(festive band music) - [Narrator] Live from the Superior Dome in Marquette, the 2024 Spring Commencement Exercises of Northern Michigan University.

(festive band music) (audience cheers and applause) - Good morning.

Welcome to Spring Commencement 2024.

(audience cheers) Today, we will honor over 900 graduates and their accomplishments.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that our university is located on the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi People, and to honor the Indigenous members of our community.

To begin and to recognize our graduates, we welcome the Teal Lake Singers, who will perform an honor song, the academic procession will then commence.

If you are able, please rise.

(Indigenous drumming and chanting) (audience applause) (talking off microphone) (bagpipe playing) ("Pomp and Circumstance" playing) - [Narrator] Graduating students and faculty are marching into Northern Michigan University's Superior Dome to the strains of Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance", Dr. Stephen Grugin conducting the NMU Symphonic Band.

("Pomp and Circumstance playing) During this morning's commencement exercises, 913 students will be graduating.

Among the degrees given out will be 116 Masters, 701 Bachelor's, and 71 associates.

Certificates for one- and two-year degrees will be given to 25 individuals.

("Pomp and Circumstance" playing) The commencement speaker for today is educational innovator and author, Dr. Milton Chen.

Dr. Chen will also receive the honorary degree Doctor of Education.

("Pomp and Circumstance" playing) Graduating senior, Ms. Grace Cook from Memphis, Michigan has been selected to be the Student Commencement Speaker.

("Pomp and Circumstance" playing) (audience applause) ("Pomp and Circumstance") - [Narrator] Ladies and gentlemen, the President of Northern Michigan University, Dr. Brock Tessman.

("Pomp and Circumstance" ending) (audience cheers and applause) - Welcome all to Northern Michigan University's May, 2024 Commencement Ceremony.

I also would like to extend a welcome to viewers of WNMU Public Television, Channel 13, and those joining us across the country, and around the world through our online streaming service.

Graduates of Northern Michigan University.

We're so incredibly proud of you for this major accomplishment, and trust me, we're gonna give you a big cheer in just a moment.

But I wanna make sure that this year's cheer is particularly loud, because for many of our graduates, today's ceremony can help make up for a high school graduation ceremony that was likely lost or at least significantly altered by the COVID pandemic.

So as we ponder all this year's graduating class has gone through, and it's been a lot, to get to this stage today, let's all let them know just how proud of them we are.

(audience cheers and applause) Okay.

So ladies and gentlemen, please rise in body or in spirit as NMU's ROTC Color Guard will now present our colors, and following that, we'll have our vocalist, Miss Anna Morozov as she leads us in the singing of our National Anthem.

And gentlemen, if you could please remove your caps at this time.

("The Star-Spangled Banner" playing) ♪ Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Thru the perilous fight ♪ ♪ O'er the ramparts we watched 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 ♪ ♪ Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ (audience cheers and applause) (audience applause) - Thank you, Ms. Morozov.

Now would everyone, except for our veterans, please be seated.

Veterans.

At this time, in addition to all the other recognitions today, we wanna thank you directly to your service, and we all wanna salute you.

Thank you very much.

(audience cheers and applause) You may be seated.

Commencement is uniquely marked by dignity, respect, and honor.

It's a formal time of celebration, a time to recognize the accomplishments of our students, and to confer upon them the degrees that they've earned.

It's also a time to recognize others who have strengthened the university in its service to those students.

We're pleased to have with us today members of our board of trustees, and other stage dignitaries.

And I'm gonna introduce them at this time.

I'll ask that they stand for a brief moment as I call their names, and then be seated.

And everyone, if you can please hold your applause until everyone's been introduced, that would be fantastic.

First, our Board of Trustees.

We have Mr. Steve Young of Lansing, the Chair of the NMU Board of Trustees.

Ms. Lisa Fittante of Iron Mountain.

Ms. Missie Holmquist of Marquette.

Ms. Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham of Baraga, Mr. Steve Lindberg of Marquette.

Mr. Greg Seppanen of Marquette, and Mr. Greg Toutant of Negaunee.

Additionally, on the stage we have Mr. Gavin Leach, our Board Treasurer in Northern Michigan University, Vice President of Finance and Administration, we have other stage dignitaries.

We're so proud to have Dr. Milton Chen, our commencement speaker, and honorary degree recipient, Ms. Grace Cook, our student commencement speaker, Dr. Jaime Crabb, Associate Professor of Nursing, and Chair of our Academic Senate.

Dr. Anne Dahlman, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Dr. Lisa Eckert, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

Ms. Dana Hinckley, the President-Elect of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University.

Professor Carol Johnson, Dean of the College of Business.

Mr. Jeff Korpi, Associate Vice President for the Northern Student Experience.

Dr. Joe Lubig, Associate Dean and Director of the School of Education, Leadership and Public Service, and Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.

Mr. Mike Settles, Public TV 13 Producer and Host who will do the yeoman's job of announcing all of our graduates today.

Dr. Steve VandenAvond, Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences.

Dr. Leslie Warren, Associate Provost and Dean of the Library and Instructional Support.

Dr. Carter Wilson, Department Head and Professor of Political Science, and this year's distinguished faculty award recipient, and Dr.

Rob Winn, our Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Let's give all of these individuals a round of applause.

(audience applause) And at this time, I would like to invite the Chair of our Board of Trustees, Mr. Steve Young, to give some remarks.

- Thank you President Tessman.

Welcome Wildcats and honored guests.

Thank you for attending Northern Michigan University's 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony.

On behalf of the board of trustees, it is my honor to welcome all of you.

This board looks forward to this celebration every year, and I wanna thank and welcome our faculty and staff, many of whom are in attendance today for their role in producing yet another outstanding graduating class.

You nailed it again.

(audience cheers and applause) We also welcome the parents, grandparents, siblings, wives, husbands, children, partners, friends, mentors, significant others, and many more who are joining us today.

Welcome to Wildcat Country.

Now to our graduating class.

You know NMU is a special place with special people.

We have top-notch and nationally recognized faculty.

We have students that are enthusiastic and excited about the future.

We have a beautiful campus and environment that includes Lake Superior and many miles of trails in unparalleled beauty.

But most important of all, we have you.

Cherish this day, and take pride in your accomplishment.

Everyone stands a little taller and a little prouder for what you have achieved.

What a great day for each of you, and what a great day to be a Wildcat.

Again, welcome everyone to this special place and the special day, congratulations and go Cats.

Thank you.

(audience cheers and applause) - Thank you, Chair Young.

And Chair Young referenced this.

Commencement's a special day for all of us, it is a special day for our excellent faculty and staff at Northern Michigan University.

The bottom line is, there's not much I can say here at the podium to capture the way that our faculty and staff support this moment for our students, their families, their loved ones.

But they are the ones who are responsible for the high-quality programs we offer.

The faculty and staff play a constant and direct profound role in the lives of our students.

And at this time, as a small token of our appreciation, I do wanna ask our faculty, our staff, and any emerita faculty and staff who are in the audience to stand, and if you're able, allow yourselves to be recognized.

Thank you very much.

Please stand and be recognized.

(audience cheers and applause) Graduates, as I mentioned, your accomplishments, as we recognize them here today would not be possible without the love, support, and guidance of all of those who share in your proud accomplishment.

So if you are a parent, if you're a spouse or partner, a significant other of one of our graduates, I'd ask you if you're able to please rise, and remain standing, and allow us to thank you for your work in making today possible.

(audience cheers and applause) And please remain standing if you can, because I want any children of our graduates that are sharing mom or dad with us today, and recognizing how much they put in to earn today's accomplishment, would you rise and remain standing, and allow us to thank you?

(audience cheers and applause) And I'm sure there are many proud extended family members, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends who contributed to our graduates' most notable accomplishment.

Please rise and be recognized.

(audience cheers and applause) So graduates, today is about you, but it is important for us to note that it is a team moment.

We're so proud to share your day with so many people filling up this beautiful dome.

