University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod told the Class of 2025 graduates that they’ve been educated and trained for this moment in time, and they will rise to the occasion.
During the commencement celebration Sunday at the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, he told graduates that they’ll soon enter “an economy that’s strong but is dealing with really unprecedented degrees of uncertainty.”
“But uncertainty is always full of opportunity,” he said, “and you’re leaving here today with a degree from one of America’s leading research universities, where you have had a tremendous exposure to a wide range of experiences and developed skills that you don’t even fully appreciate.”
Girod said while the students were improving themselves throughout their time at KU, they were also improving the university and the community through their work in clinics and pharmacies, businesses and nonprofits, performing onstage, helping with charity events, conducting research and more.
“We just want to share how proud and excited we are to celebrate this day with you and to really launch you on to the next phase of your lives,” Girod said.
Deans of each school addressed their graduates.
Barbara Timmermann, interim dean of the School of Pharmacy, told the graduates that people don’t always remember what you say or even what you do, but they will remember how you make them feel. She said as they go on to treat diseases, invent new drugs and be “very useful for humanity,” they have to demonstrate respect and kindness.
Mary Rezac, dean of the School of Engineering, said this year’s 750 students constituted KU’s largest-ever class of engineering graduates.
Michelle Mohr Carney, dean of the School of Social Welfare, said that school’s students had contributed more than 200,000 hours of internship service, “making a tangible impact on individuals, families and communities.”
Paul Popiel, dean of the School of Music, said this year’s graduates had given nearly 1,500 concerts in more than 40 countries and shared their talents and research across the state and country and around the world.
In closing the ceremony, Girod told graduates that if they see a problem, they should get involved and fix it.
“Because at the end of the day, that’s what Jayhawks do,” he said.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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