that we're all like a lump of clay, and when a lump of clay is hollowed out, it becomes a cup or a vessel.

When you go through something, when something's taken away from you, what's left behind can have purpose.

Your freshman year was changed forever by one of the worst days i Michigan history, when we lost three beautiful young Spartans on this very campus.

Alexandria, Ariel.

Brian.

Those three should have been out in the world by now, living their lives and chasing their own adventures.

It's not fair that they're not with us anymore.

It's not fair that some of you will still carry scars, both seen and unseen, from that day.

It's not right that you first year at MSU was traumatic, but nothing and I mean nothing, has inspired me more than the resilience, courage and community that you and your fellow Spartans showed in the days and weeks after that dark day.

You.

You turned pain into purpose.

You demanded this time be different.

You fought for change.

And because of you, we came back to this campus just a few months later, and I signed new laws that have gone on to save many, many more lives.

That night took something from everyone, but what was left behin was a deeper love for each other and a belief in our power to make real change.

Spartans, cherish the good and remember the bad doesn't last.

I thank you al so much for welcoming me today.

I have one final request and it's an exercise.

Imagine you have a Polaroid camera.

Pick four snapshots from your time at MSU for pictures that you'll carry with you forever.

Maybe one from each year.

Think about those moments.

What do they show?

And most of all.

Who's in them?

I bet most of your Polaroids are group pictures with people you love for the rest of your life.

I hope you see that the best parts of life are the people by your side.

You could be in beautiful places doing important things, but if you don't like wh you're with, it doesn't matter.

A whole lot.

If you're with people you love, you can get through anything.

You've all just wrapped up for fun, foundational years of your life.

You've been lucky to do so wit wonderful people alongside you.

As you move awa or hopefully stay in Michigan, form community wherever you go, bring people together.

It's just what Spartans do.

We like to think that the world would be a better place if it looked more like MSU, and that's certainly true.

I know the world is a better place because you are in it.

Spartans, remember that you are loved.

You are valuable, and whatever you want to do, you will.

This is my last year as governor, and that's why I wanted to be here with all of you fo my final college commencement.

This is where it all started for me.

And part of me will always be here.

Today is a snapshot memory for me forever.

Thank you all again.

Congratulations.

I love you, Big Gretch.

Out!

Go, green!

Go White!

Thank you.

Thank you, Governor Whitmer, for sharing your your passion for the Spartan community, for sharing your experiences and what it's meant for you and your journey, and encouragin these incredible graduates to, never underestimate that detour they might take, because they can finish that Spartan will sentence phrase.

I know you're up to it, an I think it's wonderful advice.

One more round of applause for the governor.

I would now like to introduce the Honorable Brianna T Scott, chairperson of the MSU Board of Trustees.

After Trustee Scott Provost and Executive Vice President Laura Lee McIntire will presen members of the platform, party Chair Scott.

I don't know why I got chosen to go after the governor today.

Oh, I should have gone first.

She's a hard act to follow.

Thank you so much, President Guskiewicz.

And on behalf of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, I would like to welcome our graduates and their 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 the degrees are awarded.

And we take great pride in sharing this with you all today at this exciting milestone in your lives.

At this time, I woul like to recognize my colleagues who are here with us this afternoon from the MSU Board of Trustees.

We have the Honorable Vice Chair, René Komaki Jefferson.

The Honorable Kelly Tebay Zemke.

And the Honorable Rebecca Bahar-Cook.

Thank you for being here today.

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

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

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

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

Thank you for allowing us to share in this very special moment with you today.

Congratulations and go green.

Go!

Thank you, Trustee Scott.

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

Graduates, each of you possess a unique combination of knowledge and skills you've acquired during your studies here at MSU.

These scholarly achievements culminate today in the conferral of a degree, along with the conferral of our great pride and faith in what you will now accomplish as a resul of your scholarly achievements.

As we send you forth, we are counting on you to become the next generation of thought leaders and innovators 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.

Yes, I see you out there.

We're 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 investe in ensuring academic excellence and student success at Michigan State University.

Colleagues, please remai standing as you are introduced.

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

Bill Beekman, vice president for strategic initiatives.

Jabbar Bennett, vice president and chief inclusion officer.

Rebecca DeVoe, vice president for government relations Stefan Fletcher, secretary and chief of staff to the board of trustees.

Lisa Frey, senior vice president, chie financial officer and treasurer Ashley Greene, assistant provost and chief of staff for the office of the Provost.

James Hintze, vice president for student affairs.

Mark Largent, vice provost an dean of undergraduate education.

Brian Quinn, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel.

Neil Romanowski, dean of libraries.

Dave Weatherspoon, vice provost for enrollment and academic strategic planning.

