[AUDIO LOGO] [CEREMONIAL MUSIC] SPEAKER 1: First of the academic procession has arrived. Leading the procession is the University Marshal, Professor Poppy McLeod. Following the University Marshal, [INAUDIBLE] the class of 2023. The class year banner-bearers are Joanne Lé and Edom Solomon. The class marshals are Vanessa Shim and Rachel Shih. First to arrive behind the class banner are the PhD candidates of the Graduate School. The Graduate School symbol banner is carried by Jennifer Neubauer. Candidates are led by Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Kathryn J Boor. The PhD banner-bearers are Terry Bates and Caitlin Carmody. The PhD degree marshals are Eunah Jung and David Kent. [QUIET TALKING AMONG CROWD] [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [CEREMONIAL MUSIC] Once again, the degree PhD candidates from the Graduate School. Next are the Master Degree candidates of the Graduate School. The banner-bearers are Alexis Marquez and Christopher Patrick Levine. The Master degree marshals are Mathias Gabriel Flores Gonzalez Karishni Veerabahu Pillai. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] The Weill Cornell Medical College in Cutter and the Cornell Medical College in New York City have already participated in separate commencement ceremonies. Once again, the Master's degree candidates from the Graduate School. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Next are the candidates from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, comprised of the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, the Cornell Stephanie and Peter Nolan School of Hotel Administration, and the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, led by Dean Andrew Karolyi. The SC Johnson College of Business banner-bearers are Sasha Paikin and Peter Comaroto. Next, the MBA and MPS degree candidates from the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, led by Dean Mark W Nelson. The College banner-bearers are Bibitayo Abikoye and Purushottam Chandra. The degree marshals are Juno Hsiao and Sebastian Navarro. The symbol banner-bearer is Han Zuo. [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the MBA and MPS degree candidates from the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Now entering the stadium are the first of the College degree candidates. The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration is led by Dean Kate Walsh. And college banner-banners, Simon Warfield and Emily Michaels. Degree marshals are Elin Michaela Antonsson and Melanie Goricanec. The symbol banner-bearer is Michelle An-Yan Yang. [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the degree candidates from the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] [CROWD TALKING] Next, the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, led by Dean Jinhua Zhao and college banner-bearers Catherine Kopp and Pranav Vasishta. The degree marshals are Anushya Alandur and Trent Edwards. The symbol banner-bearer is Athean Myat. [CROWD TALKING] Once again, the degree candidates from the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. [MUSIC PLAYING] Now entering the stadium, led by Dean Benjamin Z Houlton, are the candidates of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. College banner-bearers are Jaehyun Rhee and Jay Sangwan. Degree marshals are Xingrui Fan and Naomi Schulberg. The symbol banner-bearer is Camden Wiseman. [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the degree candidates from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Now entering the stadium, led by Dean Greg Morrisett, are the candidates of Cornell Tech. College banner-bearers are Saurabh Saha and William Daugherty-Miller. The degree marshals are Aashika Perunkolam and Michael Choie. The symbol banner-bearer is Renata Anastasia. [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the degree candidates from Cornell Tech. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Now entering the stadium are the degree candidates from the College of Human Ecology. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Led by Senior Associate Dean Lauren Korfine and college banner-bearers, Noah Lee and Emmie Wong. Degree marshals are Marisa Radulescu and Justin Han. The symbol banner-bearer is Daniel Rockett. [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the degree candidates from the College of Human Ecology. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Now entering the stadium are the degree candidates from the Jeb E Brooks School of Public Policy. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Led by Dean Colleen L Barry and college banner-bearers Giovanni Ugut and Renle Chu. Degree marshals are Erin Ramsi Dowd and Ama Boham. The symbol banner-bearer is Sida Huang. [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the degree candidates from the Jeb E Brooks School of Public Policy. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Now entering the stadium are the degree candidates from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, led by Dean Alexander Colvin, and college banner-bearers Salima Ali and Anne Martha Bartolome Bugayong. Degree marshals are Libby Willkomm and Charles Lefkowitz. The symbol banner-bearer is Zachary Welch. [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the degree candidates from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Now entering the stadium are the degree candidates from the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, led by Dean J Meejin Yoon and college banner-bearers Andrew Boghossian and Adam Washiyama Shulman. Degree marshals are Frances Beahm Gregor, Melody Shou, and Yixiao Eward Guo. The symbol banner-bearer is Tim Wang. [CROWD TALKING] [MUSIC PLAYING] Once again, the degree candidates from the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Now joining the procession are members of the University faculty, led by Dean of the University faculty, Eve De Rosa. The faculty marshals are Professor Steve Carvell and Professor Drew Noden. [MUSIC PLAYING] [CROWD TALKING] At this time, we acknowledge and thank the Cornell University faculty. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Now joining the procession are members of the University leadership, led by Provost Michael I Kotlikoff and members of the Board of Trustees, led by Chair Kraig H Kayser. The faculty marshals are Professor Fred Schneider and Professor Rhonda Gilmore. [MUSIC PLAYING] At this time, the University Marshal, Professor Poppy McLeod, will escort the mace-bearer Professor Emeritus David Lee and Cornell President Martha E Pollack to their places on the platform. [CROWD TALKING] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC - "MY OLD CORNELL"] (SINGING) Hail to the old days, those good old days on the hill. Back to my Cornell, for that's where they all yell, Cornell, I yell, Cornell. Cornell! Far above Cayuga's waters I hear those chiming bells. So we're longing and yearning and always returning to my old Cornell. [CROWD TALKING] POPPY MCLEOD: I am Professor Poppy McLeod, the University Marshal. As part of today's ceremony, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogoho:no, or the Cayuga nation. The Gayogoho:no are members of Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York State, and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of the Gayogoho:no dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of the Gayogoho:no people, past and present, to these lands and waters. President Pollack, candidates for degrees from Cornell University have gathered for the conferral of degrees and to celebrate the commencement of the 155th graduating class of Cornell University. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Members of the Board of Trustees the Faculty, University leadership, degree candidates, and guests are in their places. The assembly is hereby called to order. Please rise and join the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club, accompanied by the Barbara and Richard T Silver Wind Symphony, in singing "The Star Spangled Banner." [MUSIC - "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER"] (SINGING) Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Please be seated. It is my privilege to introduce Michael I Kotlikoff, University Provost. MICHAEL I KOTLIKOFF: Wow, what a day. Welcome, family, friends, supporters, and most of all, the remarkable graduates of 2023. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Graduates, on behalf of the Cornell faculty and staff, congratulations. Congratulations on advancing your scholarship, including through some of the challenges of the last several years. Congratulations on coming together to learn and grow as a community at Cornell. Congratulations on your well-earned degrees. And congratulations on all of your contributions to our community and to our great University. Congratulations. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] We could not be more proud of what you have achieved in this beautiful and inspiring place. You've all had different journeys, but you've all worked hard and succeeded. You have all fully earned your degrees that we are about to convey. And one more congratulations to all of your family and friends here today celebrating your success. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Now, it is my distinct honor to introduce the 14th President of Cornell University, Professor of Computer Science, Information Science, and Linguistics, Martha E Pollack. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] MARTHA E POLLACK: Class of 2023, wow. This being Ithaca, I've been to a number of graduations where it was raining, and you're all sitting there being soggy. And I've had to make some lame joke about how graduations are always sunny days, and so I need my shades. No joke today. You got to excuse me for a second. I need to put my shades on. [LAUGHTER AND CHEERING] There. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Now I can see you all. Again, congratulations, and welcome to everyone who is here, to celebrate the amazing class of 2023. Before I say anything else, I want to do something I do at every commencement, something beyond putting on my shades. This is an important thing. So even though I know you're excited, I need you to focus for just one minute. You have one last assignment before you graduate. So without yelling or screaming, I want you to stand up, turn around and face the bleachers. If it's hard for you to stand up, just turn around. Look up in the bleachers. See if you can find your family, your friends, and all the people who love and support you. Wait, don't yell yet. Don't yell yet. If you can't find them, picture them in your minds. And for a moment, take a moment to think about all the things that you are to grateful to them for, all the ways they helped you get to where you are right here, right now. And then, with all the gratitude you have for that, in whatever language it is you speak, together, on my count of three, I want you to yell thank you as loudly as you can. One, two, three. GRADUATING CLASS: Thank you! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] MARTHA E POLLACK: You can turn around and sit down. And I do want to pause for another moment to remember the Cornellians whose graduation this should have been, the people we wish could have been here with us to celebrate today, whom we remember with an empty chair on the field. Thank you. A little under four years ago, on August 24, 2019, the new members of the undergraduate class of 2023 arrived here at Schoellkopf Field for the first time. You had a lot on your minds. You were thinking about your orientation schedules, and your swim tests, about unpacking your rooms, meeting your roommates, and saying goodbye to your families, who might have even been a little more emotional about things than you were. And that may be true today as well. You were about to set off on something completely different from anything you'd ever done before. You were excited. You were nervous. You were probably a little scared. Now, I know that not all of you sitting here on the field were there that day. Some of you came as Cornell transfer students, and many of you are graduating with graduate and-- yay, transfer students. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Many of you who are here graduating with graduate and professional degrees. But what I said to our newest Cornellians back then applied equally to all of you. I said, that in a few short years, in May of 2023, to be precise, you'd be back here in Schoellkopf, in caps and gowns, waiting to receive your degrees. I said that when that day came around, you'd be different people. Your time here would have changed you. Your Cornell educations would have helped you to develop not only a capable intellect, but also a mature conscience, would have prepared you not only for your careers, but for your lives as citizens of your nation and the world. But all of that, I said, would happen only if you put in the effort. Because education is not a passive activity. So I gave you a piece of advice. What did I tell you? [LAUGHTER] Huh? Take off your headphones. I told you to take off your headphones. And I know you heard me because when I walk around campus to this day, I see members of your class who come up to me and say, President Pollack, look, no headphones. I told you to take off your headphones. I asked you not to shut yourself off from what was around you, to be present in the moment, to connect with people and experiences, to engage deeply with the knowledge and the ideas that you would encounter here, to seek out people who were different from you and to listen to their points of views, even-- and especially-- when you disagreed. I reminded you that it was OK and normal to struggle sometimes, that a Cornell education is rigorous. And if you never struggled here, it probably meant you weren't pushing yourself hard enough. And I told you not to be afraid of the difficult or the uncomfortable, but to embrace new challenges, to learn from your failures, and to recognize that a Cornell degree is distinguished in important part because a Cornell education is hard. And whether you're celebrating today your bachelor's degree, or your master's, becoming a doctor of laws, or of veterinary medicine, or you're entering the community of scholars as a newly minted doctor of philosophy, you're a different person than you were when you arrived here. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, you started down a path, and you couldn't see where it was going to end. And like Dorothy, you kept going, even as you met challenges along the way, some of which you'd never imagined. There's a lot about Dorothy's journey that mirrors life, which is probably why the movie is such a classic, and one that we see differently at different stages of our lives. When I first saw it, I was in second grade or so. And I found Dorothy's journey from the Kansas prairie to the wonders of Oz and back again captivating and also perplexing. I mean, I loved the songs, and I loved how the movies changed from black and white to glorious technicolor. But there were also flying monkeys. And they terrified me. How many people here were terrified by the flying monkeys? [CLAPPING] Right? They're scary. Those monkeys-- and my fear raised some real questions in my seven-year-old brain about exactly what was going on with those main characters. I mean, I understood why the Tin Man wanted a heart. I certainly got why the Scarecrow wanted a brain. But what did it mean to want courage? I mean, those monkeys were coming after Dorothy to bring her to the Wicked Witch of the West. How was this abstract idea of courage going to change that reality? Well, let's fast forward-- for me, anyway-- about 50 years from flying monkeys to a faculty meeting. [LAUGHTER] I had just been named President of Cornell, but I hadn't yet started here. And I was talking with a group of faculty at my previous University about academic careers. And one of them asked me, aren't you scared about this new job? Now, I don't remember what I said, but I do remember what I thought. Obviously, I'm scared. Your point? How could I not be scared? I was taking a job that would put me squarely in the public light. What if I made a significant mistake and humiliated myself? Even worse, I was taking a job that would impact tens of thousands of people. What if I made the wrong decision in a way that had a negative impact on some or even all of those people? And, remember, this was before I had an inkling of the kinds of decisions I'd be making a few years later. I could never have imagined then having to decide whether and how to reopen a campus during a pandemic. So, yeah, I was scared. To have been anything else would have been either incredibly arrogant or incredibly ignorant. But by then, I'd learned something that I hadn't known when my understanding of courage was informed only by wicked witches and flying monkeys. I'd learned that courage doesn't mean not being scared. It means having the capacity to move forward despite being scared. And I'd also learned that if you don't take risks, if you don't walk intentionally, thoughtfully, into situations that will challenge you, and are therefore inherently scary, if you don't do those things, then you're never going to have the impact that you could have on the world. And you're not going to be personally satisfied. Any new step, any big change carries risks. The risks I was facing coming to Cornell weren't flying monkeys in a movie. They were real. Scary, sure. But I believe deeply-- and I always have-- in higher education and its power to transform lives. And it was the experience I had accumulated over time, experience doing things that were scary and that challenged me, that made me able and willing to take risks for the things that matter to me. And that gave me the courage I needed to move forward. Just like it did the cowardly Lion who, by the time he makes it back to the Emerald City, isn't cowardly anymore at all. Now, why