Graduation Speaker

[MSUFan]

So about a month ago, I set out on a task to be the Student Speaker at Michigan State University Convocation (General Graduation). Tonight, the journey ended and a new one began as I've been chosen to deliver my speech in front of 20,000 people at Convocation on May 7th. I am crazy excited, out of the 45,000 people that go to MSU and the roughly 13,000 graduating seniors, I am chosen to represent and be the speaker.

Here is my speech:

   I would like to first and foremost give applause to all the 2010 graduates sitting here today. Through the triumphs and disappoints, the happiness and sorrow, the highs and lows of the story it has taken each and every one of us to get here today, I applaud you.
I'd also like to give applause and thanks to all the family members. Behind every graduate is someone that was there when we needed them most. That person could had been a Mother, a Father, a Grandparent or numerous other family members and friends. These are the people that push us to be great, and are the people whose only goal is to see us be more successful than themselves. It is that unselfishness, that altruistic and unconditional love that is the backbone behind me and the rest of my fellow graduates that allows us to be the people we are today, I applaud you.

Although, I do not know most of you by name, I am willing to bet that we share similarities about our time here at Michigan State University. We share similar memories, and similar feelings about this place we called home. I can remember my very first class in a giant lecture hall with 400 of my closest friends. I remember sitting in that green seat and thinking what did I get myself into? I remember the long nights of studying, wondering if this was going to be worth it. Was I going to make it? My bet is that each and every one of you could share similar stories with similar emotions. That's what I love about Michigan State. That although I can only amass 700 friends on facebook out of the 45,000 of us that go to MSU, I still feel like everyone that goes here is my family. That is because we have gone through the same struggles and triumphs, we share the Spartan bond. This Spartan bond, was forged on the banks of the red cedar at this school that is known to all of us as home. If someone were to ask me what is the best part of Michigan State, my answer would be simple, the people. The people that have influenced all of our lives today and make us the people we are. They could be your friends you met here, a professor, a significant other, but they are the reason I'm who I am and most likely who you are. These same people are the ones that you'll see when you walk down the street anywhere in the world wearing a Michigan State shirt, and you can shout out "Go Green" and I bet they will respond with "Go White." That very reason is why I'm going to miss Michigan State so much and the reason I am going to leave Michigan State a person completely different than the one I came to college as. I truly believe that the changes we make as a person while at college is the most tangible thing we learn here and that if you can honestly say you are the same person you were four years ago then you've done it wrong.

   John Wooden once said that you should wake up everyday with the attitude to make that day your masterpiece, because once that day was over your masterpiece was finished. He knew that the most brilliant moment in time was the one in the here and now. I hope that all of you have made beautiful masterpieces with your time at Michigan State. I hope that all the memories you have of this place are something you cherish and can tell your kids and grandkids about. Yet most of all, I hope that the future has even more masterpieces for you to create. Thank you and good luck to the Class of 2010.

   
   

[moyer777]

What an honor and cool thing.  CONGRATS!

Good speech too.

[billybob476]

Congrats, that is amazing. I hope there's going to be a video!

[Rico]

So happy for you!  I know it took a lot of work and effort to make it in to do the speech (really like that too).  Mom and I are very proud of you! 

[Bryancd]

That's outstanding, good on 'ya!

[Bromptonboy]

Very impressive!  You do your family proud.

[Geekyfanboy]

Congrats

[Rico]

Stephen did an amazing job on his speech yesterday and got a lot of compliments.  In fact, his speech was much better than the one by Joseph Kennedy II (their keynote speaker).  And I'm not just saying this because he is my son.  Really he did a great job and we are very proud of him.  If you want to see the ceremony and Stephen giving his speech, go to this link and choose - PLAY IT.  I think Stephen comes on maybe 40+ minutes into it or so.

http://wkar.org/msu/program/467/

[Meds]

Just read your speech and well done sir. Very well thought out, personal and ( the most important thing ) interesting.
Well done I hope I will be as proud of my daughter as Rico is of you.

[Rico]

And here it is from my long distance view point and camcorder:

MSU Student Convocation 2010

[Rico]

Here's a better version of our son Stephen giving his speech at MSU last May.  :)

MSU Student Convocation 2010 - 2

[QuadShot]

VERY Nice!!!

[Meds]

Awesome speech. Nice one :D