COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 
SATURDAY, MAY 6 at 10 AM

Good morning. I'm Steve Meeker, Vice President for University Advancement. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 185th commencement ceremony at Black Hills State University. Please rise for the presentation of colors by the BHSU ROTC color guard. Today's ceremony is led by Miss Marissa Danforth, student senate president and graduating senior. Joining her are participants in today's commencement ceremony and platform party guests including president Laurie Nichols and Regent Jeff partridge. Also represented are members of the Black Hills State University administration, the Council of Deans, and faculty senate. Members of the esteemed faculty at Black Hills State University representing the College of Business and Natural Sciences, the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts, led by Dr. Urla Marcus, Director of American Indian studies. And now it is my pleasure to present the graduates from the class of 2023. Candidates for the Master's degree, led by Dr. Ryan Amys, graduate coordinator for the Master's in secondary education, also led by Mr. Randall Doran, instructor of mathematics. University honors program graduates led by Dr. Katrina Jensen, director of University honors. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree from the College of Business and Natural Sciences, led by Mr. Christopher Wardell, instructor of accounting, also led by Dr. Daniel Asunskis, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the School of Natural Sciences, and Dr. Jane Klug, Dean of Students. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree from the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, led by Dr. Emilia Flint, professor of psychology, and chair of the School of Behavioral Sciences, also led by Dr. Brian Eberhardt, associate professor of education and graduate coordinator for curriculum and instruction. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree from the College of Liberal Arts, led by Miss Gina Gibson, professor of digital communication, and chair of the School of Arts and Humanities, also led by Dr. Nicholas Drummond, associate professor of political science and acting chair of the School of Mathematics and Social Sciences. Candidates for the Associate's degree, led by Dr. Mary Fleury, assistant professor of special education. Please remain standing for the national anthem, performed by the BHSU commencement wind ensemble. We remind all in attendance that proper respect is to face the flag and stand at attention with your right hand over your heart. Men should remove their hat or cap. Veterans and active duty military not in uniform may also salute the flag. Now ladies and gentlemen, our national anthem.

Please be seated. And now ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the president of Black Hills State University, Dr. Laurie Nichols.

Good morning, and welcome. It is wonderful to have you all here with us this morning. It is now my honor to introduce members of the platform party. I would ask that you stand for a moment when I call your name, and audience please hold your applause to the end. Regent Jeff Partridge is our representative from the South Dakota Board of Regents. Dr. Jon Kilpinen serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Amy Fuqua is our interim associate Provost and Dean of graduate studies. Mr. Justin Varland is a 2002 Black Hills State University alumnus and this year's commencement speaker. Mr. Joe Floyd is our honorary doctorate recipient. Joe could you give a wave to the audience down on the floor? There he is. Dr. Cynthia Anderson is interim Dean of the College of Business and Natural Sciences. Dr. Betsy Silva serves as Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Daluss Siewert is acting Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Miss April Meeker is our registrar, and Mr. Steve Meeker serves as Vice President of University Advancement. Captain John Lundeen is assistant professor of military science. Dr. David Crawford is professor emeritus of accounting. Dr. Nancy Roberts is our faculty senate president, and Miss Marissa Danforth is the student senate president and a member of this year's graduating class. Would you help me in welcoming our stage party?

We are so honored today to have the class of 1973 joining us. It's their 50th anniversary from graduating from Black Hills State University, and I would like to introduce them to you. And again, when I call your name if you would just briefly stand, and hold your applause to the end audience. Elizabeth Beth Benning is from Spearfish. Marcia Martin Barith is from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Eileen Salmo Brunner is from Pierre. Susan Whitney Callahan is from Rapid City. Rebecca Sagan Fisher is from Rapid City. Catherine Holland Hefner is from Reno, Nevada. Peggy Welsh Howard is from Sundance Wyoming. Susan Hawks Jones is from Blackhawk. K.S. Jorgensen is from Spearfish. Kathy Wilson Knutson is from Hettinger, North Dakota. Joy Jones Krasik is from Windsor, Colorado. Claire Johnson O'Neill is from Spearfish. Ellen Painter Pulsic is from Spearfish. Tom N. Rawick is from Spearfish. Coral Thorson Sand is from Spearfish. Mel J. Sanders is from Gillette, Wyoming. Joe M. Sorako is from Spearfish. Bob J. Templeton is from Reed Heights. and Michael C. Walter is from Buffalo, Wyoming. Would you help me in welcoming back the class of 1973?

