University of Michigan-Flint Spring 2012 3:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony
Uploaded by umflint1 on 11.05.2012
Transcript:
Christopher Heidenreich: Ladies and gentlemen, the 2012 April Commencement of the University
of Michigan-Flint is about to begin. We ask that during the ceremony, you turn off all
cell phones and pagers. The procession of the graduates will be led by Professor Peeth
Kartha who is the marshal for today’s ceremony. Now, please rise and remain standing through
the singing of
the National Anthem. Peeth Kartha: Chancellor Person, Provost Voland,
distinguished platform guests, members of the administration and faculty, graduates
of April 2012, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Commencement Exercises of the University
of Michigan-Flint, which will now be in order. Please join our vocalist Jennifer McMillan
in the singing
of
our National Anthem. Jennifer McMillan: (singing the National Anthem)
Peeth Kartha: Please be seated. The platform party this afternoon includes Associate Marshal Suzanne Selig. I now call on Dr. Selig
to introduce other members of the platform party.
Suzanne Selig: At this time, I have the honor of introducing members of the platform party.
Other members of the platform party will be introduced at a later time in these exercises.
May I suggest those introduced remain standing until the introductions have been completed
and also that the applause be withheld until all have been introduced. Chancellor Emeritus,
Juan Mestas; Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance, David Barthelmes; Dean D.J. Trela
of the College of Arts and Sciences; Student Government President-Elect Andrew Fink; and
Staff Council Member Karen Davis. Ladies and gentlemen, the Chancellor of the University
of Michigan-Flint, Dr. Ruth Person. Ruth Person: THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF 2012!
LOOK AT THIS ARENA. EACH OF THESE GRADUATES SITTING BEFORE YOU IS A SYMBOL OF GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.
TODAY YOU WILL BE PRESENTED WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL BE A PART OF YOU FOR THE REST OF
YOUR LIFE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN NEVER BE TAKEN FROM YOU. YOU EARNED IT THROUGH HARD
WORK, DEDICATION, AND A COMMITMENT TO YOUR EDUCATION. IT IS THAT NOTION OF COMMITMENT
THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY. AS WE WIND DOWN THIS ACADEMIC YEAR, THE COMMITMENT SHOWN
BY FACULTY AND STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. THIS YEAR, THE CAMPUS
COMMUNITY ACHIEVED MUCH TOGETHER: THE LAUNCH OF A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN; THE MOVE OF OUR SCHOOL
OF MANAGEMENT TO A BRAND NEW FACILITY; AND BEING HONORED AS THE ENGAGED CAMPUS OF THE
YEAR BY MICHIGAN CAMPUS COMPACT, THE VERY FIRST TIME THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD HAS EVER
BEEN GIVEN. IT IS THAT AWARD THAT I MOST OF PROUD OF THIS YEAR BECAUSE WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT
OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY TO EACH OTHER AND THIS COMMUNITY, SUCH RECOGNITION IS SIMPLY
NOT POSSIBLE. FOR YEARS, OUR FACULTY AND STUDENTS HAVE ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY IN ACTIVITIES
THAT ARE CONDUCIVE TO OPTIMAL LEARNING AS WELL AS OPTIMAL LIVING. WE ALL WANT GREAT
THINGS FOR OUR UNIVERSITY, OUR STUDENTS, AND OUR COMMUNITY. A COMMITMENT TO ENGAGEMENT
MAKES ALL OF THAT POSSIBLE. TODAY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL THOSE EFFORTS BY FACULTY
AND STUDENTS THAT HAVE LEAD TO STATE AND NATIONAL HONORS FOR OUR UNIVERSITY. IT SHOWS THAT OUR
ACTIONS SPEAK AS LOUD AS OUR WORDS. THIS CLASS OF STUDENTS THAT IS GRADUATING TODAY WAS LED
BY A TERRIFIC STUDENT GOVERNMENT. AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR PEERS, THESE STUDENT LEADERS SERVED
ADMIRABLY. I AM MOST PROUD OF THEIR EFFORTS, ESPECIALLY THEIR WORK IN REDUCING THE NUMBER
OF PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES ON CAMPUS THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF REFILLING STATIONS. THEIR
WORK TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TO FIND SOLUTIONS IS EXCEPTIONAL. THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT
GOVERNMENT THIS YEAR, FELIPE ANDREZ, IS NOT WITH US TODAY. NORMALLY, HE IS HERE WITH US
ON STAGE, ASSISTING WITH HANDING OUT HONORS TO HIS FELLOW STUDENTS. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW,
FELIPE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BRAIN TUMOR, AND AFTER UNDERGOING SURGERY TO REMOVE IT, HE
IS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. I WANT TO THANK FELIPE FOR HIS HARD WORK, AND PLEASE JOIN
ME IN SENDING GOOD WISHES TO HIM AS HE FOCUSES ON HIS HEALTH. FINALLY, I WANT TO LEAVE YOU
WITH THIS THOUGHT: THIS WEEK AT THE CRITICAL ISSUES FORUM OUR SPEAKER WAS THE ARCHITECT
AND INNOVATOR WILLIAM MCDONOUGH. MCDONOUGH WAS SPEAKING ABOUT SUCCESS. HE IS A FIRM BELIEVER
THAT WE SHOULD ALL STRIVE TO DO MORE GOOD, AND NOT SETTLE FOR DOING “LESS BAD.” HE
SAID IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS, DON’T START WITH METRICS WHICH ONLY LEAD YOU TO
GOALS. START WITH YOUR VALUES. YOUR VALUES WILL LEAD YOU TO DO MORE GOOD. SO AS YOU GO
OUT INTO THE WORLD TO PURSUE YOUR SUCCESSES, HOLD TIGHTLY TO YOUR VALUES AND PROMISE TO
SIMPLY DO MORE GOOD. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU...GO BLUE! DR. RAYMOND GIST WAS ONLY
FOUR YEARS OLD WHEN HIS FAMILY MOVED TO FLINT FROM POPLAR GROVE, ARKANSAS. HE BEGAN HIS
EARLY EDUCATION IN FLINT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, AND AT AGE 13 ALREADY KNEW HE WOULD BE A DENTIST.
AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 1960, DR. GIST EARNED AN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE AT MOTT
JUNIOR COLLEGE BEFORE BEING ACCEPTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY.
