Thousands filed into Worthen Arena Dec. 14 for Ball States 200th commencement ceremony, conversating, smiling and taking in their surroundings. As guests passed through the concourse and entered the arena’s court they were met with over 1,200 graduates sitting in front of a stage, preparing to walk across it and receive their degrees.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Anand R. Mari.
“Members of the faculty, graduates, parents, friends this is a most happy day, and we’re glad to have you all here to share in this most important occasion,” he said. “It is a very special time for those of you who are graduating for your families and friends, and we offer our warmest congratulations.”
Mari introduced the school's platform party, consisting of Ball States board of trustees members alongside Eric Holcomb, governor of the state of Indiana and honorary degree candidate. Eric was joined by his wife, Janet Holcomb, the first lady of Indiana and commencement speaker.
Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns then approached the podium and presented Eric with an honorary doctorate of law degree.
Mearns said the governor's work with the state legislature, civic engagement, and economic development has contributed to some of the many “significant achievements” made by the governor and his administration.
“There is one focus of his administration for which all of us at our university are especially grateful — his commitment to supporting education as a gateway to future success, to enable every Hoosier to achieve their dream,” Mearns said.
It is because of these achievements that Mearns and the board of trustees decided to award the governor his honorary degree.
Mearns then re-introduced Janet who delivered her commencement speech.
Holcomb spoke about how she and her husband's “service to the state” has “provided [them] countless and incredible lessons.”
“In the past eight years, my husband and I have experienced a little adversity … but any setbacks are far outweighed by success,” she said.
As she spoke about her honor to serve as Indiana's first lady, she said the experience would be something she could not forget and how her service has provided her with countless life lessons. Holcomb said although she did not expect to see herself as first lady — or speaking at commencement — “life has a very surprising way of surprising you.”
She asked graduates to accept the challenges of life and to be open to its “maddening” flow. Holcomb said graduates should learn to love the adventure of life and adopt a habit, say yes to new experiences and get out of their comfort zone.
Indiana's first lady finished her speech with an analogy surrounding a Rubik's Cube, comparing each of its six colors to the “biggest problems facing us today.” She said instead of a homogeneous solution to the cube, where each color is divided, there should be a solution where each color is blended, signifying how we should each work in harmony to approach the complexity of the world.
“It'll be your generation that will one day lead our state, our nation and our world,” Holcomb said. “You have a lot to do graduates and many challenges ahead, but I believe in you. We all believe in you.”
Candidates for doctoral, education specialist and master degrees were then invited to rise following the conclusion of her speech and cross the platform, signifying the completion of their degree.
As undergraduate degree recipients prepared to cross the platform, Mari invited those graduating with honors to stand and be recognized. Graduates who completed their degree with a perfect grade point average were honored with a special distinction and award.
Following the conferral of undergraduate degrees, Mearns returned to the podium to give closing remarks, before alumni Gladys Schindler Chrisman sang the ‘Alma Matter’ vow which began the platform party recessional, signifying the end of the ceremony.
“Throughout your experience at Ball State I hope that you have been challenged to exceed your expectations. Please don't settle for being average. Commit yourself to excellence in everything you do," Mearns said. “... Never forget the dream that brings you here today. Pursue that dream with passion and courage. ... Good luck, godspeed."
Contact Trinity Rea via email at trinity.rea@bsu.edu or on X @thetrinityrea.
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