The 2021 Commencement ceremony was streamed live at the time of the ceremony. Missed the ceremony? Watch the recorded ceremony below.
Description of the video:
♪ >> HI, MY NAME IS ALLOW.>> MY NAME IS JOHN COOK. >> I'M EVAN GROBST.>> MY NAME IS ALISON SMITH. >> I'M MAJORING INORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS. >> I'M A NURSING STUDENT.>> I GO TO I.U. SOUTHEAST. >> I.U. SOUTHEAST.>> WHAT WAS THERE FOR ME WAS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.THEY WERE ABLE TO HELP MESSAGE TO STUDENTS VERY FAST.IN ANY OF MY CLASSES, I WAS ABLE TO GET IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK.>> THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN THERE FOR THE MOST FOR ME, I THINK,DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS DR. KONCH.SHE'S PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING AND GOES OUT OF HER WAY TO MAKESURE WE HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH HER.>> THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN THERE FOR THE LONGEST TIME FOR ME ISMY OLDER BROTHER. ANY SITUATION THAT HAS HAPPENED,ANY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE, HE JUST NOTICES AND HE'S LIKE, WHAT DOYOU NEED ME TO DO? >> MY ROOMMATES.>> WHEN I MOVED IN, CAMPUS SHUT DOWN.THEY LOST THEIR JOBS. SO I WAS THE ONLY PERSON WITH AFULL LOAD OF SCHOOL AND THEN A JOB STILL WORKING FULL-TIME.BUT THROUGH ALL OF THAT CHAOTIC MESS, WE WERE AI ABLE TO BUILDREALLY GOOD FRIENDSHIPS. >> MY PROFESSORS HAVE BEEN THERETHE MOST. THEY HAVE ALLOWED ME PLENTY OFTIME. >> PROFESSOR CHRISTIE BIRD MAKESHERSELF READILY AVAILABLE AND I APPRECIATE HER.>> MY PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR, TERRY BERGER.HE MADE OUR CLASS MORE PERSONAL. >> DIANA REED.SHE'S AN AMAZING PROFESSOR. >> THANK YOU TO MY BROTHER WHOHAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE. >> PROFESSOR SEXTON THANKS FORBEING SO FLEXIBLE. >> DIANE REID, I WANT TO THANK.>> YOU I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO PROFESSOR STILLMAN.>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR, TERRYBERGER. >> THANK YOU, DR. KHAN FORTREATING ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS WITH RESPECT, DIGNITY AND JUSTGRACE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.♪♪ >> PRESIDENT McROBBIE,CHANCELLOR WALLACE, THE CANDIDATES ARE ASSEMBLED.WE MAY NOW PROCEED WITH THESE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.>> I ALWAYS FORGET THAT STEP. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GREETINGSAND WELCOME TO TODAY'S COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY AT INDIANAUNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST. I ASK THAT ALL WHO ARE ABLE TOPLEASE STAND FOR THE SINGING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM,LED BY JARETH GADDIS, A MEMBER OF THE CLASS OF 2021, GRADUATINGWITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN MUSIC EDUCATION.SO ALL WHO ARE NOT STANDING, BUT ARE ABLE TO STAND, PLEASE STANDFOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.♪ O, SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING ♪♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUSFIGHT ♪ ♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHEDWERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪ ♪ AND THE ROCKETS' RED GLARE,THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪ ♪ GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHTTHAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ ♪ O, SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLEDBANNER YET WAVE ♪ ♪ O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE ANDTHE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪ [ APPLAUSE ]>> PLEASE BE SEATED. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MEMBERS OFTHE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021, WELCOME TO THIS CELEBRATION OFYOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. SINCE LAST FRIDAY, ANDCONTINUING ALL THIS WEEK UNTIL SATURDAY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY21,145 DEGREES, AROUND THE STATE AROUND THE STATE OF INDIANA,INCLUDING 874 DEGREES RIGHT HERE AT I.U. SOUTHEAST.FOR A RECORD TOTAL OF OVER 24,500 DEGREES AWARDED ACROSSALL I.U. CAMPUS WHICH IS A NEW RECORD.IN ADDITION, I.U. AWARDED 23,879 DEGREES IN 2020.OVER THE COURSE OF THE 14 YEARS OF MY PRESIDENCY OF I.U., 15,065STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED ON THE I.U. SOUTHEAST CAMPUS, THELARGEST NUMBER OF DEGREES AWARDED ON ANY OF I.U.'SREGIONAL CAMPUSES OVER THIS PERIOD.SO YOU ALL DESERVE CONGRATULATIONS TO BE PART OFTHAT RECORD NUMBER OF GRADUATES ON REGIONAL CAMPUSES.IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR TO PRESIDE OVER THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIESFOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE GRADUATES AND TODAY'S CEREMONYIS THE 130th I.U. COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY OVER WHICH I HAVPRESIDED AS PRESIDENT AND IT WILL BE MY LAST.I AM ESPECIALLY PLEASED TO GREET THOSE JOINING US VIRTUALLYTODAY, THE PARENTS, WIVES, HUSBANDS, PARTNERS, RELATIVESAND FRIENDS WHO HAVE HELPED MAKE POSSIBLE THIS DAY OF ACHIEVEMENTFOR ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING USONLINE IN CELEBRATION OF YOUR LOVED ONES' ACCOMPLISHMENTS.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WELCOME AND CONGRATULATE THOSE MEMBERS OFTHE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021, WHO ARE JOINING US VIRTUALLYTODAY. PLEASE JOIN ME THEN INRECOGNIZING ALL OF THESE GRADUATES AND THEIR FAMILIES ANDFRIENDS WITH A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.