2024 UA Commencement Saturday, May 11, 1:00pm

the [Music] [Music] for [Music] [Music] [Music] for [Music] oh [Music] for [Music] oh [Music] the e [Music] [Applause] [Music] hello everyone will the candidates please remain standing president Miller the candidates are assembled thank you will everyone please stand and join miss Emily Baron in singing of our national anthem [Music] can you see by [Music] the light what so bright we at the twi last ging whoes and bright star through [Music] the fight for the parts we watch were so streaming and the RO the bombs bursting [Music] in through the night that of was still there who SE was that starled by we [Music] the land of the on the home of the [Music] bra thank you Emily will everyone please be seated good afternoon my name is Gary Miller and it is my honor to be president of the University of akan it's my privilege to extend a most cordial welcome to all of you who've joined us for the 233rd commencement ceremonies at the University of akan Welcome graduates and welcome to the parents spouses relatives and Friends who've helped make possible this day of achievement and who share your pride in this celebration I'd like to ask Executive Vice President and provos Dr John Wii to join me for some introductions we are joined this afternoon by representatives of our distinguished faculty we are fortunate to have such a remarkable group of individuals who are experts in their field sharing their deep knowledge with our students and challenging them to reach their life goals at the University of akan Faculty are not only teachers and mentors but they remain Scholars first and foremost and their writing and research helps to shape our understanding of the world members of The Faculty will you please rise and remain standing thank you all thank you we're also honored to have with us members of the Board of Trustees of the University of akan I'd like to ask them to stand and remain standing until I've called their names Miss Christine Amer mayor was vice chair of the board from Solin Miss Trina Carter of kaga Falls Mr Mark larner of bath Mr Michael Saxon of Copley Mr Thomas waltmire of green Mr David reath of Copley please join me in thanking these trustees and these faculty members good thanks everybody we're also pleased to have members of the University Administration with us today and as I call their name I'd last ask them to please rise and remain standing Vice President Chief Communications and marketing officer Miss Tammy uan vice president and Chief of Staff Dr Paul leevy vice president of student affairs Dr John massina vice president for inclusion equity and chief diversity officer Dr Sheldon rice dean of the Williams Honors College and vice Provost of student Pathways Dr fedia Nicholson Seville associate dean of The Graduate School Dr Marne Saunders associate dean of University libraries Dr Melanie G mcgurt dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences Dr Dan frner please join me in thanking these great colleagues and members of our Administration [Applause] it's my great honor now to invite Miss Christine Amer mayor to chair Vice chair of the board of trusties to extend greetings on behalf of the board thank you president Miller good afternoon on behalf of the University of akan Board of Trustees I offer a warm welcome to our guests and especially to the spring 2024 graduating class of the college of Health and Human Sciences graduates you are the primary reason why this University exists and we thank you for entrusting us with your higher education you had many options from which to choose and we sincerely hope your acine experience has proven that you chose wisely in addition to conveying our gratitude we want you to know that we appreciate and applaud your accomplishments here through great effort and perseverance you have seized opportunities to broaden and sharpen your thinking expand your world view attain professional and personal growth and become educated citizens now you will have more and greater opportunities to thrive contribute and to serve my fellow trustees and I wish that the journey awaiting you all will be filled with good health Good Fortune and continued success and Will from time to time lead you back here to your Alma Moder we're honored to join with your families and friends and faculty in celebrating this important Milestone congratulations thank you thank you Christine graduates you've entered this building as students and you will leave as alumni before that transformation takes takes place it's appropriate for you to hear from a representative of the class of 2024 accepting that responsibility this afternoon is Jake Montgomery before I call Jake forward allow me to tell you a little bit about this exceptional student Jake graduates today from the College of Health and Human Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in respiratory therapy he maintained a heavy academic workload including appearances