Mike Zweig, chief of staf for the office of the president.

And John Aerni-Flessner, associate professor and chairperson of the Faculty Senate.

MSU academic governanc and the University Mace bearer.

Now, dean 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.

Laura Biggs, associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Thomas Stubblefield, Dean, College of Arts and Letters.

Richard Spring, associate dean Eli Broad College of Business.

Heidi Hennink-Kaminski Dean, College of Communication, Arts and Sciences.

Dr.

Jerlando Jackson, Dean, College of Education.

John Papapolymeru interim dean, College of Engineering.

Glen Chambers, interi dean of the Residential College in the Arts and Humanitie and Dean of the Honors College.

Cameron Teis, Dean James Madison College.

Michael Sa Ambrogio, Dean, College of Law.

Kendra Spence Cherivelle.

Dean Lyman Briggs, College.

James Forger, Dean, College of Education.

Sorry, College of music.

Eric Hegg, Dean, College of Natural Science.

Linda Weglicki interim dean, College of Nursing.

And Brant Donnellan dean, College of Social Science.

Please now join me in applause for these academic leaders.

Please be seated.

Lastly, I would like to than our live captioner, Miss Susan Hahayi and our teleprompte technician, Doreen Horasicheski.

Thank you.

I am pleased to invite Ennalyse Fretz to deliver the class of 2026 student address.

Annalise was selected as a student speaker by the Senior Class Council.

She is a marketing major from the Eli Broad College of Business.

Please join me in welcoming Annalise to the podium.

Thank you, Presiden Guskiewicz and Provost McIntyre.

And thank you, class of 2026.

There's a phras I've heard throughout college, whether it's coming fro the voice inside of my own head or shared with me in a moment of vulnerable.

And maybe you know it too.

I am behind the feeling that where you are right now is not where you want to or should be.

It could be questioning your major.

I know I did.

Comparing your path, watching someone else land the opportunity you wanted.

Somewhere along the way, ambition starts to feel like pressure.

Like becoming great means always chasing, always comparing.

Always feeling like we should already be somewhere else.

But the past four years of mine at Michigan State University have made me wonder something different.

What if we are not behind?

What if instead we are surrounded, surrounded by a community and a culture that exists to empower us?

Surrounded by people who push us forward when we cannot see what is needed to take the next step.

Surrounded by an army of Spartans who refuse to let us do this alone.

Look around you.

At Michigan State, we are surrounded by tens of thousand of classmates, faculty, staff, mentors, and friends who all share something powerful.

The identity of being a Spartan and I have experienced parts of Michigan State that taught me more about the world and the people in it than I ever thought possible.

And to be clear, if you know me, I' not just talking about the hours I spent outside of the Panera on the Minskoff Pavilion.

I've had the privilege of serving on the executive boar of the MSU Marketing Association and being a scholar of the Ne Women's Leadership Accelerator, and contributing to multiple meaningful corners of campus.

But the most powerful things of the most powerful things I've learned was this.

Our impact grows when we refuse to stay in just one corner.

I think back to being a freshman, still trying to figure everything out and where I fit.

When an older student, leader of the marketing association remembered my name and greeted me like I already belonged.

And as a as a campus as big as Michigan State, that moment stayed with me because it made me feel seen for the first time.

From there, that sense of connection took shape in so many different ways.

I found it while collaborating with other students and Broa or the College of Engineering.

While taking improv classes with students, chasing dreams of musical theater.

And while studying abroad in New Zealand and Australia with incredible Spartans from the College of Communication, Arts and Sciences.

And I know each of u has had moments like that here.

Maybe yours happened in a classroom.

A late night conversation as a leader on a team, or a moment when someone believed in you before you fully believed in yourself.

Whatever it was, you, like me, have experienced what it means to be changed by the people around you, and eventuall you realize something important.

The mind that tells you you are behind may maybe the very same mind that has been pushing you forward all along.

The same min that once felt isolated, begins to recognize the truth that was there all along.

You were never alone because look around you today.

These are your people.

The Spartan sitting beside you today will be the colleagues you collaborate with, the friends you lean on, and the people who push you forward.

When the path forward feels uncertain.

And if we're being honest, we are entering a time that does feel uncertain.

And the job market in the world, and in the many personal challenges each of us carry quietly.

But one thing is certain you are not behind.

You are exactly where you need to be right here, right now.

And that is the Spartan experience.

So as we leave here today, thank you.

So as we leave here today, let's take this lesson with us.

Look around you and find someone that you can show up for.

Trust that wherever you go next, your presence can make a real difference, no only through what you achieve, but through how you mak other people feel along the way.

Because when you support someone else, when you make them feel seen, when you remind them that they belong, you carry this community forward.

You take that Spartan experience with you and you create it again and again.

