(slow orchestra music) (audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) (orchestra music) - Welcome everyone.

If you now please stand for the national anthem presented by the Lansing Concert Band directed by John Andall.

(orchestra music) (audience clapping) Wonderful.

Please be seated.

Well, once again, welcome.

In recognition of the land where we teach and learn, I would like to read the Michigan State University's land acknowledgement.

We collectively acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three fires Confederacy of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples.

In particular, university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

We recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan's 12 federally recognized Indian nations, for historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now and for those who are forcibly removed from their homelands.

By offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold Michigan State University more accountable to the needs of the American Indian and Indigenous peoples.

(audience clapping) Well, hello everyone.

On behalf of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the faculty, staff, and alumni, I'm delighted to extend warm congratulations to all of our graduates, their families, and friends.

Welcome to the 2024 commencement ceremony.

Again, I'm interim Dean Freeman.

And I am very excited to share this wonderful occasion with all of you.

We have many faculty here today, both in the audience and in the platform party.

I'd like to introduce the College of Veterinary Medicine leadership team and program participants in attendance on the platform.

Please hold your recognition until they have all been introduced.

Dr. Steve Carey, Professor, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.

He was selected by the class of 2024 for hooding.

Do you want to stand up, Steve?

Dr. Dave Emery, Assistant Professor, Department of Small Animal and Clinical Sciences.

He was selected by the class of 2024 for hooding today.

Dr. Dalen Agnew, Chair of Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation.

Dr. Robert Fowkes-Gagen, Chair, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.

Dr. Srinand Sreevatsan, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies.

Taylor Epp, Director of the Veterinary Nursing Program.

Dr. Albert Ramudo, CVM Alumni Award Recipient and commencement speaker.

Dr. Dana Tatman-Lilly, President of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Bo Norby, Associate Dean for Academic Programs.

Dr. Julie Strachota, Director of Clinical Education.

Dr. Suzanne Lang, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development.

Dr. Anne Dorrance, Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Dr. Kelly Myers, Director of the Veterinary Medical Center.

And Dr. Kimberly Dodd, Director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

(audience clapping) We have a wonderful group of faculty, both here on the platform party and the audience.

And I'd like to invite the faculty of the college to please stand and be recognized as well.

(audience clapping and cheering) Thanks everyone.

Well, let me begin by sharing some details about the DVM and our veterinary nursing graduates.

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduates were admitted from a pool of 2,406 applicants.

The DVM class of 2024 comprises 85% women and 14% men.

They represent 25 different states.

They speak 17 languages.

I'd like to list them.

The visual language, which is the American Sign Language, Armenian, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Korean, Nepali, Oria, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

(audience clapping and cheering) I can barely pronounce a couple of those.

Veterinary nursing class has 16 graduates with us today, all receiving bachelor's degrees.

Four of these students are first generation college students.

Three held bachelor's degrees before they came to us, all in animal science or zoology.

And we have one out of state student joining us from Virginia.

(audience clapping) So classes of 2024, welcome to our commencement celebration.

This is a big day.

It marks the completion of this stage of your professional careers and the beginning of the next exciting step in your lifelong journey.

You've worked extraordinarily hard to get to here and to accomplish this goal.

You've earned your doctor of veterinary medicine degree or your veterinary nursing degree.

And along the way, you have built lifelong community of friends, family, and colleagues.

Great accomplishments almost always involve partners and a supportive team.

So let's recognize and thank everyone that supported our graduates throughout their time in school.

Will the parents, siblings, spouses, partners, significant others, grandparents, great grandparents, friends and family members, and other supporters, please stand and be recognized.

(audience clapping and cheering) Fantastic.

Classes of 2024, your degrees are also the product of a successful partnership between you and this great college.

So will the faculty and staff who contributed to your success, please stand and be recognized.

(audience clapping and cheering) The journey through your veterinary education has carried its share, maybe even more than its share, of triumphs and challenges.

You adapted.

You successfully navigated these high quality comprehensive professional programs.

Here you all are now at graduation.

You demonstrated dedication and resilience.

Our profession is in fact a very resilient profession.

Think about how we've evolved over the years from first caring for horses who pulled farm equipment to caring for production animal and population medicine to companion animals as they move from the kennel to the house and then to the bedroom.

We contribute to the preservation of species at zoos and wildlife parks.

And we are important partners in public health.

Change brings challenges along with opportunities.

And your professional careers will provide you many opportunities.

The broad based education and training you've received has prepared you to move forward in the veterinary profession in all of its possibilities.

You're all ready to launch the next phase of your professional careers.

And your path may take you in multiple directions throughout your careers.

And each one of those is just another step in a lifelong professional journey.

It was interesting.

Just the other day, I was listening to a student in her clerkship explaining that a veterinarian's role was not just caring for their patient, but caring for the owner too.

Same is true for veterinary nurses and other team members.

That insightful remark carried such an important message and it acknowledged the impact that you will have on the lives of the people you encounter.

Whether that's supporting the livelihood of a producer's family, the protection of the public from transmissible diseases, or promoting the health and wellbeing of people that comes from sharing time with their companion animals.

You will have an impact and the work you do will make a difference.

So as you travel through the profession, remember the important role of partnership, teamwork, and mentorship.

When you think about the relationships that you've built with your classmates, faculty, and staff here at MSU, you recognize how vital partnership and teamwork is to your professional work and growth, whether that is in the clinic, the laboratory, on the farm, classroom, agency, organization or other setting.

Practitioners have told me how important it is to them that our graduates can work as part of a team.

They know how valuable each member of their veterinary team is and the value of working together effectively.

You partner with your clients.

