WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.036 --> 00:00:01.106 align:middle >> Good evening, everyone. 00:00:01.106 --> 00:00:03.846 align:middle This is one of my favorite days of the year. 00:00:03.846 --> 00:00:08.836 align:middle Welcome. Anthony Chow, Professor and Director of the School of Information. 00:00:08.836 --> 00:00:12.226 align:middle First and foremost, much thanks to all of you. 00:00:12.226 --> 00:00:15.496 align:middle I'm delighted to say that we are flourishing as a school. 00:00:16.236 --> 00:00:23.606 align:middle Across all graduate programs, admissions were up by 21% for spring 2025, and we by far have one 00:00:23.606 --> 00:00:26.186 align:middle of the most diverse student bodies in the nation. 00:00:26.896 --> 00:00:31.216 align:middle We have an excellent program tonight for you, so I'm sure you're going to enjoy it. 00:00:31.216 --> 00:00:32.206 align:middle So let's get started. 00:00:32.806 --> 00:00:37.856 align:middle First, a hearty congratulations to all summer and fall 2024 graduates. 00:00:37.856 --> 00:00:41.376 align:middle So all of you family members, loved ones, 00:00:41.376 --> 00:00:47.396 align:middle please join me in celebrating the amazing accomplishment of our 2024 graduates. 00:00:47.846 --> 00:00:49.636 align:middle You've earned it. 00:00:49.636 --> 00:00:52.786 align:middle As a doctorate student, we had a motivational question we would use 00:00:52.786 --> 00:00:54.956 align:middle for one another when things got tough. 00:00:55.416 --> 00:00:59.806 align:middle We'd ask ourselves, in four years, you'll be four years older anyway, 00:00:59.806 --> 00:01:01.786 align:middle so wouldn't it be better to have a Ph.D.? 00:01:02.736 --> 00:01:05.816 align:middle I'm sure many of you have wondered along the way and asked yourselves 00:01:05.816 --> 00:01:07.946 align:middle that same question, if you could do it. 00:01:08.236 --> 00:01:09.346 align:middle Well, you have. 00:01:09.846 --> 00:01:11.116 align:middle Congratulations. 00:01:11.116 --> 00:01:14.976 align:middle Each of you have done it and arrived at the moment where you have earned a degree 00:01:15.336 --> 00:01:19.026 align:middle that is now permanently part of your journey in life forever. 00:01:19.886 --> 00:01:25.226 align:middle This semester we have 494 graduates from the iSchool, 433 Master's of Library 00:01:25.226 --> 00:01:30.746 align:middle and Information Science, 7 in Management in Archives and Records, 00:01:30.746 --> 00:01:35.576 align:middle 46 Master's in Informatics, and 8 Bachelor's of Science 00:01:35.576 --> 00:01:37.846 align:middle in Information Science and Data Analytics. 00:01:38.236 --> 00:01:46.666 align:middle As SJSU iSchool alumnus, you are now joining a network of 13,500 alumni in a world 00:01:46.746 --> 00:01:48.766 align:middle that is increasingly more digital. 00:01:49.306 --> 00:01:52.976 align:middle By the summer, we will be well over 14,000 alums. 00:01:53.636 --> 00:01:58.436 align:middle Your degree as an information specialist empowers you to be a leader in information, 00:01:58.656 --> 00:02:05.736 align:middle librarianship, data, knowledge, access, literacy, etc. While the LIS field is projected 00:02:05.736 --> 00:02:11.846 align:middle to grow 3% over the next decade, which is at the same pace as the average of all occupations, 00:02:11.966 --> 00:02:14.586 align:middle because of recent events, book banning and the attack 00:02:14.586 --> 00:02:19.006 align:middle on intellectual freedom will increase and has already ramped up. 00:02:19.376 --> 00:02:24.266 align:middle Just this past few weeks, there has been a proposal to close the South Dakota State Library 00:02:24.596 --> 00:02:30.786 align:middle and relieve all state library staff, and Western Illinois University just laid off their 00:02:30.786 --> 00:02:32.096 align:middle library faculty. 