Wherever life leads to the faculty, advisors, mentor family and friends, including my own, who are sitting in the audience that made this possible.

Thank you.

The small moments that you shared with us mattered more than you may ever know.

And to the class of 2026, you are not behind.

You are surrounded.

And there is nothing more powerful than being a Spartan surrounded by Spartans.

Thank you.

And go green by.

Thank you.

Annalise.

The senior class counsel has worked tirelessly in support of the senior class gift campaign.

The presentation of the senior class gift will now be given by Delaney Jones, a marketing major from the Eli Broad College of Business, and Jaelynn Smith, a political science major from the College of Social Science.

Good afternoon.

Spring class of 2026.

We hope that you're able to take the time you need after today to finally relax, but soak in the joy of this major milestone that you have all completed.

My name is Delaney Jones, and I am proud to have served our class as the class president for our four years at Michigan State.

Hi everyone!

My name is Jaelynn Smith and I have the honor of serving our class for two years as a secretary and now as the vice President of our senior class council.

On behalf of the Senior Class Council from ASMSU, the Associated Students of Michigan State University, congratulations on accomplishing something your younger self would be so proud of, and we hope that you continue to bring that passion, drive, and dedication throughout the rest of your lives.

As we prepare to leave Michigan State's campus and start a new chapter of our lives.

The Senior Class Council encourages our fellow seniors to make a class, give to the organization that has a deep, personal meaning to all of you individually so that you can impact our live and many future Spartan lives.

There are a lot of great efforts to support, so if you haven't already we encourage you to do so soon.

With this in mind, we are proud to present this check.

Yes, this very large styrofoam check to President Guskiewicz in Michigan State University.

We are very thankful to everyone who has already donated, and if you have not we encourage you to do so soon.

Like not quite finished yet guys.

Our work as advocates of change only continues as we walk across the stage and into the bigger world, and as we go forward, it is up to every single one of us to stand together and be the change that we want to see in the world.

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

It is up to us to create an environment of empathy, support and validation of others and their lived experiences.

Because when no one else will Spartans will go green, go away.

Thank you.

Delaney and Jaelynn.

Our next speaker represents ASMSU, the associated students of Michigan State University.

This group has been serving the MSU community since 1965, providing services such as student leadership, loan services, student advocacy, and more.

Please join me in welcoming ASMSU President Kathryn Harding.

Kathryn is a political science major from the College of Social Science.

Thank you.

Provost McIntire and president Guskiewicz.

I'm beyond excited to be here today, and I am honored to have serve as your student body president of the Associated Students of Michigan State University.

My name is Kathryn Harding and I'm graduating with a degree in political science with minors in business, international development, and creative writing.

I spend a lot of time thinking about what to say in this speech, and a large part of that was reflecting on how much this school and our Spartan community means to me.

I knew I wanted to come to Michigan State since at least fifth grade.

My grandparents met at the Martin Luther Chapel across the street from Dublin Square in 1960, and I grew up in the gree and white, knowing this campus was my home before I even stepped foot on it.

I spent so many Friday and Saturday nights as a kid watching football and basketball on TV with my dad, who passed away before he had the chance to see me come to MSU.

So when I did stepped foot on campus for the first time.

It's about more than just coming to college.

I felt the greatest sense of determination to make the most of every second, to make my family prou and to create a positive impact.

At freshman convocation, I watched the student body president tell our graduating class that we were about to evolve and leave our marks here in our own wonderfully unique way.

Even though we didn't have the answers yet, and it was like a light bul went off in my head as I watched her speak, I thought, I want to do that someday.

But this has been so much more than a far fetched goal that I set my freshman year.

So much more than just a title or a resume bullet point.

This has been an outlet to love MSU and all of you, my fellow Spartans.

What makes this place so special is the moments that we experience together.

We sung victory for MSU in the football stands.

We painted the rock, wandered through the Beal Botanical Gardens on a sunny day, spent late nights in the library with friends, writing that 12 pag I say you're studying for that exam, had the best ice cream from the dairy store, and we jumped up and down in the zone as we watch our basketball team pull off yet another fantastic win.

And through these moments of laughter and joy, we've been through some really hard moments too.

I'm going to turn to something more serious, something I knew I had to address.

The violence that our campus experienced on February 13th, 2023 had a profound impact on us as Spartans, but we were never alone in the grief and the unsteadiness.

These days and weeks and months that followed.

We showed each othe that our community is so strong, both in the way that we overcome adversity and in the way that we show up for one another.

We have always been told that Michigan State has the sense of community and collective determination, but we weren't just told that we had it.

We showed that we were capable of it.

We lived it.

The way we uplift each other, stand up for one another and support each other when the going gets tough.