And the veterinary client patient relationship is a cornerstone of practice.

Your growth and success will also be strengthened through productive relationships with mentors.

You'll likely have many mentors throughout your career.

Mentors may be senior members of the profession, trusted peers, or even people outside the profession who can help you grow your skills and direct your lifelong learning.

Coming full circle, you'll be a valuable mentor to others.

Your education and training has been a partnership between all of you and the faculty and staff at the college.

And our successful partnership has led you to this point today.

And we want to continue that connection with you.

So please stay in touch with the college.

Connect with us at meetings, in professional associations, social media, through continuing education.

Stop by and share your journey with us.

Participate in the college's continued growth.

You are the future of this profession.

Help us continue to meet your professional needs as we all navigate the future together.

In closing, I want to acknowledge how much you have achieved throughout your time at the college.

Today, we celebrate that success and look forward to your professional journey.

The possibilities are great.

Thank you and congratulations, classes of 2024.

(audience clapping and cheering) Guess I'm not done.

It's now my great pleasure to introduce our commencement speaker, Dr. Albert Ramudo.

We're delighted that Dr. Ramudo accepted our invitation as the class of 2024 commencement speaker.

He received his bachelor's in medical technology from Florida International University, his MBA from Davenport University, and his DVM degree from MSU in 2000.

He currently serves as the Head of Veterinary Medicine at American Regent.

There, he works with other veterinarians, scientists, and a variety of other corporate business units to bring new and innovative veterinary products to the market.

He has spent the last 21 years working as an industry veterinarian and has served in various regulatory, clinical development, management, and executive roles at Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, MPI Research, Virbac, and Novartis Animal Health.

Dr. Ramudo is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and a certified project manager, and he is a former US Army Veterinary Officer.

He enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities with his children and their two dogs.

And he is an aspiring helicopter pilot as well.

Dr. Ramudo, welcome.

(audience clapping) - I thought he heard him say, "Expired helicopter pilot."

Hopefully- - [Dean] We hope not.

- Hopefully not, right?

Hopefully not.

So thank you, Dr. Freeman.

Appreciate it.

And graduates and loved ones and distinguished faculty members, it is truly an honor to be here with you today.

I'm so grateful to Michigan State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine for the privilege of being your commencement speaker for the 2024 graduating class.

So first and most important, congratulations to the class of 2024.

(audience clapping) Earlier this year, I had the pleasure and opportunity to meet with some of you.

And based on our conversations, I understand that your journey has been, shall we say, unique.

Truth be told, that it's likely that every graduating class has a unique journey.

And it is that uniqueness that adds to our profession, further evolves our capabilities, and often makes us stronger.

It's been 23 years, 11 months, and 29 days, or 8,764 days since I've walked across this very stage, much like you will in the next few minutes.

And when I saw that number, I had to put it into perspective to fully grasp how much time has actually passed.

And for this and to have a little bit of fun this afternoon, I put together a brief list of items, common items, that are popular today but did not exist when I graduated.

(Albert and audience laughing) I was shocked.

First but not least, the iPhone, or smartphones in general.

Netflix.

Well, Facebook for some of us.

Wikipedia, wireless earbuds, Gmail, flash drives.

And my favorite, YouTube.

So now that it seems like several lifetimes ago, I do, however, remember a few things from that day.

First, I was happy that I was joined by my family and friends so that we could all be a part of this moment together.

It was a long and arduous journey to get to this point.

And so we were all happy to finally see it through.

Second, I was relieved that the long hours and the waves of sleep deprivation were finally over.

Most of my classmates were equally relieved.

And we all had plans to go back home, join a practice, start an internship, and generally execute the plan that we had laid out while we were in school, and we would do so in a predictable fashion.

Lastly, there was one other seemingly tiny but significant item that I remember from that day.

Deeply shrouded in ego and pride and many layers of self-constructed academic certainty was fear.

How long or how well was I gonna perform now that the safety net that was the Veterinary College was no longer there.

So in the next few minutes, I'd like to share a personal journey with you that may help dispel some of the myths and mystique around one's professional career.

The first is that predictability or certainty in your professional career path somehow positively correlates with overall success and satisfaction.

The truth is you don't know what you don't know.

And sometimes, confronting challenges or perceived obstacles may open you opportunities or even reveal personal capabilities that you had no idea you had.

The second involves the most powerful and nearly unavoidable human emotion that will intermittently but inevitably visit you along your path.

And that is the fear of not knowing or the unknown.

So I was born in a US Army hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii.

And I grew up in Miami, Florida in a Cuban household.

My family and I were just at or above the poverty line, which forced or encouraged me to develop a few characteristics that became particularly useful.

These were adaptability, versatility, and persistence.

This was further reinforced by a common household phrase, which I heard many times.

And it was, "When life gives you lemons, we make lemonade."

A formal education was also a mandatory item for the members of the family.

Just as an education was not an option in our household, the course of your study was also heavily prescribed.

It had to fall within the big three and beyond that, options were a little limited.

You had to be an engineer, a medical doctor, or an attorney.

All of these were, are noble professions.

But anything else and you were on your own.

So onward I went.

Down in medical, down the pre-medical pathway.

And I was certain that I would become a medical doctor in the future.

I was moving along just as I had planned until I decided to have a little bit of fun with my newly minted laboratory skills and volunteered at a local veterinary hospital.

Juxtaposing both the human and veterinary medical environments, I began to see and consider the first fork of many in my career.

It took some time and significant courage, but I finally spoke to my family about my decision, the decision to break from the norm and pursue a veterinary career instead.

Well, that conversation went about as well as I expected.

