2024 Spring Commencement | 3 p.m. Undergraduate Ceremony

≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Music playing. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Chancellor Brown, the graduating students have now assembled for 2024 springs commencemen exercises for the colleges of business, Engineering and Technology and Health and Human Sciences. We welcome our students and everyone in our audience today . Ask that you respect the dignity by not engaging in excessive noise and disruption. ≫: Thank you professor karns. Please remain standing as we pause for a moment of silent reflection on the special meaning of this day. Thank you. Please join in singing the National Anthem led by Kennedy Cox A junior in the School of Music. ≫: Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming, whose bright stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, or the ramparts we watched were so gallantly gleaming streaming and the rocket's red glare T bombs bursting in air, gave proof Through the Night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet wave or the land of the people from and the home of the brave. of the free and the home of the brave. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: You may be seated. Graduates and distinguished guests, it is a pleasure and honor to welcome each of you to the 2024 springs commencement ceremony for students in the College of Business, engineering and technology and health and human sciences at Western Carolina University . Before we begin our program today, it is my honor to make a special acknowledgment in rec cogs physician in of our relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians . Western Carolina University is situated within the ancestral homelands of the Cherokee people. 20 miles from present day Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian communities of the Qualla boundary boundary. Occupies Two Sparrows Place, ancient principle town where Killian Building now stands. Cullowhee the university's home is Judaculla's place. Judaculla this giant being was the great creator and steward of the natural world. Ancient stories about Judaculla tell of the creator and creation T origin of humans and the proper way to be Cherokee. We at Western Carolina University inherit these stories so we better understand the deep significance of this beloved place and our role here . We are code indicated to supporting the Eastern Bands of Cherokee Indians in all indigenous tribes throughout the world in achieving the futures of their own making. We will continue to collaborate with tribal nations to address the challenges at hand. We want each of you to accept the charge of learning and supporting our relationship with indigenous people during your time at WCU. This work acknowledges our sense of place and reinforces our mission at Western Carolina University. Now, please allow know recognize members of the platform party who do not have speaking roles into the commence thanment program. I ask them to stand and remain standing as I call their names. Please hold your applause until I have introduced them all. First, members of Western Carolina University's Board of Trustees Becky brown secretary . Mr. Casey Cooper vice chair. Mr. Tim Haskett, Mr. Ken Hughes, Mr. Bob Roberts, Mr. Jake Robinson, and Mr. Aaron Rivera student government association president and member of the Board of Trustees. Next, WCU administrative staff Dr. Sam Miller vice Chancellor for student affairs. Mike Byers vice Chancellor for administration and finance. Jamie rainer. Dr. David Kenner dean of arts and sciences. Dr. Kim win Terp dean of College of Education and Allied Professions Dr. George Brown dean of the David Orr Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts and Dr. John him interim dean associate dean of research. Representing all faculty Dr. Gully Faculty Senate Chair. All staff Mr. Zachary Williams and Dr. Alvin ma less key. Award for teaching in excellence, excellence in teaching . Please join me in recognizing these institutional leaders. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Miss Kathy Greeley chair of Western Carolina University Board of Trustees will bring greetings from the board. ≫: Thank you Chancellor Brown. And thank you to today's graduates. And their families and to all of our alumni, to university leadership, and to our distinguished faculty and staff and my fellow members of the Board of Trustees. It is migrate pleasure to bring greetings , congratulations and well wishes from all of the members of the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees. Condition grat layingses graduates. You have made it ! ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: I know firsthand how you feeling right now. Before I was chair of WCU's Board of Trustees, I was ones a student, just like you. After receiving my Bachelor's Degree at WCU, I loved Western so much I kept coming back to Cullowhee. First to get my master's degree in interior design, and then to teach in the interior design program, and now as Board of Trustees chair. I believe firmly that Western Carolina University changes lives. It certainly has changed mine. And one of you sitting out in front of me today may follow a similar path . I know many of you feel the same as I do about this great university. And these past few years in Cullowhee have hopefully been a very special experience for all of you. You have developed lifelong friendships and fond memories. And you hospital of all have received a great education. Now, it is your turn to show the world what you can do. You are our future T future of this wonderful mountain region T great state of North Carolina , our nation and our world . So no pressure, but we are depending on you and I am confident that you will not let us down. Thank you for your hard work and all you have accomplished so far. More importantly, thank you for what you are going to do. We are very, very proud of you. Thank you. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you miss Greeley Mr. Mark Holton member of the university North Carolina Board of Governors will bring greetings from the board and from the office of the president. ≫: Well, hello. Well, your day is finally here. The time is now. Are y'all ready for this moment? Is everybody here ready for this moment? ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: I think so. I think so. Graduates, families and friends , Western Carolina alumni, Chancellor Brown , Board of Trustees T university's incredible faculty and staff, and members of the platform party, it is my honor and pleasure to bring a message of greetings and congratulations from UNC system president Peter hawns, the staff of the UNC system office, the UNC Board of Governor's chair Randiy Ramsey and all of my fellow members of the Board of governors. Graduates, congratulations. It is a real delight to look around today to visit with some of you and many of you and see the joy on your faces, and on the faces of your family members and friends and to share your excitement with you. We all acknowledge the long hours of hard work it took for you to get to this point. We honor you today for the commitment you have demonstrated to better your life by obtaining your degree. In doing so, you not only have done something important for yourself and your families, but you have also accomplished something that improves your and our communities. Our nation, our state, and perhaps our world . Your time here has also been a celebration . A celebration of the rich physical cultural and intellectual I did diversity that Western Carolina University offers. Joys of new friends. Rigors of your academic study and the robust debate of ideas all have contributed to your growth as a student and as a well rounded individual. Now, as individuals, each of you has much to celebrate. As a community, everyone associated with Western Carolina University also has much to celebrate . Because Western Carolina is reaching great milestones, too. First, I would be remiss if I did not mention the dynamic leadership being provided by Chancellor Kelly brown who has led Western Carolina University since 2019. Through award winning faculty and programs, life altering and groundbreaking research and robust and impactful student experience , WCU changes lives and transforms communities . Nowhere is this better represented than at WCU's incredible hard working and resill yentd faculty and staff . Together, with you, they make Western Carolina simply one of the best places to learn and to work. In fact, this year, Western Carolina was ranked 34th in for's magazine list best mid size employers. Only one other North Carolina university made the top 100 only two other North Carolinas made it into the top 100. This speaks volumes about this place, this very special place. This achievement reflects the over all environment Western Carolina provides its students , faculty and staff. As graduates of Western you have earned the benefit of this reputation as you go into the workforce or continue your education. Now, before I close, I would like to share a timeless observation from Seneca an ancient stoic philosopher, playwright and adviser to the emperor Nero. As is a tale or story so is life . Not how long it is but how good it is is what matters. End quote. As you leave this special place today and begin the next chapter of your life's tale, I wish for each of you a good and long life. I encourage you to savor the memories of your time here as a Western Carolina student. Stay connected to this University, this great University and the people you met and encountered here who have become so important in your life. And, please, please come back to Cullowhee as often as you can. Again, congratulations for all you have accomplished and all you will no doubt accomplish in the rest of your days. Please enjoy this afternoon and the rest of this time time. Thank you very much. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you Mr. Holt ton. Miss Allison behind son president of the WCU alumni association will now bring greetings. ≫: Hello Chancellor Brown, members of the best faculty and staff in the world and distinguished friends and members of the platform party. But especially, hello graduates. My name is Allison behind son as the president of WCU's alumni association I bring you greetings and congratulations on behalf of the more than 84,000 Catamounts. You will hear a lot of wisdom. I hope you are able to use it all. Today is the day you get started on whatever is next . That's why it is called commencement. Today I want to ask you to make four commitments as you begin your journey as alumni. First stay in touch. Make sure you stay connected with Western. Send your favorite professor a note. Give your new mailing address to the alumni office so they can send you the wonderful WCU magazine. Drop us a class note when something exciting happens in your life so we can celebrate