CAS Ceremony - Remarks
August 28, 2020
WELCOME
PESCOVITZ: Welcome to Oakland University’s 2020 Spring Commencement. All of us at Oakland University salute today’s graduates for their perseverance, passion and dedication for completing their degrees amid the most challenging circumstances of the past several months.
Now, please join us as we honor our nation and come together as a community with the singing of National Anthem, performed by Angela Bonello, a voice performance major from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance.
< P E R F O R M A N C E >
PESCOVITZ: Thank you, ANGELA for that beautiful and inspiring performance.
It is a pleasure to welcome members of the graduating class of 2020 along with their families, friends, special guests and colleagues.
The pandemic and related events of the past five months remind all of us how quickly life can change, and how we must appreciate life’s most important gifts. Among those most precious gifts are the people in our lives who support and love us.
Life is a team sport. Our success depends on the love, guidance and encouragement of family, friends and mentors. Graduates…Embrace your team. And cherish this moment.
To the families and friends of today’s graduates, we are honored and happy to have you as part of this remarkable day in the lives of the students we honor.
Commencement is always a unique and special day in the life of any university. It is a day when everything you aim to be as a university is reflected in the graduates, who leave OU to make their mark on the world.
Each graduate has worked tirelessly and has looked forward to this special day. Supported by our faculty and staff, today’s graduates are prepared to go forth with purpose and courage to make the world a better place.
While you are graduates today. . . you must realize that you are also the leaders of tomorrow.
We wish you well…
Now, please join me in welcoming PROVOST MICHELLE PISKULICH to begin the ceremony.
CONGRATS AND STATS UNDERGRADUATE
PISKULICH: I would like to congratulate the students who graduate from Oakland University today. I applaud you on your achievements and I encourage you always to continue the quest for excellence. You have studied with outstanding faculty and staff. You have been encouraged and supported by the faculty and staff and by your families and friends.
Today, we are extremely proud of each and every one of you.
As students, your lives have been changed forever because you chose to study at Oakland University. You chose to pursue a college education and you chose to be successful. You depart this campus as a very different person than you were the day you enrolled. Today, you emerge as a leader. You take with you precious and unique skills, knowledge, and values.
Throughout our undergraduate ceremonies this semester, we have 1,872 students graduating.
- 60% are women and 40% are men
- 97% are from Michigan
- 2% are International
- 75% are from Oakland and Macomb Counties
- The average age is 24
- The youngest graduate is 19 and the oldest is 71
Out of all undergraduate students graduating this semester,
- 40 % are from the College of Arts and Sciences
- 14% are from the School of Business Administration
- 7% are from the School of Education and Human Services
- 14% are from the School of Engineering and Computer Sciences
- 12% are from the School of Health Sciences
- 9% are from the School of Nursing, and
- 4% are from the Bachelor of Integrative Studies
I’d like to acknowledge the veterans who are graduating today. Please honk your horns to congratulate them.
Pause 10 - 15 seconds Thank you for your service.
I’d like to introduce Graeme Harper, Dean of the Honors College followed by Kevin Corcoran, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
GRAEME HARPER VIDEO TO PLAY
<<TRANSITION>> HARPER TO INTRODUCE KEVIN CORCORAN
KEVIN CORCORAN VIDEO TO PLAY
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES CAS
PESCOVITZ: Thank you Provost Piskulich, Deans Graeme Harper and Kevin Corcoran.
Students, you have worked very hard for many years for a college degree. The time has come. Will all of our graduates please step out of your vehicles. (Brief Pause)
PESCOVITZ: Upon nomination of the Faculty of Oakland University and by authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Board of Trustees and delegated to me, I hereby confer upon you the degree of:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- and, Bachelor of Social Work
Congratulations!
TASSEL TURNING
PESCOVITZ: GRADUATES!...GRADUATES! It is a longstanding tradition that after receiving a postsecondary degree the cap tassel is shifted from the right side to the left side of the cap. This signifies to all the completion of the degree. Graduates, please move your tassels.
Ladies and Gentlemen, family and friends, I present to you the Spring 2020 graduates. Let’s give our new Bachelors a well-deserved round of applause and a few horn honks! (BRIEF PAUSE)
You may get back into your vehicles. And now, for our valediction.
VALEDICTION
PISKULICH : Congratulations to all of the Oakland University graduates – and to your families and friends. How exciting to have been the first ever graduate to receive your degree in the parking lot…. The parking lot that most of you dreaded going to because you could never find a parking spot.
We are honored to share in this joyful celebration of your milestone achievement.
We will conclude this ceremony with a valediction.
As alumni of Oakland University, it is our hope that this ceremony will begin a lifetime connection to your alma mater.
Rather than saying “goodbye” to this university today, we hope you will simply say “so long, for now” and return soon to participate in the many programs and opportunities we offer alumni.
We hope that you view today – this unique commencement celebration as the beginning of your life as a member of the OU family.
And that you will always feel a connection to your fellow graduates, the faculty and the staff.
Graduates, we sincerely hope you will strive to maintain contact with Oakland University.
We hope that you think of OU when you need support and resources, or when support and resources are yours to share.
We hope that you will bear the torch of this great academic center and shine its light whenever the opportunity arises. Wherever you go, please remember Oakland University goes with you as the foundation of your career and beginning of a successful life.
As you make your way in the world, we hope that you will always take the meaning of the Oakland University seal to heart: "Seguir virtute e canoscenza" – meaning a “seeker of virtue and knowledge.”
From this day forward, may you continue to seek knowledge … be courageous in your endeavors and search for growth … and stay wondrously aware of the impact you can make on your community.
We are also asking you as new alumni of Oakland University to be model citizens and responsible civic leaders in our global society.
And most important, we are asking you to act with integrity, forethought, compassion and a breadth of awareness of those around you.
With extreme pleasure I welcome you into the Oakland University family.
Congratulations and best wishes.
PESCOVITZ: The Oakland University Fight Song was established in 1999 and written by one of our own faculty members, Professor Michael Mitchell from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance in the College of Arts and Sciences. Please join Dean Jon Margerum-Leys, in singing the school fight song. (Video will be played of Fight Song Compilation)
Oakland University Fight Song
Fight, fight, fight for Oakland Fight the whole game long Fight, fight, fight for Oakland Keep the Grizzlies strong.
While the battle rages And our work’s not done We will fight for glory
‘Til the game is won
Go Black!
Go Gold!
Go Fight!
Fight, fight, fight for Oakland
Fight the whole game long
Fight, fight, fight for Oakland
Keep the Grizzlies strong.
When the game is ove
And the story’s told
O-U will claim vic’try
We’re the black and gold! O-U!
CLOSING REMARKS
PESCOVITZ: Thank you Dean Margerum-Leys, Professor Ken Kroesche and the OU Pep Band. I would also like to thank the musical artists of the KAB-RA FAYE Pipes and Drums Band, for the music played today.
A word of thanks is also due to the numerous departments, staff and other individuals who have worked hours to make this occasion possible.
There is a stage at the other end of the parking lot to take photos and pick up your diploma cover. Cars will be directed out by rows and you may choose to exit on Squirrel Road, if you do not want to walk across the stage for a photo. Please be sure to maintain social distance and be considerate of your fellow OU students and guests’ safety. Congratulations graduates!