[ APPLAUSE ] INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS PROUD OFITS LONG AND DISTINGUISHED HISTORY.AS A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY, WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORTTHAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA, AND WE ARE PROUD OFTHE UNIVERSITY'S SERVICE TO OUR STATE, OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLDFOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS. SEATED ON STAGE AND IN FRONT OFTHE STAGE ARE OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY.WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT THE HAVE JOINED US FOR THISOCCASION. YOU WILL FIND THEIR NAMES INYOUR PROGRAM BOOKLETS. I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED TOWELCOME A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY,SO PLEASE WELCOME MOLLY C. CONNOR OF INDIANAPOLIS,OUR STUDENT TRUSTEE; [ APPLAUSE ]I ALSO ASK YOU TO WELCOME, AS WELL, JOHN S. APPLEGATE, I.U.'SEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING HIM. [ APPLAUSE ]NOW, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INVITE TO THE PODIUM, RAY WALLACECHANCELLOR OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST CAMPUS.PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING CHANCELLOR WALLACE.[ APPLAUSE ]>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT McROBBIE.LET ME TAKE A MOMENT TO WELCOME EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR FORACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT I.U. SOUTHEAST, DR. KELLY RYAN.DR. RYAN? [ APPLAUSE ]I JOIN WITH YOU IN EXTENDING A WARM WELCOME TO EVERYONE WHO ISCELEBRATING WITH US VIRTUALLY FOR TODAY'S COMMENCEMENT, ASWELL AS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021.GRADUATES, THERE IS AN IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALSWHOM I ASK YOU TO SALUTE, THE FACULTY MEMBERS OF INDIANAUNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST. THEIR OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP,DEDICATION TO TEACHING, AND COMMITMENT TO THEIR STUDENTSHAVE MADE THIS COMMENCEMENT POSSIBLE.THEY HAVE INSPIRED OUR GRADUATES IN WAYS THAT WILL LAST ALIFETIME. WILL THE FACULTY IN ATTENDANCEPLEASE STAND FOR OUR RECOGNITION?[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE MEMBERS OF I.U. SOUTHEAST'SOUTSTANDING STAFF WHO ARE WITH US TODAY.THESE TIRELESS INDIVIDUALS HELP MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR OURSTUDENTS TO SUCCEED. WOULD YOU GIVE THEM A ROUND OFAPPLAUSE? [ APPLAUSE ]AND NOW PRESIDENT McROBBIE, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OURHONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT.>> THANK YOU, CHANCELLOR WALLACE.A SPLENDID TRADITION AT ANY I.U. COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY IS THEAWARDING OF AN HONORARY DEGREE, THE HIGHEST ACCOLADE THATINDIANA UNIVERSITY CAN BESTOW. TODAY, WE HONOR AN OUTSTANDINGINDIVIDUAL, CYNTHIA TORP. YOU WILL FIND A BRIEF BIOGRAPHYOF MS. TORP IN YOUR PROGRAM BOOKLETS.CHANCELLOR WALLACE AND I, AND PROFESSOR JOE WERT,THE CAMPUS GRAND MARSHAL, AND THE UNIVERSITY PLATFORM PARTIALSARAH MOSTES WILL ASSIST IN HOODING THE CANDIDATE.AND NOW I ASK CHANCELLOR WALLACE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUTMS. TORP BEFORE I OFFICIALLY AWARD THE DEGREE.>> MR. PRESIDENT, CYNTHIA TORP IS A NATIVE OF CLARKSVILLE,INDIANA. SHE EARNED A BACHELOR OF ARTS INFINE ARTS FROM INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST IN 1984.A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSWOMAN, AS WELL AS AN ARTIST, MS. TORPOWNED CYNTHIA TORP STUDIOS, A COMMERCIAL DESIGN ANDFROM THE EAST TO WEST COAST FOR 15 YEARS.LOOKING FOR A NEW CREATIVE OUTLET, MS. TORP FOUNDED THECOMPANY SOLID LIGHT IN 1999. THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, SOLIDLIGHT HAS CREATED AWARD-WINNING MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS AND VISITOREXPERIENCES ACROSS OUR NATION AND IN MEXICO.ONE OF HER EARLY CLIENTS WAS LOUISVILLE PHILANTHROPIST OWSLEYFRAZIER, WHOM SHE HELPED WITH THE FOUNDATIONAL CREATIVE WORKFOR THE FRAZIER HISTORICAL MUSEUM.SOLID LIGHT'S VISITOR EXPERIENCES INCLUDE ATTRACTIONSAT THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA; THE DELTABLUES MUSEUM IN CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI; AND THE NATIONALAQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. MS. TORP HAS PROVIDED PRO BONOCONSULTATION AND WORK FOR INDIANA MUSEUMS AND CULTURALCENTERS, INCLUDING THE FALLS OF THE OHIO INTERPRETIVE CENTER INCLARKSVILLE, AND THE CARNEGIE CENTER FOR ART AND HISTORY INNEW ALBANY. IN ADDITION, CYNTHIA HASCONTINUED TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN I.U. SOUTHEAST,MENTORING AND HIRING GRADUATES FOR HER BUSINESS.IN 2010, CYNTHIA RECEIVED THE EPIC AWARD FROM THE REGIONALCHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESSOWNERS, RECOGNIZING HER AS WOMAN BUSINESS OWNER OF THE YEAR.SHE WAS NAMED DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTOR BY THE SOUTHEASTERNMUSEUMS CONFERENCE IN RECOGNITION OF HER OUTSTANDINGSERVICE, LEADERSHIP, AND INNOVATION IN SHAPING THE WORLDOF MUSEUMS, AS WELL AS THE I.U. SOUTHEAST DISTINGUISHED ALUMNIAWARD RECIPIENT FOR HER CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE,AND ENGAGEMENT WITH HER ALMA MATER.IN 2019, SOLID LIGHT RECEIVED THE GREATER LOUISVILLEINCORPORATED AWARD FOR BEST SMALL BUSINESS, AS WELL AS THEBUSINESS FIRST REAL ESTATE AWARD FOR ADAPTIVE REUSE, FOR THERENOVATION OF A WAREHOUSE IN SOLID LIGHT'S NEW OFFICES.SHE WAS RECENTLY HONORED BY BUSINESS FIRST WITH ITSENTERPRISING WOMAN AWARD. CYNTHIA AND HER HUSBAND, I.U.SOUTHEAST PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF FINE ARTS BRIAN JONES, HAVE BEENARDENT SUPPORTERS OF THIS CAMPUS THROUGH THREE SCHOLARSHIPS FORGIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS, AND A RECENT $1.5 MILLIONBEQUEST TO ESTABLISH THE BRIAN AND CYNTHIA JONES ARTIST INEXCELLENCE FUND. SHE AND PROFESSOR JONES ALSOESTABLISHED THE KATE TORP FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP AT I.U.SOUTHEAST IN HONOR OF THEIR DECEASED DAUGHTER.THEIR OTHER DAUGHTER, HEATHER WEAVER, IS A VETERINARIAN AND AMAJOR IN THE U.S. ARMY. CYNTHIA HAS GENEROUSL -- THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, CYNTHIAHAS GENEROUSLY VOLUNTEERED COUNTLESS HOURS OF HER TIME ANDTALENT FOR ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE SOUTHEAST MUSEUM CONFERENCE,LOUISVILLE VISUAL ARTS, CARNEGIE CENTER FOR ART AND HISTORY, ANDWOMEN 4 WOMEN. SHE HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD OFTHE GIRL SCOUTS OF KENTUCKIANA FOR MANY YEARS AND IS NOW ANOFFICER ON THE BOARDS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSEUMEXHIBITION AND THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.SHE IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF BOURBON WOMEN, AN ASSOCIATION OFPROFESSIONAL WOMEN IN THE BOURBON INDUSTRY.THUS, IN RECOGNITION OF HER MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARTISTIC,CULTURAL AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, BOTH IN SOUTHEASTINDIANA AND FAR BEYOND, IT IS ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE THATINDIANA UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZE CYNTHIA TORP WITH AN HONORARYDOCTOR OF FINE ARTS DEGREE.