BEMIDJI 鈥� Throughout three ceremonies, Bemidji State University recognized over 1,000 graduates during its 103rd commencement ceremonies on Friday, signifying a transition from student to alumni.
With one ceremony designated for each college, BSU recognized 268 graduates from the College of Arts, Education and Humanities. There were 345 graduates representing the College of Business, Mathematics and Science while the College of Individual and Community Health recognized 401 graduates.
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Speaking at his first commencements as BSU and Northwest Technical College president, John Hoffman emphasized the work that the graduates have done throughout their time in college and the work they have yet to do.
鈥�(Moving forward), it鈥檚 about more than careers. It鈥檚 about well-being and the ways that you lead your lives,鈥� Hoffman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about using what you have learned as you鈥檙e fixing wrongs in your work, in your communities as you see oppression or whatever it may be.
鈥淭ake the lead to interrupt (oppression) and create a better future for yourselves, for your families, for your communities,鈥� Hoffman added. 鈥淧art of getting that 鈥楢鈥� is giving back.鈥�
Hoffman relayed several highlights from the past year including Beaver football reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row and hosting a playoff game for the first time in program history, the return of Bemidji Opera Theater鈥檚 Opera Night, several graduates attending national conferences and local service learning opportunities that have allowed graduates to give back to their communities.
鈥淎s I express gratitude, you have made this a great year. You have overcome a great deal to make these important and transformational years,鈥� Hoffman said.
Social studies education graduate Caleb Travis provided the student address for the College of Arts, Education and Humanities. Travis drew parallels between his college experience with the TV show, 鈥淭he Office,鈥� and the popular quote, 鈥淵ou miss 100% of the shots you don鈥檛 take.鈥�
鈥淭his reminds us that we should never let an opportunity pass us by and opportunities are not always easy to come by. Sometimes this requires us to step out of our comfort zones and take risks,鈥� Travis said. 鈥淢ichael Scott鈥檚 decision to start his own paper company in 鈥楾he Office鈥� is an excellent example of this.
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鈥淗e knew it wouldn鈥檛 be easy, but he saw an opportunity and he took a chance regardless of the challenges that he would face. While he did face difficulty along the way, he ultimately succeeded because he was willing to take that shot.鈥�
Marketing communication graduate Peyton Barber addressed the College of Business, Mathematics and Science while social work graduate Tiffany Anderson spoke on behalf of the College of Individual and Community Health.
This year's Distinguished Minnesotan Tuleah Palmer, a 2000 BSU graduate and chief executive officer of the Blandin Foundation, provided remarks regarding the past four years for many of the graduates.
Naturally, the 2023 graduates were significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic that cemented its place in the latter half of the spring semester of their freshman years.
鈥淭hese years have been hard, confusing and fatiguing. During almost all of them, you鈥檝e sat in front of a screen and learned,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淎 sore back, too many carbs, strained eyes, and some of you did this with children and some of you did this while you worked.鈥�
Despite the challenges, Palmer noted the graduates鈥� grit and determination that they will take with them throughout their lives along with the changes they will continue to navigate.
鈥淲e are not who we were and we are not yet who we will be,鈥� Palmer added. 鈥淲hat makes this day so extraordinary is that you are who you鈥檙e becoming. You are a promise and you are hope. You are what we need right now.鈥�
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NTC's commencement takes place Friday evening at 7 p.m. A total of 218 graduates will be recognized and nursing student Alyx Johnson will be NTC鈥檚 student speaker.
All ceremony recordings can be viewed on BSU and NTC鈥檚 YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook pages.
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