But I persisted with my efforts.

And then in the spring of 1996, under the worst torrential rain that I could remember in the state of Florida, I drove to the local post office and picked up my acceptance letter to MSU.

So despite an already significant shift to my early professional plans, during my first year here at veterinary school, I decided to add yet a tiny little twist to my veterinary career that was mostly unimpactful till May 5th of 2000.

Right here on this very stage, actually I think it was right over there where that X is, I raised my right hand and I was sworn into active duty as a US Army veterinary officer.

The next major career shift- (audience clapping) Thank you.

Thank you.

So that next major career shift essentially started the very day and only minutes after the previous one had just ended.

I was 28 years old and I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Fast forward just four days after graduation and I was in Louisiana checking into Barksdale Air Force Base as a solo veterinarian in a practice that had a rather high number of active patient records.

I enjoyed my brief two weeks stay in Louisiana before immediately moving to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for 16 weeks of basic training, which was like a compressed version of the veterinary school experience.

Sleepless nights, exponential learning curves, and new responsibilities that again, left me wondering if I would be prepared to tackle them once I was reassigned back to my first post in Louisiana.

Well, that day finally came.

Again, I was a rookie veterinarian and a freshly minted army officer, starting two careers simultaneously.

So upon reflection of that experience, I can safely conclude that despite all the physical and academic training that I had amassed to that point, that it was the adaptability, versatility, and persistence from my early childhood that reliably came to my rescue every time.

I was learning in the military every day.

Hospital finances, facility challenges, strange medical cases, the military working dogs, difficult solo surgeries, personnel issues, food inspections, and a post September 11th national environment that was not in any of the handbooks or textbooks that I had studied.

And despite all those challenges, I was fine.

And to my surprise, I was actually doing quite well.

And all of that was progressing just as I had planned until life presented me with another opportunity.

It was not an ultimatum, but another choice, which completely changed my trajectory once again.

I was gonna be a father.

And I definitely wanted to be present in my child's life, which was a luxury that most military officers in active duty do not have.

So after I completed my active duty commitment, I reentered civilian life and prepared to become a private practitioner in Florida.

I was glad to be back home in Florida and I was eager to get back to work.

However, there was one little issue in the way.

A jurisprudence examination, which was needed for my license to practice.

The test material itself wasn't difficult, but when the testing agency is on strike and you're not able to take the examination, well, things can get a little tense.

So days of waiting turned into weeks.

And ultimately, I had a bit more time on my hands than I had expected.

So while I was waiting to take the examination, I started looking for other alternatives.

And ironically, that search brought me back to a place that I never thought I would return to, Michigan.

There, I interviewed with a company that I had heard of, but I knew very little about and for a position that was really interesting, but I had never heard of before.

It was a research or a clinical research veterinarian.

During that interview, one of the interviewers asked me a very simple yet humbling question.

He said to me, "Dr. Ramudo, taking this position would be the army equivalent of going from a captain to a private.

How do you feel about that?"

So my translation to this question was, well, Albert, are you prepared to start all over again and do something that you know little to nothing about?

So to answer that question, I had to ask myself the following.

Can I adapt to a civilian corporate environment?

Can I be versatile in the application of my existing skills?

And can I be persistent enough to learn what was needed and not relinquish until I did so?

Sure, I can.

So that decision dramatically changed the trajectory and theme of my professional career for the next 21 years.

During that time, I worked for 9 companies and held 14 distinct positions, ranging from manager to vice president.

But what allowed me to do this?

What were the key enabling factors in my career?

Turns out they had been there from a very early age.

They were the ones that allowed me to attend this university and be here with all of you today.

For me, these were adaptability, versatility, and persistence.

And the list may be different for each of you.

But the main point I wanted to leave you with here today is this.

It's okay to be a little bit scared today.

The unknown is a scary thing.

But when fear grips you, remember this, that you already have the basic elements needed for your success.

What you think you don't have, you've actually had all along.

They've been with you for a while, and definitely by the time you arrived here on day one and logged in for the first time.

They were the ones that powered you through college, pushed you to apply to veterinary school or other academic programs, allowed you to earn your position in those very seats, and will likely be the ones that will enable you to be successful in your careers.

Think about what those elements are for each of you and learn to build upon them.

The knowledge you amassed here at the university is only the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and doing.

Enjoy the journey.

Trust yourselves.

And know that you already have what it takes to be successful.

Congratulations again and thank you for the opportunity to be here with you today.

(audience clapping) - Thank you so much Dr. Ramudo for those moving remarks.

At this time, I'd like to introduce Taylor Epp, Director of the Veterinary Nursing Program.

Taylor is a graduate of Michigan State University's nursing program herself.

She also holds a master's in educational technology from Michigan State University.

Taylor began her career in surgical oncology and found her way back to veterinary nursing program in 2011 as an instructor.

Taylor's been the Director of the Veterinary Nursing Program since 2017.

Please join me in welcoming Taylor Epp.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Good afternoon.

I'm extremely happy to be here with you today to celebrate our graduates and their incredible accomplishments.

I would like to take a minute to give you a brief explanation of the veterinary nursing awards that we will be conferring here today.

Traditionally, we have both certificate of completion and bachelor degree students celebrating with us in this ceremony.

But this May, all of our veterinary nursing graduates that are here with us today are being awarded with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Approved by Michigan State University and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, this educational experience includes a strong basis in the physiological sciences and technical skills.

Our students' learning is focused on the development of problem solving skills and the integration and application of this knowledge to the healthcare of their animal patients.

The Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary nursing requires the completion of 120 semester credits.