on the Deans and president's lists while juggling a full-time job at the Cleveland Clinic and family responsibilities Jake was a member of lamb beta which is the respiratory Honor Society and served as president of the organization of respiratory therapy Jake is a non-traditional student and I'm eager for you to hear about his exceptional Journey after graduation Jake will work full-time as a respiratory therapist at akan Children's Hospital and plans to pursue a master's degree in respiratory therapy Jake's family includes his wife Katrina who is also graduating today in this ceremony with the Bachelor of Science in nursing and daughter Haley and Son Morgan it's a great honor to invite Jake to come forward and give his story thank [Applause] you greetings and good afternoon I would like to begin by thanking the esteemed faculty of the University of akan The Proud parents and grandparents board little brothers and sisters and family friends of today's graduates for being here to celebrate this time honored tradition congratulations to the University of akan College of Health and Human Sciences spring graduating class of 2024 I'm truly honored to be speaking with you today as class student responder if I'm being completely honest I didn't know if I would ever be standing in this room celebrating my graduation let alone delivering a commencement speech you see when my Collegiate Journey began many of my fellow graduates were still learning to tie their shoes and figure out what to watch on Nickelodeon I enrolled in my initial semester of college in the fall of 2008 straight out of high school I knew I wanted to go to college and I knew I wanted to help people but like so many young people today I lacked the motivation and self-confidence needed to develop a clear path to the finish line so what did I do I floundered through the academic process until the university so politely suggested that it might be a good idea to take some time off after a nearly 5year Hiatus multiple dead- end jobs and a marriage to my beautiful wife Katrina who was also graduating with us today I found myself at the precipice of a life-altering situation I would need to either take the rains and fall take the rains and fly or fall into the abyss that situation happened to be the birth of my firstborn child a baby girl named Haley while in the delivery room it only took moments and a single gaze into my daughter's eyes to know from that point forward I would make it my life's mission to develop the best possible version of myself and provide a better life for my family after the excitement waned and the adrenaline settled back to Baseline I realized the real work was only just beginning it was only a month later that I decided to nervously reenroll at the University of akan but how how could I possibly pick up the pieces of the GPA that I had left in shambles 5 years earlier I didn't know how I was going to do it but I did know one thing and it was that I was going to finish my education at all cost failure was no longer an option I considered pursuing several different Majors Upon returning to school but after such a rewarding experience at the hospital I landed on the profession of nursing what a fantastic career choice am I right I expected the path ahead to be tough but what I didn't expect was to miss dial when calling a nursing advisor and speak with a professor who would change my life and future forever that professor's name is Dr staa bidd it was our brief conversation that gave me the confidence to go all in on returning to school and ultimately pursue the field of respiratory therapy as my fellow College of Health and Human Sciences graduates would surely agree the journey here has been far from Easy we spent countless hours studying microbiology and anatomy and physiology I'm still not entirely sure what a medulla is we also spent many sleepless nights dreading that extra tough clinical rotation or what would be on the next lab practical but at the end of it all we made it through and we're here to tell the tale why does my story matter though why have a 30-year-old College Dropout represent the spring graduating class of 2024 because on that day that life-changing day back in 2019 I looked into my newborn baby girl's face and I made a choice a choice to throw away every bit of self-doubt a choice to extinguish that little flame that we all have in the back of our minds that tells us that we aren't good enough I made a choice to knowingly walk into a dark Forest of adversity and struggle without any Clear Vision of what was on the other side and I made it out so now that we're all here now that we made it I want to share a little piece of advice that I've learned on my little Trek through the woods As you move into this next phase of life this next chapter I want to challenge you to make a bold choice of your own make a choice to Stand Tall knock on every door of opportunity and Shake the Dust never let that