IN A CLASS OF 96, GIST WAS ONE OF ONLY TWO AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN IN THE CLASS THAT ALSO
HAD ONLY TWO WOMEN. DR. GIST BECAME VERY ACTIVE IN LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL DENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.
IN FACT, DR. GIST WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO BE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THREE DIFFERENT
DENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: THE GENESEE DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY, THE MICHIGAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
IN 2003, AND IN 2009, DR. GIST WAS CHOSEN PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION.
DURING HIS 46 YEARS IN PRACTICE, HE HAS RECEIVED A LONG LIST OF AWARDS AND SERVED ON NUMEROUS
BOARDS, INCLUDING A FOUR-YEAR TERM ON THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
AND CHAIR OF THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO
PRESENT OUR 2012 COMMENCEMENT KEYNOTE SPEAKER, DR. RAYMOND GIST.
Raymond Gist: Thank you very much, very much for this warm welcome. Chancellor Person,
Provost Voland, faculty, staff, distinguished guests, and members of the University of Michigan-Flint
administration please accept my gratitude for allowing me the privilege of sharing a
few minutes with your superstars today, the class of 2012. Graduates, I want to give you
my hardiest congratulations. I consider it a personal honor to join you on this very
special day in your lives. I recognize your struggles to reach this milestone and I share
your excitement while I anticipate your success with great enthusiasm. Each and every one
of you has a special talent. And the trust, support, and pride that you earned is being
acknowledged by the smiling faces that you see around this arena. You wouldn't have made
it this far without the support and values of these smiling faces. Your family, relatives,
friends, and others that have faith in you--they all have made a serious investment in your
future in some capacity and that investment will pay for itself throughout your career.
You are here today because of who you are, because of your values, your ambitions, your
work ethic, and your personalities. And now you have distinguished yourselves by earning
a degree from this outstanding university, which is not only the fastest growing public
university in Michigan, but the university that has received accolades from the Princeton
Review and US News and World Report for its excellence in providing your education. The
university that is privileged to have this esteemed faculty who motivated you and insisted
that you utilize your knowledge and talent to your fullest capacity sitting here with
us today. We all know that your education is more than ever, a passport. It allows you
to enter the world arena in order to fulfill your ambition to succeed in today's challenging
environment. It is a catalyst to understanding and nuturing the creativity and leadership
ability required to reach the level of excellence that you have demonstrated today. And as you
know from your own experience, it was no cake walk to get to this level. As you comtemplate
your future, it is natural to feel apprehensive. You will encounter challenges as you establish
yourself just as you were challenged these past several years in college. But surmounting
these challenges is what defines you. Life's challenges are serving. You can't avoid them.
Ironically, these challenges are necessary because they make us strong. We who survive
difficult circumstances build character that allows us to succeed in the future. And as
esteemed graduates, you won't free challenges, you will invite them. You will determine the
future direction of our country and you will be charged with viewing these challenges as
opportunities first to firmly establish yourself and second to make your contribution to the
ongoing task of moving this great country forward. Globalization is continually spreading
opportunity to millions of children and young adults in China, India, Brazil, and across
the globe. The ingenuity and creativity that is being unlocked day by day is tremendous.
Great mathematicians, writers, inventors, dentists, physicians, pharmacists, attorneys,
and more are joining a global marketplace of new ideas. You now have that same opportunity
right here in America to demonstrate your ingenuity and leadership. In fact, it's no
longer just an opportunity, it's imperative. It's critical to our future. The current direction
of our country is like a wandering river with turbulent rapids in many areas but flowing
smoothly in others. America will need your expertise and diligence to calm the turbulence
and to keep our affairs flowing smoothly. Unless we as a nation, as a people take advantage
of every opportunity available to make the most of our human potential, other nations
will overtake us. But that will never happen, because we won't allow it to happen. Speaking
from personal experience, I can confirm that your opportunities for success are unlimited.
But you must first define your goals in life and follow a proper path to achieve them.
You have yet to realize your full potential and you will be surprised and elated as your
capabilities continue to come to the surface. Your future is bright and your road to success
is paved. But in order to reach your destination, you must maintain your focus and dedication,
continue your hard work, and relentlessly pursue your next steps. I became familiar
with these very challenges in my life very early in my career. My personal journey began
in rural Arkansas and continued when my family moved to Flint in search of a better economic
opportunity and lifestyle. When we arrived in Flint, we faced the same struggles as most
of our friends and neighbors. We lived in a segregated neighborhood that was neglected
and we struggled with the challenges that underserved communities face today--lack of
quality health services, education, and employment. I was the first in my family to even discuss
attending college. But I was motivated. Just as you were motivated to reach this level
today. Considering our circumstances, my family gave me quizzical looks when I mentioned college.
But when they finished laughing and snickering, the realized that I was serious and supported
me with everything they had to offer, which is almost enough but not quite. My education
began right here in Flint and continued in Ann Arbor where I received my degree as a
dental professional. I spent two years in the Air Force after graduation and I made
my next, most significant decision when I finished my tour of duty and returned to Flint.
That decision was to join organized dentistry. To develop friendships and because relationships
with collegues and to join a family of fellow professionals. It was then that I began to
appreciate my potential. Initially, making a climb to the presidency of the American
Dental Association wasn't one of my goals. But when I became aware of the many benefits
of organized dentistry had to offer, I was encouraged. And when I realized how influential
my contributions to moving my profession forward could be, I made a commitment to climb this
ladder to reach this pinnacle of success. While making this climb, I learned that graduation
is just the beginning of the learning process. That this world is changing at warp speed
and we must continuously stay abreast of changes that would have an effect on our livelihood
and on the continuing progress of our country and our neighbors on this earth. I learned
that collegiality, collaboration, compassion, and compromise are necessary ingredients for
success. No single person has all the answers to the issues that confront us and we must
share facts and ideas with our friends and associates and with stakeholders of interest.
Remembering however, that your ideas belong to you and you should share them at your discretion.
But facts, facts belong to everyone and learning and sharing them wisely will benefit you and
those with whom you are associated as you move forward. I learned that I could never,
ever quit, that I could always conquer the challenges in front of me by being patient,
inquisitive, and by collaborating with friends and associates. This fact helped me gain confidence
as I pursued my goals. It also helped me to continuously define and upgrade my goals.
