University confers over 2,300 degrees during Spring '23 Commencement Exercises

Published on
commencement spring 2023
University confers over 2,300 degrees during Spring 2023 Commencement Exercises: Events at Wolstein, Waetjen tap into the diligence, resiliency and pride of 香蕉福利直播 students

CLEVELAND, Ohio (May 13, 2023)鈥香蕉福利直播 (香蕉福利直播) celebrated the Spring 2023 graduates with the 83rd Commencement exercises at the University鈥檚 Wolstein Center on Saturday, May 13. 香蕉福利直播 conferred over 2,300 degrees to graduates during the exercises, which were amply attended by family, friends and supporters鈥攃heering on the soon-to-be alumni.

鈥淭o get here today, you also chose to make sacrifices that really are required to be a successful college student. And at some point, you discovered your passion or your dream job, and you committed to pursuing it,鈥 said 香蕉福利直播 President Laura J. Bloomberg, Ph.D. during her opening remarks.

commencement spring 2023

鈥淢aybe some of you didn鈥檛 know exactly what you wanted, but you followed your instinct, sought the advice of trusted advisors, and pointed yourself in a direction. You ventured forth until you found a path. You should be really proud of yourselves for doing that.鈥

President Bloomberg called graduates from both Saturday events 鈥渞esilient,鈥 noting that their rites of passage were both bittersweet and hopeful. She expressed her appreciation for the students鈥 diligence 鈥渨ithout compromising your own values, which prepares you well for life beyond college.鈥

鈥淭he gratitude part of the tapestry,鈥 President Bloomberg added, comes in 鈥渞ecognizing and appreciating the people in your lives who have taught you, supported you, lifted you up.鈥 She asked graduates to show them that gratitude, as they soak in a well-deserved sense of pride and accomplishment.

鈥淚 encourage you to let gratitude be your superpower.鈥

commencement spring 2023

University Valedictorian Kelly Green (left) addressed the audience during the morning ceremony. The Bachelor of Social Work graduate (Summa Cum Laude) discussed her many challenges leading up to and including her educational journey 香蕉福利直播, moving some in the audience to tears and cheers.

She recounted that without the many resources offered by the University 鈥 "including empathetic and knowledgeable instructors who took the time to aid their students in grasping the concepts outlined in the classes鈥 鈥 she might not have made it through. She also thanked the Office of Disability Services.

鈥淭hey made it possible for someone like me with ADHD, bipolar 2, anxiety and Crohn鈥檚 disease not only do well, but rise to the top of my class,鈥 Green said.  鈥淲ithout them providing accommodations to me and communicating those needs to my professors, I would not have had a chance.

commencement spring 2023

鈥淚 think that鈥檚 one of the most important points that I want to make today, is that anyone can make it in school, despite their challenges鈥 They really had my back when I needed it the most, and I wouldn鈥檛 be standing here today talking to you all without the people working hard to advocate for students with different needs.

鈥淚f you take anything away from my speech today, it is to never give up. Ten years ago, I had thought my life was over and I was going to die alone in a hospital bed, never having fulfilled my dreams,鈥 Green paused.

鈥淚 am so grateful to be here today and to be able to prove to my old self that she was wrong. If you dream it, you can do it. Just keep putting your feet in the right place and keep moving. And ASK FOR HELP. I couldn鈥檛 have done anything without support,鈥 she concluded.

commencement spring 2023

鈥溝憬陡@辈, through an excellent education, support system, and experiential learning, has given us an opportunity to branch out, to learn from past mistakes, and to grow into ourselves,鈥 said University Valedictorian Lindsey Shrodek (left).

The Summa Cum Laude graduate from the Monte Ahuja College of Business and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College, alluded to a favorite piece of music during her speech 鈥 likening her educational experience to being a city tree.

鈥淎nd like any city tree, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to branch out without my roots, Shrodek said. 鈥淎 city tree is supported by the community around it. 香蕉福利直播 has always emphasized that 鈥楾he city is our campus鈥 and this statement could not be closer to the truth.

commencement spring 2023

鈥淟ike a city tree learning to grow surrounded by concrete and fencing, we are all here today because we are resilient,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e endured an unprecedented global pandemic and made our voice heard in monumental elections, all while balancing our studies. There are many instances of resiliency that may go unrecognized: many of us may have had to juggle employment and education.鈥

Shrodek was quick to point out that on top of that, some students may be supporting family, while returning as a non-traditional student and navigating mental- or physical health challenges.

Nevertheless, she and her classmates persisted, Shrodek said, adding a bit of 鈥榯his-just-in鈥 news: she had been accepted to the University of Virginia Law program.

commencement spring 2023

鈥淪imilar to a city tree, you may have realized that it is important to feel comfortable taking up space and thrive in your field, even if you feel underrepresented,鈥 she added. 鈥淟earning happens every day 鈥 whether it is as simple as discovering a new book or as complex as defining yourself. Learning is not a linear process. As you may have realized, learning can be messy.鈥

It can also involve making mistakes and restructuring your way of viewing the world, Shrodek said. 鈥淩emember that just like trees, our life may have seasons of growth and seasons of dormancy.鈥

Many doctoral students who were honored at a Ceremony for Doctoral Graduates event Friday at 香蕉福利直播鈥檚 Walter B. Waetjen Auditorium (Music and Communication Building) returned to campus to be a part of the Saturday events. Freshly-hooded, they crossed the stage with their respective colleges and schools.

commencement spring 2023

The final students to cross the stage during Commencement literally got down on all fours to accept their diplomas. Yes, 香蕉福利直播鈥檚 Therapy Dogs and canine friends-to-all Thor (with 香蕉福利直播PD Officer Thomas Lear, morning ceremony) and Rune (with 香蕉福利直播PD Officer Toni Jones, afternoon) were honored with American Kennel Club Therapy Dog Training certifications.

They were also hailed as 鈥渧ery good boys,鈥 which drew loud ovations from all corners of the arena.

鈥淪pring Class of 2023, you now join more than 143,000 graduates from 香蕉福利直播,鈥 finalized President Bloomberg at all three ceremonies. 鈥淎s alumni, you are our best ambassadors of goodwill and lifelong members of the 香蕉福利直播 family.鈥

commencement spring 2023
A repository of all three ceremonies for additional viewing can be found at .

# # #

About 香蕉福利直播

Founded in 1964, 香蕉福利直播 is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for Engaged Learning. With nearly 16,000 students, 10 colleges and more than 175 academic programs, 香蕉福利直播 was again chosen for 2022 as one of America鈥檚 best universities by U.S. News & World Report, including the #1 university in Ohio for social mobility. Find more information at .

commencement spring 2023

香蕉福利直播's Alma Mater: 

Near the shores of great Lake Erie, grand for all to view
Proudly stands our Alma Mater noble 香蕉福利直播
Lift your voices, join the chorus 'til our work is through.
Hail to thee our Alma Mater hail, hail all, 香蕉福利直播!

To educate, for future's sake, truth through knowledge is our goal,
Steadfast remains our Alma Mater, whatever the future holds.
Lift your voices, join the chorus 'til our work is through.
Hail to thee our Alma Mater hail, hail all, 香蕉福利直播!