“Today's ceremony represents the culmination of discipline, intellectual work and creative imagination, certainly no small accomplishment for many of you and your families here today,” Hegg said. “The sacrifices have been long and great, the degrees you have earned acknowledge your success and honors those who have encouraged it."

Following his speech was Zane Abdel, a graduate nominated to speak on behalf of the class of 2025. Delivering his first-ever public speech, he reflected on the transformation that happens over time—often quietly and with the support of others.

“Somewhere along that journey, we found our groove—not just as students, but as thinkers, innovators, problem solvers and, most importantly, as people,” Abdel said.

He credited the community around him for making those moments of growth possible. 

“They were the ones listening to us vent, reassuring us through our doubts and reminding us just how capable we were,” he said. 

Drawing on a metaphor from cell biology, Abdel compared graduates to totipotent stem cells—blank slates with the potential to become anything, shaped by their environment, challenges and experiences.

“Given the right conditions, the right challenges, a little bit of stress-induced adaptation, we began to find our form,” he said. “We emerged stronger, more capable and with every single step, more ready for what lies ahead.”

Following Abdel's remarks, Roger Beachy, an MSU alum who earned his Ph.D. in botany and plant pathology from MSU in 1973, urged graduates to use their scientific knowledge not only for innovation but for societal good.

Beachy acknowledged challenges facing science today—citing federal funding cuts and public skepticism—and called on the graduating class to be both informed professionals and active citizens. 

“Science is not an expense,” he said. “It’s an investment.”

He encouraged students to find purpose in their careers, no matter the path they take.

“Your future may be in academia, corporate settings, nonprofits, or beginning your own enterprise,” he said. “Find your joy in whatever it is, and bring that joy to the job every single day.”

Among the crowd of graduating seniors were students who reflected on the years of hard work and sacrifice that got them to this moment. 

For Insaan Ermisch, who graduated in statistics with a minor in data science, the day marked both a personal achievement and a launching point. 

“Now that I have a degree in my hand, I have the knowledge to do something with it—to make an impact,” he said. 

He’ll soon be flying to India for a data science internship, where he’ll train in coding and project development. Long-term, he’s interested in socially focused data work, like using analytics to study redlining and inequality.

Fellow statistics graduate Beau Belkowski said he was most proud of his consistency over the last four years. Staying on top of his game all the way through four years of college was a challenge, he said, so he’s proud he made it through. 

Belkowski will be returning to MSU this fall to pursue a master’s degree in data science. 

Christian Baty, a neuroscience major, said this day was one of the best of his life. 

“I’m just glad I could be here with my best friends and my family,” he said. “Just staying true to myself and making sure I came through it—I’m proud of that.”

Ava Loc, who majored in integrative biology, described a bittersweet feeling as she walked across the stage.

“It’s exciting because we did what we were supposed to do, but now it’s over,” she said. “I’ve made such good connections with people around me. They’ve been with me for the past four years.”

For Jasmine Akolly, who earned degrees in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry and math, the moment held deep meaning as a first-generation college graduate.

“It’s a big deal,” she said. “Now my younger sister knows she can, she’s able to do it too if she wants to.”