Central to our goal as a university is a quality of our instructional program.

Northern Michigan University has been most fortunate to have over the years highly qualified, dedicated, and incredibly productive faculty.

And annually, we honor and recognize outstanding faculty with the designation of a distinguished faculty award.

And our new provost, Anne Dahlman will introduce this year's award recipient.

Provost Dahlman.

- Our 2024 Stephen Young and Tricia Kinley Distinguished Faculty Award recipient is Dr. Carter Wilson in the College of Arts and Sciences.

(audience cheers and applause) Dr. Carter Wilson is an accomplished scholar, teacher, and mentor sharing his expertise, lived experience and time generously.

Dr. Wilson is the Head of the Department of Political Science where he also serves as a Professor, teaching courses that range from introductory government courses to graduate courses in public administration.

He has the unique ability to alter his teaching style and approach to meet the needs of his students at all levels.

As a scholar, Dr. Wilson has written widely on all aspects of public policy.

His most recent book, "Trumpism, Race Class, Populism, and Public Policy" contributes to our understanding of how ideas, personalities, and elections impact public policy, and how those policies impact American workers of all classes and colors.

Dr. Wilson is also the author of the textbook, "Public Policy, Continuity, and Change", now in its third edition.

His book, "Racism from Slavery to Advanced Capitalism" received the prestigious Gustavus Meyers Outstanding Book Award for the study of human rights in North America.

Dr. Wilson is active in the market, community and on campus.

He is also the long-term advisor to ASNMU Northern Students Government.

I present to you our 2024 Stephen Young and Tricia Kinley Distinguished Faculty Award recipient, Dr. Carter Wilson.

(audience cheers and applause) Now is the time to introduce our student speaker for today's graduating class, Ms. Grace Cook.

(audience cheers and applause) Yay.

Grace Cook came to NMU from Memphis, Michigan in the Fall of 2021.

She will graduate magna cum laude today with a degree in elementary education, integrated science with a minor in photography.

Grace was very involved in the Campus Ministry Group affiliated with Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marquette.

She started a student organization, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Awareness.

This group worked to increase access to mental and physical health supports for students who have experienced sexual violence and stalking.

Grace organized photographers and took photos for the UP Sled Dog Association during multiple UP 200 weekends, and worked for our communications and marketing department.

Grace just finished student teaching in kindergarten classroom, after graduation, she's hoping to teach in an elementary school in the Marquette area.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Ms. Grace Cook as the spring 2024 NMU Student Commencement Speaker.

Grace.

(audience cheers and applause) - Thank you.

One, two, three, eyes on me.

- One, two, eyes on you.

- Thank you ed majors.

(Grace chuckles) President Tessman, members of the Board of Trustees, esteemed faculty members, proud parents, and those of you watching online at home or in Australia, yes, you Christina, and most importantly, the resilient and ambitious graduates of Northern Michigan University.

Welcome, and thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

My name is Grace Cook, and if you couldn't tell by my opening statement, I am an elementary education graduate, and I'm now for hire.

Shameless plug.

(audience laughter) I am thrilled to be speaking to you on behalf of Northern Michigan University's graduating class of 2024.

Today marks a momentous occasion, a day of celebration, reflection, and profound gratitude.

As we gather here, adorned in our caps and gowns, we carry with us not just the joy of our academic achievement, but the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and unwavering determination.

Each step we've taken, every hurdle we've overcome has led us to this pivotal moment in our lives.

When sitting down to write this speech in my kindergarten classroom, my thoughts resembled that of a metropolitan transportation system intersecting all over a major city.

How could I possibly sum up my time here, and relate to everyone, when the inside jokes, side characters, back stories themselves would take about four hours to explain, and I wouldn't get to the main point.

So that just won't do.

I found a quote that sums it up quickly and concisely from Sir Nicholas Winton, a hero in the time of the Holocaust, who saved more than 600 children from death.

He said, "There are some stories, which we are not only an audience to, but may become their participants."

Fellow graduates, we have all become participants in the Northern Michigan University community.

It's the very reason we are celebrating here today.

Before we can talk about our NMU journey coming to a close, we have to talk about the start.

Many of us have connections, invisible strings, tying us to the heart of Northern.

In my student teaching, I have used this analogy taken from a children's book for students dealing with tremendous loss.

An invisible string is an imaginary string tying you to a space or a person.

The string is yours to keep, only you have the power to award strings and take strings away.

The strings know of no time or distance, which is great for those of us with strings tying us to far away places, and people we have lost.

I think Sir Winton would have enjoyed hearing about these strings, because they're a way of connecting our souls.

Our graduating class shares these invisible strings with the people and spaces here at NMU.

Consider most of our freshman years, we came in with a fair set of challenges.

We were in a major health crisis, Wildcat Willie wore a mask, there was a Ferris wheel in the Academic Mall, our meals were in tan to-go boxes, Solace Teca was still open, and became a safe haven for many of us.

Although quite different from typical college experiences, we made the best with what we had.

Our courage and compassion during this time was shown through group meals outdoors, late night car rides, Zumba, thank you, Mark Chevy, and talking on Zoom calls before class officially started.

We found ways to be active participants in our own stories.

We didn't stop.

Graduates, moving forward from today, I encourage you to stay active participants in your life.

It can be easy to get stuck to feel as though you don't know what to do next, and that is okay.

Being an active participant means recognizing the challenges in front of you, and forging new paths, or seeking out possibilities.

If you goal, your opportunity scares you, it is probably worth the sacrifice and effort.

Challenge yourself to strive for greatness.

Know that if you fall short, your invisible strings will catch you, Northern will catch you, and you can start again.

As we bask in the glow of our achievements, let us not forget the profound responsibility that accompanies this privilege of education.

For education is not nearly a means to an end, but a powerful tool for positive change, a catalyst for progression, progress, compassion, and social justice.

Sir Winton used his education and wit to save lives.

I wonder, what will you do with your education?

I challenge you to be advocates for change.

Speak your mind, hold your head high, know that each of us has the power and foundation to build a future that is more just, more compassionate, and more equitable for all.

Congratulations, class of 2024.

The world awaits your brilliance, your compassion, and your boundless potential.

Let's show them what's possible when Wildcats roar.

Thank you.

(audience cheers and applause) - Thank you so much, Grace.

So now is the time we confer the degree, Honoris Causa, as recommended by the Honorary Degrees Election Committee, and approved by the faculty and the NMU Board of Trustees.

Provost Dahlman will present the candidate for an honorary degree.

I'll note that a full citation does appear in the commencement program.

- President Tessman, I have the privilege to present Dr. Milton Chen to receive an honorary degree.

(audience applause) - Would you stand right here.

- Dr. Milton Chen, you are a distinguished educational innovator, and dedicated community servant.

You have spent your life as a champion for quality, and culturally competent pre-K-12 education books and work.

We immensely appreciate your work at the George Lucas Education Foundation, and edutopia.org, as well as KQED Center for Education, and at Sesame Workshop, where you helped create the iconic educational television programs of "Sesame Street", "The Electric Company", and "3, 2, 1 Contact", as well as your efforts to make teachers, parents, and students realize national parks and the outdoor spaces as outstanding classroom spaces.

Northern Michigan University praises your commitment to educational innovation, and proudly presents you with the honorary degree, Doctor of Education.

(audience cheers and applause) - Thank you, Provost Dahlman.

Milton Chen, by the authority of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University, I confer upon you the degree, Doctor of Education, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

(audience cheers and applause) (audience applause) I'll now invite Dr. Chen to deliver our commencement address.

Dr. Chen.

- All I can say is, wow.

(Dr. Chen chuckles) It's such a pleasure to be here, President Tessman, faculty, staff, administrators, families, friends, significant others, fellow honorees, and especially you, the graduates of the class of 2024.

Today, May 4th is an auspicious day for you, and for fans of Star Wars ... (audience cheers and applause) As we like to say, "May the fourth be with you."