These are the values that define us, and these are the values that will not leave us when we leave here.

An incredibly transformative chapter of our lives is coming to a close, and we are each embarking o a new chapter, a new beginning.

As we enter this new beginning, we will take all of the memories, the hardships, the lessons learned with us.

I am excited to see who you all becom with the next set of challenges you will face.

Knowing that the Spartan community is standing behind you.

I'm rooting for all of you, every step of the way for whatever comes next, an I know we will all find our way back to our home on the banks of the Red Cedar, very soon.

It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serv as your student body president.

Congratulations and go green.

Go white.

Thank you.

Kathryn.

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

Names of these 4.0 students are on the screens behind me to be eligible for a 4.0.

A total of 60 or more credits for the degree must be earned at Michigan State University, with numerical grades by th close of the preceding semester.

This honor is designated by the green, white, and gold graded point one with the Academic.

This spring semester, 320 students qualifying all earned a grade poin average of four point students.

Please rise and remain standing to accept our congratulations.

There's a lot of names.

Stay standing.

Only about two more minutes to go.

I'm serious.

Cheers.

Woo!

Yeah!

In the front row.

You could do the wave.

Yes.

320 of you.

You may be seated.

Award recipients.

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

On behalf of your classmates, the faculty administration, and the trustees of the university.

I congratulate you and wish you the best.

One more round of applause.

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

The Distinguished Student Awards Office supports students from all colleges and fields regardless of honors membership.

The DSAO provides feedback on applications, coordinates the nomination process, and prepares national finalists for interviews.

Pays for finalist travel cost to attend national interviews, and maintains a large database of prestigious awards.

Will recipients please rise i you are with us this afternoon.

Please join me in appreciating these outstanding seniors.

Wherever you are.

Congratulations.

I now ask my colleague Glenn Chambers, dean of the Honors College, to acknowledge graduates.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Students who participate in and fulfill requirements of the Honors College by completing enhanced programs of study are identified as graduatin with Honors College distinction.

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

Please rise if you are abl and accept our congratulations on behalf of the Honors College.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Student 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.

You may be seated.

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 2026.

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 ou appreciate and congratulations.

You may be seated.

All graduates who are also veterans, please stan and accept our congratulations.

We are thankful for your service and grateful you selected Michigan State University as the place to pursue you education and earn your degree.

Thank you.

Veterans.

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

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

You may be seated.

In addition to those students that 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.

You may be seated.

Our first generation graduates, please stand and accept our congratulations.

We are grateful you selected Michigan State University and first gen students.

We are so proud of your achievements.

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

In recognition of our students who served in leadership or service roles while here at MSU, I ask all graduates who participated in an organization such as Tower Guard, ASU or any other service organization to please stand.

You may be seated.

Wow.

There's a lot to celebrate.

And, Provost McIntyre.

Thank you.

And, graduates, we were so happy you joined us here today.

You, as you well know your degrees will be officially conferred at your college commencement ceremonies over the next few days.

But for now, we want you to kno how proud we are of all of you.

Congratulations.

And just as Governo Whitmer, acknowledged earlier, there are so many people who celebrate with you.

Many of them are here today.

People who have been with you throughout your academic journey, who rooted for you and perhaps helped you cross the finish lin that you're just about to cross.

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

So let's, offer them up on more sign of our appreciation.

To all the family members, friends and others who have been with you on this journey.

Well, family and friends, please stand and be acknowledged.

Please stand as you're able.

Yes.

Stand up.

Please.

Thank you.

And there's another group who deserve a shout out.

Our incredible, worl class faculty, dedicated staff who supported your success here at Michigan State University.

Can we show them our appreciation to.

We are grateful for all thos who made this moment possible, including generations of of alums, donors, and citizens who have supported this great university for more than 170 years now.

Member of the graduating class of 2026, please rise as you are able.

You came together to share your fellowship and all this university has to offer.

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

Remember my charge to you.

Stay curious.

Maintain your integrity.

Advocate for yourself and practice civil discourse across differences.

And please stay connected to this magical place as you join the ranks of half a million degreed Spartans making the world a better place.

So go forth, Spartans, go boldly and as always, go green.

Go white.

Now, before we sing the nat or before we sing the first stanza of the alma mater.

Some of you've taken a selfie or 2 or 3 with me before.

And so I'd be remiss if I didn't take that opportunity to do it.

Just one more time for this incredible group.

So I'm going to take one from this side, one from this side, and of course, one right here to start with just to warm up.

So hang tight.

Everybody wave.

Okay.

Now I invite everyone to join in singing the first stanz of the alma mater, MSU shadows.

Miss Coleman will lead us in the singing following the singing, we request that students and guest be seated during the recessional of the platform party.

Thank you.

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