dust settle because you were something truly special you were soon to be H Health and Human science graduates and it is because of your sacrifice and dedication to your respective fields that we get to cherish what little time we have on this big blue rock that we call Earth it is because of you that we get to stare in the faces of our newborn children and hold the hands of our loved ones as we say goodbye I challenge you to set forth no matter where life takes you and be the movers and shakers that I know each and every one of you can be thank you and go [Applause] Zips great job okay congratulations graduates one of the uh great pleasures of being a university president is that I get to be pretty much the last person to give you advice before you head out into the world I'm in I'm particularly impressed with this class many of you started in college before covid many of you in this room worked to to care for covid patients during that period of time and you came back and to this University and resumed your work and you're here today to get a degree I've been in higher education for almost 40 years and I want to say to you and the people in this room I've never seen a more resilient courageous Innovative and positive graduating class and I congratulate you on that however I still have some advice for you I have 10 pieces of a sagacious advice to take with you as you leave number one you've received an excellent educ tion at University of akan but remember this and you perhaps know this better than almost any graduate that we've seen today the most powerful tool you have in deploying your education is empathy people who are sensitive to the circumstances of others are the people who solve big problems number two unfortunately you will find people in this world who dismiss you ignore you take advantage of you show outright disdain for you if you want to develop skills at dealing with people like this get a house cat you will have the opportunity to deal with rejection every day of your life number three civilized societies Embrace a common good the good comes from mutual respect taking care of one another and lending a hand to those in need as many of you will do nurture this precious Commonwealth through a life of service number four despite what you've heard there is such a thing as truth as an educated person you're obligated to seek it and as an educated person you're obligated to speak it number five if you really want to persuade someone the first thing you have to do is listen to them very carefully understanding another person's perspective even if you disagree with that perspective is the only way you'll get that person to understand what you think number six be optimistic after all there is a theoretical possibility that the Browns will win the Super Bowl number seven some of you will become billionaires when you do please don't spend your money building rocket ships we got enough of those guys already what you should do is buy yourself a really nice car and give the rest of the money to the University of a I thought it was worth a shot number eight the very best way to inject yourself into the conversation to a conversation is to be be a scholar ask a question everyone enjoys talking to people who are curious number nine the single most important characteristic of successful people is they never believe they're finished learning keep learning you'll succeed and number 10 love is not a thing Love is Everything find love give love and that'll make you happy congratulations to all of you take care of one another and remember you're all always a zip I now invite provis Wii to come forward and supervise the awarding of degrees provos good afternoon we will now begin to confer upon our graduates those degrees for which they have sacrificed and labored so intently over the past several years the Spring Class of 20 24 at the University of akan consists of 2,18 candidates from 29 States and 41 countries ranging from ages 17 to 69 and includes 40 candidates for the doctorate degree 93 for the jurist doctor degrees 267 for master's degrees 1,390 for bachelor's degrees and 318 for associate degrees today we are gathered in formal convocation with those candidates from the College of Health and Human sciences and Dean Dan frner as we recognize and confer degrees upon these candidates we will proceed by acknowledging those that have earned doctoral degrees then master's degrees and finally undergraduate degrees has each candidate has their name called we do ask that our guests please be respectful of the occasion so that each candidate may be duly recognized for their accomplishments graduates I would now like to invite your college dean forward to provide remarks before the conferral of degrees Dean frner will you please step to the podium and address your [Applause] candidates good afternoon everyone as mentioned I'm Dan fer I'm dean of the College of Health and Human sciences and on behalf of the