In addition to the 71 core veterinary nursing curriculum credits, the Bachelor of Science degree includes the general education requirements of the university and additional elective course credits.

Bachelor of Science candidates may choose a clinical track or a combined clinical and elective track.

In addition to their didactic classroom and laboratory coursework, the clinical track candidates have completed 30 credits or 1,200 hours of clinical work.

The Bachelor of Science combined clinical and elective track.

The candidates complete 15 credits or 600 hours of clinical experience, as well as an additional elective didactic courses, which represent a second emphasis of study.

This emphasis of study is complimentary to the veterinary nursing education and may include business finance and accounting, agribusiness, zoology, animal science, biology, and fisheries and wildlife.

This afternoon, 16 candidates will graduate with a bachelor's degree in veterinary nursing.

To the family and friends and attendance, I would like to thank you all for the support that you have given your loved ones.

They've put an incredible amount of themselves into this educational experience and have been flexible and have shown their versatility and perseverance in their time with us.

Your support of them has been vital to their success.

To the program faculty and staff and the clinical veterinary nurses and veterinarians, I would like to thank you for your critical role that you play in the students' educational process.

And I express our gratitude for your passion and dedication to our students.

And to the graduates.

As you move forward on your journey from here, I ask that you take with you the mission that we've tried to instill in each one of you, to learn, discover, heal, and protect.

Never stop learning.

Try new things.

And discover your passion in veterinary medicine.

Strive every day to heal and protect our animal patients and their human family members.

We are so very proud of the professionals that you have become.

Your hard work and dedication, your passion, your talents, and your tenacity in this educational process are what have permitted us to arrive at this celebration today.

Now, I ask that you take that determination and personal strength and couple it with your knowledge and our belief and confidence in you to make an impact in veterinary medicine.

Or even better yet, take our profession to the next level.

And so on behalf of your future patients and their owners, the college would like to thank you for choosing this profession as your life's mission.

Congratulations, graduates.

You've made it.

(audience clapping) At this time, I would like to introduce you to each of the veterinary nursing candidates for individual recognition.

Shayna Glase.

(audience clapping and cheering) Krista McKerchie.

(audience clapping and cheering) Kendra Lee Cournaya.

(audience clapping and cheering) August Ellis.

(audience clapping and cheering) Asia Marie Frei.

(audience clapping and cheering) Brittany Hutchens.

(audience clapping and cheering) Ashley Inscore.

(audience clapping and cheering) Grace Jacobson.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) Bethany Leunberger.

(audience clapping and cheering) Brandon Luczak (audience clapping) Rebecca McAvoy.

(audience clapping and cheering) Jessica Snyder.

(audience clapping and cheering) Quinn Steffy.

(audience clapping and cheering) Finley Thorpe.

(audience clapping and cheering) Jasmine Rose Woodard.

(audience clapping and cheering) One more round of applause to all our veterinary nursing graduates.

(audience clapping and cheering) - It is now my pleasure to introduce to you Dr. Bo Norby and Dr. Julie Rapson Strachota.

Doctors Norby and Strachota have worked with the DVM candidates since they started the program.

You know your academic accomplishments and they're here to participate in presenting you to the members of our audience and celebrating this joyous occasion.

Graduates are going to be presented with their diplomas as they walk across the stage.

Assisting with the hooding are faculty members chosen by the DVM class of 2024.

Dr. Stephan Carey, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.

Dr. David Emery, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.

- Come.

Alexia Mazzarella.

(audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Are you ready?

Stephanie Acevedo.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Leslie Asman.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Pamela Baldwin.

(audience clapping and cheering) Being hooded by Dr. Tim Montgomery and Dr. Jill Brester.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience members shouting indistinctly) (audience laughing) - [Bo] Haven Barna.

(audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Hannah Beard, being hooded by Rebecca Smedley.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Katherine Bederka.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Adriana Bellamy.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] John Henry Bock III.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience laughing) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Micah Bohannon.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Isabel Brumleve.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Harold Schott and Dr. Frank Nichols.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience laughing) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Armen Brus.

Being hooded by Dr. Matthew Beal and Dr. Ragan Ethan.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Kaitlyn Bunde.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience laughing) (audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Valerie Carle Riviera.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Miguel Catala.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Melanie Chabin.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Caylla Charamut.

And she's being hooded by Jill Brester, Dr. Jill Brester, I'm sorry, and Dr. Tim Montgomery.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Aaron Chavarria.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Leonne Chung.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Jamie Morrison.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Tianna Craig.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience members shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Megan Crawford.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Megan Cuevas Oquendo.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Lindsey Curtis.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Josephine Daniel.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Kendra David.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Lexi De Nike.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Patricia Delli Venneri.

And she's being hosted by Dr. Nicola Delli Venneri.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Kira Doherty.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Rebecca Douglas.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Nicole Bayless and Dr. David Emery.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Shauna Duarte.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Audrianna Earegood.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Caitlin Eliason.

Being hooded by Dr. Duke Eliason.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Amy Enevoldsen.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Shannon Enzenberger.

Being hooded by Dr. Glenn Enzenberger.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Brianna Essien.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Hunter Ferchaw.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Jose Fonseca Martinez.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Haldryna Garcia Castro.

Being hooded by Dr. Megan Mantini.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Emily Gebhardt.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Audrey Genade.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Jackson Griffith.

And he's being hooded by Dr. Matthew Beal.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Nicole Hamlin.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Robyn Hawley.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Misty Frazier.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Sarah Hoskins.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Tim Montgomery and Dr. Jill Brester.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Cory Howard.

Hooded by his wife, Dr. Morgan Howard.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Katherine Johnson.

