"I waited three-and-a-half years for this, but (I'm) excited to be able to celebrate with all of the other graduates and with my family coming in," Lufkin said. "I had so many different amazing experiences, and I’m grateful for each and every one of them because they all made me into the Spartan that I am right now."

Guskiewicz and a handful of graduating students made their way around Beaumont Tower through an educational tour led by assistant carillonist Laurie Harkema. Participants learned about the tower’s history and significance to the university and listened to the chimes roaring through the tower’s bells.

Guskiewicz said one of the first things he did when he became president was tour Beaumont Tower, and he hopes ascending it will become a tradition to share with graduating seniors. 

"We're proud of these graduates," Guskiewicz said. "I am proud of our rich history and traditions that we have at Michigan State, and I decided this past spring to start a new one that's called the 'Beaumont Tower Climb.' (Graduates) probably walked by this tower hundreds of times during their four years here, and now they can tell a special story."

Hospitality and business senior Jake Kutilek said it feels "really good" to graduate after starting his college experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm excited for graduation, excited to celebrate kind of in a different way than I did in high school," Kutilek said. "It just feels really good to have a graduation because our class didn’t really get that."

Kutilek said his four years on the Green and White campus were "excellent."

"I feel like I definitely grew as a person in so many ways," Kutilek said. "I feel like a completely different person than I was when I came here in all of the best ways. I love being in this environment."

Kutilek encourages students to "live in the moment," he said. 

"I think sometimes I get caught up in what's next," Kutliek said. "I think it's easy to do that in college, but it really does go really quick so just really live in the moment. Cherish every moment — good and bad — at MSU."

Guskiewicz also had a word of advice for graduating students: "always be curious."

"There's nothing that I enjoy more than standing in front of a classroom with a group of curious students but there are many ways in which to remain curious," Guskiewicz said. "Those who are graduating now are going to go off to do great things and become leaders of the State of Michigan and beyond at some point in their careers."

Guskiewicz also reminded graduates that they’re always welcome here at MSU.

"This is an amazing place," Guskiewicz said. "I want to welcome graduates from any era who had a chance to experience this magical place to always know that this is a place you can call home and to come home often."