alongside you . Second, be an advocate for WCU. Volunteer your times a a mentor to a student coming behind you. Find a young person you know who is looking for excellent education and steer them to Cullowhee. Help someone looking for an internship . Wear your purple and gold wherever you are. Third, "Pay It Forward. " Yes, your university will ask you to give back and yes, we know that you will have a lot of obligations. But the thousands of students who come behind you are worth your support. Just like you, they have dreams and bright futures and they will benefit from your generosity . Every gift from an alum us in is a testimony to the power of this place. And, fourth, come back. Come visit us. Show up. Even if it is a surprise. Make your plans for homecoming. Attend an alumni event that is occurring in your area after you move. You all are the newest members of our alumni family. You will make whatever we are doing way more fun. No matter where your life leads you, you will always be a Catamount. We are all so proud of you. We cannot wait to see you back here in Cullowhee. Congratulations again. And welcome to the alumni family. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you Allison for bringing greetings on behalf of the WCU alumni association. It is now my pleasure to recognize provost Richard Starnes. Who will introduce the commencement speaker. ≫: Each year a graduating WCU student is selected to deliver remarks to our graduating class and guests. We invite submissions from all of our graduating students and a committee of faculty and staff from across campus review those submissions. Without fail the committee receives entries from remarkable students and is faced with the difficult task of selecting a speaker. I would like to thank the commencement speaker of 2024 for their hard work in choosing a die namic energetic student speaker for this year's spring 2024 afternoon undergraduate mincement ceremony. Student earned associate's degree in 2008 as part of law enforcement training and graduating magna cum laude with Batchelor from the College of Business . He spent several years in law enforcement before switching careers and working in technical writing for healthcare. She a first generation college student who completed their degree online and was the recipients of the governor 's hope scholarship. The Western Carolina University is proud to congratulate this student on his achievements and all those we know await him in the future. Graduating Catamounts being faculty, staff esteemed family and friends, welcome Gene. ≫ KRISTIN HARTSAW: Vick to the podium before. ≫: Before I yield the microphone, I would like to present gene with the plaque commemorating his selection as the 2024 springs commencement speaker. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: I got to take an opportunity to do some real quick. I am never going to get this again. Everybody on three say cheese. One, two, three. ≫: Woo hoo. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Friends, family, graduates, college staff and anyone who got scam odd Craig's list and hold the was a Taylor Swift concert, welcome no the honored celebration. Some of you traveled far away to be here. From the bottom of our hearts we appreciate your effort . It means the world to us to share this day with all of you. We will not forget your seeing your smiling faces as we were up here trying not to fall down or mess up on a speech . Comparison is the thief of joy. This adage is credited to the 26th president of the unit states three door Roosevelt. This saying has never been truer than it is today . For better or worse which ultimately depends on your personal perspective we now live in the age of social media. I would guess nearly all of us here are on some form of social media probably daily. Because of that we are given unprecedented access to our friends, coworkers, our family and even our friend mys lives. All of you look at other people's lives on Facebook , IG, particular tock. We compare them to our lives, our accomplishments, our houses and even our beach bodies for me we will say my mountain body. I am built for the cold. It is human nature to compare. We want to see how we stack up. We use those close to us as life's measuring sticks. This tendency is where the problems start and where Teddy Roosevelt's wisdom shines through. There is no such thing as typical anymore. It is taken me many years to see. This we have all incredibly unique and varying paths through this life. Not the 1950s or 19 '60s anymore. The standard nuclear family are long gone. We live in age of technology which grants unprecedented access to information and education . How many of you set foot on campus today just to graduate, raise your hand? I did. Excuse me. How many of you are first generation in your family to graduate from college? Raise your hand. Me, too. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: There were a few hundred reasons I should not be here today . I wouldn't be here today if I let myself fall into accepting what is typical as my path. Based on my circumstances. To solidify this point I could tell you the statistic whose come from poverty and still successfully gain a college degree. Not good. I grew up dirt poor in a family of 10. But I beat those odds to be here today. I could tell you the percentage of adult students in America each year as compared to the number of traditional students. It is a lot smaller number. I was terrified I was too old to to do. I thought I would get laughed at or told it was too late or I could spout stats on single parents who do what is your point gene, if I let myself fall into the trap of limiting myself to what is typical and just accepting that college is not for you, I would not be here right now on this stage in front of my beautiful daughter and my closest friends and family who came from hours away to see me graduate. I did not fit the typical mold. Nothing about my route here was normal. There is no such thing as typical anymore . Consider this: A flee can jump up to two feet in height amazing feet given its small size. Average Mason jar about six to eight inches tell-all. If you fill the jar with flees only three days time of them jumping they become Norm to never jump higher than the lid height again. You can take the lid off the jar. They will still not jump more than the six inches it would take to grant them their freedom despite the fact they are sadly we often do that to ourselves life. We trap ourselves into accepting a fate that we do not have to accept and in reality if we jumped a little bit higher we would be free. Like those flees we do not want to hit our heads anymore. Tired, scared. We limit ourselves and simply accept our fate when we do not have. To I am proud of this accomplishment right now. I am proud of all the graduates here as you should be proud of yourselves. Guess what, a lot of my friends graduated college decades ago. Found enormous success in trade or opening their own business. That was their path. If I stop now and started comparing myself to them or my journey to their journey it would steal my joy and ruin this day. I refuse to do. That whether you are listening to this now and a adult student a distance student, a traditional student or somewhere in between, one thin is still true you have come to be here today on a unique path that was individually yours. You have overcome some very big hurledles to get here. Eighteen or 80 this message is still the say. We do not have to settle or accept paths that are the typical. There is no such thing as typical anymore . How many of you had huge doubts about yourself during this journey. Raise your hand. God knows I did. How many of you wanted two or even almost quit. Raise your hand. I literally almost quit twice. But we persevered. Now we are are here. Not just the goal of getting our degree that what I am talking about applies to. We all came to Western for different reasons. When we leave here today we have many more choices to make. It does not matter if you are in your 20s and headed into your first career hoping this degree prepared you. Or if you are a bit older and transitioning careers and needed this career to take that journey or like me had you a really great job you were very good at and God laid off, without a fewer year degree. Reason for the journey doesn't matter. We all over came hurdles and worked hard to be here. Our paths continue now. I will close with this: I mentioned above that we all came to WCU for different reasons. I had a fuse different one myself. My dad tough, my dad pushed with me to get this degree. He said to me, you are smarter than me, please do better than I D he was the hardest working man I knew and my first hero. We lost dad during COVID. My only regret I did not do this sooner so he could be here to see this and hear me speak. I know he is here with us now and he is proud. I love you pops. I did it. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: The biggest motivator I had in this journey was to show my daughter that no matter what choices you made in the past no matter what mistakes you made , no matter if had you a fair shot or not. At the end of the day what we do in this life is up to us is . Us. East year or hard we write our own stories guys. I want her to hear this right now: Baby girl your path here has been unique. You are working with handy caps that you had no say in . Some of which were set in place before you were born . I hope you will see what I did. It will inspire you to never settle. More importantly to never ever compare your accomplishment to others and never limit yourself out of fear of hitting your head on that lid. No such thing as typical anymore. I love you with all my heart. Thank you so much everyone. This is an honor I will never forget. Good luck to each and everyone of you in your next chapter and stories. Go cats! ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you Gene. Hello. Hello every r over there. Yeah. Hi. Hello. Thank you Gene so much. Thank you. For your thoughtful remarks, congratulations on your graduation today. It is always a joy to hear our student speakers. And your journey is a reminder why education is so important is. At this time provost Starnes will recognize the University scholars and begin today's presentation of candidates for degrees . ≫: Chancellor Brown, it is my pleasure to recognize those students who enrolled as freshman at Western Carolina University and who have completed their entire undergraduate careers with a perfect record A4. 0 GP A. Met the rigorous standards of faculty they deserve special recognition as university scholars. Following individuals to stand and be recognized during this springs commencement. Please hold applause until all have been introduced . Memedzy and droa . Dawson Jordan . Sarah. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Chancellor Brown I call upon the deans of the colleges to present to you the candidates for degrees within their perspective colleges. Dr. Jill Granger dean of the Brinson Honors College . ≫: I ask all candidate force degrees who are members of the Brinson Honors College to please stand and remain standing. ≫: Woo hoo. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Chancellor Brown, the Brinson Honors College is pleased and proud to present these candidates who will graduate with full honors. Graduating with full honors are distinguished by the honor's medallion . ≫: Dr. AJ Grubey Dean of the College of Business . ≫: I ask all candidates from the College of Business to please stand and remain standing. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Chancellor Brown, the College of Business is pleased to present these candidates for the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Science and business administration degrees. ≫: Dr. Randiy Collins dean of College of Engineering and Technology . ≫: I ask all candidates for degrees from the College of Engineering and Technology to please stand and remain standing. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Chancellor Brown, the College of Engineering and Technology is pleased to present these candidates for the Bachelor of Science degrees . ≫: Dr. Lori Anderson Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences . ≫: I ask all candidates for degrees from the college of health and human sciences to please stand and remain standing. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Chancellor Brown, the College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to present the candidates for Bachelor of Science degree, the bai Bachelor of Science in Nursing grea degree and the Bachelor of Social Work degree. ≫: Chancellor Brown all candidates for degrees are here by presented . ≫: Thank you provost Starnes. I now ask all faculty present today on the platform and in the audience to stand and remain standing in support of these graduates as confirmation of their meeting the rigorous standards set forth by the University. Our faculty are essential to student success . Thank you faculty for all that you do for our students and the University. I now ask all Western Carolina University alumni present today on the platform and in the audience to stand and remain standing as witnesses to the conferral of these degrees and the acceptance of these students into the ranks of loyal alumni. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Upon the recommendation of the faculty by the authority vested in me by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors and the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees , and upon their completion, successful completion of all degree requirements, I confer upon these candidates the degrees for which they have been recommended with all the rights, honors and responsibilities appertaining there to. Please join me in con great r grat lathing our congratulating our new newest graduates. You may be seated. Graduates, it is an honor to stand before you today as you celebrate all the accomplishments that come with graduating. And, as you prepare to embark into the world as young professionals and alumni of WCU. This graduating class, many of you starting out in the fall of 2020 is particularly special as you choose to come to Western Carolina University in the middle of a once in a century pandemic . While many people chose to wait it out, you chose the more difficult path and you came anyway. You covered your nose. Wore your mask every day. Because that's what we were asked to do. You social distanced and stayed six feet apart in your classrooms and across campus because that is what you were asked to do. You came and enjoyed but didn't hang out with your friends because that's what we were asked to do. And look at where we are at now. You did it. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: I could not be prouder of you in what you accomplished in getting your degree in getting through a pandemic and all the additional challenges that brought on . From classes online to quarantining in isolation you went through all of that and still succeeded. You are a special class. I am so very proud to be with you all today . Also, many of your graduating today have been benefited from the NC promise tuition program that began in the fall of 2018. This bold and innovative state program significantly reduced tuition for all undergraduates at WCU without sacrificing quality education. The program has been a huge success. Each of you are likely to leave WCU better off financially than many of your peers across North Carolina and the nation while still receiving an excellent education. In fact, because of NC promise , it is likely many of you did not have to take out a loan to achieve your education . I thank each of you and encourage you to thank each other for what you have accomplished together, during your academic careers. This is a proud moment. Take time to savor it . Each of you have had a different college experiences that have led you to this moment today. A day that represents one of the most significant milestones in your lifetime . As citizens of the world, we face many challenges and opportunities. Excellent healthcare for a changing population . Innovation in an age of automation and robotics. Protection and care of our natural resources , access to affordable and quality education , construction and design of energy efficient homes and buildings. And