(audience cheers and applause) I've had a chance to meet some of you, and your faculty, and the staff here.

And Wildcats, I do believe, the force is strong in you.

Looking back on my own life, I feel like the force has definitely been with me.

I am the very fortunate son of the Upper Peninsula, born in Negaunee, just 10 miles away.

My work has taken me from Sesame Street, which we call the longest street in the world, to a galaxy long ago, and far, far away.

(audience applause) Along the way, working in children's television, I met and became a friend of Fred Rogers.

You know him as the host of "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood", now adapted on PBS as the animated hit series, "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood."

Fred was a very popular commencement speaker, and since many graduates had grown up with his program, as soon as he was introduced, they would begin singing the theme song from his program.

I think you know it too.

So if you do, please sing it along with me, at least the first few bars.

♪ It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood ♪ ♪ A beautiful day for a neighbor ♪ ♪ Would you be mine ♪ ♪ Could you be mine ♪ ♪ Won't you be my neighbor ♪ (audience cheers and applause) It is a beautiful day in the Northern Michigan neighborhood.

Fred Rogers would also make a point to remind his audiences and especially today's graduates, to think of those who would help them get to where they are today.

I'd like to ask you to do that with me, many of your supporters, your mentors, your family, and your friends have been acknowledged en masse, but it's also important for you individually to think of them, and to thank them personally.

So let's just take 30 seconds to do that, think of those of you, those who've helped you get to where you are today, it could be when you are much younger, it could be a teacher in your schools, your universities, a friend, a mentor, a parent, a relative, think of those who've helped you to get to today, and wear the cap and gown of an NMU graduate.

And the rest of us can do that too.

Let's just take 30 seconds.

Now that you've remembered them, please make it a point of thanking them in person, or via text or email, or if they're no longer with us, please keep them in your heart, and tell others what they have meant to you.

Expressing gratitude to those who've helped us create our own personal neighborhoods is so important, yet so rarely done.

During those 30 seconds, I thought of my parents, Wen Lan and Jeannie Chen.

In 1952, they moved here for my father to take a job with Cleveland Cliffs for a year.

He had been in the US just for seven years, and my mother just for three years, and there my father met another engineer, Tsu-Ming Han at Cliffs, and another recent immigrant from China, also working at Cliffs.

This region of the Upper Peninsula, home to many waves of European and Scandinavian immigrants welcomed our two Chinese families.

According to Professor Russell Magnaghi, I'm sure he is here, he believes they may have been the only two Chinese families in this region at the time.

Yet the workers at Cliffs made our families feel welcome in the company and this community.

The engineers collaborated with Tsu-Ming Han on a number of patents to help mine low grade iron ore, and according to Professor Magnaghi, that particular work helped lift the economy of this region.

NMU Center for Upper Peninsula Studies has done a book authored by Russell Magnaghi and James Shefchik, it's called "Tsu-Mind Han, A Man of Two Different Worlds", and I encourage you to look for it, and read it to get a little slice of the earlier history of this region.

My own journey has taken me from the Upper Peninsula to Chicago, and then to Harvard College.

There I met a Professor, Gerald Lesser, whom I'm also thinking of today.

Jerry Lesser was the Chair of the Board of Advisors to Sesame Street in New York, and he was one of the very few education researchers and faculty members who was interested in the late 60s in whether television could be used to educate young children.

So during college, I began working with him, and Sesame Street by now, more than 50 years later, has indeed circled the globe.

In the US, recently the show has helped children and families understand issues such as autism.

There's a autistic Muppet on Sesame Street, Julia.

It's also helped children and families deal with military deployment, with homelessness, and abroad, it has been seen in more than 140 countries.

There have been international versions, as well, with local Muppets, in local languages, local cast members, in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Kuwait, Israel, China, and South Africa.

Today, the show in the Muppets even provide early childhood learning in Syrian refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.

Yet in the beginning, very few would've predicted how successful this would become.

In 1968 when it was being developed, many so-called experts on child development were kind of skeptical.

They said, "You know, we have children in kindergarten, and first grade who do not know their letters, do not know the alphabet, and how to count to 20.

How can you possibly use television to teach this earlier two, three-year-olds?

Have you seen television?

It's terrible.

That'll never work."

One lesson I learned from my years working at Sesame Workshop is that indeed, children can learn more earlier than we think they can, if they're given the right experiences, both in-person, and through media, and technology.

In fact, the kindergarten curriculum has been changed because of Sesame Street, because five-year-olds were arriving into kindergarten knowing some of those early skills that had been previously taught.

This lesson also goes for grownups, as well.

We can all learn more.

We can all be more than the world and its conventions tell us.

And I've been very fortunate to work with George Lucas at his foundation in the Bay Area.

We produce a website called edutopia.org, envisioning a more ideal learning environment for all students, and for more than 20 years, close to 25 years now, the site has published short films and articles about educational innovations, practices such as project-based learning, connecting the classroom learning to real world learning, social emotional learning, knowing that educating one's heart is as important as educating one's mind.

Mr. Lucas wanted to help improve schools, because he himself was not an outstanding student.

He was kind of the quiet student in the back of class.

He felt like he wasted a lot of time in school, because even though he had interests, such as photography and cars, these were never interests that could be used in the classroom.

He did have a serious car accident during high school, and this was one of the things that led him to think bigger about his life, to appreciate the value of life, and to want to do more with his own life.

A friend of his was going to USC, perhaps another little accident, and encouraged him to come along, that maybe there was a photography department at USC.

And when George Lucas got to USC, he learned there was no photography department, there was only a film school.

Back then, the USC Film School was nothing like it is today.

If you wanted to work in the film industry in Hollywood, you apprenticed and worked on location, and worked in the studios.

But from then on, George Lucas became, for the first time, one of the best students in class in film school, and as you know, he went on to a legendary career as a filmmaker.

Just eight years after Sesame Street premiered in 1969, in 1977, George Lucas was working on what he has termed "A science fiction fantasy film for 10-year-old boys."

(audience laughter) And he said, "One of the things I learned is if you made something well enough, a lot of other people would be interested in it."

As with Sesame Street, there were the doubters, I mean, flying spaceships, and hairy creatures, and lightsabers, and a little green creature with large ears and a funny voice who inverts his subjects and verbs, that'll never work.

The rest, as they say, is history, and the history of both Sesame Street and Star Wars tells us that when you're doing something innovative, something that's never been done before, expect the doubters.

When they say "That'll never work", that might mean that you're on the right track.

Wildcats, I know you're expecting me to give you some words of wisdom today, so I will try to keep it simple, I'll just give you three short pieces of advice that all have to do with embracing newness in your lives.

First, try new things.

Don't stay in your comfort zone of academic subjects, hobbies, sports, foods even, take some risks.

Now is the time to gather new experiences, now that you're completing one chapter of your life, and entering into a new chapter.

And while you're trying these new things, you might experience some failures, but in fact, these are some of the best ways to learn.

There's a saying in Silicon Valley that goes, "If you're not failing, well, maybe you're not trying hard enough."

Second, try some new places.

Travel as widely as you can in the US and abroad, travel broadens the mind, and nurtures the heart.

You'll meet new people and cultures, so embrace what it means to be an American, a nation made up of so many diverse cultures and peoples.

Third, try to make some new friends who are different from you.

They might be different in age, or background, geography, language, hopefully some of you have done this during your time here at Northern.

The more diverse your social network, the more your life will be enriched.

There's something called the diversity bonus, and it is about more diverse groups in the workplace, getting better at proposing solutions to problems.

The more different perspectives there are in the room, the better the solutions are.

So take advantage of the diversity bonus in your own life, and in your own work.

By asking you to do these three new things, I'm asking you to become the innovator of your own life.

But you should do more than simply try to do these things.

As Master Yoda is famous for saying "Do or do not", actually, it should be more like "Do or do not, there is no try."

(audience applause) Yeah, I think that needs some work.