>> CYNTHIA TORP, INDIANA UNIVERSITY SALUTES YOU.YOUR BOUNDLESS INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY, AND YOUR GENEROSITYOF SPIRIT, SERVE AS A BEACON OF INSPIRATION TO ALL.AND SO BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THETRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY, I AM PROUD AND PRIVILEGED TOCONFER ON YOU, WITH HONOR, THE DEGREE DOCTOR OF FINE ARTS WITHALL ATTENDANT RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES.CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ]AND NOW I INVITE CHANCELLOR WALLACE TO RETURN TO THE PODIUM.>> A TRADITIONAL FEATURE OF COMMENCEMENT IS THE INDUCTION OFOUR GRADUATES INTO THE I.U. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.OUR STUDENTS ARE MEMBERS OF A VERY CLOSE FAMILY WHILE ATINDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST. AS GRADUATES, YOU BECOME PART OFSOMETHING MUCH BIGGER, A NETWORK OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, WITHWHOM YOU HAVE MUCH IN COMMON. AND SO I INVITE TRUSTEE CONNORTO THE PODIUM TO WELCOME THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021 INTOTHE I.U. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. WILL GRADUATES WHO ARE ABLEPLEASE RISE. >> WHAT AN EXCITING DAY!ON BEHALF OF THE PREVIOUS GRADUATES FROM ALL OF OURCAMPUSES, WELCOME TO THE RANKS OF THIS UNIQUE ALUMNI COMMUNITY.THIS IS A BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT IN YOUR LIVES.CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS BREAKTHROUGH.YOUR DETERMINATION AND STRENGTH ARE WHAT SET YOU APART FROMOTHERS. AS GRADUATES, YOU ARE NOW PARTOF A POWERFUL GLOBAL NETWORK. BE ACTIVE IN YOUR ALUMNIASSOCIATION. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THECONNECTIONS AND INSIGHTS OF OTHER ALUMNI.AND TAKE THE CALL WHEN A FELLOW GRADUATE SEEKS TO CONNECT WITHYOU. BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR ADVICE ANDWITH YOUR CONNECTIONS. MOST IMPORTANT, EXPRESSGRATITUDE AND A HELPFUL ATTITUDE.GRADUATES, WHILE YOU WORKED HARD TO EARN YOUR DEGREES, YOUR LOVEDONES NEAR AND FAR ARE A TESTAMENT TO A GREAT TRUTH,NOTHING SIGNIFICANT IS EVER ACHIEVED ALONE.ALL OF US CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS.WE HONOR YOU AND CELEBRATE FOR ALL.FOR ALL THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED YOUR JOURNEY TOTHIS MOMENT; FOR ALL THE FACULTY AND STAFF MENTORS WHO GUIDEDYOUR STUDIES; FOR ALL THE LONG HOURS OF STUDYING, TOILING, ANDSACRIFICING TO MAKE IT THROUGH COLLEGE; FOR ALL THOSE WHO WILLBENEFIT FROM WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED.FOR ALL THOSE WHO FOLLOW YOU, MAY THEY SHOW THE SAMEDISCIPLINE, HUMILITY, AND STRENGTH THAT IT TAKES TO EARN ADIPLOMA AT THIS UNIVERSITY; AND FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE THE HOPEAND PROMISE OF YOUR CAMPUS, YOUR COMMUNITIES, YOUR CIRCLE OFFRIENDS AND LOVED ONES, AS WELL AS THE SOCIETY THAT YOU WILLHELP TO CHANGE. CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2020AND CLASS OF 2021. AND WELCOME NEW ALUMNI.[ APPLAUSE ]>> TO THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021, I OFFER CONGRATULATIONS ONYOUR INDUCTION INTO THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.PLEASE BE SEATED.NOW WE CONTINUE ANOTHER TRADITION, THE PRESENTATION OFTHE ANNUAL INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST DISTINGUISHED ALUMNIAWARD. THIS AWARD, WHICH WASESTABLISHED IN 1998 BY THE I.U. SOUTHEAST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION,RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES THROUGHPERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, COMMUNITYSERVICE, AND INVOLVEMENT WITH INDIANA UNIVERSITY.I INVITE THIS YEAR'S RECIPIENT, DR. WILLIAM COOKE TO COMEFORWARD. [ APPLAUSE ]LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DR. WILLIAM COOKE, A NATIVE OFNEW ALBANY, GRADUATED FROM I.U. SOUTHEAST IN 1994, BEFORE GOINGON TO GRADUATE WITH HONORS FROM THE I.U. SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN2001 AND THE I.U. HEALTH BALL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FAMILYMEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN 2004.HE SPECIALIZES IN FAMILY MEDICINE, ADDICTION MEDICINE,AND HIV MEDICINE, AND HE IS A FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMYOF FAMILY MEDICINE AND THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTIONMEDICINE. IN 2015, THE AREA THAT DR. COOKESERVES IN SCOTT COUNTY, INDIANA, BECAME GROUND ZERO FOR THE WORSTDRUG-RELATED HIV OUTBREAK IN U.S. HISTORY.HE SPEARHEADED EFFORTS TO RESPOND TO THE UNPRECEDENTEDHEALTHCARE DISASTER WITH RAPID AND EFFECTIVE ACTION THATDRAMATICALLY REDUCED FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS OF HIV.IN FACT, SCOTT COUNTY HAS BECOME A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THENATION BY BOASTING THE BEST HIV SUPPRESSION RATE IN THE STATE,WITH DECLINING CASES OF HEPATITIS C AND A SURGE OFPEOPLE IN RECOVERY. DR. COOKE HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLEAWARDS FOR HIS INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING THENEEDS OF PEOPLE IN RESOURCE-POOR COMMUNITIES.IN 2016, HE WAS NAMED THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR BY THEINDIANA ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS.HE RECEIVED THE DOC HOLLYWOOD AWARD FROM THE INDIANA RURALHEALTH ASSOCIATION, AND HE RECEIVED THE INDIANA STATEHEALTH COMMISSION'S AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC HEALTHSERVICE. IN 2019, HE WAS NAMED THEPHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILYPHYSICIANS. HE ALSO BECAME THE FIRSTPHYSICIAN TO BE GIVEN THE PILLAR