college I'd like to welcome our graduates their family and friends and our faculty and staff to this momentous occasion graduates I'm sure you thought this day would never come but after all your years of persistence and late nights and weekends you spent studying you finally made it so again congratulations the cap and gown you wear today is symbolic it hearkens back to a day when professors as a learned class would Dawn the cap and gown to enter the classroom and teach the apparel aside from keeping the professor warm symbolized both a group of individuals committed to learning and unity in that commitment as you wear your cap and gown you are symbolically joining us in that community of Learners so what does that mean my mind as Dean it means that this event is not an end but it's only a beginning yeah you're leaving the college today and venturing out into the world to practice within your profession but you're also joining us in that commitment to never stop learning and to never stop using that knowledge to advance patient care to improve The Human Condition and to advocate for justice this is not the end of your mission it's the commencement of your role as changing agents in a world that needs your empathy and expertise today is a moment of Celebration and I hope you'll cherish the memories of your time here but equally and perhaps more important I hope this celebration inspires you to create a future filled with purpose with passion and with positive change and again congratulations to the University of akan College of Health and Human Sciences class of 2024 may your be may your Beginnings be as extraordinary as the potential that resides in each of you thank [Applause] you thank you Dean frner and congratulations College of Health and Human Sciences graduates will Dean frner of the college in health and human sciences and Associate Dean Saunders of the graduate school please rise will the candidates for doctoral degrees please rise [Applause] these candidates before you have attained to the highest degree bestowed by any institution of Higher Learning it is the culminative achievement of years of rigorous academic work signif significant Cutting Edge research and supreme dedication to their chosen discipline candidate we are proud of the work you have done here at the University of akan we congratulate you on a tremendous achievement and trust that you'll continue your participation in the discovery and creation of knowledge the ongoing practice of which has earned you this degree president Miller these candidates have successfully fulfilled the requirements of the graduate school with the approval of the Deans and The Graduate faculty they are now presented to you to receive the doctor of Philosophy degree thank you Provost Wii Dean frner and Associate Dean Saunders congratulations candidates on this remarkable achievement exercising the authority of the trustees of the University of akan Legally vested by the people of the state of Ohio and upon the recommendation of our faculty I now confer upon each of you who has fulfilled all the highest requirements of this University the doctor of Philosophy degree with all the rights privileg duties and responsibilities of that degree [Applause] congratulations doctors of philosophy as evidence of your achievements you will be called to the stage to receive your diploma and your hood please come forward as directed by the marshals for for Christine albaba hooded by Dr Katie sigal pap [Applause] Lindsay gahu hooded by Dr Katie sigal [Applause] Pap Marley pavco hooded by Dr Katie sigle have Cheyenne Allen hooded by Dr Mirna Forbes [Applause] Haley Shirley hooded by Dr Mira [Applause] Forbes Jessica benzi hooded by Dr Ain Miller [Applause] Gabrielle gel hooded by Dr Aaron Miller [Applause] Devin Rankin hooded by Dr Aaron Miller Morgan Ross hooded by Dr Aaron Miller [Applause] Lara bot hooded by Dr Mark Crum Jamie exra hooded by Dr Mark Crum Alexandria kod hooded by Dr Bruna soy Elise Stevens hooded by Dr Bruno mooy [Applause] Jessica Wilson hooded by dror Bruna M [Applause] soy Victoria price who did by Dr Alex mbus Lauren serer hooded by Dr Alex Myas Julia Saxon hooded by Dr Alex mybus [Applause] Vanessa vodan hooded by Dr Julia [Applause] hey Amber wagster hooded by Dr Julia [Applause] hike kylen MOS hooded by Dr Diane Brown [Applause] [Applause] will Dean frner and Associate Dean Saunders please rise will the candidates for the Master's Degree please [Applause] rise the Masters represents a significant accomplishment both academically and professionally these candidates are now equipped to be leaders in their respective Fields impacting their professional and personal spheres of influence with their knowledge passion and commitment to Excellence president Miller these candidates have successfully fulfilled the requirements of a master's degree program with the approval of the Deans and The Graduate faculty they are now presented to you to