Advice to ASU spring grads: 'Put people first'

Thousands of Arizona State University students celebrated their new degrees with "Pomp and Circumstance" and fireworks during the spring 2023 Undergraduate Commencement at Sun Devil Stadium on Monday night.

Overall, about 19,700 ASU students earned a total of nearly 20,500 degrees during the spring semester. Of that total, about 68% are undergraduate, 30% are graduate and 2% are law degrees.

MORE: Spotlighting ASU's notable grads for spring 2023

ASU President Michael Crow told the happy graduates at the undergraduate ceremony to disregard the overwhelming messages of divisiveness they’ve heard.

"Since you’ve been in college, you’ve been bombarded by force after force of all of these negative things that divide us, these things that separate us and these things that we argue about constantly," he said.

"What you don't realize hearing all of this is that there are many things on which we are united.

"More than 90% of the people in Arizona agree on the concept of sustainability. They believe we need clean water and clean air and a safe place to raise their children and grandchildren.

"What I’m asking you to do is find people where there's agreement. Work together to achieve those agreements."

Families pose for photos prior to Undergraduate Commencement at Sun Devil Stadium on Monday, May 8.

Graduate Ross Morris hugs his mother, Rebecca Ross, with his father, Phil Morris, before Undergraduate Commencement.

ROTC and veteran students proceed to their seats during Undergraduate Commencement at Sun Devil Stadium.

Golden Graduate Pamela Bell makes her way down the aisle at Undergraduate Commencement with her fellow Golden Graduates. The Golden Reunion recognizes Sun Devil graduates from 50 years ago. It was Bell's first time walking at a commencement ceremony.

Marcus Hee waves to his family in the crowd before Undergraduate Commencement begins at Sun Devil Football Stadium.

ASU President Michael Crow addresses the audience during Undergraduate Commencement at Sun Devil Stadium on May 8.

Outstanding Graduates watch their videos play during Undergraduate Commencement.

Veteran broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff receives her honorary degree from Battinto Batts, dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, during Undergraduate Commencement. Woodruff was the guest speaker during Graduate Commencement, which took place that morning.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy shakes hands with ASU President Michael Crow after receiving his honorary degree during Undergraduate Commencement. Murthy was the featured speaker during the undergraduate ceremony.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy addresses the audience as the featured speaker during Undergraduate Commencement.

During his speech, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy asked graduates to hold their hands over their hearts and think about their loved ones. "You are deserving of this love and know that this love is always there with you, whether they are there or not as it resides in your heart," he said.

New grads fill the field at Sun Devil Stadium during Undergraduate Commencement. Overall, about 19,700 ASU students graduated on May 8, more than 13,300 of those undergraduates.

Graduates celebrate as their college is recognized during Undergraduate Commencement.

Andie Grundhoffer celebrates as her college is recognized during Undergraduate Commencement.

Graduates Dania Brown and Alexis Chambers (left) celebrate during Undergraduate Commencement.

Management and psychology major Madison Jones (left) and industrial design major Bennett Junkins celebrate as confetti rains down at the end of Undergraduate Commencement on Monday at Sun Devil Stadium.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy was the guest speaker for the Undergraduate Commencement. Murthy, the "nation's doctor," was the 19th surgeon general of the United States under President Barack Obama and is currently the 21st, under President Joe Biden. As the vice admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Murthy leads a uniformed service of more than 6,000 public health officers.

In his address, Murthy told the graduates to focus on three things: finding clarity to know what fulfills them, finding the courage to act on it and, most importantly, connecting with other people.

"None of us, no matter how skilled we are, can navigate the world alone. Put people first," he said.

"The relationships you build and sustain will be your greatest source of strength in the years ahead."

Murthy said he was urging the graduates to nourish their relationships because of his own experience facing loneliness after his first term as U.S. surgeon general ended abruptly in 2017. He had let his relationships with family and friends wane.

"At this point I wanted to call them, but I was ashamed to ask for their support when I hadn't been a supportive friend to them when I was in office," he said.

"I had a deep sense of loneliness. And loneliness paved the way for self-doubt as I came to question my own self-worth."

With the help of family and friends, he gradually healed.

"At a moment when my soul felt like it had a tear in it, they patched me up," he said.

Murthy asked the graduates to put their hands over their hearts and think about their loved ones.

"You are deserving of this love and know that this love is always there with you, whether they are there or not as it resides in your heart.

"Love is the world's oldest medicine. It's what I wish for you today."

On Monday morning, broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent for "PBS NewsHour," was the guest speaker at the Graduate Commencement at Desert Financial Arena. Both she and Murthy received honorary degrees from ASU.

Graduate candidates and their advisors enter Desert Financial Arena for Graduate Commencement on Monday, May 8.

Friends and family joined university faculty and staff and most of the 6,300 spring graduate students to celebrate at Graduate Commencement on Monday, May 8, at Desert Financial Arena.

Graduate candidates Kimberly Bullock (right) and Dana Yafaoui take pictures of their friends before the start of Graduate Commencement. Bullock earned her degree in special education (applied behavior analysis), and Yafaoui earned a degree in curriculum and instruction in gifted education.

Former roommates and now PhD candidates Alexandria Drake (left) and Brittany Romanello celebrate during Graduate Commencement. Drake earned her degree in global health will become a professor at the University of Puget Sound. Romanello earned her degree in anthropology and will become a Mellon Fellow, studying immigration in Ajo, Arizona.

Judy Woodruff, the senior correspondent for "PBS NewsHour," delivers the address at Graduate Commencement. The veteran broadcast journal has covered politics and other news for more than four decades at CNN, NBC and PBS.