OF EXCELLENCE AWARD BY THEADDICTION POLICY FORUM, AND HE THEN JOINED THE RANKS OF TWOFORMER SURGEON GENERALS AND FORMER OLYMPIC DIVER GREGLOUGANIS WHEN HE WAS AWARDED THE RYAN WHITE DISTINGUISHEDLEADERSHIP AWARD BY THE CENTERS FOR AIDS AND STD PREVENTION.DR. COOKE HAS WRITTEN THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOK "CANARYIN A COAL MINE," WHICH DETAILS HIS EXPERIENCES AS THE LONEDOCTOR WORKING WITH THE RESIDENTS OF A RURAL SOUTHERNINDIANA TOWN DURING A HEALTHCARE CRISIS OF UNPARALLELEDPROPORTIONS. HE CONTINUES TO PRACTICECOMPREHENSIVE FAMILY MEDICINE IN AUSTIN, INDIANA.AND SO, DR. COOKE, ON BEHALF OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST ANDTHE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, I AM PLEASED TO PRESENT YOU WITH OURANNUAL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD.CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ]PLEASE JOIN ME AGAIN IN RECOGNIZING DR. COOKE WITH AROUND OF APPLAUSE. [ APPLAUSE ]NOW, PLEASE, WOULD YOU RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT NEITHER DR. COOKE,NOR I DROPPED THE ALUMNI AWARD. [ LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE ]AS CHANCELLOR OF I.U. SOUTHEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MYHEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU, THE MEMBERS OFINDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST CLASS OF 2021.TODAY IS YOUR DAY. YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT YOUSET OUT TO DO. YOU HAVE EARNED YOUR INDIANAUNIVERSITY DEGREE. TODAY, WE CELEBRATE YOU.LET ME READ THAT AGAIN. YOU HAVE EARNED YOUR INDIANAUNIVERSITY DEGREE. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MEMBERSOF THE CLASS OF 2020, WHO ARE ALSO PRESENT TODAY.WHILE THIS COMMENCEMENT LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM OUR TRADITIONALCEREMONY, I'M SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU ANDGIVE YOU THE RECOGNITION YOU ALL DESERVE.LAST YEAR, WE CONFERRED 939 DEGREES TO THE CLASS OF 2020WHICH CONSISTED OF 919 STUDENTS. SO LET'S GIVE THE CLASS OF 2020A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [ APPLAUSE ]ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2020 PRESENT TODAY?[ CHEERS ] STAND UP, PLEASE.STAND UP. [ APPLAUSE ]THANK YOU. I KNOW IT'S LATE COMING, BUTCONGRATULATIONS. TO CALL THIS YEAR -- THIS PASTYEAR CHALLENGING WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.DESPITE A GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS, YOU HAVE PERSISTED ON YOURJOURNEY TO OBTAIN YOUR DEGREE. YOUR HARD WORK, PERSEVERANCE,AND DEDICATION HAVE BROUGHT YOU TO THIS MOMENT AND I COULD NOTBE MORE PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.TODAY'S COMMENCEMENT IS ALSO ESPECIALLY HISTORIC AS WE PAYTRIBUTE TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT MICHAEL A. McROBBIE,WHO HAS PRESIDED AT I.U. SOUTHEAST'S COMMENCEMENTS DURINGHIS PRESIDENCY, WHICH BEGAN IN 2007 AND WILL CONCLUDE WITH HISRETIREMENT THIS SPRING. WITH THE UTMOST APPRECIATION ANDRESPECT, WE SALUTE PRESIDENT McROBBIE'S LEADERSHIP AND HISINNUMERABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CAMPUS.[ APPLAUSE ] WHILE WE ARE GATHERED HERE FOR ACOMMON CELEBRATION, I AM AMAZED BY THE DIVERSE PATHS EACH OF YOUHAS TAKEN TO ARRIVE AT TODAY'S GRADUATION.SOME OF YOU ARE THE FIRST IN YOUR FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROMCOLLEGE. OTHERS ARE THIRD GENERATION I.U.SOUTHEAST GRADUATES. SOME OF YOU WORKED ON YOURDEGREE WHILE BALANCING FAMILIES AND FULL-TIME JOBS.OTHERS LIVED IN OUR LODGES, AND BECAME LEADERS ON OUR CAMPUSTHROUGH STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS. TODAY WE CELEBRATE STUDENTS LIKESTUDENTS LIKENATHANIEL PARKS WHO MANAGED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WHILESERVING OUR COUNTRY. HE'S BEEN OVERSEAS ON ACTIVEDUTY DURING HIS TIME AT I.U. SOUTHEAST BUT HAS EXCELLEDACADEMICALLY DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES.WE CELEBRATE STUDENTS LIKE ROBIN FREDERICK, WHO HAS OVERCOMEFINANCIAL AND PERSONAL OBSTACLES TO COMPLETE HER DEGREE.ROBIN WENT FROM HAVING TO DROP OUT DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES, TOEARNING AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP.SHE HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR SUSTAINABILITY AT I.U.SOUTHEAST. SHE HAS SPEARHEADED MANY OF THESUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES ON OUR CAMPUS, PULLING TOGETHERADMINISTRATORS, FACULTY, STUDENTS AND STAFF, TO INSPIRETHEM TO TAKE ACTION. WE CELEBRATE STUDENTS LIKECHARLES CHRISTIAN ISAACS, A NONTRADITIONAL TRANSFER STUDENTWHO HAS THRIVED IN HIS COURSES DESPITE A TOUGH FIRST SEMESTER,AMID THE PANDEMIC. DURING A TIME OF HARDSHIP, HE'SEMBRACED MORE CHALLENGES SUCH AS APPLYING FOR AND RECEIVING THEI.U. SOUTHEAST STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT AND CONDUCTING ORIGINALRESEARCH. TODAY, HE GRADUATES WITH ABACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN HISTORY.THESE FINE STUDENTS ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GRADUATINGCLASS WE CELEBRATE TODAY, A GROUP WE ARE PROUD TO HAVESERVED AT I.U. SOUTHEAST. SEATED BEFORE YOU ARE STUDENTSWHO WE KNOW AS ACADEMIC SCHOLARS, ATHLETES, RESEARCHERS,ARTISTS, THOSE INVOLVED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND SO MUCHMORE. THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2021 ISCOMPRISED OF 856 STUDENTS. NEARLY A THIRD OF THEM ARE THEFIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTAIN AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE.I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THAT STATISTIC.31% OF YOU ARE TRAILBLAZERS IN YOUR FAMILY.THE FIRST TO SET THAT EXAMPLE AND EXPECTATION OF OBTAINING I OBTAINING ACOLLEGE DEGREE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.CAN WE GIVE THOSE PEOPLE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE.[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU.68% OF THIS YEAR'S GRADUATES ARE INDIANA STATE RESIDENTS.WHILE NEARLY 30% HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE RECIPROCITYAGREEMENT WITH KENTUCKY. I.U. SOUTHEAST GRADUATES -- I.U.SOUTHEAST GRADUATES REPRESENT 35 INDIANA COUNTIES, 15 U.S.STATES, AND 19 COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN.I WILL READ THAT AGAIN. INDIANA UNIVERSITY GRADUATESREPRESENT 35 INDIANA COUNTIES, 15 U.S. STATES, AND 19 COUNTRIESOF ORIGIN. OUR OLDEST GRADUATE IS 65 ANDOUR YOUNGEST GRADUATE IS 19. MORE THAN 54% OF TODAY'SGRADUATES ARE YOUNGER THAN 25, WHILE MORE THAN 26% ARE AGED 30OR OVER. THE MOST POPULAR DEGREE TO BEGRANTED THIS DAY IS THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS.YEAH. COME ON.THAT'S OKAY. [ APPLAUSE ]TODAY WE AWARD SIX ASSOCIATE DEGREES, 734 BACHELOR'S DEGREES,AND 134 MASTER'S DEGREES FOR A TOTAL OF 874 DEGREES.49 STUDENTS IN THIS DISTINGUISHED GROUP ARE WALKINGACROSS THE STAGE WITH A PERFECT 4.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE.WOW! [ APPLAUSE ]ON BEHALF OF OUR REMARKABLE FACULTY AND STAFF, WECONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.IT IS THE DREAM OF EVERY EDUCATOR AND OF EVERY PARENT FORTHE NEXT GENERATION TO BE BETTER AND TO BE BETTER OFF.YOU THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2021 AND 2020 ARE LIVING PROOFOF I.U. SOUTHEAST'S VISION TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR REGIONBY TRANSFORMING GOOD STUDENTS INTO GREAT LEADERS ONE GRADUATEAT A TIME. IN TURN, I HOPE THAT YOU AREHONORED AND PROUD TO RECEIVE YOUR I.U. DEGREE.I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE ENJOYED YOUR TIME AT THIS EXCEPTIONALINSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING AND I HOPE YOU SHARE YOUREXPERIENCES WITH OTHERS WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM IT.I NOW INVITE YOU TO JOIN MORE THAN 30,000I.U. SOUTHEAST ALUMNIAROUND THE WORLD IN BECOMING OFFICIAL AMBASSADORS FOR FUTUREGROUPS OF GRADUATING CLASSES. STAY INVOLVED WITH I.U.SOUTHEAST. PARTICIPATE IN ALUMNIACTIVITIES. USE THE LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNEDHERE TO HELP THIS UNIVERSITY BEST SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND OURCOMMUNITY. PRESIDENT McROBBIE, TRUSTEESAND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, I AM HONORED TO PRESENT THE I.U.SOUTHEAST CLASS OF 2021 TO YOU TODAY.I OFFER WHOLE HEARTED CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF THEMON THEIR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS.IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE OUR STUDENT SPEAKER,HANNAH RUTH SHAFFER. HANNAH, YOU HAVE A FAN CLUB.MS. SHAFFER IS FROM HANOVER, INDIANA.IN 2020, SHE EARNED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS WITH ADOUBLE CONCENTRATION IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND GENERALMANAGEMENT. AT I.U. SOUTHEAST, SHE WAS AMEMBER OF THE CRIMSON CREW AND THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCEMANAGEMENT. SHE HOPES TO EARN AN M.B.A. FROMI.U. SOUTHEAST AND TO WORK IN HUMAN RESOURCE ANALYTICS.IN FACT, HANNAH STARTS CLASSES TOMORROW FOR HER M.B.A.LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HANNAH SHAFFER.[ APPLAUSE ]>> SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE THE HARDEST THING TO DO IN LIFE ISACTUALLY LIVE LIFE. WE ARE ALL HERE TODAY BECAUSEWE'VE REACHED A HUGE MILESTONE IN OUR LIVES, GRADUATINGCOLLEGE. BUT WE ALL HAD TO MAKE A LOT OFSACRIFICES TO GET HERE MAYBE ESPECIALLY OVER THE PASTYEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OUR LASTYEAR OF COLLEGE WOULD BE SPENT INTERACTING WITH ONE ANOTHERFROM BEHIND A SCREEN? I KNOW I PERSONALLY WAS LOOKINGFORWARD TO MAKING MY SENIOR YEAR THE BEST ONE YET.I WAS READY TO TAKE IN EVERYTHING THAT I MIGHT HAVEMISSED DURING PREVIOUS YEARS AND COAST TOWARDS GRADUATION, BUTUNFORTUNATELY, LIFE HAD DIFFERENT PLANS.AS WE ALL KNOW, BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT IS ONE OF THE MOSTCHALLENGING ROLES TO TAKE ON BECAUSE IT'S ALL ONE BIGBALANCING ACT BETWEEN SCHOOL, WORK, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND IFYOU ARE LUCKY, MAYBE A LITTLE TIME FOR YOURSELF.ADD LIVING THROUGH A PANDEMIC ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT, AND ITREALLY SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE! BUT AS WE SIT HERE, CLEARLY WEMADE IT THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING TIMESOF OUR LIVES. DURING OUR TIME AT I.U.SOUTHEAST, WE MET PEOPLE WHO WILL BE OUR LIFELONG FRIENDS.WE MADE CONNECTIONS WITH PROFESSORS WHO CHALLENGED US TOTHINK IN WAYS THAT BLEW OUR WHOLE WORLDS WIDE OPEN.WE LEARNED WHAT IT MEANT TO BE HUMAN, TO FAIL EVEN THOUGH WETRIED OUR HARDEST TO SUCCEED; BUT WHEN WE DID RISE UP TO THEOCCASION, FEELING LIKE WE WER -- NO ONE AND NOTHING COULDSTOP US. THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS MADE UP OF,THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS AND THE PLACES IN BETWEEN.THE MOUNTAINTOPS ARE JUST MOMENTS IN LIFE, BUT THE HARDWORK DURING THE MIDDLES AND LOWS OF LIFE IS WHAT GETS US TO THOSEHIGH PLACES WHERE WE CAN BASK IN OUR SUCCESSES.AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND PUT OUR COLLEGE DAYS BEHIND US, MOST OFUS ARE PROBABLY FOCUSED ON OUR NEXT BIG MILESTONES, GETTINGTHAT FIRST FULL-TIME DREAM JOB NOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR DEGREE INHAND. MAYBE YOU ARE PLANNING TO GETENGAGED OR PLANNING A WEDDING. MAYBE STARTING A FAMILY ORMAINTAINING THE ONE ALREADY GOT. POSSIBLY YOU ARE EVEN PLANNINGTO JOIN THE SERVICE. WHATEVER YOUR NEXT CHAPTER IS,DON'T FORGET TO STOP AND ENJOY THE IN-BETWEENS IN LIFE.IT'S SO EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN PLANNING OR WAITING FOR THE NEXTBIG THING, BUT THE LESSONS WE'VE LEARNED HERE ON THIS VERY CAMPUSHAVE SET US UP TO REACH OUR NEXT MOUNTAIN TOP.CONGRATULATIONS TO TH GRADUATING CLASS.WE MADE IT!