Over 3,100 members of Grand Valley’s Winter Class of 2024 took part in Commencement ceremonies at Van Andel Arena on April 26 and 27.
Following the opening processional, the ceremonies began with remarks by Felix Ngassa, professor of chemistry and chair of the University Academic Senate.
President Philomena V. Mantella welcomed graduates to this significant milestone, even more meaningful for the class of 2024 – many of whom began their college careers in 2020.
“Your class has had a disruption unlike any other,” Mantella noted. “There was no road map, and there was no history book to read to see how previous students managed through the challenge of a global pandemic. You sit here today, getting the graduation moment that you deserve and that many of you were denied four years ago.”
Following her remarks, Mantella recognized this year’s guest speaker and honorary degree recipient, Timothy Shriver, chair of Special Olympics International and co-founder of UNITE. Shriver was awarded his honorary degree at Friday’s ceremony, and at Friday and Saturday morning’s ceremonies, shared a message to inspire taking a chance on others and leading with dignity..
“So I ask you, graduates, to take a chance on others. Take a chance on dignity,” Shriver remarked. “Division is the biggest challenge in our country and you are on the side of solving this problem with a practical, meaningful, and impactful strategy. It’s a solution steeped in the faith that honoring each other’s dignity is a patriotic duty.”
Following Shriver’s recognition, Jenny Hall-Jones, vice president for Student Affairs, introduced each ceremony’s student speaker. The student speaker at the Friday evening ceremony was Logyn Miller, who is receiving his bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics. Saturday morning’s student speaker was Jowei Yek, an international student from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia receiving his master’s degrees in business administration and social innovation. At the Saturday afternoon ceremony, Elizabeth Schanz, who received degrees in multimedia journalism and dance, addressed the crowd.
In his remarks, Yek shared his path to Grand Valley. “My journey to Grand Valley began 100 years ago, in Fuzhou, China. My ancestors had too many mouths to feed, so, they left to find their ‘land of milk and honey’ in Malaysia. Malaysia is covered in rubber trees, so they learned to live off the land. Each morning, they tediously scored the rubber trees one by one, and latex would seep out like fresh milk. They sold the rubber in weight, and in each kilogram, they planted a hope that their children could one day become someone. Today I became a first-generation, Malaysian Chinese Grand Valley graduate.”
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