She's being hooded by Dr. Frank Nichols and Dr. Hal Schott.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Lindsay Jordan.

Being hooded by Dr. Ashley Jordan.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] Brooke Kahn.

She's being hooded by Dr. Dalen Agnew.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Marlene Kelley.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] Soomin Kim.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Ashley Kimmel.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Kaitlyn Krus.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Kiley Lafferty.

Being hooded by Dr. Stephan Carey and Dr. Catherine Winger.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Kelly Leary.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Lawrence Leonardi Jr. (audience clapping and cheering) (children shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Nick Libio.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Uzma Manzoor.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] Hailey Maresca-Fichter.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Tiffany Martinez-Lapa.

Being hooded by Dr. Clay Lapa.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Cam McAuliffe.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Sierra McClain.

Being hooded by Dr. Barry Olivier and Dr. Stephan Carey.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience laughing) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Olivia Messing.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience laughing) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Stephanie Monterroso Stuco.

Being hooded by Dr. Karen Perry and Dr. Stephan Carey.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Emily Nadenbousch.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Patricia Nguyen.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Kaitlyn Nikirk.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Jade Ognibene.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Kylie Owen.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Frank Nichols and Dr. Harold Schott.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Mary Panagos.

Being hooded by Bill Panagos.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Brianna Parkinson.

(audience clapping) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Emily Patton.

Being hooded by Dr. Deborah Wilson and Dr. Haley Gallagher.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Tessa Peerbolte.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Bill Doer and Dr. Aaron Henderson.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Lauren Phillip.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Jacqueline Pozdol.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Sarah Prohaszka.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Sonia Rafique.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Vanessa Raphtis.

Being hooded by Dr. Haley Gallagher and Dr. Stephan Carey.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] Sarah Reed.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Hannah Reetz.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Shelby Rivkin.

(audience clapping and cheering) Hooded by Dr. Frank Nichols and Dr. Hal Schott.

(audience shouting indistinctly) (audience laughing) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Juan Rosales.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] Stephanie Saunders.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Jesse Schmidt.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Christina Scott.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Amanda Scott.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Audrey Sessamen.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Dylan Shoemaker.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Ellie Sigette.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Matthew Beal.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Kelsey Simot.

Being hooded by Dr. Matthew Beal.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Shannon Silaggi.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Abigail Smith.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Taylor Sperow.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Jill Brester and Dr. Timothy Montgomery.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Alexander Jonathan Spitzer.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Jessica Suarez.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Barry Olivier and Vanessa Suarez Esquire.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Mitchell Susalla.

Being hooded by Dr. Frank Nichols and Dr. Hal Schott.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Shikha Thapa.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Katherine Tilly.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] Angelica Torres Rodriguez.

And she's being hooded by Dr. Jose Cabio Queto.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Julie] Cassie Van Hoof.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Luke Vanblois.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience laughing) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Nate VanKley.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Varun Verma.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Cheyenne Vivian.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Bo] Diondra Voishich.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Erica Walker.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience shouting indistinctly) (audience clapping) - [Bo] Emily Winn.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience laughing) (audience clapping) - [Julie] Hunter Wojitas.

(audience clapping and cheering) (audience clapping and cheering) - Thanks to our great team of readers and hooders.

Members of the class of 2024, please stand.

(audience clapping and cheering) So they aren't quite done, you know?

Thanks for all of that.

On behalf of Michigan State University President, Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, who has delegated to him the authority of the state of Michigan, vested in the board of trustees, I confer upon all of you baccalaureate degree in veterinary nursing and the degree of doctorate veterinary medicine for which you have been recommended with all of the rights and distinctions to which this entitles you.

This act represents the conclusion of a great achievement and marks the beginning of a lifetime of dedicated service to your fellow humans and the animal kingdom.

It's an achievement worthy of celebration.

And we are here this afternoon to celebrate your completion of the academic program in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University.

Congratulations.

(audience clapping and cheering) Please be seated.

I invite Taylor Epp back to the podium.

- It's customary for a couple of candidates to represent their classmates and share their thoughts of their educational experience with the family, friends, and faculty in attendance.

Krista McKerchie is a veterinary nursing student who will be completing her clinical rotations over the summer.

Krista has spent the last several years gaining experience in the veterinary field and will be continuing her career as a veterinary nurse at her current hospital in East Lansing.

She has a variety of interests she would like to pursue in the field, but is especially passionate about mental health and would like to explore education and leadership in the future.

Please welcome Krista McKerchie.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Good afternoon.

My name is Krista McKerchie.

And I am the President of the MSU chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America and now a proud graduate of Michigan State University's veterinary nursing program.

(audience clapping and cheering) As I think of my fellow graduates, staff members, and instructors, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and love for the people that choose a career in veterinary medicine, those unique individuals with such immense compassion and selflessness that decide to dedicate their lives to healing animals.

Veterinary medicine is extremely rewarding and it brings joy and fulfillment to our lives.

But it also comes with unique challenges that those outside the field do not see.

It takes immense strength and resilience to work in this field.

And we should all be immensely proud to be where we are today.

Throughout these past two years as veterinary nursing students, my classmates and I have spent countless hours gaining skills and knowledge both in and out of the classroom.

We came into this program as individuals with diverse skill levels and areas of knowledge and grew into a unified force that supported and uplifted one another in the face of challenges.

Even when I was struggling to wrestle sheep or drawing a blank when Maggie asked me the MAC of isoflurane, there was always someone there willing to help and encourage me.

I have truly made some of the most extraordinary friends during my time here.

And it makes me so happy to know that we will be a positive force in the world of veterinary medicine.