Thank you so much for being here. Graduates, it is so great to see you sitting out in the audience, and now it is an appropriate time to recognize a group who have really been your partners in this journey we call college. They've provided mentorship to you. I know they have encouraged you. They probably have prodded you as you completed your coursework. So I'm going to ask the faculty if you would stand and actually turn around and face the graduates, so faculty stand up and turn so you can see the graduates. And graduates, would you mind helping me in thanking our faculty for all they have done for you?

Thank you, faculty, for being here. And thank you for all you have done to help these graduates complete their degree. Well, congratulations graduates. Your day has arrived. Today, you become a college graduate, where you join about one third of all adults in the United States who hold a bachelor's degree or more. Your degree will open doors of opportunities that, quite frankly, you can't even quite imagine today. It certainly did for me, and I know it will for you as well. I am so excited for your future, and all the possibilities you will realize. Becoming a college graduate is a distinction in our society that sets you apart from many others, and that distinction comes because our society values education. Evidence suggests that college graduates are not only highly employable, but they also enrich the civic and the economic life of their communities as they volunteer, provide community leadership, or make philanthropic contributions. As Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world." Today, with a degree in hand, your ability to make our world a better place becomes greater. As hard as you have worked on earning this degree, we all know you did not get there alone. Your family has been a great source of support to you throughout your college years, and in a reciprocal fashion, your achievement has provided inspiration and hope to your family. Today, they are here to celebrate with you. And I know as you walk across the stage in just a little bit, they will be bursting with pride. They love you. You matter to them. So now graduates now I'm going to ask you if you would stand up and would look around and see if you can find your family. And would you help me in thanking them for all they have done for you? So stand up graduates, let's thank your family.

Thank you, graduates, you may be seated. Thank you, families, for being here with us to celebrate as well. Graduates, there are two words that are commonly used on days like today. One is graduation, and the other is commencement. Graduation signifies the end- the finish line. It celebrates the fact that you have successfully completed this phase of your education and brings closure to this chapter of your life. Graduation says, "Woo hoo! We're done." Commencement, on the other hand, signifies the starting gate- the beginning of a new life. It says that your transitioning from the past to the future. Commencement celebrates that the best part of your life is ahead of you. Both turns are most appropriate today, and both are really meaningful, but today, I choose to leave you with my congratulations on your commencement- on your beginning. Your future is bright. You have ability, passion, and commitment to make a difference. And as yellow jackets, graduates of this great university, I know wherever you go, you will carry your alma mater with you, and you will represent us well. Congratulations, graduates, on commencement- on all the bright and beautiful possibilities that lie ahead for you. Congratulations.

As part of today's ceremony, we are pleased to recognize Mr. Joe H. Floyd, with the awarding of an honorary doctorate of public service. The honorary doctorate is the highest honor bestowed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and the universities. Recipients have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and exemplary achievements within their fields of endeavor. Dr. Kilpinen, please join me for the presentation of the award.

Joe Floyd was a cable TV pioneer for his instrumental role in guiding the construction and purchase of cable systems in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Western Minnesota. He as the chief operating officer at Midco, in charge of a diverse portfolio of holdings, including broadcast TV, and radio movie theaters, cable television, real estate, and many smaller businesses. He later became president and chief operations officer, and led the entire business until his retirement in 2001. The tremendous appreciation of the importance of education from Joe and his late wife, Elaine, has extended beyond their own family and led to a continuing commitment to finding ways to encourage students of all ages to advance their education. Joe and Elaine provided financial support or many educational programs, including eight concurrent full-ride scholarships at Black Hills State University. Please join me, ladies and gentlemen, in congratulating Mr. Floyd and help me welcome him to the podium to the right, where he will speak to us.