I'll work on that.

So do new things, do travel widely, and do make more diverse friends.

Dear Wildcats, on this May 4th, I believe the force is strong in you, but the dark side is also strong, but armed with your Northern Michigan degree, you now have the lightsaber of learning.

Your education is more powerful than any weapon.

Use it for good, to build better communities, and a healthier Planet.

The world needs your energies, your talents, your passions, now more than ever.

You are the change that we have been waiting for.

So everyone, please join me in celebrating the graduates of 2024, let's cheer them on with that phrase that Star Wars fans like to say today, say it with me.

"May the fourth be with you."

Thank you.

(audience cheers and applause) - Thank you very much, Dr. Chen.

Okay, we're getting there graduates, now is the moment that you've been waiting for, your family's been waiting for, your friends have been waiting for, and that your faculty have been waiting for, the conferring of degrees.

I'll bring back to the podium our Provost Dahlman.

- President Tessman, the Deans of the colleges will join me in presenting the candidates for the graduate and undergraduate degrees.

The graduate degree candidates will be presented by Dr. Lisa Eckert, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

- Will the candidates for graduate degrees please stand and remain standing.

These candidates have met the requirements for their degrees and have been approved by the faculty.

Provost Dahlman, I present them to you for the conferring of their degrees.

(audience applause) - You can sit down.

Do they stand?

My apologies.

You will remain standing.

Oh ... (audience laughter) Thank you.

The next candidates will be presented by Dr.

Rob Winn, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

- Will the candidates for the undergraduate degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences please stand and remain standing.

(audience cheers and applause) Provost Dahlman.

These candidates have met all of the requirements of their degrees, and have been approved by the faculty.

I present them to you for the conferring of their degrees.

(audience cheers and applause) - The next candidates will be presented by Professor Carol Johnson, Dean of the College of Business.

- Will the candidates for the undergraduate degrees in the College of Business please stand and remain standing.

(audience cheers and applause) Provost Dahlman, these candidates have met all the requirements for their degrees, and been approved by the faculty.

I present them to you for the conferring of their degrees.

(audience cheers and applause) - The next candidates will be presented by Dr. Joe Lubig, Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.

- Will the candidates for the undergraduate degrees in the College of Health, Sciences and Professional Studies, please stand and remain standing.

(audience cheers and applause) Provost Dahlman, these candidates have met all of the requirements for their degrees, and have been approved by the faculty.

I present them to you for the conferring of their degrees.

(audience cheers and applause) - The next candidates will be presented by Dr. Steve VandenAvond, Dean of the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences.

(audience cheers and applause) - Will the candidates for the undergraduate degrees in the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences please stand and remain standing.

(audience cheers and applause) Provost Dahlman, these candidates have met all the requirements for their degrees, and have been approved by the faculty.

I present them to you for the conferring of their degrees.

(audience cheers and applause) - President Tessman, these candidates have met all of the requirements for their respective degrees, and have been approved by the faculty.

We present them to you for the conferring of their degrees.

- Are you ready?

Perfect.

By virtue of the authority granted me by the Board of Trustees, and upon the recommendation of the faculty, I now confer upon each and every one of you the appropriate degree, the requirements of which you have fulfilled, and do hereby vest each of you with the rights and privileges pertaining to that degree.

Well done.

(audience cheers and applause) Okay.

So before we have these graduates perform the longstanding tradition of moving their tassel from right to left, I'd ask all alumni from Northern Michigan University to stand and welcome these new members into the Alumni body.

(audience cheers and applause) Okay.

Okay.

So graduates, now is the time, you can flip that tassel from the right side to the left side.

(audience cheers and applause) Congratulations, and you can be seated for now.

Mr. Mike Settles is gonna read the names of our graduates, and the dean of the appropriate college will be presenting the diploma covers.

So graduates, as you walk up to the stage, and you cross the stage, please remember, walk to the front, and if you would take a second, shake hands and smile, we'll get a great photo of you on the stage in this big moment.

I think we've got our drill down.

And now I'll ask the candidates for all the degrees to please come forward.

- [Mike] We begin by recognizing our Global Campus graduates who have completed their degrees entirely online.

While several Global Campus graduates have traveled to Marquette to walk in today's ceremony, we would like to take this moment to salute those Global Campus graduates who could not be here, but wanted to participate in Commencement.

College of Graduate Education and Research Master of Arts, Elisheba Petersen.

Master of Arts in Education, Denise Spink.

Master of Public Administration, Richelle McGregor.

College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science.

Denise Bednaryczk.

College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies, Bachelor of Science, Samantha Matz.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Katie Greenough, Jaclyn Vail.

Bachelor of Social Work, Kari Galdeen.

And now for those who are with us today.

Graduate Education and Research, Master of Arts, Artemis Allison.

Jackson Gray.

Andrea Hendrick.

(audience cheers and applause) Sabka Leonora.

Master of Arts in Education.

Kylie Bunting.

(audience cheers) Hannah Cole.

Shannon Krout.

Jennifer Prom.

Mallory Scanlan.

Courtney Solar.

Eileen Van Damme.

(audience cheers) Dawn Verin.

Myra Williams.

(audience cheers) Maria Arqualin.

(audience cheers) Dylan Brown.

(audience cheers) Philip Cotiz.

(audience cheers) Christopher Danek.

Kelvin Glads.

(audience cheers) Nicholas Jones.

(audience cheers) Ericas Capoches.

(audience cheers) Ashley Larson.

(audience cheers) Kyler Mackenzie.

(audience cheers) Joshua Reed Mendez.

(audience cheers) Jason Shane.

(audience cheers) Garrett Taylor.

(audience cheers) Ava Toko.

(audience cheers) James Vermullen.

(audience cheers) Jonas Vollebach.

(audience cheers) Isaac Ward.

(audience cheers) Elijah White.

(audience cheers) Master of Fine Arts.

Luisa Baron.

(audience cheers) Phoebe Billups.

(audience cheers) Daisha Price.

(audience applause) Lauren Sparks.

(audience applause) Zane Tannis.

(audience cheers) Master of Public Administration.

Emily Arnt.

(audience cheers) Alexandra Casata.

Andrea Fox.

Ronald Likes Junior.

(audience cheers) Megan Mast.

(audience cheers) Kurt Melville.

Casey Rocrosio, Second Lieutenant, US Army.

(audience cheers and applause) Master of Science.

McKenzie Baranski.

(audience cheers) Brianna Bauer.

(audience cheers) A.J.

Carpenter.

(audience cheers) Caitlin Claven.

(audience applause) Rachel Cole.

(audience cheers) Grant Combs.

(audience cheers) Evan Cascarelli Trott.

(audience cheers) Lisa Dahl.

(audience cheers) Alexia Dalton.

(audience cheers) Katelyn Dewitt.

(audience cheers) Madison Eddie.

(audience cheers) Neil Flavin.

(audience cheers) R. Ann Flynn.

(audience cheers) Alexis Foster.

(audience cheers) Kai Gerster.

(audience cheers) Alexander Gillum.

(audience cheers) Miles Glendenning.

(audience cheers) Courtney Handlin.

Trevor Hansen.

(audience cheers) Catherine Haney.

(audience cheers) Andrea Hines.

(audience cheers) Riley Jensen.

(audience cheers) Emma Johnson.

(audience cheers) Stanton Johnson.

(audience cheers) Trey Johnson.

(audience cheers) Amanda Jocelyn.

(audience cheers) Brett Coupenin.

(audience cheers) Abby Knight.

(audience cheers) Lucas Kermis.

(audience cheers) Shelby Lacosse.

(audience cheers) McKayla Matson.

(audience cheers) Demetrius Mullen Junior.

(audience cheers) Emily Midllowsky.

(audience cheers) Eric Noggle.

(audience cheers) Cheyenne Nutlewis.

(audience cheers) Valerie Patterson.

(audience cheers) Alexis Pupo.

