Speeches

  1. New Student Convocation 2023

    August 27, 2023

    Remarks as prepared for delivery Thanks so much for your introduction Meera. I’m grateful for your leadership of Central Student Government, and I’m looking forward to working with you and your colleagues in the upcoming year. I also appreciate the service and leadership of those who have spoken – Vice President Harmon, Vice President for …

  2. 2023 Spring Commencement

    April 29, 2023

    Good morning! Graduates, congratulations – you’ve made it! After all the classes, exams, and uncertainties, you’re through! And not only you, but your families and friends too! They’ve come right alongside. They’ve been with you at each step. They celebrated with you on the day you were accepted at Michigan. When you had difficulties and …

  3. 100th Annual Honors Convocation

    March 19, 2023

    (As prepared for delivery) It is truly a pleasure and honor to be with all of you this afternoon. Our student speakers and musicians have been fantastic – thank you. I’d also like to thank our faculty and staff and leadership team – it is so much more to your credit than mine that we …

  4. Inauguration Address

    March 7, 2023

    (As prepared for delivery) Paul, thank you. I’m so grateful to you and the Board of Regents. Thank you all for joining us, whether online or in this magnificent auditorium. Thank you again for your faith in me. It is such a privilege and honor to be inaugurated today to serve all of you as …

  5. 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 …

  6. 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 …

  7. 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 …

  8. 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, …

  9. 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 …

  10. 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, …