I'd like to thank the South Dakota Board of Regents, Laurie Nichols, this fine university for such an honor. And then I'd like to say congratulations to the graduates. I remember the day I saw my name on the list of graduations in engineering school, and boy, what a relief, haha. I suppose the reason that I'm here is the effort that we've had on a scholarship that is now part of the rodeo organization. My wife, Elaine, loved this school like you would never believe. She attended it about 1954 to receive a certificate so you could teach in a one-room school. Back in the early 30s, South Dakota decided that education for first to eighth grade would be the responsibility of the individual counties in South Dakota. As a result, one-room schools were popping up all over the state, and Black Hills Teacher's College put together a program to certify teachers for these schools. When Elaine completed Dupree High School and came to the university here- was about 1954. By that time, improved roads and transportation and a lack of good state funding was causing consolidation of schools, and so a lot of one-room school houses in South Dakota were running empty. However, Ziebach county decided they would double down to serve the homestead ranchers on the reservation. So, they moved their school from down south of Lantry up to a town just east of Lantry, and build a new school- built a nice corral for the horses because all the students rode horses to school. And who else to run the school would be a recent graduate of Black Hills and also part of a homestead rancher family in the county. So Elaine was a a school worm at the Ziebach county school. And from there you have to kind of go to the history book of Ziebach county, and each year they showed the number of students he had- the cost of running the school, and how many graduates completed. For years, Elaine would take me to various places out west, because I was actually a city kid bearing a country girl. And she introduced me to a lot of her friends. In fact, I met the mayor of Dupree, who proudly announced he was one of her students. Later, Elaine really wanted to establish a scholarship here at the university, and we worked with Steve to put one together. It was designed to have the opportunity to go here for girls from farm and ranch backgrounds as Elaine had come. we found out later that that was discriminatory, and it had to be an athletic scholarship. So, we decided to recruit young girls who would be on the rodeo team. In fact, two of your graduates are not here- they're off defending the reputation of this school at a rodeo down in Lincoln, Nebraska. Once the scholarship was established, they became Elaine's girls. She took a deep personal interest in them and their families, and encouraged them to complete their work here. It was a real challenge to watch her keep track of these young girls because she all wanted to be highly successful, which they have been. Even after Elaine passed away, I still get cards and letters every month from graduates- having children, getting married, all kinds of activities. I think the most prophetic thing I can remember is we were out here about the second time for some kind of a meeting. Elaine was meeting with her girls, and on the way home she says, "Joe, you know, someday we're going to have a woman governor in this state, and she going to come from a farm or ranch, and I'll bet she probably start out in a one-room school." She did not live long enough to see that day. Thank you very much for this very prestigious award. Congratulations.

At this time, I would like to ask Dr. Jon Kilpinen to present the faculty who are retiring.

As a part of today's ceremony, it's fitting that we recognize the faculty who are retiring. Black Hills State University wishes to express it's sincere appreciation for their years of dedicated and distinguished service to the students. the university, the community, and their professions. We're sad to see them leave, but pleased to announce the awarding of Emeritus status. Dr. Betsy Silva, will you please join president Nichols on the lower stage? Dr. Betsy Silva, Dean and associate professor of education in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences will retire from Black Hills State University on June 21st of this year after 31 years of dedicated and distinguished service. Dean Silva has served in multiple leadership roles including Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, chair of the School of Education, and department chair for physical education. Additionally, Dr. Silva has served as the assessment coordinator for the school of education for almost 20 years, leading the school through two accreditation visits that resulted in national accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and from the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation. Black Hills State University wishes to express it's appreciation to Dr. Silva for her years of faithful and dedicated service. Therefore be it resolved that henceforth Dr. Betsy Silva will carry the title of associate professor emeritus.

Dr. David Crawford, will you please join president Nichols on the lower stage? Dr. David Crawford, professor of accounting in the College of Business and Natural Sciences will retire from Black Hills State University on August 21st of this year after 14 years of distinguished service. He has served the School of Business as the accounting undergraduate program coordinator, and teaches courses in accounting and auditing. He served 11 years on the Faculty Senate, and six years on the General Education Requirements Committee. Professor Crawford has maintained his certified public accountant and chartered global management licenses to deliver content that is current and relevant to the CPA exam. He demonstrated dedication to his profession through scholarly presentations at American Accounting Association conferences, as well as through article publications. Black Hills State wishes to express it's appreciation to Dr. Crawford for his years of faithful and dedicated service. Therefore ne it resolved that henceforth Dr. David Crawford will carry the title of professor emeritus.

I am pleased to introduce the Black Hills State University commencement wind ensemble, under the direction of Dr. David Berberick.

Thank you so much, wind ensemble. Black Hills State University has a long history of supporting our military. Before continuing with our program, we would like to recognize all veterans, service members, and their spouses for their service to our nation. So I'm going to ask if you would please stand to be recognized. Would all of our veterans, all of our active military, and all spouses please stand so we can thank you for your service.

Thank you. It is my pleasure to ask Captain John Lundeen to come forward for the conferring of commissions.