(audience cheers) Yusef Kadoumi.

(audience cheers) Rafaella Rafalosca.

(audience cheers) Jordan Simula.

(audience cheers) Haley Snyder.

(audience cheers) Carrie Strand.

Megan Wells.

(audience cheers) Maisie Zahn.

(audience cheers) Master of Interdisciplinary Study.

Megan Carroll.

(audience cheers) Riley Lalone.

(audience cheers) Savannah Strubehl.

(audience cheers) Masters of Social Work.

Lauren Anderson.

(audience cheers) Douglas Baker.

(audience cheers) Josie Berg.

(audience cheers) Tyrell Blackman.

(audience cheers) Nathan Borley.

(audience cheers) Austin Buckley.

(audience cheers) Grace Emendorfer.

(audience cheers) Jennifer Erickson.

(audience cheers) Sydney Garlets.

(audience cheers) Alicia King.

(audience cheers) Katie Lamers.

(audience cheers) Haley Melesca.

(audience cheers) Madison Mealing.

(audience cheers) Lauren Mitchie.

(audience cheers) Nina Moore.

(audience cheers) Ariel Novak.

(audience cheers) Morgan Nusbaum.

(audience cheers) Darby Randette.

(audience cheers) Dana Shelan.

(audience cheers) Andriana Smith.

(audience cheers) Bryce Thompson.

(audience cheers) Abby Walters.

(audience cheers) Roberta Wright.

(audience cheers) Nathan Zurimba.

(audience cheers) College of Arts and Sciences, Associate of Applied Arts.

Tobias Dodd.

(audience cheers) Associate of Arts.

Lauren Dozelle.

(audience cheers) Brianna Henry, honor.

Isabella Miller.

(audience cheers) Aiden Shyad.

Associate of Science.

Kathleen Balsevich.

(audience cheers) Joslyn Brown, honor.

(audience cheers) Lauren Duvet.

(audience cheers) Emily Franks.

(audience cheers) Johanna Freeman, high honor.

(audience cheers) Kirsa Colpak.

(audience cheers) Shirley Ann Montford, high honor.

Bachelor of Arts.

Emma Briggs, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Levi Derocher, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hannah Fritz, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Miranda Gilliam.

(audience cheers) Autumn Graham.

(audience cheers) Keely Shea Hansen, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kelsey Holman, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexis Laws, summa cum laude.

Olivia Lublow, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Henry Martin.

Adriana Nuit.

(audience cheers) Brandon Norris, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Anna Marie Parker.

(audience cheers) Marin Parks, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Vanessa Steichoff, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jordan Traeger, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexander Rankin, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Maya Hunter, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jordan Wilker, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Marla Alden, Bachelor of Fine Arts, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Gianna Brachy, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ashlyn Chandler.

Jess Davis, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ryan Harvey, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Rose Jackson.

(audience applause) Ellen Maddox, magna cum laude.

Heather Mauer, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hunter MacArthur.

(audience cheers) Caitlyn McMillan, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Rebecca Piacek, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Katerina Robertson.

(audience cheers) Elizabeth Sack, magna cum laude.

Shelby Sanders.

(audience cheers) Samantha Ward Dasani.

(audience cheers) Danielle White.

(audience cheers) Alina Jung, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Music Education, Elena Arbrac, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Heidi Gallagher, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Evelyn Hutchinson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Garrett Peacock, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cora Hayne.

(audience cheers) Anna Morozov, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Science, Julia Allen.

(audience cheers) Nolan Annette.

(audience cheers) Isabella Anzel Dua.

(audience cheers) Daniel Artwall.

(audience cheers) James Asava, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brooke Ashworth, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Juan Azanza, cum Laude.

(audience cheers) Cameron Ballard, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Rev Derek Marine La Balugiut.

(audience cheers) Caden Bask, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) - Free Palestine.

(audience cheers) - Shiloh Beechek.

(audience cheers) Anna Beckstrom, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kayla Bittenminder, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jess Blesh, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Briley Bezant, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Zianne Borsmov.

(audience cheers) Blake Borth.

(audience cheers) Bradley Boser, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Harrison Boucher, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jessica Bowman, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Logan Boyton.

(audience cheers) Madeline Bray.

(audience cheers) Grace Braggey.

(audience cheers) Lily Briggs, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Megan Brock.

(audience cheers) Elizabeth Broka.

(audience cheers) Philippe Brado Lenez.

(audience cheers) Janessa Brown.

(audience cheers) Jordan Brown, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Blake Broxson.

(audience cheers) Mona Jane Brunk.

(audience cheers) Kayla Tierney, magna cum laude.

Aspen Birch, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Benjamin Burris.

(audience cheers) Jacqueline Bursch, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Tyler Burgess.

(audience cheers) Beth Buys.

(audience cheers) Xander Bird.

(audience cheers) Aldo Caliz Junior, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Joshua Cameron.

(audience cheers) Shelby Carlson.

(audience cheers) William Carlson.

(audience cheers) Ryan Carmody, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brendan Carroll.

(audience cheers) Brennan Cast, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jake Caterelo.

(audience cheers) Amber Setnorowski.

(audience cheers) Abigail Check.

(audience cheers) Bennett Cherney.

(audience cheers) Dylan Chitwood.

(audience cheers) Jack Kronoski.

(audience cheers) Mitchell Clark.

(audience cheers) Thomas Claycomb.

(audience cheers) Anthony Klein.

(audience cheers) Carly Cody, summa cum laude, Second Lieutenant, US Army.

(audience cheers and applause) Michael Coella.

(audience cheers) Alan Cooney, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Chase Cooney.

(audience cheers) Caden Carillo.

(audience cheers) Delphia Craig.

(audience cheers) Genevieve Crooks.

Tyler Crowley.

(audience cheers) Trevor Depose, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Angelina Davidson.

(audience cheers) Eden Davidson, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jacob de Jesu.

(audience cheers) Isabella Deboard, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Catherine Decatur.

(audience cheers) Ezra Deadenback, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Madison Dejohn.

(audience cheers) Sarah Lynne Dolvich, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mason Dempsey.

(audience cheers) Haley DeRocher, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Holden DelAcchia, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Gabriel Dolan.

(audience cheers) Simon Donahue Brown.

(audience cheers) Andrew Donnar, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nora Dahlman, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Dominic Dotson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexander Drent.

(audience cheers) Jada Trottar.

(audience cheers) Peyton Doobie.

(audience cheers) Lauren Dunn, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Stephanie Dye, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Heron Dyer, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hannah Eckford.

(audience cheers) Avery Ellis.

(audience cheers) Colby Ends.

(audience cheers) Natalia Urchila, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Elena Urlaugh.

(audience cheers) Aubrey Evans, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Abigail Faikes.

(audience cheers) Clayton Fair.

(audience cheers) Gwendolyn Femster, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Claire Feldkamp, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Julia Felton.

(audience cheers) Avery Fear, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nadia Finley.

(audience cheers) Nadia Fisher.

(audience cheers) Ashley Fitzpatrick, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brooklyn Fitzpatrick, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Walker Fogel.

(audience cheers) Bridget Fornich.

(audience cheers) Ethan Fresco.

(audience cheers) Mark Fuller, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Christopher Gabriz.

(audience cheers) Aiden Galleter, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Serene Gothier, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Charles Gerhard.

(audience cheers) - Yeah, Charlie, woo.

- Kerrigan Gill.

(audience cheers) Taylor Geier, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sarah Gimple.

(audience cheers) Anna Gobernnotz.

(audience cheers) Brandon Godin, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mira Gomer, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lewis Good.

(audience cheers) Dustin Goodman, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jaden Guchez, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lily Grebel, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Daniel Grooms.

(audience cheers) Kathleen Gunville, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Gretchen Hagenmiller, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kami Hall, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kristen Hall, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Andrew Hands.

(audience cheers) Kaitlyn Harrison.

(audience cheers) Mackenzie Herod.