am I telling you all this? Because all of you are about to go out into new roles. You've passed a milestone on your own yellow brick roads. And you are heading out to do whatever is next. And whether that's more education, or a new job, or taking time to explore, it's scary. What if you make the wrong choice? What if you make a mistake and embarrass yourself? What if you make a mistake and it ends up harming someone else? What if? What if? What if? But ask, what if you hadn't taken that scary step you all took so long ago of coming here to Cornell? Ask, what if you hadn't pushed yourself while you were here to try those things that were new and intimidating and that stretched you in ways that were hard and uncomfortable? As Cornellian Ann Chow, the former CEO of AT&T Business put it, "At Cornell," she said, "I was uncomfortable a lot. And I learned that comfort was not the objective, and that courageousness was required. I learned that courage is actually the opposite of comfort." Now, I want to be clear. We all need people, and places, and experiences in our lives that are comfortable. That's part of being human. But if you try to arrange your whole life to be comfortable, if you try to avoid all the situations that make you uncomfortable, if you shy away from whatever scares you, I can assure you that you will not end up satisfied. So when there are opportunities out there to do things that are meaningful to you, where you see the chance to contribute, to stretch yourself, grab them. Even though-- and maybe especially because-- they're uncomfortable. Because that's how you develop courage. That's how you learn to handle the next challenge, and the next one. It's how you grow, and learn, and find yourself moving confidently forward. And that's how you're going to make a difference to the world around you and the people in it. At Cornell, you learned so much more than the knowledge and skills required for your diplomas. You learned how to live in and appreciate a diverse community, to engage across difference, and to listen to other voices, and to speak your own mind. You learned, I hope, the value of free expression, "That indispensable condition," as Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo put it, "upon which all other freedoms are based." All of that, everything you've learned here, has helped shape the person you've become. And you'll draw on it all in your years ahead. You're going out into a world where many people feel their voices aren't being heard. And, frankly, it's not always comfortable to hear voices with which you disagree. It takes courage to really listen to people who are saying things that are at odds with the beliefs you hold dearest. But at Cornell, you've developed the courage it takes to do that. You know how much it matters. And you know that the effort is worthwhile. You've learned to move forward even when it's uncomfortable, and hard, and scary. Our democracy depends on that ability, on our ability and our willingness to push ourselves outside our places of color-- comfort, to listen to, and to try to understand people who see the world differently. Perhaps what we all need is to seek comfort less and courage more. Because when we do, when we understand the value not only of our hearts and our brains, but also our courage, that's when we'll be able to do the most that we can with everything we sought and found in this, our own green city on the hill. Congratulations, Cornellians. May the educations you began here never truly end. May they continue on throughout your lives, wherever they may take you. And may the knowledge and the ethos you gained here forever guide your paths. Cornell will always be a part of you, just as you will always be a part of Cornell. Congratulations. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Thank you for those inspiring words, Professor-- President Pollack. The Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club will now perform "Beati Quorum Via," by Charles Villiers Stanford. [MUSIC - CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD, "BEATI QUORUM VIA"] [SINGING IN LATIN] [APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: We will now proceed to the conferral of degrees. The first group to be presented to the President for conferral of degrees are those who have fulfilled the requirements for degrees in the Cornell Graduate School. Will the Dean of the Graduate School, Kathryn J Boor, please come forward. Will the candidates for the doctoral degree please rise and the degree marshals come to the base of the platform. KATHRYN J BOOR: President Pollack, I have the honor of presenting these candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of the Graduate School, having fulfilled the requirements for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science of Law, and Doctor of Musical Arts. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Boor. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the Doctoral degree appropriate to your field of advanced study and research, with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Cornell University welcomes the new Doctoral graduates to the ancient and universal company of scholars. Will the Doctors please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. Will the candidates for the Masters degree in studies that have been directed by the Graduate School please rise and the degree marshals come to the base of the platform. KATHRYN J BOOR: President Pollack, I have the honor of presenting these candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of the Graduate School, having fulfilled the requirements for the Master's degree, be it Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Food Science, Master of Industrial and Labor Relations-- [CHEERING] --Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Professional Studies, Master of Public Health, Master of Regional Planning, and Master of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you. Thank you, Dean Boor. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the master's degree to which you are entitled, with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Will the Masters graduates please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. Will the Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Andrew Karolyi, please come forward. [CHEERING] ANDREW KAROLYI: Will the Dean of the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Mark Nelson, please come forward? [CHEERING] Will the candidates for the degree of Masters of Business Administration and Master of Professional Studies from the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management please rise. [CHEERING] And the degree marshals come up to the base of the platform. MARK W NELSON: President Pollack, I have the honor of presenting these extraordinary candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, having fulfilled the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration and Master of Professional Studies. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Nelson. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degrees Master of Business Administration or Master of Professional Studies with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] ANDREW KAROLYI: Will the graduates please be seated, and the marshals return to their seats. POPPY MCLEOD: Next are the candidates for college degrees. Will the two class marshals representing the senior class please come up to the base of the platform. Will the Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Andrew Karolyi, please come forward. ANDREW KAROLYI: Me again. Will the Dean of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Kate Walsh, please come forward. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Will the candidates for the degree of Masters of Management and Hospitality and Bachelor of Science from the SC Johnson College of Business and the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration please rise, and the degree marshals please come to the base of the platform. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] KATE WALSH: President Pollack, I have the honor of presenting these spectacular candidates, who have fulfilled the requirements and who are duly recommended by the faculty of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration for the degree of Master of Management in Hospitality or Bachelor of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Walsh. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degrees Master of Management in Hospitality or Bachelor of Science with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] ANDREW KAROLYI: Will the graduates please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. The Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management is a shared program of the SC Johnson College of Business and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Will the Dean of the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management Jinhua Zhao please come forward. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Will the candidates for the degree of the Bachelor of Science from the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management please rise and the degree marshals please come up to the base of the platform. JINHUA ZHAO: President Pollack, I have the honor of presenting these topnotch candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the SC Johnson College of Business, having fulfilled the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Zhao. On the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree Bachelor of Science with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] ANDREW KAROLYI: Will the graduates please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. POPPY MCLEOD: Will the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Benjamin Houlton, please come forward. Will the candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science-- SPEAKER 2: Let's go, Cals! POPPY MCLEOD: --from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences please rise and the degree marshals come up to the base of the platform. BENJAMIN Z HOULTON: President Pollack, I have the honor of presenting these life-changing, making-the-world-a-better-place-than-they-found-it candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, having fulfilled the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Houlton. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree Bachelor of Science with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Undergraduates, please be seated, and the degree marshals return to their seats. Will the Dean of Cornell Tech, Greg Morrisett, please come forward. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Will the candidates for the degree of Master of Laws in Technology and Entrepreneurship, Master of Engineering, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Science from Cornell Tech please rise and the degree marshals please come up to the base of the platform. GREG MORRISETT: President Pollack, I have the honor of presenting these exceptional entrepreneurial candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of Cornell Tech, having fulfilled the requirements for the degree of Master of Laws and Technology and Entrepreneurship, Master of Engineering, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Morrisett. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the Master of Law in Technology and Entrepreneurship, Master of Engineering, Master of Business and Administration, or Master of Science degree, with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Will the graduates please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. Will the Senior Associate Dean of the College of Human Ecology, Lauren Korfine, please come forward. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Will the candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science from the College of Human Ecology please rise and the degree marshals please come up to the base of the platform. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] LAUREN KORFINE: President Pollack, I have the honor to present these magnificent world-healing candidates-- [CHEERING] --who are duly recommended by the faculty of the College of Human Ecology, having fulfilled the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Korfine. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree Bachelor of Science, with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Graduates please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. Will the Dean of the Cornell Jeb E Brooks School of Public Policy, Colleen Barry, please come forward. Will the candidates for the degrees of Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Administration, and Bachelor of Science from the Cornell Jeb E Brooks School of Public Policy please rise and the degree marshals please come to the base of the platform. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] COLLEEN L BARRY: President Pollack, I have the honor to present these exceptional candidates who were here at the founding of the Cornell Jeb E Brooks School of Public Policy, and are duly recommended by our faculty, having fulfilled the requirements of the degrees of Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Administration, and Bachelor of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Barry. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degrees of Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Administration, or Bachelor of Science, with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Will the graduates please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. Will the Dean of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Alexander Colvin, please come forward. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] Will the candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations please rise and the degree marshals please come up to the base of the platform. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] ALEXANDER COLVIN: President Pollack, I have the honor to present these superb spirited candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, having fulfilled the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Colvin. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree Bachelor of Science, with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Will the graduates please be seated and the degree marshals return to their seats. Will the Dean of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Meejin Yoon, please come forward. Will the candidates for the degrees of Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science from the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning please rise and the degree marshals please come up to the base of the platform. J MEEJIN YOON: President Pollack, I have the honor to present these world-building candidates, who are duly recommended by the faculty of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, having fulfilled the requirements of Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science. MARTHA E POLLACK: Thank you, Dean Yoon. Upon the recommendation of the faculty, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees of Cornell University, I hereby confer upon each of you the degrees of Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Science, with all the rights, privileges, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Will the graduates please be seated and the class marshals and the degree marshals return to their seats. This concludes the conferral of degrees. Please be seated while the Glee Club and chorus sing the "Evening Song." [MUSIC - HENRY TYRRELL, "EVENING SONG"] (SINGING) When the sun fades away, in the crimson of the west. And the voices of the day murmur low and sink to rest. Music with the twilight falls, o'er the dreaming lake and dell. 'Tis an echo from the walls, of our own, our fair Cornell. Welcome night and welcome rest, fading music fare thee well. Joy to all we love the best, love to thee, our fair Cornell. Music with the twilight falls, o'er the dreaming lake and dell. 'Tis an echo from the walls of our own, our fair Cornell. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: Will the assembly please now stand for the singing of the Alma Mater, with the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club accompanied by the Barbara and Richard T Silver Wind Symphony. [MUSIC - "ALMA MATER"] (SINGING) Far above Cayuga's waters, with its waves of blue, stands our noble Alma mater, glorious to view. Lift the chorus, speed it onward, loud her praises tell. Hail to thee, our Alma mater, hail, all hail, Cornell. Far above the busy humming of the bustling town, reared against the arch of heaven, looks she proudly down. Lift the chorus, speed it onward, loud her praises tell. Hail to thee, our Alma mater! Hail, all hail, Cornell! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] POPPY MCLEOD: This concludes the commencement ceremony for these degree candidates of the 155th graduating class of Cornell University. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] We thank you for joining us today and congratulate all of our new candidates-- our new graduates. Please remain standing during the recessional, and then exit the crescent as directed by the volunteers and staff. Thank you. [MUSIC - "NEW CORNELL FIGHT SONG"] (SINGING) C-O-R-N-E-double-L Win the game and then ring a bell. What's the big intrigue? We're the best in the Ivy League, rah, rah, rah! Score the point that puts us ahead, knock 'em dead, Big Red! One, two, three, four, what are we for? Can't you tell? Old Cornell. (SHOUTING) Go Red! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [CROWD TALKING] [MUSIC - "CORNELL'S FIGHT SONG"] (SINGING) Give my regards to Davy, Remember me to Tee Fee Crane, Tell all the pikers on the hill, that I'll be back again. Tell them just how I busted, lapping up the high, high-ball. We'll have drinks at Theodore Zinks, when I get back next fall!