Speeches

  1. 2022 Winter Commencement

    December 18, 2022

    (As prepared for delivery) Good afternoon! Congratulations, graduates! You’ve made it! And not only you, but your families and supporters have too. They’ve come right alongside. They celebrated with you when you were accepted here at Michigan… and on the day you did better than you imagined on an exam or paper. They were also …

  2. 2022 Leadership Welcome

    November 17, 2022

    (As prepared for delivery) Opening Good morning! Thank you all for being here, whether in the room or watching online. Regent Hubbard, thank you. I remain grateful to you, Chair Paul Brown – who also is with us – and the entire Board for your faith in me. It is an honor to serve as …

  3. 2022 DEI Summit

    October 12, 2022

    (As prepared for delivery) Good morning! I’m sorry I cannot be with you in person, but I’m so pleased I can join remotely and share a few thoughts. First, my thanks to Tabbye Chavous for her leadership. I’m thrilled she is our new chief diversity officer and the vice provost for equity and inclusion. It …

  4. Culture Change Values Identification Community Assembly

    September 28, 2022

    (As prepared for delivery) Good afternoon. I want to thank Sonya Jacobs and Patricia Hurn for leading this critical initiative and hosting today’s assembly. Since returning in January as president, I have made it a priority to help restore trust and faith in U-M. This past year has been unlike any other in campus history, …

  5. New Student Convocation 2022

    August 28, 2022

    Remarks as prepared for delivery Thank you, Noah. And thank you to all of this afternoon’s talented performers. Well … does it feel great to be a Michigan Wolverine? As you’ve heard, more than 84,000 high school seniors worldwide hoped to attend the University of Michigan this fall, and we wanted you – the most …

  6. New Faculty Orientation 2022

    August 24, 2022

    Remarks as prepared for delivery Good morning! Thank you, Matt, for your leadership of the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching. And thank you to everyone at CRLT for hosting today’s orientation events. This is a highly significant week at the University of Michigan. First and foremost, we are welcoming you, our newest faculty, …

  7. 2020 Comeback Commencement

    May 7, 2022

    Remarks as prepared for delivery Good afternoon! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you home to Michigan. It’s so good to see all of you here in the Big House! We are so proud of you. You completed your studies during a very unsettling and confusing time for our world. The Class of 2020 will …

  8. Spring Commencement 2022

    April 30, 2022

    Remarks as prepared for delivery Good morning! Congratulations, graduates! You did it! Just as remarkable as today’s graduates themselves are their families, for the unconditional love and encouragement they have provided through the years. I want to thank these families – the parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. Your students are beyond impressive. Thank …

  9. University Graduate Exercises – Spring 2022

    April 29, 2022

    Remarks as prepared for delivery Good morning! Thank you to the Aero Saxophone Quartet for that lovely performance and to Valerie for her inspiring words. Graduates, I know it has been hard work. The pride, the satisfaction, and, yes, the relief you feel are richly deserved. Take a deep breath and enjoy this moment! You’ve …

  10. 99th Annual Honors Convocation

    March 20, 2022

    Good afternoon! Thank you, Provost Collins, and thank you to the talented students who have performed and spoken this afternoon. There are always many indicators that spring is on its way in Michigan. It may be an upward tick in temperature. Or the sounds of more and more birds singing. Or tiny snowdrops and crocuses …