(audience cheers) Alexis Hart.

(audience cheers) Angelina Haugen.

(audience cheers) Kendra Hayden, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Tyler Hayden.

(audience cheers) Wyatt Heaton.

(audience cheers) Kaylin Headlund.

(audience cheers) Martina Headlund.

(audience cheers) Morgan Helmlee, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexandria Herrick.

(audience cheers) Allison Hightower, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nicholas Hill.

(audience cheers) Trinity Hinshaw, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Rhett Hoffman, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cecilia Hogan, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ella Holden, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emma Holmes.

(audience cheers) Mary Hallahan, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexander Hood.

(audience cheers) Andrew Hoover.

(audience cheers) Taylor Hund.

(audience cheers) Alyssa Hutchinson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Anya Hyatt, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Abby Irish, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emily Eisler.

(audience cheers) Chase Jensen, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Melanie Johnson, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Andrew Johnson.

(audience cheers) Joshua Johnson, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kai Johnson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Gabrielle Jonas.

(audience cheers) Claire Jorgensen, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Charles Keefe, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mary Kelly, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cora Kempermann.

(audience cheers) Jaden Kennison, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emma Carbelis.

(audience cheers) Zachary Kipp.

(audience cheers) Paul Kerchmeyer.

(audience cheers) Lily Kissinger, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ryan Klarner.

(audience cheers) Ella Miller Newgie, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kyle Kahanzo.

(audience cheers) Rhen Connexin, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jonathan Corsinsky.

(audience cheers) Dylan Koleski, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kyle Kowsalski.

James Krebbs.

(audience cheers) Sienna Kriner, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Faith Kinker, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Gavin Lamade Junior.

Abigail Lamb.

(audience cheers) Brennan Larson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jessica Lawrence, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Keegan Lawrence.

(audience cheers) Jordan Lawson.

(audience cheers) Gary Lawton, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Evan Leisach, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emma LaFave.

(audience cheers) Macy Leisenring.

(audience cheers) Cooper Lennox.

(audience cheers) Julia Letz, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Madeline Lobeg.

(audience cheers) Margaret Lynch, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kevin Lyon, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Danielle Lipsenma.

(audience cheers) Emma Leisinger, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lily Majestic, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sarah McKennan.

(audience cheers) Savannah Manie, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kobe Manzo, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mirabella Markham, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ren Massey.

(audience cheers) Victor McBride, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brady McCormick.

(audience cheers) Shelby McLynch.

(audience cheers) Amelia Miers-Parcher, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Bianca Mendoza.

(audience cheers) Kaitlyn Michegot.

(audience cheers) Meghan Meyer, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lily Meyers.

(audience cheers) Emma Miller, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Scott Minshaw.

(audience cheers) Deni Myron.

(audience cheers) Elizabeth Mohberg.

(audience cheers) Eric Mooney, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Justin Mossov.

(audience cheers) Patrick Myers.

(audience cheers) Angelina Negrone.

(audience cheers) Sarah Negev Kanaz, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ashley Nickerson.

(audience cheers) Ryan Nixon.

(audience cheers) Adele Noelle Rycart.

(audience cheers) Delaney Nye.

(audience cheers) Kendall O'Brien, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brianna O'Driscoll, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kelsey Oehz.

(audience cheers) Mia Ohashi Berg.

(audience cheers) Morgan Oja, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cassidy Olson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sunshine Oxer, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Anna Patterson.

(audience cheers) Lillian Peck, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Olivia Peatle.

(audience cheers) Carrie Rogers, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Tai Pellegrini, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) James Pilan.

(audience cheers) Brooke Pertue, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Eva Peterson.

(audience cheers) Kaylee Phillips.

(audience cheers) Joseph Peterzac.

(audience cheers) Kaylee Pilgrim.

(audience cheers) Emma Pinkeva, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Olivia Pizioli, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Madison Plazinsky.

(audience cheers) Megan Poe, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nicole Polsen.

(audience cheers) Allison Porter.

(audience cheers) Caitlyn Potvin.

(audience cheers) Cameron Prater.

(audience cheers) Kiro Poem.

(audience cheers) Trevor Rademacher.

(audience cheers) Darcy Rash, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Anthony Reynolds.

(audience cheers) Maya Reest.

(audience cheers) Sasha Richardson.

(audience cheers) Skye Richings.

(audience cheers) Heston Roberts, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sidney Romps, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Katerina Rothorne, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mitchell Russelberg.

(audience cheers) Madeline Sadler.

(audience cheers) Dana Sadler, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Catherine Sanford.

(audience cheers) Cody Silverson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) McKenna Sanford.

(audience cheers) Melissa Santur.

(audience cheers) Nathan Sarason.

(audience cheers) Anna Sarka, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Samantha Senn.

(audience cheers) Molly Scapatici, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Carter Schmidt.

(audience cheers) Cheryl Schroeder, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jonah Sabrenic, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ashani Sharma.

(audience cheers) Madeleine Shepherd, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Avari Simpson.

(audience cheers) Cora May Suda, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Casey Sivreth.

(audience cheers) Laura Sliva, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kaylyn Scripik.

(audience cheers) Mason Slade.

(audience cheers) Emily Zukop, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Autumn Stage, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jacqueline Steinkowicz.

(audience cheers) Josie Steve.

(audience cheers) Molly Steinbrecher, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Evan Steinman.

(audience cheers) Wallace Stevenson, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sean Stohls.

(audience cheers) Lillian Stewart.

(audience cheers) Ben Stribek.

(audience cheers) Tegan Swanson, summa cum laude.

Marissa Tescari, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Audrey Thaxton.

(audience cheers) Sylvia Tony.

(audience cheers) Eleanor Tiziani.

(audience cheers) Lillian Tiziani.

(audience cheers) Bobby Traychock.

(audience cheers) Maya Troyer.

(audience cheers) Luke Tumberland, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lexi Turner.

(audience cheers) Dylan Irman.

(audience cheers) Joseph Valenti.

(audience cheers) Joshua VandenAven.

(audience cheers) Aaron VanderScape, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Isabella Vinyod, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Veronica Wagner.

(audience cheers) Lindsey Walton, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexander Weaver, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brianna Weaver.

(audience cheers) Dylan Weaver.

(audience cheers) Shane Wine, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Joseph Welch, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lander Wells, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Paige Whaley.

(audience cheers) Joseph Winkowski.

(audience cheers) Dallas Wertila.

(audience cheers) Riley Wilcox, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Melinda Willie.

(audience cheers) Jenna Williams, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nora Williams, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Morgan Winkler.

(audience cheers) Derek Widdlick.

(audience cheers) Elijah Woodhouse.

(audience cheers) Lauren Wilmer, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jayden Wobo.

(audience cheers) Jayden Young.

(audience cheers) Tyler Young Do.

(audience cheers) Rebecca Young, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Avery Zalman.

(audience cheers) Zachary Ziegler.

(audience cheers) Ariana Zimney.

(audience cheers) College of Business, Associate of Business.

Joshua Galecki.

(audience cheers) Isaiah Ledford.

(audience cheers) J.T.

Mackey.

(audience cheers) Morgan Massey.

(audience cheers) Jordan Nance.

(audience cheers) Jacob Pleva.

(audience cheers) Aiden Saras.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Applied Science.

Carson Deck.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Arts.

Marichelle Font Canteverro.

(audience cheers) Jackie Garcia.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Science.

Tebow Auger, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Zachary Balmez.

(audience cheers) Caden Bigger.

(audience cheers) Margaret Bobercha, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Will Boschert, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Tyrell Boucher, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Braden Bosley.

(audience cheers) Samantha Brown.

(audience cheers) Camilla Carbone, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cecilia Cevikovich, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mitchell Delstra, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Colin de Hart, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Allison Deutsch, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kevin Dinzer.

(audience cheers) Chloe Everson.

(audience cheers) Peyton Fidel.

