Speakers

College of Engineering Dean Satish Udpa

College of Engineering Dean Satish Udpa extended his congratulations the the Spring 2007 CSE graduates. The Dean, who is attending alumni receptions around the country this year to promote a sense of community among MSU Engineering alumni, encouraged graduates to stay connected with the university and welcomed them to the MSU family.

 

Computer Science and Engineering Chairperson Laura DillonComputer Science and Engineering Chairperson Laura Dillon congratulated the Spring 2007 graduating class.

James Pita

James Pita (left) represented the graduating Bachelor of Science students. In his remarks, he spoke of the qualities in individuals that make them successsful. "Everyone faces challenges," he said. "The question is, when the time comes for you to face these challenges, how many of you will face them head on?"

Farshad Samimi

Dr. Farshad Samimi (right) represented the graduating MS and PhD students. He recounted how his experiences at MSU had changed his life in positive ways. He described MSU campus as a place where wonderful people from many corners of the world come together. Dr. Samimi spoke fondly of the vitality of East Lansing and the memories and dear friends who would remain. "I am proud to be a Spartan now," he said.

Kevin Ohl (BS '98, MBA '81) of Crowe Chizek thanked MSU Trustee Melanie Foster and CSE Professor Emeritus John Forsyth for attending this year’s graduation breakfast.

Highlights from his remarks:

The world is a different place compared to when this year’s graduating students were born. And it will be very different ten years, five years, or even one year from now. "Change is inevitable. Be ready for it."

It is frustrating to see a decline in civility and courtesy today. "You don’t have to accept boorish behavior or lack of courtesy," Ohl said. The feather is often more powerful than the hammer, and acts of kindness are contagious. He encouraged graduates to help lead a more civil society.

  1. About outsourcing: Stop worrying. Your challenge is not just to be a technologist. Companies want management skills and other "soft" skills that are part of the program at MSU. However, you need to be more than a "programmer".
  2. Our nation is experiencing a dangerous decline in math and science skills among middle school and high school students. We have a responsibility to stem this alarming trend. Visit a high school, give a talk, and be involved in getting future scientists and engineers excited about our profession.
  3. We face serious challenges as a society. Examples of these are health care and public safety. The good news is that information technology will be a key component of addressing these challenges. That is good news for CSE graduates – you are part of the solutions of our future.

"Don't let your academic career be the end of your career at MSU," Ohl said. He described the satisfaction he felt from supporting MSU and cited ways graduates could stay involved such as returning for visits, encouraging their company to sponsor a capstone project, or being an ambassador for MSU wherever you are.

Ohl announced that he was working with the department to provide starting funding for new endowment in honor of the class of 2007. The purpose of the endowment is to provide scholarships to CSE students. He hopes that this will be an avenue for graduates to target their future contributions to CSE, when the time is right.

In closing, Ohl said, "Be an agent for change. Regardless of what anyone tells you, you can make a difference."