WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.036 --> 00:00:00.806 align:middle >> Good evening. 00:00:00.806 --> 00:00:04.146 align:middle It's my absolute honor and pleasure to welcome all of you 00:00:04.146 --> 00:00:09.406 align:middle to the San Jose State University School of Information's virtual graduation celebration. 00:00:10.246 --> 00:00:14.506 align:middle To our graduates, your families, friends, and loved ones watching around the world, 00:00:14.926 --> 00:00:17.746 align:middle thank you for being with us tonight. 00:00:17.966 --> 00:00:22.166 align:middle We're here to celebrate a remarkable milestone in your academic professional journey. 00:00:22.336 --> 00:00:27.176 align:middle As Director of the School of Information, I am wearing my academic regalia tonight, 00:00:27.256 --> 00:00:31.956 align:middle not just as a tradition, but as my personal gesture of respect 00:00:31.956 --> 00:00:34.556 align:middle and admiration for you, our graduates. 00:00:34.986 --> 00:00:40.796 align:middle This regalia represents the academic journey we've all undertaken, and by wearing it, 00:00:40.796 --> 00:00:46.486 align:middle I honor your dedication, perseverance, and the significant milestone you've reached tonight. 00:00:47.256 --> 00:00:48.806 align:middle Tonight is more than a celebration. 00:00:48.806 --> 00:00:54.266 align:middle It is a rite of passage, and it is my privilege to stand with you as you enter the next chapter 00:00:54.266 --> 00:00:56.186 align:middle of your professional and academic journey. 00:00:56.826 --> 00:01:00.296 align:middle I wear the colors of the Florida State University where both I 00:01:00.296 --> 00:01:03.406 align:middle and my father before me earned our Ph.Ds. 00:01:04.166 --> 00:01:10.506 align:middle Tonight we honor 511 graduates, 430 from our Master in Library 00:01:10.506 --> 00:01:14.246 align:middle and Information Science program, 9 from our Master of Archives 00:01:14.246 --> 00:01:19.106 align:middle and Records Administration program, 10 from our Master of Science in Informatics program, 00:01:19.106 --> 00:01:24.566 align:middle and 62 from our Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Data Analytics program. 00:01:24.956 --> 00:01:26.406 align:middle Congratulations to all of you. 00:01:27.096 --> 00:01:30.716 align:middle Your hard work, resilience, and dedication have led you to this moment, 00:01:30.876 --> 00:01:32.886 align:middle and you should be incredibly proud. 00:01:33.456 --> 00:01:36.656 align:middle At the iSchool, we often say, "Information is everything." 00:01:36.656 --> 00:01:38.366 align:middle It's not just a slogan. 00:01:39.056 --> 00:01:43.746 align:middle It's a truth that becomes more apparent every day in our interconnected, data-driven, 00:01:43.746 --> 00:01:46.146 align:middle and increasingly challenged world. 00:01:47.236 --> 00:01:50.516 align:middle This moment in history affirms the importance of your work. 00:01:50.906 --> 00:01:57.436 align:middle In a time where libraries, IMLS funding, equity inclusion efforts, and even the freedom to read 00:01:57.436 --> 00:02:00.986 align:middle and access accurate historical information are under threat, 00:02:01.386 --> 00:02:04.676 align:middle your expertise is not only relevant, it is essential. 00:02:05.406 --> 00:02:09.916 align:middle Whether your path leads to a public library, archives, health informatics, cybersecurity, 00:02:10.186 --> 00:02:16.556 align:middle education, or data science, your role is to champion the truth, defend access, 00:02:16.556 --> 00:02:21.996 align:middle and ensure that the information we rely on is rooted in quality, not misinformation. 00:02:22.496 --> 00:02:28.536 align:middle As the saying goes, "garbage in, garbage out," and you are the guardians of "quality in." 00:02:30.036 --> 00:02:34.056 align:middle Standing up for others' rights to access information, factual, reliable, 00:02:34.056 --> 00:02:39.016 align:middle and diverse is one of the highest callings of our profession, and I'm proud that each 00:02:39.016 --> 00:02:41.506 align:middle of you is prepared to answer that call. 00:02:42.476 --> 00:02:44.266 align:middle You did not arrive here easily. 00:02:44.746 --> 00:02:48.486 align:middle It took countless hours of study, sacrifice, and perseverance. 00:02:48.856 --> 00:02:55.246 align:middle Because of that, many doors have now opened for you, doors to new careers, new leadership roles, 00:02:55.456 --> 00:02:57.996 align:middle and new opportunities to make a difference. 00:02:58.666 --> 00:03:04.786 align:middle Before we close, before I close, let me leave you with a few thoughts of your journey ahead. 00:03:05.646 --> 00:03:08.346 align:middle One, live a life well lived. 00:03:09.106 --> 00:03:12.176 align:middle Prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 00:03:12.976 --> 00:03:16.016 align:middle Tell those you love that you love them, often. 00:03:16.746 --> 00:03:20.536 align:middle Your health and relationships are the foundation for everything else. 00:03:21.556 --> 00:03:24.486 align:middle Act with integrity and kindness, always. 00:03:24.886 --> 00:03:27.856 align:middle Treat others with respect regardless of status or setting. 00:03:28.356 --> 00:03:31.656 align:middle True character is how you behave when no one is watching. 00:03:32.066 --> 00:03:35.076 align:middle And remember, you must give in order to receive. 00:03:35.646 --> 00:03:37.686 align:middle This world needs more of that spirit. 00:03:38.956 --> 00:03:43.136 align:middle Number three, stay true to your values, personally and professionally. 00:03:43.726 --> 00:03:49.416 align:middle Hold fast to what matters most to you, but also make space for others to fully be who they are. 00:03:49.906 --> 00:03:52.676 align:middle That balances the root of inclusive leadership. 00:03:53.476 --> 00:03:58.036 align:middle And finally, work hard, quality in, in everything. 00:03:58.766 --> 00:04:03.576 align:middle Your work, your relationships, your goals requires time, effort, and intention. 00:04:03.946 --> 00:04:05.566 align:middle Success is not given. 00:04:05.676 --> 00:04:06.386 align:middle It is earned. 00:04:06.806 --> 00:04:09.056 align:middle Go after it with everything you have. 00:04:09.986 --> 00:04:13.676 align:middle On behalf of the entire iSchool faculty and staff, congratulations. 00:04:14.126 --> 00:04:15.276 align:middle We are so proud of you. 00:04:15.536 --> 00:04:20.006 align:middle We believe in you, and we look forward to seeing the impact you will make in the world. 00:04:20.566 --> 00:04:23.836 align:middle So welcome to the next chapter of your life, and everyone, 00:04:23.836 --> 00:04:27.976 align:middle please join me in providing a loud Zoom applause for all of our graduates.