I learned to mentor young students and help them develop the confidence to pursue their
dreams to make every bright young man or woman feel that he or she can belong to a special
profession from the first day of school until they graduate just as you are graduating today
knowing that you belong to a special family. What makes my success so enjoyable is being
rewarded for the many sacrifices that were necessary to reach this level of success although
my story is not yet finished. Your story though, is in its infancy and as you might suspect
I'm describing your future as challenging, thought-provoking, exhilarating, and rewarding.
As a member of the University of Michigan family, you are a leader and you are the best.
We all look forward to watching as you effectively manage your lives and as you actively participate
in the management of the future affairs of America. I invite you to breathe new life
into communities where you choose to locate and contribute your knowledge and expertise
to their health and well-being, to commit yourselves to lifelong learning, to develop
positive relationships nationally and internationally and routinely engage in collaboration and
information sharing, to continue to define your goals and to follow the path most favorable
for success while refusing to ever quit, and finally to show the world what it means to
be a University of Michigan wolverine. I want to thank you for having me today and go blue!
Ruth Person: I now call on Dr. Gerard Voland, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs,
to recognize those candidates honored for their superior record in scholarship.
Gerard Voland: Chancellor Person. Ladies and gentlemen, as Provost of the University of
Michigan-Flint, I am extraordinarily proud of the caliber of our graduates. These students
sitting before you today have achieved the high academic standards that are the hallmark
of this university. You may have noticed that some of our candidates are wearing gold cords.
I would ask that those wearing gold cords rise and remain standing. The gold cords indicate
that these graduating students have achieved, in the course of their studies at the University,
an overall grade point average that qualifies them to be recognized by their school or college
as graduating with honors. This achievement indicates both a superior level of ability
and a high dedication to scholarship, and the University is proud to award honors to these
candidates at this time. Please join me in congratulating these graduating seniors on
this award of honors and on their most praiseworthy achievements. You may be seated. I will now
call upon Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Christine Waters, who will introduce
our Maize and Blue Scholars. Please welcome Professor Waters.
Chris Waters: The Maize and Blue Distinguished Scholar Awards were established to recognize
graduating seniors who combine exceptionally high academic achievements with exemplary
service to the University and community and who have earned the praise of their department
or academic program and the Scholarships, Awards and Special Events Committee. The Maize
and Blue Award is the most prestigious award given by the University to graduating seniors.
The significance of this accomplishment lies in the fact that many students at the University
of Michigan-Flint pursue their education at the same time that they fill numerous other
professional and personal roles and responsibilities. Given these circumstances, it takes considerable
commitment and effort to complete a course of educational study at the level of achievement
these students attained. To do so with exemplary service to the University and community is
most extraordinary. Will the candidates who are the recipients of the Maize and Blue Awards
please approach the platform as directed by the ushers. Assisting in the presentation
of the plaques is Dr. Mary Jo Sekelsky, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Andrew
Fink, President-Elect of Student Government. Suzanne Selig: Congratulations to all Maize
and Blue Award recipients. Ruth Person: STACI HINES GRADUATED FROM HIGH
SCHOOL 20 YEARS AGO. SIX YEARS AGO SHE DECIDED TO RETURN TO COLLEGE TO EARN A DEGREE AT UM-FLINT.
LIFE EXPERIENCES BETWEEN 2006 AND 2009 CONVINCED HER TO CHANGE HER MAJOR TO SOCIAL WORK.
NOT QUITE SIX-MONTHS PREGNANT, STACI SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK ANDHER BABY GIRL WAS DELIVERED
JUST 23 WEEKS INTO THE PREGNANCY. A YEAR LATER HER OLDEST DAUGHTER, THEN JUST 13, WAS DIAGNOSED
WITH CANCER. FINALLY, IN THE MIDST OF HER OLDEST DAUGHTER’S BATTLE WITH CANCER (IN
THE MIDDLE OF HER SECOND LAPSE), HER MIDDLE DAUGHTER WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TYPE 1 DIABETIC.
ACCORDING TO STACI, THE UM-FLINT FACULTY HELPED TO KEEP HER GOING. SHE NOT ONLY SURVIVED MUCH
PERSONAL HARDSHIP, BUT THRIVED ACADEMICALLY. STACI WILL ATTEND ANN ARBOR’S MASTER OF
SOCIAL WORK (MSW) IN THEIR ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM. HER STUDIES WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER
WITH A FOCUS ON SOCIAL POLICY AND EVALUATION WITH COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS. SHE PLANS
TO BEGIN HER PH.D. IN THE FALL OF 2013. PLEASE WELCOME AS OUR STUDENT SPEAKER, STACI
HINES. Staci Hines: Thank you Chancellor Person,
Provost Voland, administration, faculty, staff and the scholarship and awards committee for
providing this opportunity for me to speak with you today. Good afternoon to family,
friends and the Class of 2012, I would like to say it is such an honor and privilege to
stand before you . Like many of you, arriving at this moment has not been a well-paved road,
but certainly one I am glad to have traveled. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Interdependence
is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being.”
Just two years ago, I was not sure that today was going to happen. My oldest daughter was
in the midst of her third relapse with cancer and I just thought I really cannot do this
anymore; it is too much for me to handle. Being headstrong, it was difficult to acknowledge
I was in need of assistance. I spoke to one of my professors about what was going on,
and what she shared with me, as simple as it was, opened the door for me to be able
to stand before you today. As I sat in her office trying (unsuccessfully) not to cry,
she asked me if I had talked with any of my classmates about the struggle I was having.
“No, I don’t know any of them”, was all I could say. She said you are in a room
full of people who want to be social workers. You need to reach out and let them help you.
I was thinking to myself she doesn’t know me, I can’t ask them for help… I can do
this on my own, except that I could not, I really needed help and support from the people
around me. It was that one conversation that allowed me to realize that no matter what
you have been through, no matter how well you perform in school or at work, it is the
network of people around you that help make your successes possible. And truly it was
a lesson in life, whether you are graduating today, just starting college or maybe preparing
to retire, no matter where you are in life, or what goals you have, you cannot do it alone,
it is the friends, family and colleagues that help you reach your goals. It is about learning
not to measure yourself against the accomplishments of others, but against the goals you have
set for yourself, and utilizing the network and support system that surrounds you, and
in my case, the forty thousand pieces of support from the student loan people. It wasn’t
me alone, and it won’t be me alone. We did not get here in isolation, nor will our future
successes be in isolation. The world gets better not through just me, or just you, but
what we can achieve collectively through our networks of personal and professional support.