When I was accepted into the veterinary nursing program, I never imagined that my time here would have such a profound impact.

I entered knowing that I wanted to work with animals.

But the mentorship, care, and support of each instructor has helped my classmates and I find our calling and gain a deeper love and understanding of veterinary medicine.

I have grown both personally and professionally under your guidance.

And without your love and support, I likely would've not made it here today.

Knowing that you were always there for me and that you truly wanted the best for each of your students was the fire that fueled me when things got hard.

I wanna thank the faculty of the vet nursing program for the above and beyond effort that each of you gave every day to help us grow and thrive.

The strength of your character has enabled us to become the best veterinary nurses we can be.

And I know that I and many others have been inspired by your passionate love of veterinary medicine and immense care for your students.

We could not have reached this point without the support of our family, friends, and loved ones.

And I want to thank all of you who have supported us in our journey through this program.

Thank you for putting up with us when we were studying at family events, talking about anal glands during dinner, or crying before a big exam.

Thank you for encouraging us to pursue our passions.

To my fellow vet nursing students, our tiny group has grown from scared strangers at orientation to confident vet nurses ready to start our careers.

And I'm so glad we had each other during the journey.

When I was at my wits end and dropping a stethoscope in a pile of cow poop felt like the last straw, being able to laugh it off with you kept me sane.

Today, we celebrate the dedication and hard work that it took for each of us to achieve this degree.

It's a day for us to look to the future with pride and excitement, knowing that we are heading into a profession in which we can help the helpless and give a voice to the voiceless.

As we leave the classroom and embark on our different paths in the field of veterinary medicine, I hope that you challenge yourself to never stop growing.

This field can be difficult and draining, but I believe that we are a generation that can change it for the better.

I hope that you never forget your worth and you stand up for your patients, your colleagues, and yourself.

I hope you never lose your passion and the sparkle in your eye at seeing a giant abscess to drain never fades away.

Our time in the classroom may be over, but our education is just beginning.

I'm confident that we'll create positive change wherever we go.

And I cannot wait to see what we accomplish.

Thank you.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Thank you, Krista.

At this time, I would like to invite Shayna Glase to deliver commencement remarks to her fellow veterinary graduates.

Shayna Glase is the daughter of William and Sonia Glase.

Shana is a veterinary nursing student who has already finished her clerkships with a passion for education and outreach and has been involved in many programs, including the Native American Veterinary Medical Exploration Program, FFA Veterinary Skills Contest, Veterinary Education Day, and many other events.

Shayna has accepted a position at Columbia Animal Clinic in Brooklyn, Michigan and is looking forward to working with companion animals and some exotics.

Please welcome Shayna Glase.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Good afternoon.

My name is Shayna Glase.

And it is a privilege to speak to all of you today.

I want to start by expressing how grateful I am for the family, friends, mentors, and colleagues that are here to celebrate with us today.

We would not be here without your support and encouragement.

To the DVM and Veterinary nursing class of 2024, congrats.

We made it.

We have survived our journey and come away stronger and smarter.

We have come away as leaders with an ever-growing support system behind us.

I will never forget one of my first days in this program.

I arrived to my first class about an hour or so early and quickly discovered that my laptop had decided it was not going to be attending college with me this year.

I remembered running to Christie on the verge of tears.

And that was the first time that I received a Christie hug.

But it was certainly not the last.

I cannot say enough about the incredible support system that I have found within this program.

Each of our instructors pushed us to be the very best nurses out there and encouraged us through every struggle, even when that encouragement meant stopping a lecture, mid lecture, to question your menace reflex test strategy or torturing students with true or false questions.

(laughs) Thank you, Sarah.

Our instructors pushed us to grow and try new things, including taking your first trip abroad to eat, sleep, and spay in Mexico, where I again received many Christie hugs.

This trip is one of my favorite memories and allowed me to show just how much I have grown in my technical skills and in my teamwork and leadership abilities.

I'm beyond proud to know that one of my biggest role models now considers me her mini me.

And upon returning from the trip, entrusted me to manage anesthesia on her perfect personal dog.

To my fellow veterinary nursing students, I'm so proud of each and every one of you.

It has been an honor to learn and grow by your side.

And I am confident that you'll be the best LVTs out there.

Wherever you end up, I challenge you to continue to learn and to inspire future veterinary professionals.

The world needs more great nurses.

And to share your adventures with all of us so we can be totally jealous, but excited for you.

I'm proud to call each of you friends and I'll cherish these memories forever.

I also wanted to give a very special thank you to my mom.

You have always encouraged me to chase my dreams and to never settle.

Thank you for always being there for me and for always being proud of me.

The class of 2024 is resilient.

Our education was dramatically impacted by the pandemic.

But we adapted.

We all survived some sort of Zoom university and the challenges that came with it.

Although this has not been the undergrad experience that I imagined four short years ago, it was so much better than I could have ever dreamed.

Thank you all for sharing this experience with me.

I'm a proud first generation college student and I'm happy to be here at my first real graduation ceremony.

(audience clapping and cheering) As I leave you today, I would like to share that my replacement laptop also decided to retire a few weeks ago.

And although it was upsetting, it sort of signals an end of an era, an opportunity to show myself that I'll be not be thrown or discouraged by little things like that and that I might need to invest in a protection plan.

(audience laughing) Congrats once again on this wonderful achievement.

I'm excited to see all of you shine.

Thank you and go green.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Thank you, Shayna.

I would like to introduce Dr. Alexia Mazzarella, the president of the class of 2024, and invite her to the podium to give her commencement speech.

Dr. Mazzarella, a graduating DVM student, is originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Like many others, she knew at a young age of 10 years that she wanted to be a veterinarian.