>> THANK YOU, HANNAH, FOR YOUR INSPIRING MESSAGE.YES, YOU ALL MADE IT! NOW I WELCOME PRESIDENTMcROBBIE BACK TO THE PODIUM TO DELIVER THE CHARGE TO THECLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021. PRESIDENT McROBBIE.CHANCELLOR WALLACE, MS. TORP, DR. COOKE AND MEMBERS OF THECLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021, LAST YEAR INDIANA UNIVERSITYCELEBRATED ITS BICENTENNIAL. THIS HISTORIC MILESTONE PROVIDEDA UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UNIVERSITY TO HIGHLIGHT ALL THATIT HAD ACHIEVED FIRST 200 YEARS AS IT GREW TO BECOME ONE THEWORLD'S LEADING PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES, FUELED AN ENGINEOF OPPORTUNITY AND PROSPERITY FOR INDIANA AND THE NATION,SPARKED DISCOVERIES THAT HELPED TO SOLVE SOME OF OUR STATE ANDOUR WORLD'S MOST DIFFICULT AND URGENT PROBLEMS AND ILLUMINATEDTHE BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES OF HUMAN IMAGINATION ANDCREATIVITY. THE CELEBRATION OF OURBICENTENNIAL WAS, HOWEVER, INTERRUPTED BY THE COVID-19PANDEMIC. AND THIS HAS MADE THE LAST YEAROF YOUR TIME AT I. U. SOUTHEAST VERY DIFFERENT FROM THETRADITIONAL I.U. EXPERIENCE. BUT DESPITE THE ENORMOUSCHALLENGES AND DISRUPTION CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC, YOU REMAINDEDICATED TO YOUR STUDIES, AND STEADFAST IN ADJUSTING TO ALLTHE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES NEEDED TO HELP FIND, FIGHT THEPANDEMIC WITH A COMBINATION OF COURAGE, RESILIENCE ANDUNWAVERING CONCERN FOR OTHERS. ALL OF US HAVE BEEN ENORMOUSLYPROUD OF HOW SERIOUSLY AND DILIGENTLY HAVE YOU RESPONDED TOALL THAT HAS BEEN REQUIRED OF YOU.YOUR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN VITAL IN KEEPING THE UNIVERSITYFUNCTIONING WITH SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY IN SPITE OF ALL THATHAS HAD TO BE ENJOYED AND ALL OF US SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.AS YOU GRADUATE TODAY, YOU ARE AMONG THE FIRST GRADUATES TOCARRY INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S LEGACY FORWARD INTO ITS THIRDCENTURY. YOU HAVE BENEFITED FROM A200-YEAR LEGACY OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE THAT IS NOW THEFOUNDATION OF THE PRESENT AND OF THE FUTURE.BUT WHAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE OF A UNIVERSITY LIKEI.U. IN THE 21st CENTURY? THE GREAT CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST,HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR, W.E.B. DuBOIS ADDRESSED THIS QUESTIONMORE THAN A CENTURY AGO IN A LANDMARK 1903 BOOK OF ESSAYS.THE FUNCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY, HE WROTE, IS NOT SIMPLY TO TEACHBREAD-WINNING OR TO FURNISH TEACHERS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLSOR TO BE A CENTER OF POLITE SOCIETY.IT'S ABOVE ALL TO BE THE ORGAN OF THAT FINE ADJUSTMENT BETWEENREAL LIFE AND THE GROWING KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE, AN ADJUSTMENTWHICH FORMS THE VERY SECRET OF CIVILIZATION.CERTAINLY ONE REASON THAT YOU CAME TO I.U. SOUTHEAST WAS FORAN EDUCATION OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, ONE THAT WOULD PREPAREYOU FOR A PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY REWARDING LIFEAND CAREER. I.U. HAS DONE MUCH OVER THE LAST14 YEARS TO ENSURE THAT THE DEGREES THAT YOU EARNED FULFILLTHIS PURPOSE AND THEY ARE HIGH LYE RELEVANT TO TODAY'SINFORMATION-BASED GLOBAL SOCIETY AND SPEAK TO THE ISSUES FACINGTHE WORLD. BUT AS DuBOIS SUGGESTS,TEACHING BREAD-WINNING OR PREPARING YOU TO EARN A LIVINGWHILE AN IMMENSELY IMPORTANT OUTCOME IS NOT I.U.'S SOLEFUNCTION. OUR FUNCTION GOES BEYONDPROVIDING TEACHERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THOUGH WE TAKE GREATPRIDE IN DOING JUST THAT. OUR SCHOOLS OF EDUCATIONAL I.U.SOUTHEAST AND AROUND STATE TRAIN EXCELLENT HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTERTEACHERS WHO ARE REGULARLY NAMED THE BEST IN THE STATE.SNNOR IS I.U.'S FUNCTION IN DuBOIS' WORDS TO BE THE CENTEROF POLITE SOCIETY, ALTHOUGH THE MANNER IN WHICH I.U. ANDUNIVERSITIES LIKE I.U. CONDUCT DEBITE IS CRITICAL TO CIVILSOCIETY AND MODERN SCIENCE. MANY HAVE LAMENTED THEUNEXPECTED EFFECT OF MODERN COMMUNICATIONS LIKE SOCIAL MEDIATO DIVIDE AND ISOLATE RATHER THAN TO BRING TOGETHER.UNIVERSITIES MUST BE PLACES THAT BRIDGE THESE DIVIDES, NOT TOREACH AGREEMENT ON ALL THINGS BUT TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING,SHARPEN IDEAS AND ULTIMATELY ADVANCE SOCIETY THROUGHDIALOGUE. BUT INSTEAD, DuBOIS DEFINEDTHE FUNCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY AS FOSTERING, IN HIS WORDS, THATBROAD KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THE WORLD KNOWS AND KNEW OF HUMANLIVING AND DOING WHICH MAY BE APPLIED TO THE THOUSAND PROBLEMSOF REAL LIFE TODAY CONFRONTING US.MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO, DuBOIS REALIZED THATMITIGATING THE MOST DIFFICULT AND VEXING PROBLEMS THAT FACESOCIETY WOULD DEPEND ON APPLYING THE POWERS OF LOGIC AND REASONTO THE MYRIAD AND IMMENSE BODIES OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE.THIS, DUBOIS MAINTAINED WAS THE FUNCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY IN1903, AND TODAY, OVER A CENTURY LATER, IN 2021, IT REMAINS ONEOF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S MOST NOBLE FUNCTIONS FOR THE NEXTCENTURY. OUR UNIVERSITY'S ESSENTIAL WORKAS IT HAS BEEN FOR TWO CENTURY IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THEMOST CONTEMPORARY AND BROADEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE, ONE THAT ISACCESSIBLE TO ALL THE CITIZENS OF INDIANA AND ELSEWHERE, NOMATTER WHAT THEIR MEANS OR FROM WHERE THEY COME.IT IS TO BESURE SCHOLARSHIP AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OFEXCELLENCE. AND IT'S TO SERVE OUR NATION,THE WORLD AND THE REGION IN COUNTLESS WAY, INCLUDING BYPRODUCING GRADUATES LIKE YOU WHO APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE YOU GAIN TOTHE MANY CHALLENGES CONFRONTING US.THE WORLD IS FACING SEISMIC CHANGES FROM RAPIDLY CHANGINGAND UNABLE GEOPOLITICS TO THE VERY SURVIVAL OF DEMOCRACY.AND FROM THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON PERSONAL PRIVACY,TO THE HEALTH AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE HUMAN RACE.THE DEMANDING DIFFICULT AND PRESSING TASKS THAT MUST BECARRIED OUT ARE IMMENSE AND THE PROBLEMS IN NEED OF SOLUTIONSMYRIAD. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HASBROUGHT NEW URGENCY TO THE NEED TO IMPROVE GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH,PREPARE FOR FUTURE PANDEMICS AND TO CONQUER DISEASE.A HIGHLY DIVISIVE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AT HOME AND ABROADGIVES NEW URGENCY TO THE REDUCTION OF CONFLICT.THE RACISM, BIGOTRY INTOLERANCE AND HATRED THAT TOO MANY MEMBERSOF OUR SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE FORCED TOCONFRONT ON A DAILY BASIS, MEANS CREATION OF COMMUNITIES WHEREBELIEFS ARE RESPECTED, VALUED AND PROTECTED AND WHERE HATRED,BIGOTRY IS POWERFULLY CONDEMNED. THE NEED TO ADDRESS COUNTLESSOTHER CHALLENGES INCLUDING RESPONDING TO THE EFFECTS OFCLIMATE CHANGE, ALLEVIATING POVERTY AND BUILDING PROSPERITYGROW MORE URGENT WITH EACH PASSING DAY.SO IT IS TO YOU THAT THE WORLD NOW LOOKS FOR YOUR COMMITMENT ASCITIZENS, FOR YOUR ENERGY AND SERIOUSNESS OF PURPOSE, AS YOUGRAPPLE WITH THE MOST FORMIDABLE PROBLEMS THAT CONFRONT US, FORYOUR COMMITMENT TO HUMAN DIGNITY AND FREEDOM, AND FOR ALL YOU CANDO TO RENEW THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, TO INNOVATE, TO BUILD, TO HEAL,AND TO TEACH. AS GRADUATES OF INDIANAUNIVERSITY, YOU HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR YEARS TO BECOMETHE NEXT GENERATION TO DISCOVER, TO UNDERSTAND, AND TO APPLY ALLTHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED. IT IS NOW INCUMBENT ON YOU TOGRASP AND UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST, NO MATTERWHERE YOU FIND YOURSELVES, TO USE THE WISDOM THAT YOU HAVEGAINED TO DEVISE WITH THE GREATEST OF SKILL, THE BESTSOLUTIONS TO THESE, AND TO SUMMON THE COURAGE TO RESPONDWHEN YOU ARE CALLED UPON TO ADVANCE THE COMMON GOOD.AT YOUR COMMENCEMENT FROM THIS PLACE, AND TO THE WORLD ATLARGE, THIS IS MY CHARGE TO YOU. KEEP WHAT IS GOOD.CHANGE WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED WITH WISDOM.TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK AND THE WORLD THAT YOU WILL MAKE.MAY YOU CARRY ON THE TRADITIONS OF EXCELLENCE THAT HAVE BROUGHTYOU TO THIS MOMENT. IT MAY BE SAID IN YEARS TO COME,THAT IT WAS GRADUATES LIKE YOU HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD WHOCONFRONTED AND CONQUERED THE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES OFTODAY AND GAINED THE RESPECT AND GRATITUDE OF ALL.THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]AND NOW I INVITE CHANCELLOR WALLACE TO RETURN TO THE PODIUM.>> PRESIDENT McROBBIE, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR UPCOMINGRETIREMENT FROM THE ROLE OF PRESIDENT OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY.FOR 14 YEARS, YOU HAVE SERVED WITH GREAT DISTINCTION AS THELEADER OF THE UNIVERSITY, PRESIDING OVER ITSTRANSFORMATION IN ITS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, PHYSICAL FACILITIESAND PHILANTHROPIC CULTURE. IN NO AREA HAS THETRANSFORMATION BEEN GREATER THAN THAT OF I.U. SOUTHEAST AND THEOTHER FOUR I.U. REGIONAL CAMPUSES.AS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS IN THECOUNTRY, YOU HAVE BEEN A STEADFAST CHAMPION OF OURMISSION. YOU RECOGNIZED EARLY IN YOURPRESIDENCY THAT REGIONAL CAMPUS STUDENTS REPRESENT A CRUCIALCONSTITUENCY, AND THAT SERVING THEM IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OFI.U.'S OVERALL MISSION TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF INDIANA.YOU HAVE PROMOTED WITH TREMENDOUS SUCCESS, OUR GOALS OFAN EXCELLENT, AFFORDABLE, LEARNER-CENTERED EDUCATION FOROUR STUDENTS; DEEP COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT; AND ACOLLABORATIVE STRUCTURE AND CULTURE THAT IS UNIQUE INAMERICAN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND INDEED SERVES AS A MODEL FOROTHERS. THE UNPRECEDENTED PHILANTHROPICSUPPORT FOR THE REGIONAL CAMPUSES IN THE RECENTLYCOMPLETED FOR ALL BICENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN IS SURELY PROOF OF THEWIDESPREAD APPRECIATION OF THE REVITALIZATION OF THE I.U.REGIONAL CAMPUSES THAT YOU INITIATED.PRESIDENT McROBBIE, CAN I AS YOU TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE.MICHAEL A. McROBBIE, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR INNUMERABLECONTRIBUTIONS TO THE I.U. REGIONAL CAMPUSES, ON BEHALF OFI.U. SOUTHEAST, IT IS MY GREAT PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT YOU WITHTHE I.U. SOUTHEAST CHANCELLOR'S MEDALLION, SHOWN IN THIS DISPLAYCASE WITH THE CHANCELLORS' MEDALLIONS OF EACH OF THEREGIONAL CAMPUSES. THIS JOINT AWARD IS THE FIRST OFITS KIND, AND IT IS AN APPROPRIATE SYMBOL OF THECOLLABORATION BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AND THE REGIONALCAMPUSES. PLEASE ACCEPT THIS SYMBOL OF OURDEEPEST GRATITUDE, AND COULD EVERYONE PLEASE RECOGNIZEPRESIDENT McROBBIE WITH A ROUND OF APPLAUSE?[ APPLAUSE ] >> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH,CHANCELLOR WALLACE, FOR THAT IMMENSE HONOR AND THANKS TO YOURCOLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER REGIONAL CAMPUSES FOR THE HONOR THAT THEYHAVE ALSO PAID ME. I REALLY DO GREATLY APPRECIATEIT AND IT WILL BE A TREASURED REMINDER OF MY YEARS OF WORKINGTOGETHER WITH YOU AND YOUR PREDECESSORS HERE AT I.U.SOUTHEAST AND ON ALL OF OUR REGIONAL CAMPUSES FOR THEGREATER GOOD OF THE GREATER UNIVERSITY AND OF THE PEOPLE OFINDIANA. NOW, I BELIEVE, CHANCELLOR I NOWHAND OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> THANK YOU, SIR.THANK YOU, PRESIDENT McROBBIE. WE NOW COME TO THE CENTRALMOMENT OF THIS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, THE CONFERRAL OFDEGREES. THE NAMES OF THE CANDIDATES ARELISTED IN YOUR PROGRAM BOOKLETS. I INVITE YOUR ATTENTION TO THEFACT THAT SOME CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN AWARDED HONORS IN GENERALSCHOLARSHIP. THEY ARE WEARING DISTINGUISHEDCORDS. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE CORDSIS EXPLAINED IN THE HONORS SECTION OF YOUR PROGRAMBOOKLETS. IN ADDITION, SOME STUDENTS HAVEEARNED DEPARTMENTAL OR SCHOOL HONORS, AND ARE MEMBERS OFACADEMIC HONOR SOCIETIES. INDIANA UNIVERSITY HOLDS ALL OFITS GRADUATES IN HIGH ESTEEM, AND TAKES AN ADDED MEASURE OFPRIDE IN THOSE WHO HAVE EXCELLED ACADEMICALLY.I NOW ASK THOSE CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES WHO ARE GRADUATING WITHDISTINCTION, HIGH DISTINCTION, AND HIGHEST DISTINCTION TOPLEASE STAND AND REMAIN STANDING.I ALSO ASK THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED DEPARTMENTAL ORSCHOOL HONORS OR WHO BELONG TO ACADEMIC HONOR SOCIETIES TO ALSOPLEASE STAND. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL.[ APPLAUSE ] PLEASE BE SEATED.OUR GRADUATING STUDENTS WHO ARE VETERANS OR CURRENTLY IN THEARMED FORCES ARE WEARING RED, WHITE AND BLUE CORDS.I ASK THEM TO PLEASE STAND. [ APPLAUSE ]PLEASE ACCEPT OUR DEEPEST THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS.PLEASE BE SEATED. AND ACCEPT OUR DEEPEST THANKSAND CONGRATULATIONS. I WILL NOW PRESENT THECANDIDATES FOR DEGREES. PRESIDENT McROBBIE WILL CONFERDEGREES AFTER ALL THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.AT THAT TIME, ALL OF YOU WILL BE ASKED TO STAND ONCE AGAIN FORTHE CONFERRAL. WILL THE CANDIDATES FORASSOCIATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOLS OF ARTS AND LETTERS, NATURALSCIENCES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES PLEASE STAND?WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN THE SCHOOLOF ARTS AND LETTERS, NATURAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCESPLEASE STAND? WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THEDEGREE MASTER OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES PLEASESTAND? THESE CANDIDATES, MEETING ALLREQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREES INDICATED ARE RECOMMENDED BY THEFACULTY FOR THE CONFERRAL OF THESE DEGREES.CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ]PLEASE BE SEATED. WILL THE CANDIDATES FORASSOCIATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS PLEASE STAND?WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN THE SCHOOLOF BUSINESS PLEASE STAND? WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THEDEGREES MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MASTER OFSCIENCE IN STRATEGIC FINANCE PLEASE STAND?THESE CANDIDATES, MEETING ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREESINDICATED, ARE RECOMMENDED BY THE FACULTY FOR THE CONFERRAL OFTHESE DEGREES. CONGRATULATIONS.[ APPLAUSE ] PLEASE BE SEATED.WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INEDUCATION PLEASE STAND? WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THEDEGREE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING AND MASTER OF SCIENCEIN EDUCATION PLEASE STAND? THESE CANDIDATES, MEETING ALLREQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREES INDICATED, ARE RECOMMENDED BYTHE FACULTY FOR THE CONFERRAL OF THESE DEGREES.CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ]PLEASE BE SEATED. WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THEDEGREE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCE ANDBACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PLEASE STAND?THESE CANDIDATES, MEETING ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREEINDICATED, ARE RECOMMENDED BY THE FACULTY FOR THE CONFERRAL OFTHIS DEGREE. CONGRATULATIONS.[ APPLAUSE ] PLEASE BE SEATED.>> NOW, WILL ALL CANDIDATES WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR DEGREES,PLEASE STAND ONCE AGAIN. ALL CANDIDATES.CANDIDATES, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THETRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY I AM PROUD AND PRIVILEGED TOCONFER UPON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THE DEGREES RECOMMENDEDBY THE FACULTY WITH ALL ATTENDANT RIGHTS ANDRESPONSIBILITIES. THE REPUTATION OF INDIANAUNIVERSITY DEPENDS ON YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THEVALUES, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED HERE.I NOW INVITE THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE EARNING YOUR FIRST COLLEGEDEGREE TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE NOW TRULY GRADUATES OF INDIANAUNIVERSITY BY MOVING THE TASSELS ON YOUR CAPS TO THE LEFT SIDE.CONGRATULATIONS! [ APPLAUSE ]AND PLEASE BE SEATED.>> I NOW INVITE OUR GRADUATES TO COME FORWARD TO THE PLATFORM.I WANT TO RECOGNIZE DIANE REID, A SENIOR LECTURER INCOMMUNICATION STUDIES, WHO WILL ANNOUNCE THE NAMES OF THEGRADUATES TODAY. HOWEVER, THIS WILL BE HER LASTCOMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, AS SHE IS RETIRING AFTER 40 YEARS OFTEACHING AT I.U. SOUTHEAST. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]SHE STARTED HERE WHEN SHE WAS 10 YEARS OLD.LET'S GIVE HER A REAL ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE.[ APPLAUSE ]>> AND THAT, MY FRIENDS, CONCLUDES THE NAMING OF THENAMES. [ LAUGHTER ]>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, ONCE AGAIN, TO EVERY MEMBER OF THECLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021. [ APPLAUSE ]AND SO WE COME TO THE CLOSE OF THIS MEMORABLE OCCASION IN, OFCOURSE, VERY UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND WE AREGRATEFUL FOR THE COMMENCEMENT COMMITTEE FOR PLANNING ANDORGANIZING THIS EVENT. AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK WENTINTO ENSURING THAT WE COULD HOLD A COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY UNDERTHE CONDITIONS OF A PANDEMIC. SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKINGTHE COMMENCEMENT COMMITTEE FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK.[ APPLAUSE ] AND PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKINGMS. REID FOR HER WONDERFUL NAME READING AND FOR HER 40-YEARCAREER AT I.U. SOUTHEAST. [ APPLAUSE ]OUR THANKS ALSO GO TO JARETH GADDIS, AND ALL OURTALENTED MUSICIANS FOR PROVIDING THE OUTSTANDING MUSIC FOR THISCOMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. MUSICIANS, WOULD YOU PLEASESTAND? [ APPLAUSE ]NOW, TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR NEWEST GRADUATES, I ASK MR. GADDIS TOLEAD US ALL IN SINGING OUR ALMA MATER SONG, "HAIL TO OLD I.U.."THE WORDS ARE ON THE INSIDE FRONT COVERS OF YOUR PROGRAMBOOKLETS. AFTER THE ALMA MATER, TO ENSUREEVERYBODY'S SAFETY, PLEASE BE SEATED AND REMAIN SEATED UNTILTHE PLATFORM PARTY AND THE FACULTY HAVE LEFT THECOMMENCEMENT AREA. AND YOU ARE ASKED TO RECESS BYAN USHER. NOW, PLEASE ALL STAND FOR THEALMA MATER.♪ ♪ COME AND JOIN IN SONGTOGETHER ♪ ♪ SHOUT WITH MIGHT AND MAIN ♪♪ OUR BELOVED ALMA MATER ♪ ♪ SOUND HER PRAISE AGAIN ♪♪ GLORIANA, FRANGIPANA ♪ ♪ E'ER TO HER BE TRUE ♪♪ SHE'S THE PRIDE OF INDIANA ♪ ♪ HAIL TO OLD I.U. ♪[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]♪
You can view the recorded version of past ceremonies either by watching the videos below or by going to the IU Southeast YouTube channel.