Ladies and gentlemen, what you just witnessed was a commissioning of two of the United States Armed Forces newest officers. Now, I'd like to invite you to join me in congratulating and thanking them, but just a moment. First lieutenants, it might feel awkward to receive gratitude because you're just starting out your career, but the gratitude that we're expressing is for what you've committed to. Because it might not feel like it today, but there will be times- maybe it's when your finding yourself carrying out your military duties with a rifle in hand for your second consecutive Christmas halfway around the world from all that you know and love. Maybe it's being held back in your civilian job in progression because of the military obligations that you volunteered for. Or maybe it's a combat deployment where you go a week at a time in a combat hostile environment remote with no access to the outside world. Just look forward to the end of every week when you can get back to a computer, open up your email and look for a video with an attachment of seeing your kid take his first steps. Things like that. Those are specific examples but you, I'm sad to say, will find your own examples of ways in which you will feel the weight of this commitment that you made here today. And when you feel that weight, you can look back on days like this, and days when you're recognized or thanked for your service. You can think back to your family at home and to your faith, and you can look back at these things and just remember days like today because you can look back and say, "Oh this, this is what they were thanking me for." And with that, you can take another breath, reassess and keep moving forward. So ladies and gentlemen, sorry for my, my tangent, but if you would join me in congratulating and thanking these two for the commitment.

Thank you. After retiring from tech in 2020, Mr. Justin Varland currently serves as a business advisor to Apple Incorporated through his work with PWC. A former Apple executive with two decades of sales leadership and business experience in global technology leading companies, Varland more than tripled Apple's carrier enterprise business to over 8 billion dollars annually during his tenure. Previously the vice president of sales at Samsung Electronics, he also managed the mobility business with Sprint, Nextel, and worked in public relations for the Green Bay Packers. Mr. Varland has been active on multiple advisory boards and committees including the March of Dimes, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, National Humane Society, Make-a-Wish, American Heart Association, Sanford Underground Research Facility, and Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He earned his bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and Commercial Art from Black Hills State University in 2002. Please help me in welcoming Mr. Varland to the stage to give our charge to the graduates.

