00:00:07,207 --> 00:00:09,342 Good evening, Hokies, and congratulations. 00:00:09,509 --> 00:00:12,412 We're so happy to celebrate with you on this special day. 00:00:13,246 --> 00:00:16,416 First, I want to acknowledge the gravity of what you're missing 00:00:16,583 --> 00:00:17,884 by not being able to gather here 00:00:18,051 --> 00:00:19,953 in Blacksburg to experience commencement. 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:21,654 I know you were looking forward 00:00:21,821 --> 00:00:23,957 to celebrating the culmination of your hard work 00:00:24,124 --> 00:00:26,192 in the place you've called home. 00:00:26,559 --> 00:00:29,429 Your professors and I share in that disappointment. 00:00:29,596 --> 00:00:31,831 We were looking forward to this day too. 00:00:32,499 --> 00:00:34,100 I'll miss watching you step forward 00:00:34,267 --> 00:00:37,771 in cap and gown and shaking your hand as you cross the stage. 00:00:38,405 --> 00:00:41,608 Your accomplishment fills me with joy and pride, 00:00:41,775 --> 00:00:44,077 and I wish I could share it with you in person. 00:00:44,944 --> 00:00:46,813 The Class of 2020 has been met 00:00:46,980 --> 00:00:49,549 with a singular generation-defining challenge, 00:00:49,816 --> 00:00:52,685 and in the face of it, you've demonstrated resilience, 00:00:52,852 --> 00:00:56,189 strength and support for one another and for this community, 00:00:56,790 --> 00:01:00,927 but today, we focus on a powerful fact that we'll endure. 00:01:01,094 --> 00:01:02,562 You've successfully completed 00:01:02,729 --> 00:01:05,131 your undergraduate engineering degree. 00:01:05,965 --> 00:01:08,835 I hope you can take a moment to savor this fact. 00:01:09,302 --> 00:01:10,970 Savor all that you've accomplished 00:01:11,137 --> 00:01:13,073 since your time at Virginia Tech began. 00:01:13,473 --> 00:01:15,208 Savor the knowledge you've gained, 00:01:15,375 --> 00:01:19,012 the challenges you overcame, and how you learn from your mistakes. 00:01:19,512 --> 00:01:21,281 Savor the all-nighters and the friends 00:01:21,448 --> 00:01:24,017 and slices of pizza that helped pull you through them. 00:01:24,284 --> 00:01:27,087 Even savor memories of the crossings you made across 00:01:27,253 --> 00:01:30,857 the cold, dark, or windy Drillfield to get to an early morning class. 00:01:32,425 --> 00:01:35,061 You're stronger and smarter than when you arrived, 00:01:35,228 --> 00:01:38,064 and it's because you were determined to get to that class, 00:01:38,231 --> 00:01:40,066 turn in that project on time, 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,068 persevere when you failed, 00:01:42,335 --> 00:01:46,439 and to solve what seemed at the time an unsolvable problem. 00:01:46,973 --> 00:01:50,210 Your grit and determination have served you through to this day, 00:01:50,376 --> 00:01:51,845 and will continue to serve you 00:01:52,011 --> 00:01:54,314 as you navigate these uncertain times. 00:01:55,014 --> 00:01:58,017 Know that Virginia Tech was proud to welcome you to campus 00:01:58,184 --> 00:02:00,320 in that acceptance letter way back when, 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,389 and today, we're proud to call you alumni. 00:02:03,556 --> 00:02:06,326 You will always be a part of Virginia Tech 00:02:06,593 --> 00:02:10,096 and we look forward to welcoming you back one day soon. 00:02:10,330 --> 00:02:13,233 Congratulations, Engineering Class of 2020.