receive their master's degree thank you Provost wik Dean frner and Associate Dean Saunders and congratulations to all of you exercising the authority of the trustees of the University of akan Legally vested by the people of the state of Ohio and upon the recommendation of our faculty I now confer upon each of you who has fulfilled all the requirements the Master's Degree with all the rights privileges duties and responsibilities of that degree congratulations now graduates as evidence of your achievements you will be called to the stage to receive your diploma please follow the directions of the marshals for for Lauren [Applause] papalo Misty [Applause] McGary Jana Martin [Applause] IO tra Craven [Applause] Trevor [Applause] helck Brianna [Applause] Griffin Natalie [Applause] altiser Alisa Benedict [Applause] Caitlyn [Applause] derazio Shay Goran Lindsay [Applause] suti Alicia [Applause] zimba Tori Davidson [Applause] Lauren [Applause] pedit Adam s [Applause] Marquette Sylvia [Applause] Humphrey Janine kuffler [Music] [Applause] Rachel [Applause] Foster Molly [Applause] sha adir Gilbert Karen [Applause] Niki Vanessa Lane [Applause] Monica [Applause] kobac Christina [Applause] Powers Nicholas [Applause] puller Anthony Crim [Applause] Samantha [Applause] Pritchard Hannah [Applause] patriarcha Caitlyn Moore Charlie [Applause] Davenport Tyra Jeter [Applause] desay [Applause] Whitehead Rebecca [Applause] Cabe Rachel [Music] Buckner Megan [Applause] Morris Mora Egleston [Applause] Connie [Applause] Jacob jacqulyn [Applause] Snider Megan [Applause] snow Alysa [Music] [Applause] koleski Jessica mccartie [Applause] Rosella [Applause] Schulz Emily [Applause] Connor Kelsey [Applause] O'Neal Riley [Applause] Goodman Haley Nicole escra [Applause] Claire baric Haley [Applause] ragnone Alexandria [Applause] ler Courtney [Applause] Belmonte Christine Farah Taylor Renee [Applause] shahan Megan Sabo Lauren [Applause] Kelly Khloe Whitlock Peter farcus [Applause] neon huru [Applause] inesi Cassandra [Applause] Beckwith Jennifer wrock Katrina [Applause] Walker Marissa Taber [Applause] Kaylee [Applause] Thompson Jules [Applause] Frasier Tavia [Applause] Pearson Jennifer [Applause] Gade Megan Holland [Music] [Applause] Renee [Applause] andak Courtney [Applause] kofer Destiny matulovich Alexandra V [Applause] fenmore Alex Martin Emily Christopher Rachel Christopher Abigail Thomas meline Collins Rachel and [Applause] osow Lillian [Music] Richardson Khloe D [Applause] Baro Nicole [Applause] Dunn Shirley Banks [Applause] Cassandra [Music] [Applause] Huggins Kenna [Applause] popti Natalie [Applause] Vincy Claude [Applause] bankr Tyler grime [Applause] Milton Wilson Olivia [Applause] [Music] hon Morgan [Applause] Riki Marissa [Applause] McIntosh Bridget e ooy [Applause] Abigail cyer Megan [Applause] mench mckeny Bennett Megan [Music] [Applause] Sawyer Aaron hwit [Applause] Ranna [Applause] Miller Jackson [Applause] Jones Bria and [Applause] low Katherine psycho [Applause] Nicholas [Applause] marasek Stephanie kvic sha Bower Athena and drula kakis Christopher Smith [Applause] before we proceed with the conferral of undergraduate degrees it is appropriate that we give special recognition to those candidates who have demonstrated outstanding Scholastic achievement or exemplary service whilst earning their bachelor or associates degree on page nine of your program you'll find an explanation of the criteria for awarding these special designations recipients of academic honors also are noted individually in your program I ask our audience to take notice of the honor chords stoles and medallions worn by these graduates as symbols of their exemplary accomplishments at this time I ask candidates with special designations and academic honors to please rise and remain standing as your honor is called will those graduating sumacum L please [Applause] rise will those graduating Magnum please [Applause] rise will those graduating Kum L please [Applause] rise will the Williams honors Scholars please rise [Applause] will those students who have been inducted into Collegiate honors societies please [Applause] rise and finally will those that have served our nation both veterans and current members of the Armed Forces please rise [Applause] congratulations please be seated will Dean frner please rise will the candidates for undergraduate degrees including the Bachelor and Associates degrees please rise [Applause] president Miller these students have successfully fulfilled the requirements of one of the undergraduate degrees in their college with the approval of the Deans and faculty these students are now presented to you to receive their undergraduate degree thank you Provost winig and Dean frner exercising the authority of Trustees of the University of akan Legally vested by the people of the state of Ohio and upon the recommendation of the faculty I now confer upon each of you who has fulfilled all the requirements the appropriate degree with