Steve Smith's Michigan State University Commencement Address: Achievement or Fulfillment?

<p><strong>Good afternoon! Go Green!</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>President Stanley, Provost Woodruff, and the Board of Trustees: </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Thank you for inviting me back home.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>To the administration, faculty, <br>and staff — </strong></p><p><strong>to the proud families and friends who traveled here to celebrate <br>your loved ones — </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>to my forever dorm-mates from Wonders Hall —</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>and to each and every one of you in the resilient, inspiring Class of 2022: I am so proud to be your fellow Michigan State alum. Congratulations!</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>I am deeply honored that you have let me be a part of your special day. And I am so grateful for this honorary degree.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>We all came to Michigan State for different reasons. I came for two: Magic Johnson, and my mama, Clara Bell Smith. </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>I wanted to be on this campus because I wanted to stay close to family. </strong></p><p><strong>By the time I graduated, the people I met here had become family. To this day, they still are. </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>They’re my closest friends. They were my groomsmen. They’re the people who call me when things are going well and who show up for me when the going gets tough.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Above all else, graduates, I hope that many years from now, you will still feel as close to one another as you do today. </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Even through the long, lonely months that kept so many of us apart, you went through this once-in-a-lifetime chapter together. And these Spartans </strong><strong><em>will</em></strong><strong> always be there for you.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>***</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><