Bala Vigresh Sundaram, a PhD graduate in engineering education systems and design from India, hugs his faculty advisor, Associate Professor Nadia Kellam, during Graduate Commencement on Monday, May 8, at Desert Financial Arena.

Regents Professor Lindy Elkins-Tanton adjusts the hood on geological sciences PhD graduate Kevin Hubbard during Graduate Commencement

ASU President Michael Crow congratulates a doctoral graduate during Graduate Commencement.

Professors take pictures of their doctoral students as they cross the stage during Graduate Commencement.

W. P. Carey School of Business graduate students acknowledge their accomplishments during Graduate Commencement held May 8 at Desert Financial Arena.

Sarah Uehara (left), who is receiving a master's degree in nutritional science, celebrates with Jennifer Wong, earning her master's degree in biomedical engineering, during Graduate Commencement.

Litsy Jose poses with her husband, Jose Thekkieniath, and children — 2-year-old Jacinta and 8-year-old Jeremiah — after Graduate Commencement. She graduated with a master's degree in computer science.

Fantasi Nicole (center) poses with her advisor, Assistant Professor Brooke Coley (left), and Rochelle Williams with the National Society of Black Engineers after Graduate Commencement. Nicole earned a PhD in engineering education systems and design and is the university's second Black engineering doctoral graduate.

Woodruff told the graduates that she was dismayed by the increased polarization of Americans.

"There have always been partisan gaps, but now they are so much wider than they used to be," said Woodruff, who is working on a reporting project called "America at a Crossroads" to better understand the country's political divide.

"There are gaps on immigration, abortion, gun policy and the size of government."

Woodruff, one of the first two women to co-anchor a national news broadcast, noted that many people view those with opposing views as immoral.

"We cannot address the great challenges facing this country that affect every single American unless we can sit down and work together, and I hope you will be a part of that," she said.

"Spending time talking with just some of you earning graduate degrees today gives me renewed confidence in what is exceptional about America."

Some facts about ASU's spring 2023 graduates:

From May 6 through May 12, ASU will hold a total of 30 special-interest and college convocations. Find the full schedule at graduation.asu.edu.

RELATED: Spring 2023 grads ready to make a global impact

Arizona State University has nearly a dozen special interest convocations to celebrate the diversity of its student body. Here's a look at some of those ceremonies. Above: Electrical engineering master's degree graduate Dolcy Koli hugs her friend during the International Student Convocation on May 6 at the Student Pavilion on the Tempe campus.

Electrical engineering master's degree student Mihilat Manahile hugs her family and friends during the International Student Convocation on May 6.

Digital marketing graduate Tingwei Liao poses for a photo with her family during the International Student Convocation.

Computer engineering master's degree graduate Ruchitha Srinivas (right) poses with Lisa Joyner, dean of students at the Downtown Phoenix campus, during the International Student Convocation.

Graduates listen to speakers during the International Student Convocation at the Student Pavilion on May 6.

Construction management master's degree student Alekhya Sistu dances during the International Student Convocation.

Graduates pose for a group photo following the International Student Convocation on the outdoors stairs at Hayden Library on the Tempe campus on May 6. This spring, ASU had a 59% increase in international students compared to last May, representing more than 158 countries.

Yuria Herrera, who graduated with a PhD in nursing practice, poses for a photo with her 8-year-old son, Matthew Palomares, (right) and 6-year-old daughter, Genevieve Palomares, before Hispanic Convocation at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on May 6.

Graduates pose for a photo before Hispanic Convocation outside Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on May 6.

From left: Graduates Jestine Zarrate, Alexis Padilla, Elaine Jimenez and Ashley Reyes celebrate during Hispanic Convocation at Desert Financial Arena on May 6.

Disney Zazueta attends Hispanic Convocation on May 6 with a framed photo of her boyfriend, who died two months ago.

Outstanding Graduate Student Jessica Marroquin walks across the stage during Hispanic Convocation at Desert Financial Arena on May 6.

Graduate Adrian Muniz salutes as he walks across the stage during Hispanic Convocation.

Performers dance during Hispanic Convocation at Desert Financial Arena on May 6.

Ahmad Jones, a sports business major, crosses the stage during the Black African Convocation held May 11 at ASU Gammage.

ASU graduate Style Ranger celebrates as he crosses the stage during the Black African Convocation on May 11. Ranger received a degree in global management.

Health sciences graduate Brysha Pelt celebrates as she is recognized during ASU's Black African Convocation.

Tonette McGhee (right) poses for a photo with her son, Bryton Sanderson, following the Black African Convocation at ASU Gammage on May 11. McGhee graduated with a degree in organizational leadership.

History graduate Brian Forkum crosses the stage during ASU's American Indian Convocation, held May 12 at ASU Gammage.

Bryan Brayboy, President's Professor and senior advisor to ASU President Michael Crow, addresses the crowd during the American Indian Convocation on May 12.

Master of Social Work graduate Leara Kay Thompson (left) claps during the American Indian Convocation.

American Indian studies graduate student Baylee Ann LaCompte (left) applauds during the American Indian Convocation.

Labriola Outstanding Graduate Lourdes Pereira addresses her fellow graduates during the American Indian Convocation. Pereira received a degree in American Indian studies with a minor in justice studies.

Graduates cheer and are recognized during the American Indian Convocation at ASU Gammage on May 12.

Jacob Moore, associate vice president for tribal relations at ASU, addresses the crowd during the American Indian Convocation.

Public health graduate A’Isahah Chavez poses with her mother and a cardboard cutout of herself after the American Indian Convocation.

Top photo: Graduates celebrate with confetti and ribbons during Undergraduate Commencement at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Monday, May 8. Photo by Deanna Dent/ Arizona State University

Reporter , ASU News

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