all the rights privileges duties and responsibilities of that degree [Applause] congratulations now candidates as evidence of your achievements you will be called to the stage to receive your diploma please follow the directions of the marshals for for Benjamin [Applause] craer Garrett [Applause] Chao Brook [Applause] austa Emma Marty [Applause] meline [Applause] ball Ashley [Applause] Stiffler Ruth [Applause] mayba Carrie [Applause] [Music] Higgs Amy topola [Applause] Allison scotshire Haley Miller ktie Lael Kristen rojek Marissa brater [Applause] KD [Applause] Hofer Abby higinbotham Alysa [Applause] Kane Chloe [Applause] Tyler Camille Cunningham [Applause] Stephanie drill Jenna senderling Tiffany radonski Haley [Applause] daringer melee Martin [Music] [Applause] Reagan [Applause] Carr Marina [Applause] herburger Grace Hillary Richard [Applause] Evans Noah Somerville [Applause] Gregory [Music] [Applause] trible Patrick Mayfield Jan Deary Tiara Hamilton jeray [Music] [Applause] Dennis tashana [Applause] Perry Charlotte Turk Kendall Patricia MTI my Jaden Horton Avery [Applause] Winters Melanie [Applause] Bailey Katrina [Applause] Stewart Samuel bus cjn [Music] Sir Charles [Applause] Travis Kyle [Applause] Fogo Noah Eddie Gwen [Applause] St and Marie Woodward [Applause] D [Applause] shoemate Amanda Magno Kayla Gibbs Addison [Applause] billheimer Karina bills [Applause] Clara [Applause] kop Malita [Music] Davis Alana [Applause] Kennedy Hannah Diller [Applause] Taylor Kimbell Reagan [Applause] wirers Rachel cber Megan [Applause] cross Andrew feltman Megan [Applause] Haley Wilmont Shelby Bohanan Amelia [Applause] [Music] Angelo Kristen [Applause] Alman Camden kooken Serena Adams Olivia [Applause] phell USA Anna [Applause] lampic Diana [Applause] low Caitlyn kosnik [Applause] Elizabeth [Applause] Hastings Nicholas santav [Applause] via Morgan [Applause] Schmidt McKenzie fooki Elena imer Haley Hamilton Sydney retti Olivia Murphy Madison [Applause] gei Brandon Brinkman [Applause] David Hargrave Alexis [Applause] Noble Caitlyn [Applause] Williams Aaron [Applause] hman McKenzie Menard [Applause] Anthony [Applause] Nicholls Steven [Applause] Moody Maisy [Applause] froley ragad [Applause] Bach aadal Al nasar [Applause] fun Al [Applause] katani Zab almu zayan Ana aenna pool hiy ker Molly Sweeney Hannah Bailey Hannah [Applause] case Alexis J [Applause] Gooden Anna vaselina Cory Wyatt [Applause] Elizabeth [Applause] tesar Lindsay everard David longam Susanna [Applause] bang imanii Devon Sydney wolf Craig Jones Madison Klein chassid Hawk Emily [Applause] Andrews Brook Wagoner [Applause] Kylie De [Applause] Carlo Alexis Miller Noah and du Shawn mweene Joseph Bishop Julie [Applause] celles Calvin [Applause] Alexander Natalie [Music] [Applause] Merchant Hannah [Applause] deamo Lindsay f [Music] [Applause] Sydney [Applause] Massa Emma Valerie Overholt Liberty [Applause] Arnold michen [Applause] Sims Bobby Flores [Applause] Kai Stevens Autumn [Applause] Latos McKenzie trovich KD Lee master Andrew soac [Applause] Joslyn sha Alexis [Applause] Miller Genevie [Applause] Hara Jacqueline glassie Alexi Hardy Pat [Applause] Weber Jonathan harsh Jack [Applause] Pollock Melissa Campbell Diamond Warren Jillian Brewster [Applause] Megan [Applause] Grove Evelyn [Music] hadu Khloe Schwarz Kelsey popof Lauren Barry [Applause] Evelyn Graham Bria [Applause] H Hannah [Applause] Hill Rosa pankowski Brandon Moore [Applause] Kelly [Applause] Warick Alexa wzo Caitlyn [Applause] Potter Rachel Smith Rebecca Carr Noel Barry Katrina Montgomery Jake [Applause] Montgomery Kylie [Applause] rer Jacqueline Wallace Elise [Applause] [Music] Summers Megan [Applause] rashak susmita [Applause] Suba KD [Applause] Canfield Jaden Bryant [Applause] Cali McIntosh [Applause] holder Hannah toothman Hannah [Applause] Miller to Melo Martin Wier jalile White [Applause] tiosha [Music] Meadows Kaylee [Applause] Anderson Kiri [Applause] KS Michael [Applause] critchfield Taylor Whitmer [Applause] Colin Benson Shad Ray [Applause] Stenson Andrews Wick Hannah Lebec Julia rain Bower Alysa clench Joshua [Applause] gear Robert [Applause] Baga Jaylen [Applause] [Music] ball Abigail Del [Applause] W Melanie Shane [Applause] George Erica [Applause] Maro Jacob [Applause] Rankin Carter Frasier [Applause] Maly Olivia [Applause] or Austin [Applause] Brown Natalie [Applause] boffman anel ano Esther [Applause] Alo Emily blacksmith Cameron delig [Applause] Gotti Todd [Applause] Bessie Cameron [Applause] Tyler sha Bo [Applause] McKenzie [Applause] Thomas giovana Kappa [Applause] Bianca meline gatr Tyson [Applause] Blosser yaser kook Anthony Fett Marissa [Music] voas Alexandra [Music] Woods Sarah [Music] Kiki Lorraine Al rousan Audrey [Applause] Bay princella [Applause] AKA Solan [Applause] otavia Britany hooton Elizabeth Nicholas [Applause] Dania Ali Caitlyn lumon Chandler [Applause] Curts Madison [Applause] hindelang Sarah Weatherspoon actor Megan nech Abigail [Music] steel