Good morning, and most importantly, this is a celebration, so let's enjoy this. Congratulations to all of you. And good morning family, friends, graduates. It's an honor to be standing here today, and it's for two separate reasons. One, it's an incredible, humbling, experience to be able to address all of you today. But most importantly, I'm doing it in a robe, as are all of you. It's 11 o'clock in public, and people are here. We're out in public in our robes and their not talking smack about us behind our backs. They're actually saying congratulations, so this is an achievement. It is not business casual, just so you know though. 25 years ago last month I stepped onto the campus of Black Hills State University for the very first time. I had no idea what was in store for me, other than a free weekend in the hills and to go check out "backup" school. I assure you the rest of my life is not on my mind. And then I fell in love. Hopefully, you've experienced love in your life. I found it here at Black Hills State. First with the school, then with my life, then within the wonderful community of organizations that make this place so special. But most of all, it's the people. Thank you, Dr. Nichols. Thank you, Dr. Jane Klug, or as she's being known today, Paxton's mom. Thank you to my college advisor, Steve Babbitt. Steve Meeker, the Alumni Association and so many other amazing individuals that make the sacrifices necessary for BH students like me to be successful. So what the heck do I say? It's not a normal story. I got a job with the Green Bay Packers straight out of college, more on that in a second. I jumped into Mobile just as the smartphone wars were taking off, and had the dubious responsibility of putting Blackberry's into the hands of every Sprint customer out there. Those of you who don't know, Blackberry is- there's a movie coming out Friday. They used to be awesome, ask your parents about them. When Google entered the fray, I joined Samsung- helped build the Android business across North America, only to be recruited away by Apple and do it all over again in B2B. I retired from Apple last year, and now I get to wake up every morning grateful for the series of decisions that I was able to make to create such a fortunate position where I only do what makes me proud, and it all comes back to knowing my why. Back in 2009, Simon Sinek, the author, wrote a book: Start with Why. Now I'm guessing those of you in a cap and gown who have been in college for the past four years have probably heard of Simon, but he has a very simple and powerful way of looking at the world. You see, in Start with Why, he suggested the most successful organizations and leaders share a common trait. They start with why they do what they do, not what they do or how they do it. And by changing the order of the universe in such a small way, people who can find that transition often find their way to incredible success. I'm here to tell you that I'm one of those people, but for me, it's always been about why. Not just the teaching covered by Sinek in Start with Why, but I turned my "why" into an acronym, and it helps me remember the important aspects of leading a fulfilled life. I'd like to share that. So if Simon Sinek says start with "why", and I turn the "why" into acronym, what's my W? Well it's a fun one if you do it right. And it's pretty easy. Why not? Now, to be clear, I am not telling any of you that when your friend asks you tonight to get matching graduate face tattoos, you say why not. That's- that's not what we're talking about. I'm talking about small, calculated risks that you've fully thought through. That you've realized there's incredible advantage and upside, and you act. I'll give an example. My "why not" happened at a party here in Spearfish at the Super Bowl in February of my senior year. We were with some friends, all hanging out, talking about our plans for after graduation. Now, at the time, I didn't have any. I'm a pretty ambitious dude, I'm really busy. I've just finished my second year as president of the United....as the...United States of America- that'd be awesome! Uh, president of the Sigma Tau Gamma, just like that. I'm editor and the chief of school newspaper. I'm on the student senate. I'm active in KBHU, BHTV, I'm doing up team. I am busy doing basically everything other than thinking about life after college. I got plenty of time for that, that's like...90 days away. So think about that for a second, my entire journey, all that I'm about to share and say, all that I've said already, you're all, at worst, 90 days behind my path, right now. So we all laugh at how amusing it is that I of all people don't have a plan, and one of my buddies points to the TV and says, "If you love the NFL so much, why not do that?" as he pointed to a suit on a PR person on the sidelines of the Super Bowl. Why not? On Monday morning, I hashed my plan. I swung up to the career center in the union to look up the main switchboard number of my favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. I waited a few days...[person in audience yells something we can't hear] I heard that, thank you...waited a few days and made a call. "Hi. I'm a college student looking to find out who I would send my resume to if I was interested in an internship?" Linda, in Green Bay, tells me send it to Lee Remmel. "Great. Thanks," I replied. I wait three days, and I call Linda again. "Hi. Can I speak to Lee Remmel please?" Who's calling? "Well, Justin Varland", like I belong there. Hold please. Now, it's ringing and obviously I've got this magnificent, 30 second pitch of the most epic, epic personal profile I've ever done, right. I'm going through my passion for the sport, my hopes and dreams, all the things that I've learned about the team, show them what I'm capable- "This is Lee." The other side of the phone just booms this authoritatively gruff voice of wisdom. Crap. "Hi Lee, I'm Justin Varland. I'm a senior in Spearfish, South Dakota- he starts laughing at me almost immediately. "I'm sorry, son, where are you from?" When I repeated "Spearfish" it dawned on me, and he quickly laughed again by the way, I realized I had an opportunity. You see, I was creating an impression with a man who was hired by Curly Lambo, who worked side by side with Vince Lombardi, and other Packers for over 60 years all because the name Spearfish, Deadwood, and Belle Fourche were really funny to him. Why not? We spent almost an hour on the phone that day, and Lee became one of the most important figures in my life. Could I have just called and asked for the button to hit to submit my application, but that's not getting a BH grad a job at the Green Bay Packers. The key to this story is I did something a little crazy, not risky. Just, bold. I did something that most people probably thought was hard and the benefits of that call have cascaded throughout my life for more than 20 years. Do you know how many people want to talk to you when you've worked public relations for the Green Bay Packers? A hundred percent of corporate recruiters, even the Vikings fans. I'm joking on that one, Vikings fans. They can't read both sides of the resume without turning it over- that was for you Meeker. So it all starts with "why", and mine is "why not" then what's H? Hard. Obviously, I'm joking a but. It's a bit harder with Lee than just reading off the South Dakota Atlas. But when you get in with the Packers, you've got to do what's hard now so you're ready when the opportunity presents itself. Doing what's hard leads to success because most of us are perfectly fine just hitting that easy button and hoping. That works all the time and it's worked for me, but my story is unique because in that moment, I saw an angle that leveraged my own skills to think differently about the outcome that I wanted and I took the action to get there. No one is going to be able to show you your path. You have to know your strengths, know the advantages that they present, and the utilize them to that advantage. Each of you already knows how to do what's hard. The work you put in to graduate now places you within the top third of the workforce. Your degree proves you know how to do the work even when it's hard, even when you're a mass com major who's got an 8 AM biology class but really like midnight trivia at The Stadium. It's hard. But you've got to know what to do and you've all earned those caps, but now how do you do that to get where you want to go. You can fail at something safe just as easy as it is to fail at something hard, so why not take a shot? I promise your lives are still going to be hard on either path. It's hard to be fit, but it's hard to be fat. It's hard to be broke, but it's also just as hard to be fiscally responsible. You think I don't want to buy every box of macaroons and Thin Mints on every corner that those evil little girl scouts are selling right now? I'd be 300 pounds and broke. You got to choose your hard. And hard doesn't mean that it's difficult. It just means you're going to go a little longer. I'm sure you've all heard how we can be anything we want. I'm sorry to break it to you. I wanted to be quarterback of the Green Bay Packers and it was pretty obvious pretty early that wasn't going to happen. But once I got there, I needed a different path to land on. And once I got there, I learned. A quote I often shared around the practice facilities or in the weight room. They don't put championship rings smooth hands, fellas. I always loved that. They don't put championship rings smooth hands. It's the work you put in now that prepares your hands for whenever you ring ceremony is coming. It used to make my advisor, Steve Babbitt, just absolutely crazy, but every morning when we worked on The Today newspaper together, I came by his office. I'd always ask how I could help. Usually, it was nothing. I'd occasionally have something minuscule task I could complete. But it wasn't about kissing his butt. It wasn't about showing off. It was about showing up, being curious, and knowing there was always more to learn. As time progressed and I kept coming by, the significance of those tasks he gave me grew, proving an invaluable insight for me on the things that happen in between when folks aren't looking or watching. No shortcuts. I've continued to leverage this as I've progressed in my career. Finding the nuanced ways to be noticed for my work, not my voice. I made a series of small decisions, like getting up 15 minutes early so I could go bother Steve, that brought opportunities each better than the first. And that series of small decisions resulted in really, really easy big ones. It requires you to be energetic. It requires you to be engaging. It requires you to believe, shout out to Ted Lasso. Most of all though, it requires optimism, which takes us to the last piece of the acronym trilogy- the Y in why. Yet. It's so easy and so powerful. Yet. Nothing embodies optimism or tenacity better than that word. You can add it to almost anything and immediately impact the outcome to the positive. The Packers haven't hired anybody from Black Hills State. Ever. Ever, yet. I didn't get an Ivy League degree, I'm not smart enough to get a job at Apple...yet. If that's your goal, put in the work. Do what's hard. Who's in your network? Who's willing to coach you? Because who can you approach with the message that while you know you're not ready yet, you're willing to put in the work and improve everyday, even when it's not being watched. Your preschool teacher was wrong. You can't be whatever you want, but they were right in the fact that it's all going to be okay in the end. Because if it's not okay, it's not the end. You just haven't figured it out yet. So set achievable goals, work at them, and improve in one small way every single day by occasionally saying why not and doing what's hard. You'll be amazed at the things you haven't accomplished...yet. Thank you.