(audience cheers) Jacob Fuchs, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brenna Philby, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ava Fleck, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Adam Grabowski, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Harley Erickson, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Caleb Gregory.

(audience cheers) Parker Grisbowski.

(audience cheers) Kylie Gusteson.

(audience cheers) Natalie Hackstock, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sarah Hagel, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ethan Hale, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Riley Harris.

(audience cheers) Olivia Jarsabeck, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emily Jennings.

(audience cheers) Morgan Johnson.

(audience cheers) Jack Jones.

(audience cheers) Amelia Juris.

(audience cheers) Kayla Koski, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lucas Kramer, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Bryce Keno, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nathan Kopish, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lizette Lafeve, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Joshua Lavalle.

(audience cheers) Noah Lancourt.

(audience cheers) Clay Larson, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Selah Leslie Lyons.

(audience cheers) Joshua Levantowski, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Garrett Mann, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Naomi Matson.

(audience cheers) Connor McChance.

(audience cheers) Alexis McDowell.

(audience cheers) McKenna McKay.

(audience cheers) Brecken Mills, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Tyler Rebarsic.

(audience cheers) Samuel Schultz.

(audience cheers) Artham Shlain, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Carson Smith, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hunter Smith.

(audience cheers) Ryan Tackert.

(audience cheers) Quinn Tebow.

(audience cheers) Michael Thomas.

(audience cheers) Morgan Thomas.

(audience cheers) Tanner Tickler.

(audience cheers) Justin Timmer.

(audience cheers) Braden Tyler.

(audience cheers) Ryland van Ewen.

(audience cheers) Paris Wegleitner, cum laude.

(audience cheers) College of Health Sciences, and Professional Studies, Associate of Applied Science.

Morgan Anderson, honor.

(audience cheers) Bo Castor, high honor.

(audience cheers) Griffin Moore, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Amelia Morris, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brenda Musser, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Anna Newman, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Joshua Nimi.

(audience cheers) Gregory O'Hagan, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cole Pence.

(audience cheers) Adam Petrov, cum laude.

(audience cheers) William Pelto.

(audience cheers) Nicholas Plure.

(audience cheers) Autumn Post, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Elizabeth Preston, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Dean Ramsbottom, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mackenzie Ray.

(audience cheers) Trinity Ferricks.

(audience cheers) Melanie Grundland.

(audience cheers) Mara Heino, high honor.

(audience cheers) Devin Montano.

(audience cheers) Haley Heightnen, honor.

(audience cheers) Hunter Johnson Duquette.

(audience cheers) Sarah Kamke.

(audience cheers) Elizabeth Kamperman, high honor.

(audience cheers) Julia King, high honor.

(audience cheers) Taylie Linley.

(audience cheers) Savannah Merrit, honor.

(audience cheers) Madison Myron, honor.

(audience cheers) Annabel Noe, honor.

(audience cheers) Allison Sorrie.

(audience cheers) Hunter Sherman.

(audience cheers) Evan Vernardsen.

(audience cheers) Peter VandenAvend, honor.

(audience cheers) Associate of Science.

Seja Abahusema.

(audience cheers) Anthony Missoli III.

(audience cheers) Hunter Shram.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Science.

Alicia Acosta.

(audience cheers) Macy Ahonen, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Noah Elor, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hannah Elvis, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jennifer Anderry.

(audience cheers) Caitlin Antela, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jeffrey Bailey.

(audience cheers) Bryce Beckley, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Paige Bergland, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Adam Bergman.

(audience cheers) Tegan Blahoviak, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hank Banga III.

(audience cheers) Jackson Bowers.

(audience cheers) Davien Brooks.

(audience cheers) Morgan Brown, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Joseph Budnick.

(audience cheers) Sarah Cavalieri.

(audience cheers) Austin Cristunis.

(audience cheers) Austin Silva.

(audience cheers) Ryland Clark, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) McKayla Cleese.

(audience cheers) Cecilia Cole.

(audience cheers) Thomas Kanji.

(audience cheers) Grace Cook, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nikita Cordes, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emma Davis, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ashley Delugie.

(audience cheers) Anna Drew.

(audience cheers) Evan Durbin, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexis Urbantrout.

(audience cheers) Connor Farrington.

(audience cheers) Jacob Fisher.

(audience cheers) Emily Franks.

(audience cheers) Annika Friday, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jessica Fruit.

(audience cheers) Juan Garcia, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexandria Jeanette.

(audience cheers) Denver Gore, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Daniel Golding, magna cum laude, Second Lieutenant, US Army.

(audience cheers and applause) Alexis Gonzalez.

(audience cheers) Kevin Graham.

(audience cheers) Samuel Groom.

(audience cheers) Hugh Gunderson, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Rachel Hall.

(audience cheers) Abby Hayes, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kaia Hayes.

(audience cheers) Cooper Heinzman.

(audience cheers) William Heller, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Samuel Hudson.

(audience cheers) Jackson Holdwick.

(audience cheers) Colin Holton.

(audience cheers) Jersey Hoover, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Seth Hornick.

(audience cheers) George Isles, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Keaton Jones.

Jordan Jervab.

(audience cheers) Mallory Karber.

(audience cheers) Thomas Kellen.

(audience cheers) Andrew Kempke, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Anna Killian, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Stephanie Klein.

(audience cheers) Joe Labourge.

(audience cheers) Ellie Korienick.

(audience cheers) Crystal Koski, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Chloe Kier.

(audience cheers) Marne Lafeve.

(audience cheers) Erica Layton and Adbert, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hunter Laine.

(audience cheers) Jenna Loes, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nicholas Leonetti.

(audience cheers) Kylie Litsky.

(audience cheers) Chad Longstreet.

(audience cheers) Tyler Lumen.

(audience cheers) Emily Lubes, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Danielle Lund, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Haley Markello, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jolee Martinez, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emily Mitchell, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sidney McCarthy.

(audience cheers) Lauren McDougall.

(audience cheers) Cecilia McKinney, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lauren Melendez Rivero.

(audience cheers) Abigail Micha, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Miranda Miller, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Faith Nicholson.

(audience cheers) Caleb Nimi.

(audience cheers) Charlie O'Connell.

(audience cheers) Daniel Oler.

(audience cheers) Jacob Osterwick.

(audience cheers) Braden Pilars.

(audience cheers) Zoe Peterson.

(audience cheers) Brooke Pietela, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jacob Peterzac.

(audience cheers) Sonny B. Pelto.

(audience cheers) Emma Poyer, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Rachel Rock.

(audience cheers) Jessica Ramon.

(audience cheers) Gavin Rasnici.

(audience cheers) Milena Reed, Second Lieutenant, US Army.

(audience cheers and applause) Nicole Rena.

(audience cheers) Rachel Riley, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Holly Reward, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alexander Rotenberg.

(audience cheers) Allison Ronis, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Scott Rose.

(audience cheers) Nadia Rosemergy, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Christy Peterson.

(audience cheers) Nicholas Rowley, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kathleen Salo, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Reagan Salo, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Maya Schulte, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mackenzie Schwamline, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Allison Sell.

(audience cheers) Sophia Shamel, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ryland Shriver.

(audience cheers) Jenna Sickle, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Caleb Smith.

(audience cheers) Marissa Smith.

(audience cheers) Brendan Smotherman, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Emily Snyder, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Nicholas St. Ange.

(audience cheers) Declan Stratford.

(audience cheers) Natasha Simons, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Joseph Tagleva.

(audience cheers) Julia Tarro, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Madison Tassin.

(audience cheers) Robin Tepole, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Dylan Tepoles, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lindsey Thompson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Madeline Thompson.

(audience cheers) Tiffany Kanvoyak, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Marissa Truheller.

(audience cheers) Miranda Troy, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Stephanie Trujillo, cum laude.

(audience cheers) James Turner III.

(audience cheers) Chloe Valente, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lauren van Remortel, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Skylar Van Stream.

(audience cheers) Delaney Van Keran.