There is an inherent part of us that makes us want to be independent scholars, but as
we mature we realize we are in a world full of people and our thinking develops in the
presence of others, it is not about me and what I think alone, it is about what we can
develop together. Through us, change is possible. To those of you graduating today, remember
the study groups that you built to help you get through your program, it will be the same
kind of professional relationships you will need to advance your career and future successes.
Today you are not letting go of the people who helped you get here, you are adding to
the network of people that will make you a better professional. Poet Maya Angelou said,
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Keep the network you have, and
reach out to others to make it stronger, remember you are graduates of the University of Michigan-Flint
you are, “Leaders and Best!” Ruth Person: Now we shall give public recognition
to the students of the University of Michigan-Flint who are graduating from the various schools
and colleges. Those candidates for Doctoral and Master’s degrees will be presented by
Dr. Vahid Lotfi, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Programs. Those
for undergraduate degrees: from the School of Management serving as Acting Dean Vahid
Lotfi; from the School of Health Professions and Studies by Dean David Gordon; and from
the School of Education and Human Services by Interim Dean Bob Barnett. Diploma covers
will be given by Professor Eric Freedman, Chair of Faculty Council assisted by, Vice
Chancellor for Business and Finance David Barthelmes. Dr. Lotfi, please begin the presentation
of the graduates from our Doctoral and Master’s degree programs.
Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates for the Doctoral and Master’s degrees please rise. Chancellor
Person. On recommendation of the faculty the School of Management, the School of Health
Professions and Studies, and the School of Education and Human Services, I present these
candidates to you and recommend them for the degrees of Doctor of Physical Therapy, Education
Specialist, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Master
of Science in Nursing upon completion of their respective courses of study.
Ruth Person: By the authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University,
and by them delegated to me, the degrees for which you are candidates, together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. In recognition of this accomplishment, you will receive your
diploma cover and be arrayed with the appropriate hood.
Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates now standing please come to the stage as directed by the
ushers. Suzanne Selig: (announcing names). This concludes
the awarding of diplomas to candidates for doctoral and master’s degrees from the School
of Management, the School of Health Professions and Studies, and the School of Education and
Human Services. Gerard Voland: Candidates from the School
of Management will be presented by Vahid Lotfi, serving as Acting Dean.
Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates for the Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the
School of Management please rise. Chancellor Person. On recommendation of the faculty,
I present these candidates for degrees in the School of Management, upon completion
of their respective courses of study. Ruth Person: By the authority of
the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University, and by them delegated to
me, the degrees for which you
are candidates, together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates from the
School of Management now standing please come on stage as directed by the usher for the
presentation of diplomas. Suzanne Selig: This concludes the awarding
of diplomas to candidates from the School of Management.
Gerard Voland: Candidates from the School of Health Professions and Studies will be
presented by Dean David Gordon. David Gordon: Will the candidates for degrees
from the School of Health Professions and Studies please rise. Chancellor Person. On
recommendation of the faculty I present these candidates for degrees in the School of Health
Professions and Studies, upon completion of their respective courses of study.
Ruth Person: By the authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University
and by them delegated to me, the degrees for which you are a candidate together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. David Gordon: Will the candidates from the
School of Health Professions and Studies now standing please come on stage, as directed
by the usher, for
the presentation of diplomas. Suzanne Selig: This concludes the awarding
of the diplomas to graduates of the School of Health Professions and Studies.
Gerard Voland: Candidates from the School of Education and Human Services
will be presented by Interim Dean Robert Barnett. Bob Barnett: Will the candidates for degrees
from the School of Education and Human Services please rise. Chancellor Person. On recommendation
of the faculty I present these candidates for degrees in the School of Education and
Human Services, upon completion of their respective courses of study.
Ruth Person: By the authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University
and by them delegated to me, the degrees for which you are a candidate together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. Bob Barnett: Will the candidates from the
School of Education and Human Services now standing please come on stage, as directed
by the usher, for the presentation
of diplomas. Suzanne Selig: This concludes the awarding
of diplomas to graduates of the School of Education and Human Services.
Ruth Person: The awarding of the degrees is now concluded. You may shift your tassel from
the right to the left side. Few of these ladies and gentlemen graduating today could have
achieved their academic success without the moral and financial support of the majority
of this audience. In a very real sense, much of the honor of this Commencement belongs
to you, the parents, spouses and relatives of our graduates. At this time, we would like
to recognize all parents, relatives and friends of our graduates. Will you please stand and
receive our warmest thanks for all you have done. I would also like to thank our interpreter
Bonnie Massoud, our vocalist Jennifer McMillan, the University of Michigan-Flint Wind Symphony
directed by Christopher Heidenreich, and the staff of the University of Michigan-Flint.
Finally, will the faculty of the University of Michigan-Flint please rise at this time.
I wish at this time to recognize our outstanding faculty here at the University of Michigan-Flint.
Their commitment to our students and the University is unprecedented. We are fortunate as an institution
to have such a high caliber faculty that are very committed to their fields of expertise
and to the students they teach. John Coleman is an alumnus of the University of Michigan-Flint,
and will now induct the graduates into the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society.
John Coleman: Chancellor Person. Good afternoon. I'm John Coleman and I'm a very proud alumus
of the University of Michigan-Flint. On behalf of
all U of M-Flint alumni, I congratulate you
on earning your degrees. Each of you has an individual story to tell about sacrifice and
hard work that brought you to this moment today. You should know that your fellow alums
are proud of you. Your achievement is significant and impressive. You are now members of the
University of Michigan-Flint alumni society. You join an elite group of more than 32,000
U of M-Flint alumni from around the world. Some of your fellow alums include award-winning
children's author Christopher Paul Curtis, former Congressman Bob Crim, former lieutenant
governor John Cherry and his sister County Treasurer Deb Cherry. You are in good company
and you are also part of the University of
Michigan Alumni Association, the largest alumni body in the world. Commencement should not
be the finale of your experience at U of M-Flint. This
will always be your home. I urge you to keep your connection to the campus and to get involved. You can attend events, work on committees, or join the Alumni
Society Board of Governors, or one of its affiliates. I have stayed involved and it's
been incredibly rewarding. You
can learn more about the alumni activities and events by contacting the Office of Alumni
Relations at U of M-Flint. It
is
now my pleasure to induct you into the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society. Congratulations
and go blue! Peeth Kartha: The Commencement Exercises are
now complete. The audience is requested not
to
leave
their seats until the line of march has completely exited the main floor. The April Commencement
Exercises of 2012 are
now adjourned.
of Michigan-Flint is about to begin. We ask that during the ceremony, you turn off all
cell phones and pagers. The procession of the graduates will be led by Professor Peeth
Kartha who is the marshal for today’s ceremony. Now, please rise and remain standing through
the singing of
the National Anthem. Peeth Kartha: Chancellor Person, Provost Voland,
distinguished platform guests, members of the administration and faculty, graduates
of April 2012, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Commencement Exercises of the University
of Michigan-Flint, which will now be in order. Please join our vocalist Jennifer McMillan
in the singing
of
our National Anthem. Jennifer McMillan: (singing the National Anthem)
Peeth Kartha: Please be seated. The platform party this afternoon includes Associate Marshal Suzanne Selig. I now call on Dr. Selig
to introduce other members of the platform party.