Thank you so much for those remarks. We're privileged to have Regent Jeff Partridge who will bring you greetings from the South Dakota Board of Regents.

You signed up. You showed up. And you finished up. And it's about time to get up and receive your diploma. My mother framed her diploma on the wall in our house that I grew up in. And she used to look at that and say, "You know what? No one can ever take that away from you." Now as a little kid I always wondered why would someone want a framed piece of paper with weird writing on it. Doesn't make any sense to me, but as I grew up, I learned the power of that diploma, and understood what it means to earn it. On behalf on the Board of Regents, you've earned it, and congratulations.

And now by the authority vested to the Board of Regents by the constitution of South Dakota, I hereby delegate to President Nichols the right to confer the degrees and diplomas with all rights, privileges and responsibilities appertaining thereto.

Graduates, we are at the moment for which you have been preparing for the last several years. A photographer from the grad team with be taking professional photographs, which will be available for purchase one week following the ceremony. The website address is on the inside cover of your commencement program. Family and friends of the graduates, as a courtesy to the students who are graduating as well as the people sitting around you, please remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. It is my pleasure to present Dr. Cynthia Anderson, interim Dean of the College of Business and Natural Sciences.

Graduates, please stand. President Nichols, I have the honor to present to you the class of 2023. On behalf of the faculty, I present them to you as fully qualified to receive their diplomas.

By the virtue of the authority vested in be by the South Dakota Board of Regents and upon the recommendation of the faculty, I hereby confer upon you the associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree with all the rights privileges and responsibilities pertaining thereto. Congratulations and please be seated.

