Pride, Perspective, and Purpose

The week of graduation is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a time when the energy on campus shifts—from focused determination to full-hearted celebration. Our graduates have spent the past several months persevering, adapting, collaborating, creating, and growing. And now, we gather to mark a powerful tradition—one that represents the intersection of the past and the future.

Commencement is more than a ceremony. It is a collective exhale. It is a moment to reflect on the hurdles overcome, the goals achieved, and the people—students, faculty, staff, families, and supporters—who made it all possible. And it is a moment to look ahead with hope and pride.

This year, we are celebrating a class of students that is ready not only to seize opportunity but to demand more and better from the world around them. They are ready to give back, to lead, and to make lasting change. It should make all of us hopeful—knowing that this incredible generation is stepping forward, ready to make its mark.

While we look toward the future, it’s important to acknowledge that the past few months have not been easy—for any of us. The higher education landscape is shifting rapidly, and the pressures are real. Even so, we’ve done what we’ve been called to do: Show up. Innovate. Care. And most importantly: Build and sustain a community that believes in the transformative power of education.

In the midst of it all, we must remember to celebrate. Every day, our students are doing remarkable things—in classrooms, in internships, on stages, and in our communities.

So, if you need a moment of pride, of perspective, of purpose—I invite you to come to our commencement ceremony on May 19. There you’ll see joy in motion and the reflection of all our efforts. There you’ll see, walking across the stage, our future.