Suzanne Selig: At this time, I have the honor of introducing members of the platform party.
Other members of the platform party will be introduced at a later time in these exercises.
May I suggest those introduced remain standing until the introductions have been completed
and also that the applause be withheld until all have been introduced. Chancellor Emeritus,
Juan Mestas; Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance, David Barthelmes; Dean D.J. Trela
of the College of Arts and Sciences; Student Government President-Elect Andrew Fink; and
Staff Council Member Karen Davis. Ladies and gentlemen, the Chancellor of the University
of Michigan-Flint, Dr. Ruth Person. Ruth Person: THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF 2012!
LOOK AT THIS ARENA. EACH OF THESE GRADUATES SITTING BEFORE YOU IS A SYMBOL OF GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.
TODAY YOU WILL BE PRESENTED WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL BE A PART OF YOU FOR THE REST OF
YOUR LIFE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN NEVER BE TAKEN FROM YOU. YOU EARNED IT THROUGH HARD
WORK, DEDICATION, AND A COMMITMENT TO YOUR EDUCATION. IT IS THAT NOTION OF COMMITMENT
THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY. AS WE WIND DOWN THIS ACADEMIC YEAR, THE COMMITMENT SHOWN
BY FACULTY AND STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. THIS YEAR, THE CAMPUS
COMMUNITY ACHIEVED MUCH TOGETHER: THE LAUNCH OF A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN; THE MOVE OF OUR SCHOOL
OF MANAGEMENT TO A BRAND NEW FACILITY; AND BEING HONORED AS THE ENGAGED CAMPUS OF THE
YEAR BY MICHIGAN CAMPUS COMPACT, THE VERY FIRST TIME THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD HAS EVER
BEEN GIVEN. IT IS THAT AWARD THAT I MOST OF PROUD OF THIS YEAR BECAUSE WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT
OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY TO EACH OTHER AND THIS COMMUNITY, SUCH RECOGNITION IS SIMPLY
NOT POSSIBLE. FOR YEARS, OUR FACULTY AND STUDENTS HAVE ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY IN ACTIVITIES
THAT ARE CONDUCIVE TO OPTIMAL LEARNING AS WELL AS OPTIMAL LIVING. WE ALL WANT GREAT
THINGS FOR OUR UNIVERSITY, OUR STUDENTS, AND OUR COMMUNITY. A COMMITMENT TO ENGAGEMENT
MAKES ALL OF THAT POSSIBLE. TODAY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL THOSE EFFORTS BY FACULTY
AND STUDENTS THAT HAVE LEAD TO STATE AND NATIONAL HONORS FOR OUR UNIVERSITY. IT SHOWS THAT OUR
ACTIONS SPEAK AS LOUD AS OUR WORDS. THIS CLASS OF STUDENTS THAT IS GRADUATING TODAY WAS LED
BY A TERRIFIC STUDENT GOVERNMENT. AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR PEERS, THESE STUDENT LEADERS SERVED
ADMIRABLY. I AM MOST PROUD OF THEIR EFFORTS, ESPECIALLY THEIR WORK IN REDUCING THE NUMBER
OF PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES ON CAMPUS THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF REFILLING STATIONS. THEIR
WORK TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TO FIND SOLUTIONS IS EXCEPTIONAL. THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT
GOVERNMENT THIS YEAR, FELIPE ANDREZ, IS NOT WITH US TODAY. NORMALLY, HE IS HERE WITH US
ON STAGE, ASSISTING WITH HANDING OUT HONORS TO HIS FELLOW STUDENTS. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW,
FELIPE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BRAIN TUMOR, AND AFTER UNDERGOING SURGERY TO REMOVE IT, HE
IS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. I WANT TO THANK FELIPE FOR HIS HARD WORK, AND PLEASE JOIN
ME IN SENDING GOOD WISHES TO HIM AS HE FOCUSES ON HIS HEALTH. FINALLY, I WANT TO LEAVE YOU
WITH THIS THOUGHT: THIS WEEK AT THE CRITICAL ISSUES FORUM OUR SPEAKER WAS THE ARCHITECT
AND INNOVATOR WILLIAM MCDONOUGH. MCDONOUGH WAS SPEAKING ABOUT SUCCESS. HE IS A FIRM BELIEVER
THAT WE SHOULD ALL STRIVE TO DO MORE GOOD, AND NOT SETTLE FOR DOING “LESS BAD.” HE
SAID IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS, DON’T START WITH METRICS WHICH ONLY LEAD YOU TO
GOALS. START WITH YOUR VALUES. YOUR VALUES WILL LEAD YOU TO DO MORE GOOD. SO AS YOU GO
OUT INTO THE WORLD TO PURSUE YOUR SUCCESSES, HOLD TIGHTLY TO YOUR VALUES AND PROMISE TO
SIMPLY DO MORE GOOD. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU...GO BLUE! DR. RAYMOND GIST WAS ONLY
FOUR YEARS OLD WHEN HIS FAMILY MOVED TO FLINT FROM POPLAR GROVE, ARKANSAS. HE BEGAN HIS
EARLY EDUCATION IN FLINT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, AND AT AGE 13 ALREADY KNEW HE WOULD BE A DENTIST.
AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 1960, DR. GIST EARNED AN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE AT MOTT
JUNIOR COLLEGE BEFORE BEING ACCEPTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY.
IN A CLASS OF 96, GIST WAS ONE OF ONLY TWO AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN IN THE CLASS THAT ALSO
HAD ONLY TWO WOMEN. DR. GIST BECAME VERY ACTIVE IN LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL DENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.
