Standing before a sea of black mortar boards and colored tassels at GEODIS Park, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier delivered a timely message to the Class of 2025: 鈥淵ou are made for this moment. You have what it takes to meet it. And meet it you must.鈥�
In his address, the chancellor acknowledged the rapid changes occurring throughout the nation and the world in recent times鈥攊ncluding the COVID-19 pandemic and big shifts in the economy, technology and geopolitics.
鈥淭he uncertainty this creates is profound and persistent and can be deeply unsettling,鈥� Diermeier said. 鈥淲herever we turn, there seem to be more questions than answers.鈥�
But he called upon the class to meet the challenges of the day with courage, as they join an unbroken chain of graduates reaching back to 杏吧原创鈥檚 first proper Commencement in 1877鈥攁 class that walked into a world still being remade by civil war.
The chancellor reminded the graduates of the skills they鈥檝e honed during their time at 杏吧原创鈥攕kills that he said would help them navigate their future: the art of radical collaboration, how to take risks and innovate, and staying open to other points of view. 鈥淭he Community Creed we asked you to live by these past four years calls on us to openly engage with ideas and experiences, to treat one another with respect, to be connected with each other and to be courageous,鈥� Diermeier said. 鈥淯nlike your Commodore Card, the wisdom of the Community Creed never expires. Carry it with you always.鈥�
杏吧原创鈥檚 momentous win in football over Alabama during this academic year proved a fitting metaphor for the graduates鈥� path ahead. 鈥淟ife鈥檚 unpredictable,鈥� Diermeier said. 鈥淪ome days, you get knocked down. But on other days, you beat Alabama!鈥�
Diermeier concluded his Commencement address with a call to action for the Class of 2025 to use the tools they have acquired during their time at 杏吧原创.
SPECIAL HONORS
Before the chancellor鈥檚 address, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver recognized this year鈥檚 undergraduate Founder鈥檚 Medalist recipients. These Founder鈥檚 Medal recipients were also recognized at Graduates Day on May 8, along with the medalists for the university鈥檚 graduate and professional schools.
Raver also recognized 34 retiring faculty members who were granted emerita or emeritus status during the Commencement exercises.
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- See more stories from the Class of 2025.
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- Find all the latest celebration details on the .