Students of the graduating class of 2013 sing the fight song during the convocation ceremony May 3, 2013, at the Breslin Center. Graduating seniors were honored during the ceremony with a motivational speech presented by Emmy award-winning actor Timothy Busfield.
Clad in green caps and gowns, thousands of MSU students, now alumni, linked arms and swayed back and forth to “MSU Shadows,” MSU’s Alma Mater, at Friday’s undergraduate convocation.
The convocation, opening spring commencement, celebrated the accomplishments of close to 4,733 undergraduate degree candidates. Despite a world of change ahead, some, like new alumna Justine Ortquist, cherished the moment among thousands of other graduates inside Breslin Center.
“I’m kind of nervous for the future,” Ortquist said. “But for right now, I’m just ecstatic.”
Emmy award-winning actor and Lansing native Tim Busfield, linked with best-selling author Richard Ford were the two keynote speakers who addressed the graduates at the ceremony. Busfield also received a doctorate of fine arts.
Busfield became well known for his roles in “Thirtysomething” and “The West Wing.”
In his speech, Busfield shared advice for landing jobs post-graduation, reflecting on his early experiences as a professional actor.
“What we (actors) shared as working professionals is the same values of any professional in any trade,” Busfield said. “Do your job. Get paid. Talent simply isn’t enough, fame not always lucrative or long-lasting. Who you know may open a door, but staying in the room is a whole other ball game.”
Brian Harvey, a professor at Ireland’s Royal College of Surgeons, received a doctorate of science at the ceremony for his extensive medical research. Harvey was recognized at the ceremony because MSU has a partnership with Ireland’s Royal College of Surgeons.
“There are two reasons why I’m so appreciative of this honor: the first is personal in the recognition of my own research, research that saved my own life after a serious illness that occurred on this very day twelve months ago,” Harvey said.
New alumna Allegra Smith spoke at convocation as well. Reminiscing on her arrival at MSU, Smith said despite the changes MSU had brought to her life, she remains the same.
“My dad walked into the room one last time … he put his hands on my shoulders, and he said, ‘Well, Allegra, I hope that college cures you of your weirdness,” Smith said during her speech. “It is now nearly four years later, and I can stand in front of you with assurance and conviction and proclaim the following: I am still weird, I am still a writer and I am still a Spartan.”
Ortquist, who will be working with high school students as a part of MSU College Advising Corps., said she is more than thankful for how many opportunities MSU brought her.
“I’ve been able to take advantage of a lot of different things — the research here, study abroad,” she said. “There’s so many great opportunities here.”
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