IN FACT, DR. GIST WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO BE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THREE DIFFERENT
DENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: THE GENESEE DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY, THE MICHIGAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
IN 2003, AND IN 2009, DR. GIST WAS CHOSEN PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION.
DURING HIS 46 YEARS IN PRACTICE, HE HAS RECEIVED A LONG LIST OF AWARDS AND SERVED ON NUMEROUS
BOARDS, INCLUDING A FOUR-YEAR TERM ON THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
AND CHAIR OF THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO
PRESENT OUR 2012 COMMENCEMENT KEYNOTE SPEAKER, DR. RAYMOND GIST.
Raymond Gist: Thank you very much, very much for this warm welcome. Chancellor Person,
Provost Voland, faculty, staff, distinguished guests, and members of the University of Michigan-Flint
administration please accept my gratitude for allowing me the privilege of sharing a
few minutes with your superstars today, the class of 2012. Graduates, I want to give you
my hardiest congratulations. I consider it a personal honor to join you on this very
special day in your lives. I recognize your struggles to reach this milestone and I share
your excitement while I anticipate your success with great enthusiasm. Each and every one
of you has a special talent. And the trust, support, and pride that you earned is being
acknowledged by the smiling faces that you see around this arena. You wouldn't have made
it this far without the support and values of these smiling faces. Your family, relatives,
friends, and others that have faith in you--they all have made a serious investment in your
future in some capacity and that investment will pay for itself throughout your career.
You are here today because of who you are, because of your values, your ambitions, your
work ethic, and your personalities. And now you have distinguished yourselves by earning
a degree from this outstanding university, which is not only the fastest growing public
university in Michigan, but the university that has received accolades from the Princeton
Review and US News and World Report for its excellence in providing your education. The
university that is privileged to have this esteemed faculty who motivated you and insisted
that you utilize your knowledge and talent to your fullest capacity sitting here with
us today. We all know that your education is more than ever, a passport. It allows you
to enter the world arena in order to fulfill your ambition to succeed in today's challenging
environment. It is a catalyst to understanding and nuturing the creativity and leadership
ability required to reach the level of excellence that you have demonstrated today. And as you
know from your own experience, it was no cake walk to get to this level. As you comtemplate
your future, it is natural to feel apprehensive. You will encounter challenges as you establish
yourself just as you were challenged these past several years in college. But surmounting
these challenges is what defines you. Life's challenges are serving. You can't avoid them.
Ironically, these challenges are necessary because they make us strong. We who survive
difficult circumstances build character that allows us to succeed in the future. And as
esteemed graduates, you won't free challenges, you will invite them. You will determine the
future direction of our country and you will be charged with viewing these challenges as
opportunities first to firmly establish yourself and second to make your contribution to the
ongoing task of moving this great country forward. Globalization is continually spreading
opportunity to millions of children and young adults in China, India, Brazil, and across
the globe. The ingenuity and creativity that is being unlocked day by day is tremendous.
Great mathematicians, writers, inventors, dentists, physicians, pharmacists, attorneys,
and more are joining a global marketplace of new ideas. You now have that same opportunity
right here in America to demonstrate your ingenuity and leadership. In fact, it's no
longer just an opportunity, it's imperative. It's critical to our future. The current direction
of our country is like a wandering river with turbulent rapids in many areas but flowing
smoothly in others. America will need your expertise and diligence to calm the turbulence
and to keep our affairs flowing smoothly. Unless we as a nation, as a people take advantage
of every opportunity available to make the most of our human potential, other nations
will overtake us. But that will never happen, because we won't allow it to happen. Speaking
from personal experience, I can confirm that your opportunities for success are unlimited.
But you must first define your goals in life and follow a proper path to achieve them.
You have yet to realize your full potential and you will be surprised and elated as your
capabilities continue to come to the surface. Your future is bright and your road to success
is paved. But in order to reach your destination, you must maintain your focus and dedication,
continue your hard work, and relentlessly pursue your next steps. I became familiar
with these very challenges in my life very early in my career. My personal journey began
in rural Arkansas and continued when my family moved to Flint in search of a better economic
opportunity and lifestyle. When we arrived in Flint, we faced the same struggles as most
of our friends and neighbors. We lived in a segregated neighborhood that was neglected
and we struggled with the challenges that underserved communities face today--lack of
quality health services, education, and employment. I was the first in my family to even discuss
attending college. But I was motivated. Just as you were motivated to reach this level
today. Considering our circumstances, my family gave me quizzical looks when I mentioned college.
But when they finished laughing and snickering, the realized that I was serious and supported
me with everything they had to offer, which is almost enough but not quite. My education
began right here in Flint and continued in Ann Arbor where I received my degree as a
dental professional. I spent two years in the Air Force after graduation and I made
my next, most significant decision when I finished my tour of duty and returned to Flint.
That decision was to join organized dentistry. To develop friendships and because relationships
with collegues and to join a family of fellow professionals. It was then that I began to
appreciate my potential. Initially, making a climb to the presidency of the American
Dental Association wasn't one of my goals. But when I became aware of the many benefits
of organized dentistry had to offer, I was encouraged. And when I realized how influential
my contributions to moving my profession forward could be, I made a commitment to climb this
ladder to reach this pinnacle of success. While making this climb, I learned that graduation
is just the beginning of the learning process. That this world is changing at warp speed
and we must continuously stay abreast of changes that would have an effect on our livelihood
and on the continuing progress of our country and our neighbors on this earth. I learned
that collegiality, collaboration, compassion, and compromise are necessary ingredients for
success. No single person has all the answers to the issues that confront us and we must
share facts and ideas with our friends and associates and with stakeholders of interest.
Remembering however, that your ideas belong to you and you should share them at your discretion.
But facts, facts belong to everyone and learning and sharing them wisely will benefit you and
those with whom you are associated as you move forward. I learned that I could never,
ever quit, that I could always conquer the challenges in front of me by being patient,
inquisitive, and by collaborating with friends and associates. This fact helped me gain confidence
as I pursued my goals. It also helped me to continuously define and upgrade my goals.
I learned to mentor young students and help them develop the confidence to pursue their
dreams to make every bright young man or woman feel that he or she can belong to a special
profession from the first day of school until they graduate just as you are graduating today
knowing that you belong to a special family. What makes my success so enjoyable is being
rewarded for the many sacrifices that were necessary to reach this level of success although
my story is not yet finished. Your story though, is in its infancy and as you might suspect
I'm describing your future as challenging, thought-provoking, exhilarating, and rewarding.