reflecting our common humanity through the creation and performance of art and music . And this is just the tip of the ice Berg . No matter what you do or where your path takes you I hope that this special Catamount community remains an important part of your life. And, remember, your WCU family will always be here for you. You will forever be part of Western's legacy. As alumni you now share Sherry encourage you to tap into this incredible community and to support it with energy, commitment, and affection. We want you to contribute your talents, your insights, your brilliance, your humor and your compassion for the benefit of your fellow alumni, future classes to come and the world beyond. As I look out at the passion T energy T hope and the resilience on the faces before me, I must say that you inspire us and we are proud of you, our Catamounts. Graduates, once upon a time we stood before you to lead the way, today we stand behind you ready to follow and we stand beside you ready to serve as you lead us into the future. Congratulations and go CATS ! ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: I now ask all degree candidates to step forward to receive their diplomas. ≫: Please note that those students graduating summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude wear the gold cord. Candidate whose served in the United States Armed Forces wear the red white and blue cords. Some graduates are wearing cords, stoles or pins denoting their participation in or affiliation with an organization or signifying their status as a first generation college graduate . Since each individual graduate is recognized by calling their name as they walk across the stage , we ask the entire audience to respect the graduates and their families by refraining from the use of artificial noise makers such as air-horns . We also ask that you remain seated and stay for the entire ceremony. From the Brinson Honors College, College of Business : ≫: From the Brinson Honors College, College of Engineering and Technology, Ryan ;. ≫: From the College of Engineering and Technology: ≫: From the Brinson Honors College, college. Health and Human Sciences: ≫: From the college of Hell and human sciences: College of Health and Human Sciences. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you . Please be patient while I allow everybody to get back to their seats. While we wait I invite all the members of the audience and platform party and our newest graduates to stand and join me in celebrating singing our fight song. Let's stand up and sing our fight song . ≫: Music playing. ≫: Woo hoo. All right. Yeah. ≫: What, what, what . Chair Greeley. Hello. No. No air-horns. Oh my goodness. Thank you. Okay. Now, it is time to be serious again guests. Guests and members of the platform party would you please be seated and graduates remain standing . Everyone else please be seated . Okay. Now, the moment you have all been waiting for, graduates it is time to move your tassel to the left to signify the earning of your degrees. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: You are now alumni of Western Carolina University. Congratulations. ≫ [Applause. ] ≫: You may be seated . Before we conclude, let me acknowledge some special individual whose are part of our ceremony today. First, I salute all members of our graduating class and members of our audience who are veterans, active duty, guard and reserve members. Western Carolina University takes great pride in being a military-friendly university. We are so proud of you. Would those students and members of the eud r audience who are active duty military or veterans please stand so we may express our appreciation for your service. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you. Next, let me recognize the families of our graduates. Graduates, I am going to ask that you hold your enthusiasm until all have been recognized. Would the parents or guardians of our graduates please stand. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Will the spouses, will the spouses and children of our graduates, please stand. Will the grandparents and other family members of our graduates please stand . Will the special friend s of our graduates please stand . Now, it is my pleasure to invite our graduates to rise and show their appreciation to you for your love, support, and commitment to their future. Congratulate them them. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you all. Y'all may be seated . A ceremony like this does not just happen. Please join me in thanking the army of staff colleagues from every part of campus who had a part in making this ceremony a very special occasion for all of us. ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Thank you to all of you what have joined us today to share in this momentous occasion in the life of our University . Now, please rise as we sing the alma matter led by Kennedy Cox and remain standing for the recessional. Following the recessional, this ceremony will be concluded. Again, congratulations graduates and go CATS! ≫: [Applause. ] ≫: Hail to thee our alma matter , faithful kind and true . Every son and every daughter offers praise to you . Hail to the dear est spot of all. Hail to WCU . Light and life and fond devotion all to thee are due . We ask the audience to stand and please stand upon conclusion of the recessional, the commence thanment ceremony will be finished. Safe travels and come home soon to Cullowhee . ≫: Music playing.