The first group of students who will be asked to come forward are graduating with master's degrees. They will be hooded as part of today's ceremony. Will the master's degree candidates please rise and come forward.

The next group of students who will be asked to come forward are graduating from the university honor's program. They will receive a medallion symbolizing their distinction as honor scholars. Will you please rise and come forward?

Will the first row of bachelor degree candidates from the College of Business and Education- Business and Natural Sciences, I'm sorry- rise and come forward to receive your diplomas?

At this time, I would like to present Dr. Betsy Silva, Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

Will the first row of bachelor degree candidates from the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences please rise and come forward to receive your diplomas.

At this time, I would like to present Dr. Amy Fuqua, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Will the first row of bachelor's degree candidates from the College of Liberal Arts please rise and come forward to receive your diplomas.

Will the candidates for the associate's degree please rise and come forward to receive your diplomas.

Okay, now I think we need a huge round of applause to our graduates.

Academic traditions, such as the symbolism of the tassel are steeped in history. Moving the tassel to the left after graduating is symbolic of moving from college to another stage in your life. It is my privilege to ask you to move your tassel from right to left. Congratulations.

Here to bring you greetings from the Alumni Association is Mr. Steve Meeker, Vice President of University Advancement.

Thank you, President Nichols. On behalf of the BHSU Alumni Association, I offer my congratulations to the class of 2023. I would also like to congratulate Joe Floyd on receiving his honorary doctorate. Joe is one of smartest, most generous people that I've ever known in my life, and he's very deserving of that honor. Justin Varland, thank you for your great message to the graduates, despite your Minnesota Vikings smack talk. You truly are an inspiration to our graduates, and we're very proud of you. Class of 1973, are you kidding me? 50 years?

It's great that you're all back and joining us today, we appreciate that very much. Okay, moms and dads, make some noise if your son or daughter graduated today.

And I want to congratulate you, moms and dads, for having your kid move back into your home after the happiest four years of your life. I'm just kidding, trust me graduates, the last thing mom and dad want is driving home they look in the rear view mirror and you're right behind them. Graduates, you need to know that you'll never have more energy, more enthusiasm, hair or brain cells than you have today. It only goes downhill from here. To those of you who are graduating this morning with highest honors, awards, and distinctions, well done. For those of you that were C students, hang on to your diploma when you leave the arena just incase the university decides to take it back. Okay, now that I have your attention, welcome to the Alumni Association. Your parents and grandparents are so happy for you. Your brothers and sisters, on the other hand, as well as some of your professors, they're shocked that you made it. Class of 23, the Alumni Association invites you to create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you truly will become what you believe. Justin Varland talked about this. Work hard and you'll achieve the success that you'll get with your BHSU degree. We ask that you stay connected with us. Be engaged as an alum. You'll have opportunities to volunteer, attend networking events, and see how you can support the university's admission. Come back to visit us, like you see the class of 73 doing, or Justin Varland as our speaker today. You're about to do great things in your career and your life. If you really want a leg up on competition, never forget there's no substitute for hard work. Absolutely nothing is beneath you. This has been forgotten in today's world and trust me, if you get out there and get after it, you'll elevate in a hurry. Do your job well and go well above and beyond. It will pay off. Remember, BH will always be with you wherever you are. Please know the alumni community is here for you, and you're not doing this on your own. So get out there and represent BHSU well. In closing, I just have two more things. Remember to always be kind. Don't ever forget that. Don't ever embarrass mama. If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy. And if daddy ain't happy, nobody cares. And the last thing, and I will pay dearly for this later today, but my bride of 39 years put this celebration on for all of you to enjoy today. She's sitting behind me to the left here. It's her birthday today, so on a count of three, we're going to say happy birthday, April. One, two, three...[Audience responds, "Happy Birthday, April!"] I love you people, thank you! I offer the graduates my personal congratulations, my respect, and best wishes. Go yellow jackets!

I have to be careful not to let him come to the podium too often

We will conclude today's ceremony with the singing of our alma mater. The recessional will follow immediately after. Please remain in the bleachers until graduates and faculty have exited. Would you all please stand and join us in the singing of our alma mater. It is printed on the back of your program.

Congratulations, again, graduates. Congratulations families. Enjoy the rest of your day together. Graduates, faculty, and platform party, we will begin the recessional.