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Welcome to the 2020 Graduate
Commencement.


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Usually, we hold two ceremonies,


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one in Blacksburg
and one in Northern Virginia,


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but not this year.


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We're going virtual.


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Nearly 1,200 individuals
are graduating this spring.


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312 doctoral students,


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18 from the Northern Virginia area,


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and 835 master's degrees
and education specialists.


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111 of them are
from Northern Virginia.


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These are definitely uncertain times,


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but what is certain is that
you have earned your graduate degree.


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I want to extend my sincere
congratulations to each of you.


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Today we wish to honor and celebrate


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your accomplishments
and your achievements.


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Many of you have earned


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prestigious scholarships
and fellowships.


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Congratulations.


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Many of you have received awards


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such as Outstanding Thesis
and Dissertation,


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Graduate Student of the Year,


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Outstanding Graduate Student
from a college,


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and teaching and service awards.


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Many of you were recognized
as Bouchet Scholars,


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Diversity Scholars,


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IJEP recipients, Citizen Scholars,


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and Global Perspectives Fellows.


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Many of you were elected
into the Academy for GTA excellence


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or the graduate honor system.


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I know many of you have served
in leadership positions


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through the Graduate Student Assembly
and the Graduate Honor System.


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You have accomplished much


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and you did so while working full-time
and going to school part-time,


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raising a family
and taking care of loved ones,


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contributing to the teaching,


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research, and engagement missions
of the university as a GTA,


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GRA or GA.


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Many of you participated
in events and programs offered


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through the Graduate Life Center


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and now you are completing
all of these in the virtual space.


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You are a valued member


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of the Virginia Tech
graduate community,


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a community
that spans the Blacksburg campus


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as well as locations
throughout the Commonwealth


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and the world.


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After graduation,


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many of you will follow
your paths into careers


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as scientists, engineers, professors,
teachers, leaders, artists,


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and many, many more.


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Many of you will return
to your homes


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or new homes in the United States
and in nations throughout the world.


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Wherever your path takes you,


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I wish you a meaningful
and productive journey


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and I look forward to connecting
with you as a grad alum.


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Finally,


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I wish we could celebrate in person


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and I could congratulate you


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as you walk across the stage
in Blacksburg and Northern Virginia.


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Although this is not
possible this May,


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I invite you to participate
in an upcoming graduate commencement


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either in December 2020 or May '21.


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Once again,


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congratulations and best wishes.