As a member of the University of Michigan family, you are a leader and you are the best.
We all look forward to watching as you effectively manage your lives and as you actively participate
in the management of the future affairs of America. I invite you to breathe new life
into communities where you choose to locate and contribute your knowledge and expertise
to their health and well-being, to commit yourselves to lifelong learning, to develop
positive relationships nationally and internationally and routinely engage in collaboration and
information sharing, to continue to define your goals and to follow the path most favorable
for success while refusing to ever quit, and finally to show the world what it means to
be a University of Michigan wolverine. I want to thank you for having me today and go blue!
Ruth Person: I now call on Dr. Gerard Voland, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs,
to recognize those candidates honored for their superior record in scholarship.
Gerard Voland: Chancellor Person. Ladies and gentlemen, as Provost of the University of
Michigan-Flint, I am extraordinarily proud of the caliber of our graduates. These students
sitting before you today have achieved the high academic standards that are the hallmark
of this university. You may have noticed that some of our candidates are wearing gold cords.
I would ask that those wearing gold cords rise and remain standing. The gold cords indicate
that these graduating students have achieved, in the course of their studies at the University,
an overall grade point average that qualifies them to be recognized by their school or college
as graduating with honors. This achievement indicates both a superior level of ability
and a high dedication to scholarship, and the University is proud to award honors to these
candidates at this time. Please join me in congratulating these graduating seniors on
this award of honors and on their most praiseworthy achievements. You may be seated. I will now
call upon Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Christine Waters, who will introduce
our Maize and Blue Scholars. Please welcome Professor Waters.
Chris Waters: The Maize and Blue Distinguished Scholar Awards were established to recognize
graduating seniors who combine exceptionally high academic achievements with exemplary
service to the University and community and who have earned the praise of their department
or academic program and the Scholarships, Awards and Special Events Committee. The Maize
and Blue Award is the most prestigious award given by the University to graduating seniors.
The significance of this accomplishment lies in the fact that many students at the University
of Michigan-Flint pursue their education at the same time that they fill numerous other
professional and personal roles and responsibilities. Given these circumstances, it takes considerable
commitment and effort to complete a course of educational study at the level of achievement
these students attained. To do so with exemplary service to the University and community is
most extraordinary. Will the candidates who are the recipients of the Maize and Blue Awards
please approach the platform as directed by the ushers. Assisting in the presentation
of the plaques is Dr. Mary Jo Sekelsky, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Andrew
Fink, President-Elect of Student Government. Suzanne Selig: Congratulations to all Maize
and Blue Award recipients. Ruth Person: STACI HINES GRADUATED FROM HIGH
SCHOOL 20 YEARS AGO. SIX YEARS AGO SHE DECIDED TO RETURN TO COLLEGE TO EARN A DEGREE AT UM-FLINT.
LIFE EXPERIENCES BETWEEN 2006 AND 2009 CONVINCED HER TO CHANGE HER MAJOR TO SOCIAL WORK.
NOT QUITE SIX-MONTHS PREGNANT, STACI SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK ANDHER BABY GIRL WAS DELIVERED
JUST 23 WEEKS INTO THE PREGNANCY. A YEAR LATER HER OLDEST DAUGHTER, THEN JUST 13, WAS DIAGNOSED
WITH CANCER. FINALLY, IN THE MIDST OF HER OLDEST DAUGHTER’S BATTLE WITH CANCER (IN
THE MIDDLE OF HER SECOND LAPSE), HER MIDDLE DAUGHTER WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TYPE 1 DIABETIC.
ACCORDING TO STACI, THE UM-FLINT FACULTY HELPED TO KEEP HER GOING. SHE NOT ONLY SURVIVED MUCH
PERSONAL HARDSHIP, BUT THRIVED ACADEMICALLY. STACI WILL ATTEND ANN ARBOR’S MASTER OF
SOCIAL WORK (MSW) IN THEIR ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM. HER STUDIES WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER
WITH A FOCUS ON SOCIAL POLICY AND EVALUATION WITH COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS. SHE PLANS
TO BEGIN HER PH.D. IN THE FALL OF 2013. PLEASE WELCOME AS OUR STUDENT SPEAKER, STACI
HINES. Staci Hines: Thank you Chancellor Person,
Provost Voland, administration, faculty, staff and the scholarship and awards committee for
providing this opportunity for me to speak with you today. Good afternoon to family,
friends and the Class of 2012, I would like to say it is such an honor and privilege to
stand before you . Like many of you, arriving at this moment has not been a well-paved road,
but certainly one I am glad to have traveled. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Interdependence
is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being.”
Just two years ago, I was not sure that today was going to happen. My oldest daughter was
in the midst of her third relapse with cancer and I just thought I really cannot do this
anymore; it is too much for me to handle. Being headstrong, it was difficult to acknowledge
I was in need of assistance. I spoke to one of my professors about what was going on,
and what she shared with me, as simple as it was, opened the door for me to be able
to stand before you today. As I sat in her office trying (unsuccessfully) not to cry,
she asked me if I had talked with any of my classmates about the struggle I was having.
“No, I don’t know any of them”, was all I could say. She said you are in a room
full of people who want to be social workers. You need to reach out and let them help you.
I was thinking to myself she doesn’t know me, I can’t ask them for help… I can do
this on my own, except that I could not, I really needed help and support from the people
around me. It was that one conversation that allowed me to realize that no matter what
you have been through, no matter how well you perform in school or at work, it is the
network of people around you that help make your successes possible. And truly it was
a lesson in life, whether you are graduating today, just starting college or maybe preparing
to retire, no matter where you are in life, or what goals you have, you cannot do it alone,
it is the friends, family and colleagues that help you reach your goals. It is about learning
not to measure yourself against the accomplishments of others, but against the goals you have
set for yourself, and utilizing the network and support system that surrounds you, and
in my case, the forty thousand pieces of support from the student loan people. It wasn’t
me alone, and it won’t be me alone. We did not get here in isolation, nor will our future
successes be in isolation. The world gets better not through just me, or just you, but
what we can achieve collectively through our networks of personal and professional support.
There is an inherent part of us that makes us want to be independent scholars, but as
we mature we realize we are in a world full of people and our thinking develops in the
presence of others, it is not about me and what I think alone, it is about what we can
develop together. Through us, change is possible. To those of you graduating today, remember
the study groups that you built to help you get through your program, it will be the same
kind of professional relationships you will need to advance your career and future successes.