Jennifer Hartman Julia [Applause] Miller Carly sner Michaela benuser Michelle [Applause] wiro Marissa Cohen Jack Wan [Applause] swinhart Christiana [Music] ELO Blake [Applause] Brendan mcnamer Matthew [Applause] ODI Britany [Applause] hamr Alexandra [Music] castano Camella bloom Aaron [Applause] glasow Emma glasow Brianna [Applause] [Music] covert Alexis Desiree Ford Alexis Mariah Connor Maya [Applause] Noble Bish new [Applause] Chri sua subba Regina blle Britney terot [Music] [Applause] class of 2024 please [Applause] stand now is now now is the moment now is the moment you and those that have supported you worked so hard to realize please designate your status as graduates of the University of akan by moving your tassels from the right side to the left side of your [Applause] mortar remain standing remain standing for just a minute graduates no one makes the journey to this day alone you've been supported in many ways by parents spouses friends and other other loved ones in many cases they have worked and sacrificed much to help you achieve this dream so it's appropriate for you now to acknowledge all family members and friends who are here today would you please turn to the audience and acknowledge those [Applause] supporters and will you please be seated [Music] graduates you're now alumni the University of AR yes I want to ask I want to ask Mr William Coleman classes of 20 2008 2010 and assistant vice president of alumni relations and executive director of the Alumni Association to welcome you into the University of akan Alumni Association thank you president Miller and congratulations to the class of [Applause] 2024 your time as a student has come to an [Applause] end and very shortly you'll walk out these doors a proud graduate of the University of akan before you do know that you are joining a community of more than 180,000 talented Dynamic and accomplished alumni spanning the world akan alumni have played an important role in the success of this institution since its founding 154 years ago as executive director I encourage you to continue this tradition to remain engaged and to stay connected from recruiting new Z to mentoring current ones by joining us for our many alumni events including this October for what could be your first homecoming as an Alum lastly graduates seek the joy in this place and the people and the ideas had introduced you to and wherever your path today takes you remember that you are forever a zip on behalf of all University of akan alumni here and abroad I am pleased and very honored to welcome you all as members of the University of akan Alumni Association best wishes and all you do fellow alumni and go [Applause] Zips before we conclude I want to uh acknowledge some folks the University of akan has a fantastic physical plan operation many of the people in that operation have given up their weekend and part of their week to prepare this facility for you today and to be here today to make it safe and clean and beautiful and I'd like for you to say thank you to those folks if you see them and say thank you collectively with a round of applause for all those people who've been here we also have a wonderful Police Department there are many of those here today please say thanks to them as well for their [Applause] help I'd like to thank I'd like to thank our vocalist Emily Baron fantastic [Applause] job the music coming from that end of the room is by the University of akaran brass choir it's directed by Dr Jim Johnson let's give it up for them our Grand Marshall today is from our nursing faculty Dr Dean Brown Diane Brown right back here and our Marshals are led by Mr Steve Jacobson and our interpreters over here Miss Erica Leon and Miss B swaboda thank them for their work [Music] [Applause] today so we'll conclude our ceremony in just a moment by singing the University of akan Alma moer followed by a formal recessional graduates please follow the instructions of the marshals as we recess guests of our graduates as you depart please note that in addition to returning to the lobby area through those doors you can also do it through these two doors up here and they'll get you back to the lobby so I'd like to ask the stage party to please rise I'd like to ask the graduates to please rise for the recep on behalf of the trustees faculty and the University of akaran community everywhere I wish you Joy much success and many happy returns to your alma mater thank you for being here and attending the two 233rd commencement exercises at the University of akran will everyone else please stand and join Emily Baron in singing the alma moer the words are on page 42 of your program and as the song concludes please remain standing for the recessional thank you [Music] all close beside K Waters stream [Music] of Glory we the gold and blue we have green sound who praises speed them on the [Music] G ever [Music] stand Green Hill oh Hill [Applause] that's one the n for e e e e e e e e e for