Commencement: Celebrating Student Success and New Beginnings
By Dr. Marsha Danielson, President, Minnesota State College Southeast
Spring marks the end of the academic year at Minnesota State College Southeast, and it's a time to reflect on the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our students. It's a celebratory time, the time of year that reminds everyone who works in and supports education why we love what we do so much!
This time of year, we have been busy with many opportunities to recognize our students for their academic excellence, leadership, and service.
Minnesota State College Southeast Foundation held scholarship award ceremonies this spring for sponsors, scholarship recipients, and college faculty, staff, and administration. It was a chance to come together and celebrate student success. Thank you to the donors who contribute to the Foundation. Your support means so much to our students!
We are also celebrating the success of career program students across our campuses in Red Wing and Winona. Our second-year Auto Body Collision Technology students recently participated in the Minnesota State SkillsUSA Competition for Collision Repair, and student Luke Rasmussen took home first-place gold!
This week, our CNC machine tool students have been in in Greenville, South Carolina at Project MFG's Integrated Advanced Manufacturing National Championships. We were one of the top four colleges in the nation who advanced to this level. Bradley Bishop, Ellery Kiesel, Joseph Schultz, Ivey Wadman Vehrenkamp, and Austyn Warren have been demonstrating their skills in programming, CNC Machine Tool, and welding to meet detailed requirements in a manufacturing project. Their professionalism and teamwork makes us #MSCSoutheastProud.
It's the time of year students showcase their capstone projects in front of industry professionals and the college community. Our Bicycle Design and Fabrication program held an open house this week to show off student work, especially completed bike frames made by the second-year students.
The annual Student Guitar Show featured new acoustic guitars and mandolins built by our Guitar Repair and Building program students being played on stage by professional musicians. In addition to the guitars, several students in the college's Violin Making program displayed and played the instruments they made this year. We are all impressed by the extraordinary quality of the work done by students in these programs.
For many of our students, the end of the academic year means completing their requirements and earning a credential, whether it be a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree. Graduating from college marks the end of their journey at Minnesota State College Southeast but signals a new and exciting beginning - an achievement that deserves recognition and celebration.
At our commencement ceremony on May 12, we honored over 300 new graduates. Some of them will go directly into a rewarding career. Others have earned an associate degree and will be transferring on to university.
Commencement signifies the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It is the recognition of the skills and knowledge they have acquired throughout their studies. It is a moment of pride and accomplishment, not only for the graduates but also for their families, friends, and instructors.
It is also an opportunity to look back on the challenges they have overcome and the lifelong friendships they have made. It is a chance to appreciate the personal growth and development that has taken place during their academic career.
From recognition events to the commencement ceremony itself, there are many ways for students to reflect on the past year and look toward the future with excitement and anticipation. It's a time for our graduates to start their careers, pursue further education, or embark on new personal goals and aspirations. Graduates, whatever comes next... we wish you well!