00:02:32.636 --> 00:02:38.386 align:middle Furthermore, gen AI, gen AI robots, and XR technologies, virtual mix, 00:02:38.386 --> 00:02:42.506 align:middle and augmented realities will continue to change the landscape of information 00:02:42.506 --> 00:02:46.986 align:middle and how people seek access, interact with, and use information. 00:02:47.386 --> 00:02:48.756 align:middle Sounds scary, doesn't it? 00:02:49.256 --> 00:02:55.366 align:middle In fact, the continued fast-paced evolution of our field is indeed very scary at times. 00:02:56.036 --> 00:03:00.626 align:middle You, however, are prepared to not only meet these challenges, but to be agile 00:03:00.826 --> 00:03:03.226 align:middle and a leader in this space for others. 00:03:04.006 --> 00:03:07.296 align:middle While none of us have all the answers, you have been taught to think critically, 00:03:07.756 --> 00:03:12.296 align:middle to access quality information, and to continuously improve and learn. 00:03:13.036 --> 00:03:18.546 align:middle Library services and the field of information are actually growing because of digital access. 00:03:18.966 --> 00:03:23.006 align:middle In fact, your School of Information just won a prestigious International Anthem Award 00:03:23.006 --> 00:03:26.456 align:middle for our work in XR technologies, and we can proudly say 00:03:26.456 --> 00:03:30.746 align:middle that the LIS field is taking the lead in using immersive technologies, 00:03:30.746 --> 00:03:34.366 align:middle especially in digital preservation and storytelling. 00:03:35.286 --> 00:03:40.136 align:middle As you move forward in your careers, when faced with challenges, I encourage you to be assertive 00:03:40.136 --> 00:03:44.516 align:middle and take the offensive in standing up for intellectual freedom, radical diversity 00:03:44.516 --> 00:03:50.106 align:middle and inclusion, and articulating the value of LIS information services no matter where you are. 00:03:50.706 --> 00:03:56.976 align:middle Furthermore, be confident in your skills and leverage your expertise to enhance 00:03:56.976 --> 00:04:02.956 align:middle and improve information services wherever you are with a focus on equity of access for all. 00:04:03.806 --> 00:04:07.446 align:middle I'm very proud of you, and thank you for allowing us to be a small part 00:04:07.446 --> 00:04:09.866 align:middle of your academic and life journey. 00:04:10.276 --> 00:04:15.766 align:middle You will forever be an SJSU Spartan, and our brand has never been stronger, 00:04:15.766 --> 00:04:21.626 align:middle as recently Wall Street Journal ranked San Jose State the number 4 public university 00:04:21.676 --> 00:04:27.196 align:middle and number 16 overall university in the nation, using three main criteria. 00:04:27.436 --> 00:04:32.886 align:middle Student outcomes, including the time required to repay the net cost of attendance, 00:04:32.886 --> 00:04:36.256 align:middle learning environment, including learning opportunities, career preparation, 00:04:36.256 --> 00:04:41.516 align:middle quality facilities, and overall satisfaction, and diversity, including inclusion 00:04:41.516 --> 00:04:43.376 align:middle of students from varied backgrounds. 00:04:43.376 --> 00:04:44.966 align:middle So you should be very proud. 00:04:45.366 --> 00:04:49.026 align:middle In fact, it's because of all of you that we are now ranked so highly. 00:04:49.476 --> 00:04:53.866 align:middle We have an outstanding program for you tonight, including an historical moment in time 00:04:53.866 --> 00:04:59.696 align:middle where we will be calling the names of our graduates for the first time in virtual reality. 00:04:59.696 --> 00:05:01.116 align:middle Congratulations again. 00:05:01.116 --> 00:05:06.066 align:middle I am so happy for you, and I'm honored that we've had a chance to be part of your journey.