(audience cheers) Sarah Vadnorwick, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Dominic Violetta.

(audience cheers) Samuel Watermullen.

(audience cheers) Bridget Weber, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Douglas Wells, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kaitlyn Williams, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jack Wilson.

(audience cheers) Danielle Virgo, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Gracie Witt, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Audrey Wright, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Tory Zeigers.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Science of Nursing.

Jessica Armstrong, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brianna Barden, cum laude.

(audience cheers) McKayla Beach, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Natalie Bortsen, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sage Brocko, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Laura Bruner, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jordan Butler, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Regan Cox, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Carly Cross, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Madison Diedrich, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mira Enos.

(audience cheers) Karen Fernandez, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jacqueline Geier.

(audience cheers) Megan Goodwill.

(audience cheers) Carmen Graves, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ashlyn Grose.

(audience cheers) McKayla Hipp, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Haley Jones, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Dana Johnson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Maggie Costamo, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kellen Klein.

(audience cheers) Emily Koski.

(audience cheers) Osobo Kraner, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brooke Kriegel, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Melissa McNelis.

(audience cheers) Alyssa Miller, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cheyenne Moyer, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Lauren Orr.

(audience cheers) Annika Rude, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alyssa Rindalls, cum laude, Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, Army National Guard.

(audience cheers and applause) Steven Rums, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Sierra Scott, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Audrey Shambaugh, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Alyssa Smith.

(audience cheers) Claire Smith, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Parker Smith, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Jessica Tenant.

(audience cheers) Abigail Thompson, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Caitlyn Tromley, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Anna Wheeler.

(audience cheers) McKenna Whiting.

(audience cheers) Margaret Wilms, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Social Work.

Monica Aredando.

(audience cheers) Avery Bassage, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) McKenna Bayless, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Abigail Bradfield, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Hannah Brown.

(audience cheers and applause) Autumn Amright.

(audience cheers and applause) Alyssa Fulton.

(audience cheers and applause) Anna Golbenski.

(audience cheers and applause) Kendra Grafenauer, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers and applause) Shelby Boggs, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers and applause) Irina Greenwood.

(audience cheers and applause) April Heckman.

(audience cheers and applause) Kaitlin Heis.

(audience cheers and applause) Janie Huta, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Katie Huta, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Autumn Cochanan.

(audience cheers) Brianna Mesh, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Cassidy Medic.

(audience cheers) Legacy Morgan.

(audience cheers and applause) Mary Lee Richster, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Halle Sullens.

(audience cheers) Delaney Tennell.

(audience cheers) College of Technology and Occupational Sciences certificate.

McKayla Anderson.

(audience cheers) Anna Branstrum.

(audience cheers) Donovan Chaker.

(audience cheers) Abigail Clemons.

(audience cheers) William Crisp.

(audience cheers) Victoria DiNardo.

(audience cheers) Adriana Fessela.

(audience cheers) Taven Hague.

(audience cheers) Shannon Heisler.

(audience cheers) Emily Karamo.

(audience cheers) Mason Kinnanon.

(audience cheers) Tia Mackey.

(audience cheers) Trevor Mattfork.

(audience cheers) Helen Ninco.

(audience cheers) Sierra Oswald.

(audience cheers) Caleb Parker.

(audience cheers) Amara Paul.

(audience cheers) Savannah Sellme.

(audience cheers) Brendan Schoff.

(audience cheers) Abigail Schlagel.

(audience cheers) Hannah Schut.

(audience cheers) Tyler Willie.

(audience cheers) Associate of Applied Science.

Cyrus Adams.

(audience cheers) Matthew Barry.

(audience cheers) Emma Bradley, honor.

(audience cheers) Associate of Applied Science.

Nathaniel Bruckhart.

(audience cheers) Brendan Koons.

(audience cheers) Brooke Foster.

(audience cheers) Matthew Hagerstrom.

(audience cheers) Sage Jones.

(audience cheers) Brendan Campbell.

(audience cheers) Trace Jergens, honor.

(audience cheers) Andrew Kielbasa.

(audience cheers) Evan Cubic.

(audience cheers) Wyatt Coleman.

(audience cheers) Finbar McNamara.

(audience cheers) Nicholas Mers, honor.

(audience cheers) Ethan Meyers, honor.

(audience cheers) Logan Parker.

(audience cheers) Austin Pepin.

(audience cheers) Alexander Schlemm, honor.

(audience cheers) Jacob Schlemm.

(audience cheers) Connor Sherwin.

(audience cheers) Riley Starnes.

(audience cheers) Timothy Dingman.

(audience cheers) Matthew Mara, honor.

(audience cheers) Isaac Moore, honor.

(audience cheers) Nathan Richards, high honor.

(audience cheers) Bachelor of Science.

Mirabella Apostolides.

(audience cheers) Nolan Asala, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Kellick Bailey, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Brooke Baxha.

(audience cheers) Brett Blackburn, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Christopher Boyd Johnson.

(audience cheers) Nathan Brundage.

(audience cheers) Jared Charles, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Grace Farney.

(audience cheers) Benjamin Farmer.

(audience cheers) Reese Fortner.

(audience cheers) Samuel Fishman.

(audience cheers) Doby Gilis.

(audience cheers) Samuel Gorman, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Soren Hansen, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Ryan Hutton.

(audience cheers) Everett Kayer, cum laude.

(audience cheers) Mackenzie Landfier.

(audience cheers) Corbin Trottser.

(audience cheers) Cooper Lanue.

(audience cheers) Trinity Lindeman.

(audience cheers) Anthony Mack.

(audience cheers) Trixie Magrin Jacobson, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Patrick Nari.

(audience cheers) Logan Normand, magna cum laude.

(audience cheers) Luke Pettinger.

(audience cheers) Brendan Phillips, summa cum laude.

(audience cheers) Taylor Prince.

(audience cheers) Nick Sarrie.

(audience cheers) Kyle Sar.

(audience cheers) Eric Seabeck.

(audience cheers) River Smith, cum laude.

(audience cheers) And Remy Williams.

(audience cheers and applause) - All right.

Let's give these 900 plus graduates one more big round of applause.

(audience cheers and applause) Some of our graduates are trailblazers, not only in the classroom, but in their own lives.

We're very proud of our first generation students, and ask that you stand and be recognized for your accomplishments, and I'd ask you to stand, because you have blue cords, commemorating your accomplishment today.

Congratulations.

(audience cheers and applause) Well done, and you may be seated.

I wanna thank Dr. Steven Grugin and the Commencement Band, (audience cheers and applause) the Teal Lake Singers who opened our ceremony this morning with their drum circle, (audience cheers and applause) and Ms. Anna Morozov for her part in our Commencement Program.

(audience cheers and applause) I'd also like to thank WNMUTV staff for their coverage of the program.

As of this commencement, Northern Michigan University has conferred more than 83,000 degrees.

Our graduates have taken their places in a variety of successful professional endeavors, they reflect the high expectations we have for NMU graduates to become leaders and contributors in their community and in our country.

Graduates, this is your day, and you have every right to be proud.

We wish you every success in the future, make a difference, and lead like a Wildcat.

(audience cheers and applause) Okay.

Now we do invite all of you to join us in an informal reception in the Northern Center of Ballrooms.

It's a fantastic experience, and it starts immediately following this ceremony.

As we prepare to conclude the ceremony, we're gonna ask members of the audience to remain seated until the platform party, the faculty, and the graduates have left the commencement area.

It's a beautiful day outside, it's a beautiful day inside the Superior Dome, thank you for attending this commencement, and for your support of students at Northern Michigan University.

Congratulations again, graduates, and I now welcome you as part of the NMU Alumni family.

Congratulations, have a great day and enjoy it.

(audience cheers and applause) (festive band music) - [Narrator] Coverage of the 2024 Spring Commencement Exercises was produced through the facilities of WNMUTV, Northern Michigan University Public Television.

(festive band music)