WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.046 --> 00:00:02.196 align:middle >> Good evening or good afternoon, wherever you may be. 00:00:02.816 --> 00:00:07.476 align:middle My name is Michael Meth and I'm the interim dean of the College of Information, Data and Society, 00:00:07.476 --> 00:00:10.036 align:middle and I'm also the dean of the SJSU King Library. 00:00:10.556 --> 00:00:13.636 align:middle It is such an honor and so wonderful to be here with all of you today 00:00:13.636 --> 00:00:18.226 align:middle to celebrate the 2025 graduates, their families, their friends and loved ones, 00:00:18.326 --> 00:00:21.126 align:middle along with your professors and the staff of the School of Information. 00:00:22.096 --> 00:00:24.616 align:middle As is the tradition in the School of Information, 00:00:24.616 --> 00:00:28.116 align:middle we host this virtual celebration before the formal graduation ceremony 00:00:28.116 --> 00:00:29.736 align:middle that will take place next week. 00:00:29.896 --> 00:00:33.776 align:middle This is one more chance to say hi to your classmates, meet your professors, 00:00:34.066 --> 00:00:36.836 align:middle and the staff who will support you all the way throughout your studies. 00:00:37.296 --> 00:00:40.016 align:middle And truly, what a wonderful celebration this is. 00:00:40.236 --> 00:00:43.756 align:middle In fact, this time of year is one of the highlights of my semester. 00:00:43.796 --> 00:00:47.476 align:middle To be here with you as you are at the end of your journey as students in the School 00:00:47.476 --> 00:00:49.416 align:middle of Information is the greatest of honors. 00:00:50.226 --> 00:00:52.276 align:middle To the graduates, you have worked hard. 00:00:52.276 --> 00:00:53.096 align:middle You've learned a lot. 00:00:53.516 --> 00:00:55.716 align:middle You've gathered experiences and knowledge along the way. 00:00:55.716 --> 00:00:58.486 align:middle And I have no doubt you've made some wonderful connections 00:00:58.486 --> 00:01:00.006 align:middle and gained a few friends along the way. 00:01:00.736 --> 00:01:03.376 align:middle I also have every faith that you are now well prepared to go 00:01:03.376 --> 00:01:06.146 align:middle out into the world and do incredible things. 00:01:06.686 --> 00:01:10.416 align:middle The degrees you have earned at SJSU, along with all that you have to offer, 00:01:10.886 --> 00:01:13.156 align:middle will present you with great opportunities in the future. 00:01:14.176 --> 00:01:16.816 align:middle Opportunities in fields that may be well established already 00:01:17.236 --> 00:01:19.356 align:middle or perhaps just on the cusp of emerging. 00:01:19.986 --> 00:01:22.626 align:middle The rapid advances in AI, robotics, and big data 00:01:22.626 --> 00:01:26.246 align:middle to only name a few areas will significantly impact your careers. 00:01:26.886 --> 00:01:30.906 align:middle Along with these new areas will also come questions and challenges in cybersecurity, 00:01:31.126 --> 00:01:35.196 align:middle governance of these systems and technologies, and questions about their ethical uses. 00:01:35.876 --> 00:01:39.796 align:middle All of these technologies will touch each and every one of us in our society. 00:01:39.916 --> 00:01:44.476 align:middle However, your degrees have prepared you to be active participants in these developments. 00:01:45.576 --> 00:01:49.966 align:middle And I also want to pause and kind of talk about the challenges that we're facing right now. 00:01:50.636 --> 00:01:55.336 align:middle I am very cognizant that you're graduating into a time where I'm making these comments 00:01:55.336 --> 00:01:57.456 align:middle against the backdrop of challenges to our profession. 00:01:58.236 --> 00:02:01.246 align:middle The recent firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and dismissal 00:02:01.246 --> 00:02:05.566 align:middle of the US Copyright Office head Shira Perlmutter have been terrifying to watch. 00:02:06.176 --> 00:02:09.206 align:middle The challenges to free speech and freedom to read are greater than ever. 00:02:09.826 --> 00:02:13.786 align:middle The cancellation of grants and the executive orders targeting the IMLS (the Institute 00:02:13.786 --> 00:02:17.196 align:middle of Museum and Library Services) are posing further challenges to our profession. 00:02:17.516 --> 00:02:22.026 align:middle And yet, I will tell you that I remain hopeful and optimistic about our collective futures. 00:02:22.616 --> 00:02:26.626 align:middle Because you all know that we are guided by strong professional values and ethics. 00:02:27.346 --> 00:02:30.346 align:middle We're also a profession that fights back and stands up for what is right. 00:02:30.896 --> 00:02:34.656 align:middle And most importantly, I'm very, very hopeful because of you. 00:02:35.336 --> 00:02:38.676 align:middle You are informed citizens who will be active in your communities. 00:02:38.816 --> 00:02:42.456 align:middle You will advocate for information literacy and other literacies. 00:02:42.536 --> 00:02:47.076 align:middle You will do the work to bridge digital divides and address other equity issues. 00:02:47.506 --> 00:02:51.146 align:middle You, our graduates, will rise into roles of prominence and influence. 00:02:51.146 --> 00:02:55.726 align:middle And you will see that your SJSU degree and knowledge will put you in leadership positions 00:02:55.726 --> 00:02:58.376 align:middle in your organizations where you can guide 00:02:58.376 --> 00:03:00.936 align:middle and shape important conversations that need to be had. 00:03:01.556 --> 00:03:05.056 align:middle And I believe in you, and that's why I'm hopeful for all of us. 00:03:05.696 --> 00:03:07.056 align:middle I think you already heard from Anthony 00:03:07.756 --> 00:03:11.226 align:middle that we have 511 graduates this semester in the School of Information. 00:03:11.766 --> 00:03:16.026 align:middle It is tremendous how many of you have gone through this program and will be part 00:03:16.026 --> 00:03:20.116 align:middle of our community of professionals and information professionals. 00:03:20.886 --> 00:03:24.886 align:middle You're also now joining an alumni network, that number's over 13,000 alumni worldwide. 00:03:25.476 --> 00:03:29.306 align:middle And, graduates, you are part of this incredible group of alumni and professionals 00:03:29.306 --> 00:03:30.816 align:middle that will encounter anywhere you go. 00:03:30.986 --> 00:03:34.806 align:middle Stay connected with each other, with the college and the university 00:03:34.936 --> 00:03:36.766 align:middle and reach out to folks in the network. 00:03:37.156 --> 00:03:38.776 align:middle Congratulations again to all of you. 00:03:39.336 --> 00:03:43.546 align:middle Enjoy the rest of today's celebration, and I hope to see a whole lot of you next week 00:03:43.546 --> 00:03:45.426 align:middle when you walk across the stage at graduation. 00:03:45.786 --> 00:03:46.516 align:middle Thank you very much.