She attended Pennsylvania State University where she pursued a degree in veterinary and biomedical sciences with honors in animal sciences through the Schreyer Honors College.

She chose to come to Michigan State because of the flipped classroom setting.

She knew she learned best with a hands-on approach after her experience working on a dairy farm for two summers during her undergraduate studies.

She was elected as class president the first year of the veterinary school and has happily served her classmates in the role all four years.

She enjoys working with all animals, especially dairy cattle, but ultimately decided to go into small animal medicine with a focus on soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.

She's excited to have some time off after graduation to spend time traveling with her family before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina with her significant other of five years and ready to start the next chapter in her veterinary career.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Sorry, I'm trying to check by my speech.

Give me a second.

And unlike Shayna, I was not an hour early to my first class.

(laughs) It's like I come at you for that.

Good evening to the DVM class of 2024, to our veterinary nursing colleagues, to our family and friends, and welcome to the graduation ceremony for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

My name is Alexia Mazzarella.

And this will be my last time having the honor of representing this amazing class as our president.

I'm grateful to stand up here today, speaking in front of so many bright individuals that make up the class of 2024.

Thank you to our families, friends, professors, clinicians, and everyone that has helped us to make it here today.

First, I would like to have a moment of silence for everyone that has supported us along our journey who couldn't be here with us today to share in this momentous milestone.

One of our classmates, Emily Patton, shared a quote on Facebook recently that captured it really well.

"If I must love you from this new distance, I will love you so fiercely it'll be felt in every universe that lies between us."

Grandparents, parents, friends, childhood pets, we thank you for all that you have done for us to support us to be able to get here today.

I know that you're all watching over us and we appreciate you and love you, even if from a distance.

After four years together, this is finally it.

I still remember moving my whole life to Michigan and then walking to the apartment and being terrified that I trusted Facebook to find myself a new roommate, Lauren.

(laughs) Almost as soon as I had moved into my new home, we found out that it would be fully online.

And I prayed that way, we'd get along together because I would literally be spending every single day with her within the four walls of the apartment.

It was almost comical to dress up to take a first day of school picture on our balcony of the apartment, and then promptly sit behind a computer screen for the next five hours.

Instead of meeting people in person at school, we participated in Zoom speed dating.

I remember putting a star next to the people I wanted to become friends with.

You know who you are, Kelsey.

Nothing about our journey has been normal.

We spent our first year entirely on Zoom.

Our second year was half in person and then back to Zoom.

A school tragedy that overwhelmed campus during our third year.

And then the planning of our five days party, it was nothing less than chaotic.

Nevertheless, we overcame all of this and we all made it here.

Many of us were very challenged by NAVLE, the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, and trying to find positivity in life became significantly harder for the last couple months prior to the graduation.

It was really hard for me to find the words to inspire myself, let alone write a speech that would inspire all of you to go out and conquer the world.

I mentioned this just to frame it as a lesson going forward into this profession as I learned two main things from this experience.

One, never be afraid to ask for help from your colleagues.

This profession is filled with people pleasers and really wise souls.

So many veterinarians are willing to help you.

You just have to have the courage to ask the questions.

Two, there is going to be so many moments in our careers that are going to knock us down.

But we need to remember that no person that was ever successful in this life ever went through it without making a ton of mistakes along the way.

Their lives were defined by the way that they handle those failures and move forward, not by the, move forward, and not defined by the failures themselves.

The only true failure that can be done is just outwardly not trying again to be better the next time.

Animals are going to die under our care.

Clients will not be able to afford our treatments and blow up on our face about it.

We will have to euthanize the animal and then walk into the next room with a smile on our face and pretend we didn't just cry for the next, for the past 30 minutes.

We will have to face these challenges and overcome them every single day.

And that is just part of being a veterinarian.

However, it's how we respond to those closed doors and mistakes that is going to make us who we are as successful clinicians.

Sometimes we have to be knocked down to take a step back and truly analyze our lives.

Is what we're doing effective?

Are there better ways to approach things?

Can we get over the fear of changing?

Fear of failure?

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.

But it's not about how hard you fall.

It's about how fast and how much better you can come back from it.

Again, I listened to a podcast for some inspiration for this speech.

I love a good podcast.

This one was from Dr. Rebecca Mack and actually referenced Dr. Stephan Carey, so I feel like I had to include it here too.

She talked about finding your place in veterinary medicine.

And she described herself as being an average student and being told that she shouldn't go into college or she shouldn't go into science to be a professor.

She went to school for English.

And then later in college, one of her professors noted that she was good at geology and should go into science.

So this was a point to make that your words as veterinary professionals are going to carry a stronger impact from this day forward.

With this degree comes a responsibility to serve animals, but also to help foster the incoming veterinary students.

Remember all the people that helped to get you here today and become one of those for someone else.

Following veterinary school, Dr. Mack went on to do an internship and a residency and now leads an education initiative.

The lesson from this is that everyone in the room can make a difference in the lives of others within this profession and beyond.

With this doctorate degree, you have the opportunity to change the narrative, to take action on what you feel is missing within this profession and make it even better.

With this doctorate degree, you have the opportunity to change.

Oh, I just said that, sorry.

We only have four years to learn in school, but we have the rest of our lives beyond to grow and learn and find our place within this profession.

I'm confident that all of you will make a difference in this profession going forward.

And I'm excited to have known all of you along the way.

I will end on a quote that my roommate Lauren shared with me from "The Office" since I'm from Scranton.

"I wish there was a way to know that you're in the good old days before you've actually left them."

