WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.176 --> 00:00:05.226 align:middle >> Hello. My name is Michael Meth, and I'm the Interim Dean of the College of Information, 00:00:05.226 --> 00:00:08.786 align:middle Data and Society, as well as the dean of the SJSU King Library. 00:00:09.366 --> 00:00:14.286 align:middle It is wonderful to be here with you today to celebrate the 2024 graduates, their families, 00:00:14.286 --> 00:00:18.436 align:middle friends, and loved ones, along with your professors and the staff of the college. 00:00:19.266 --> 00:00:23.526 align:middle As is tradition in the college, we host this virtual celebration before the formal graduation 00:00:23.526 --> 00:00:25.376 align:middle ceremony that will take place next week. 00:00:25.936 --> 00:00:30.236 align:middle This is one more chance to say hi to your classmates, meet your professors and the staff 00:00:30.676 --> 00:00:32.896 align:middle who have supported you all the way throughout your studies. 00:00:33.666 --> 00:00:35.566 align:middle And truly a celebration it is. 00:00:36.006 --> 00:00:38.746 align:middle In fact, this time of year is the highlight of my semester. 00:00:39.226 --> 00:00:42.566 align:middle To be here with you as you are at the end of your journey as students in the School 00:00:42.566 --> 00:00:44.436 align:middle of Information is the greatest of honors. 00:00:45.176 --> 00:00:46.796 align:middle Graduates, you've worked hard. 00:00:47.406 --> 00:00:48.216 align:middle You've learned a lot. 00:00:48.216 --> 00:00:50.396 align:middle You've gathered experiences and knowledge along the way, 00:00:50.396 --> 00:00:53.026 align:middle and I have no doubt you've made some wonderful connections 00:00:53.026 --> 00:00:54.726 align:middle and gained a few friends along the way, too. 00:00:55.866 --> 00:00:58.156 align:middle I have every faith that you are now well prepared to go 00:00:58.156 --> 00:01:00.646 align:middle out into the world and do incredible work. 00:01:01.306 --> 00:01:04.396 align:middle The degrees you have earned at SJC, along with all that you have to offer, 00:01:04.396 --> 00:01:08.746 align:middle will present you with great opportunities in the future, opportunities in the fields 00:01:08.746 --> 00:01:13.146 align:middle that may be well established already or perhaps just on the cusp of emerging. 00:01:13.766 --> 00:01:18.006 align:middle The rapid advances in AI, robotics, and big data, to only name a few areas, 00:01:18.006 --> 00:01:19.986 align:middle will significantly impact your careers. 00:01:20.366 --> 00:01:24.496 align:middle Along with these new areas will come questions and challenges in cybersecurity, 00:01:24.496 --> 00:01:27.946 align:middle governance of these systems and technologies, and of course, 00:01:27.946 --> 00:01:32.556 align:middle also questions about the ethical uses, and all of these technologies will touch each 00:01:32.556 --> 00:01:34.226 align:middle and every one of us in our society. 00:01:34.636 --> 00:01:39.606 align:middle However, your degrees have prepared you to be active participants in these developments. 00:01:40.526 --> 00:01:43.796 align:middle Your degrees and knowledge will put you in leadership positions in your organizations 00:01:44.116 --> 00:01:47.456 align:middle where you can guide and shape these conversations, and I'm so excited 00:01:47.456 --> 00:01:49.136 align:middle for you and our collective futures. 00:01:50.046 --> 00:01:56.506 align:middle Before I wrap up, I want to briefly share with you that we have 483 graduates this semester 00:01:56.506 --> 00:01:59.296 align:middle in your School of Information graduating class. 00:01:59.296 --> 00:02:04.026 align:middle You are now joining an alumni network that numbers over 14,000 alumni worldwide, 00:02:04.806 --> 00:02:07.486 align:middle and Graduates, you are now part of this incredible group 00:02:07.486 --> 00:02:08.906 align:middle of alumni and professionals, too. 00:02:09.666 --> 00:02:13.826 align:middle Please stay connected with each other, with the College of Information, Data and Society, 00:02:14.076 --> 00:02:17.366 align:middle and San Jose State University, and reach out to folks in the network. 00:02:17.906 --> 00:02:19.856 align:middle Congratulations to all of you. 00:02:20.666 --> 00:02:24.966 align:middle Enjoy the rest of today's virtual celebration, and I hope I'll see some of you, too, 00:02:24.966 --> 00:02:29.906 align:middle next week when you walk across the stage at graduation here in San Jose on our campus. 00:02:30.576 --> 00:02:31.106 align:middle All the best. 00:02:31.356 --> 00:02:31.656 align:middle Take care.