Today you are not letting go of the people who helped you get here, you are adding to
the network of people that will make you a better professional. Poet Maya Angelou said,
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Keep the network you have, and
reach out to others to make it stronger, remember you are graduates of the University of Michigan-Flint
you are, “Leaders and Best!” Ruth Person: Now we shall give public recognition
to the students of the University of Michigan-Flint who are graduating from the various schools
and colleges. Those candidates for Doctoral and Master’s degrees will be presented by
Dr. Vahid Lotfi, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Programs. Those
for undergraduate degrees: from the School of Management serving as Acting Dean Vahid
Lotfi; from the School of Health Professions and Studies by Dean David Gordon; and from
the School of Education and Human Services by Interim Dean Bob Barnett. Diploma covers
will be given by Professor Eric Freedman, Chair of Faculty Council assisted by, Vice
Chancellor for Business and Finance David Barthelmes. Dr. Lotfi, please begin the presentation
of the graduates from our Doctoral and Master’s degree programs.
Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates for the Doctoral and Master’s degrees please rise. Chancellor
Person. On recommendation of the faculty the School of Management, the School of Health
Professions and Studies, and the School of Education and Human Services, I present these
candidates to you and recommend them for the degrees of Doctor of Physical Therapy, Education
Specialist, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Master
of Science in Nursing upon completion of their respective courses of study.
Ruth Person: By the authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University,
and by them delegated to me, the degrees for which you are candidates, together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. In recognition of this accomplishment, you will receive your
diploma cover and be arrayed with the appropriate hood.
Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates now standing please come to the stage as directed by the
ushers. Suzanne Selig: (announcing names). This concludes
the awarding of diplomas to candidates for doctoral and master’s degrees from the School
of Management, the School of Health Professions and Studies, and the School of Education and
Human Services. Gerard Voland: Candidates from the School
of Management will be presented by Vahid Lotfi, serving as Acting Dean.
Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates for the Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the
School of Management please rise. Chancellor Person. On recommendation of the faculty,
I present these candidates for degrees in the School of Management, upon completion
of their respective courses of study. Ruth Person: By the authority of
the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University, and by them delegated to
me, the degrees for which you
are candidates, together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. Vahid Lotfi: Will the candidates from the
School of Management now standing please come on stage as directed by the usher for the
presentation of diplomas. Suzanne Selig: This concludes the awarding
of diplomas to candidates from the School of Management.
Gerard Voland: Candidates from the School of Health Professions and Studies will be
presented by Dean David Gordon. David Gordon: Will the candidates for degrees
from the School of Health Professions and Studies please rise. Chancellor Person. On
recommendation of the faculty I present these candidates for degrees in the School of Health
Professions and Studies, upon completion of their respective courses of study.
Ruth Person: By the authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University
and by them delegated to me, the degrees for which you are a candidate together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. David Gordon: Will the candidates from the
School of Health Professions and Studies now standing please come on stage, as directed
by the usher, for
the presentation of diplomas. Suzanne Selig: This concludes the awarding
of the diplomas to graduates of the School of Health Professions and Studies.
Gerard Voland: Candidates from the School of Education and Human Services
will be presented by Interim Dean Robert Barnett. Bob Barnett: Will the candidates for degrees
from the School of Education and Human Services please rise. Chancellor Person. On recommendation
of the faculty I present these candidates for degrees in the School of Education and
Human Services, upon completion of their respective courses of study.
Ruth Person: By the authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Regents of the University
and by them delegated to me, the degrees for which you are a candidate together with all
the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto, will be conferred upon
you as recommended by your faculty. Bob Barnett: Will the candidates from the
School of Education and Human Services now standing please come on stage, as directed
by the usher, for the presentation
of diplomas. Suzanne Selig: This concludes the awarding
of diplomas to graduates of the School of Education and Human Services.
Ruth Person: The awarding of the degrees is now concluded. You may shift your tassel from
the right to the left side. Few of these ladies and gentlemen graduating today could have
achieved their academic success without the moral and financial support of the majority
of this audience. In a very real sense, much of the honor of this Commencement belongs
to you, the parents, spouses and relatives of our graduates. At this time, we would like
to recognize all parents, relatives and friends of our graduates. Will you please stand and
receive our warmest thanks for all you have done. I would also like to thank our interpreter
Bonnie Massoud, our vocalist Jennifer McMillan, the University of Michigan-Flint Wind Symphony
directed by Christopher Heidenreich, and the staff of the University of Michigan-Flint.
Finally, will the faculty of the University of Michigan-Flint please rise at this time.
I wish at this time to recognize our outstanding faculty here at the University of Michigan-Flint.
Their commitment to our students and the University is unprecedented. We are fortunate as an institution
to have such a high caliber faculty that are very committed to their fields of expertise
and to the students they teach. John Coleman is an alumnus of the University of Michigan-Flint,
and will now induct the graduates into the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society.
John Coleman: Chancellor Person. Good afternoon. I'm John Coleman and I'm a very proud alumus
of the University of Michigan-Flint. On behalf of
all U of M-Flint alumni, I congratulate you
on earning your degrees. Each of you has an individual story to tell about sacrifice and
hard work that brought you to this moment today. You should know that your fellow alums
are proud of you. Your achievement is significant and impressive. You are now members of the
University of Michigan-Flint alumni society. You join an elite group of more than 32,000
U of M-Flint alumni from around the world. Some of your fellow alums include award-winning
children's author Christopher Paul Curtis, former Congressman Bob Crim, former lieutenant
governor John Cherry and his sister County Treasurer Deb Cherry. You are in good company
and you are also part of the University of
Michigan Alumni Association, the largest alumni body in the world. Commencement should not
be the finale of your experience at U of M-Flint. This
will always be your home. I urge you to keep your connection to the campus and to get involved. You can attend events, work on committees, or join the Alumni
Society Board of Governors, or one of its affiliates. I have stayed involved and it's
been incredibly rewarding. You
can learn more about the alumni activities and events by contacting the Office of Alumni
Relations at U of M-Flint. It
is
now my pleasure to induct you into the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society. Congratulations
and go blue! Peeth Kartha: The Commencement Exercises are
now complete. The audience is requested not
to
leave
their seats until the line of march has completely exited the main floor. The April Commencement
Exercises of 2012 are
now adjourned.