I hope that you all cherish some memories that we have shared together over these last four years and look back on them as the good old days.

Even though this is the end of our vet school chapter, it's just the beginning of our veterinary career.

And there are still so many good old days that will come and go.

Always remember to take the time to live in the moment and thank all of those around you who light your fire.

The future is so bright and we will all go forward.

And I can't wait to see the impact that we have in this profession and the lives of others as official doctors of veterinary medicine.

Thank you.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Thank you, Dr. Mazzarella.

We will now administer your professional oaths.

We will start with the veterinary nurse's oath.

Will the veterinary nursing graduates please stand?

We will recite the oath together.

Your oath can be found in the commencement programs.

Together.

I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals by alleviating animal suffering and by promoting public health.

I accept my obligations to practice my profession conscientiously and with sensitivity, adhering to the profession's code of ethics and furthering my knowledge and competence through a commitment to lifelong learning.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

You may be seated.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Thank you, Taylor.

We'll now administer the veterinarian's oath.

And I invite Dr. Ramudo to join me.

You can find your oath in the program as well.

So will the DVM graduates please stand.

And we'll recite the oath together.

The oath can be found in your commencement programs.

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I'll practice my profession conscientiously with dignity and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

Thank you.

(audience clapping and cheering) Pleased to be seated.

It is now my distinct pleasure to welcome Dr. Tayna Tatman-Lilly, Dana Tatman-Lilly, sorry, who is the current President of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association.

For more than a decade, she has been an active volunteer with the MVMA in various capacities, including serving on the board of directors and as chair of a continuing education committee.

She has master's in clinical nutrition from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, was a proud MSU alumni, obtaining her veterinary degree in 2008.

Dr. Tatman-Lilly then completed a small animal internship in the Chicago area.

She's practiced in mid-Michigan for the last 15 years.

She is most passionate about feline medicine and behavior and is a certified cat friendly veterinarian.

Welcome.

(audience clapping) - Thank you, Dean Freeman.

Happy Graduation Day.

I'll keep this short as I don't wanna delay you leaving out the door with that diploma.

As you heard, I'm Dr. Dana Tatman-Lilly, the current president of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and a 2008 graduate of MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

I wanna thank the college for the invitation to say a few words on your special day.

On behalf of the MVMA, first, I wanna congratulate all the 2024 veterinary nursing and doctor of veterinary medicine students for all your hard work, determination, and sacrifices you have made to get to this point.

Completing these programs is a huge accomplishment and one that you should be proud of.

I wish to recognize that as a veterinarian, I cannot do my job without my skilled veterinary nurses that I have worked with alongside me through my training and in my career.

So thank you and congratulations, veterinary nursing graduates.

(audience clapping and cheering) You are essential to the veterinary profession.

Now, veterinary medicine graduates, there's so much to say.

I'm very honored to call each of you a fellow colleague and a doctor.

Now is the time to reflect not only on what you have done, but the bright future ahead of you.

While this step in your journey is complete, remember, you will never stop learning.

And learning is a lifetime journey.

We all know the sacrifices our graduates have made as well as those near to them over the past few years.

I also wish to acknowledge the family members, friends, mentors, instructors, and other members of the veterinary community that contributed in some way to your achievement.

Of course, for those in the audience, you also should be proud of your contribution to helping your graduate over the last few years.

Loved ones, as you've heard already earlier today, I'm sure dinner conversations will never be the same again after having your graduate happily describe their day in the clinic in detail.

As you move to the next stage of your journey, whether you're staying here in Michigan or moving, I encourage you to join your state veterinary professional association as well as the national association.

These are a source of support, continued education, and networking throughout your career and beyond.

They're an ally in improving and protecting animal and human health as well as the environment.

Plus the association advocates for your scope of practice and the veterinary profession as a whole.

The veterinary profession is more than just a tight-knit community that is always willing to help one another, but as a friend and colleague described it, more like a large family.

We are bonded by the same drive, compassion, empathy, and thirst to help other living beings beyond our own.

Like family, we may not always get along, but we'll always have each other's back.

Please know, as a member of the veterinary family, you are not expected to know everything when you walk out those doors today.

You are never alone.

So do not be afraid to reach out to others in the veterinary profession, regardless of what type of veterinary medicine you go into.

In closing, on behalf of the MVMA, I wanna welcome all of the new veterinary nurses and new veterinarians into what I feel is the best medical profession, one in which you will have so many opportunities available to you because of that degree you possess.

We are very proud to call you doctors and veterinary nurses, colleagues, and members of our veterinary family.

Congratulations, Spartans.

Go Green.

(audience clapping and cheering) - Thank you, Dr. Tatman-Lilly.

At this time, I would like to thank our captioner, Rhonda Taylor, our American sign language interpreters, Emily Gordillo and Katie Gore.

(audience clapping) I'd also like to thank the Lansing Concert Band and conductor John Andall.

(audience clapping and cheering) Special thanks to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Admissions, Student Life and Inclusivity, the CVM Office of Academic Programs, the CVM Veterinary Nursing Office, and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts staff for planning and executing this joyous occasion.

(audience clapping) So today, you'll join an elite group of over 7,700 veterinarians and 1,300 nurses who proceeded you at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine since its inception over 100 years ago.

To each of you new doctors and nurses, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the MSU administration, the College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff, and me personally, congratulations and best wishes.

We now invite you to share in a celebratory reception in the grand Foyer of the Wharton Center.

And as we do that, please stand and join us in singing "MSU Shadows."

(audience talking indistinctly) (slow orchestra music) (upbeat orchestra music) (audience clapping rhythmically) (audience clapping and cheering) - [Participant] You're welcome.