May 3, 2021
UM Family,
Saturday’s Commencement celebration was the 123rd in UM’s history, and it was arguably one of UM’s most historic since our first Commencement ceremony in 1898. In addition to officially conferring degrees to 1,700 UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who became our newest alumni, we belatedly celebrated many of our 2020 graduates.
These ceremonies and our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥’ reaching of a significant milestone would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of UM’s faculty and staff members. We recently gathered to celebrate our Week of Excellence Employee Award winners, our service pin recipients and our new retirees. Those events reminded me that you are the lifeblood of the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. Thank you for your commitment to our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, to one another and to our UM family.
These past 14 months have tested us in a number of ways. Together, we succeeded in keeping our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ learning, ensuring 4,600 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ were able to complete their degrees during the pandemic.
The importance of these collective efforts is reflected in the faces of our graduates. These Ñý¼§Ö±²¥’ futures are full of possibilities because of you. You make an impact every day you come to work, and I am grateful. Thank you.
To the Commencement committee, the Registrar’s Office and all of the faculty and staff who helped make Saturday’s Commencement possible, I offer a heartfelt thank you. You made the most important day of the year at UM a celebration worthy of these incredible Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.
Seth
