Welcome to the Illinois.Institute of Technology,.College of Science graduation..I'm Lance Fortnow, Dean of the College,.and I'm excited to welcome students,.parents, family, and friends.to this year's ceremony..I truly wish I had the opportunity.to address all of you in person..But we are living in extraordinary times.that require extraordinary measures..My own daughter is.graduating college next month.in a ceremony much like this one,.and I know the experience.just won't be the same..Nevertheless, I'm happy that.we can share this day together..And that can we can still.make this moment special..Each of you deserves it..After spring break,.the University made an incredible.and quick shift to fully.online instruction..I want to thank the faculty and students.who made the transition.as smooth as possible,.which allowed us to get to this day..I also would like to thank the parents.who have supported their children.throughout their time at Illinois Tech,.especially these last few weeks.when your nests may not have been as empty.as you had envisioned..The disciplines in the College of Science.have played critical roles in.dealing with the coronavirus..Advances in computing.have allowed us to learn,.work, shop, visit friends and family,.and entertain ourselves, all.from the comfort of home..Mathematicians model.the spread of the virus,.enabling society to understand.how to flatten the curve..In the end, it will not be.to politicians or to CEOs,.but the scientists who'll.lead us out of this crisis..These incredible times.have brought the importance of science.back to the forefront.of our minds and hearts.as we follow the data information,.which guide our vital responses.to the emergent situation.and help us save lives..Our biology faculty here at Illinois Tech.have directly helped in the fight,.creating solutions for virus testing,.and helping companies.test potential vaccines..I cannot be more proud of them.for their incredible work..The world after the virus,.will be very different from our.world just a few months ago..Trends we were already.seeing have accelerated--.online shopping, entertainment at home,.working from anywhere, and.online education to name a few..The education you've.received at Illinois Tech,.particularly in the College of Science,.has prepared well for.taking on responsibility.of leading the post-virus world..Out of the depths of.this virus, I see hope..We stay home not just.to protect ourselves,.but to protect everyone..We all support our frontline defenders.and the medical workers,.to those who ensure we get.the food and supplies we need..Every evening,.at 8:00 pm in the South Loop.of Chicago where I live,.the apartments come alive..People flash lights,.scream, honk horns, and play music..For a few short minutes every night,.we celebrate that we are.all in this together..When the coronavirus.becomes just a memory,.let us keep that feeling of togetherness..As Illinois Tech grads,.you'll be at the front.lines of shaping the future..And as you do, don't dwell on.how the virus brought us down,.but on how it brought us up.to make us stronger together..As you build your own lives,.remember that we must.continue to work together.to build a better America.and a better world..This is my first and last commencement.as the Dean of the College of Science..Next month I will transition over.as the Dean of Illinois Tech's.new College of Computing,.with Computer Science.and Applied Mathematics,.joining Information Technology Management,.and Industrial Technology Management..Biology, Chemistry and Physics.will join a new Lewis.College of Science Letters..These changes reflect our growing roles.our disciplines play across.academics and society..And I look forward to the.exciting opportunities.of this new chapter for the University..Please enjoy the rest of the ceremony,.and I'll see you at the other end..>> Welcome to Biology Graduation Ceremony..First, I want to congratulate.all our amazing graduates..Today is a special day,.because for the first.time in the IIT history,.the graduation ceremony.is held virtually online..This is also first time.you're allowed to attend.to such formal events.from the dorms or the.comforts of your homes,.you possibly even in pajama not regalia..So enjoy it..COVID-19 has interrupted very.components of your daily life..It prevented you sitting.in the classrooms,.earning your letter grades,.finish your research projects,.or even hanging around with your friends..However, shelter in place.has also forced us to pause,.to think, and to appreciate.what do we had before..COVID-19 also remind us.the importance of biological science,.not only in understanding diagnosis.and treatment of this particular disease,.but also maintaining the.quality of our daily life,.the stability of our economy,.and the wellbeing of the society..So your skill will be.more, more in demand..Shortly after graduation,.please do not be surprised that.much you have to learn here.will be forgotten or outdated..But I hope, the skills and the ability,.you obtained here will enable.you to learn new knowledge,.solve the new problems,.and take on the new.challenges in the real world..But for now,.let's enjoy the moment to.relax and to celebrate,.to thank your family who support you,.the staff who clean up your dorms,.the friend who help you.through the tough times,.and the professor instructor.who dedicate their life to teaching you..Finally, pat yourself on the back,.because you're the one took.all the classes and exams..And you're the one.overcome all the obstacles and challenges..You made it..So, on the behalf of.Department of Biology,.congratulation, Class 2020..>> Dear Class of 2020,.four years ago,.I received a phone call from.the assistant baseball coach.at Illinois Tech..He said he had seen me play.and wanted me to come.onto campus for a visit..Dreaming of a collegiate baseball career.and the opportunity to go.to Chicago for four years,.the decision for me was easy..I think it's safe to say.we have all had our moments.at Illinois Tech where.we felt like giving up..They didn't take it.easy on us, not one bit..I still remember.after failing every one.of my first college exams.sitting down with Dr..Spink and Dr. Menhart,.who at the time were the ones.everyone warned you about,.and asking for answers..What was going on?.I was working so hard with no success..They kind of just looked at.me and said, Keep working..I was always the guy who.would work the hardest,.but Illinois Tech taught.me to work harder..From 5:00 am wake-up calls.for baseball practice.to late night bus rides.into the early morning.studying for my exams,.it was hard..But it has shaped me into the person.and the man that I am today..It truly is amazing to see.where the world takes you.when you just let everything play out..Control what you can.control, and nothing more..Always be open to learning new ideas..There's always someone out there.that knows something you don't..Always be caring to others,.you never know what someone.else may be going through..And always work to give.everything you've got.to everything that you do,.because as I learned best in baseball,.hard work beats talent.when talent doesn't work..Through my experience at Illinois Tech,.I've run across many.grateful opportunities..The same professor.everyone warned you about.turned out to be one of my.most influential professors..Just last week,.we were pitching a billion dollar idea.to degrade pharmaceuticals in wastewater..Dr. Menhart's name never.involves an easy task,.but you appreciate him more.as you begin to appreciate hard work..You cannot become the best.if you don't study or work to be the best..And that's exactly how he.goes about his teachings..Illinois Tech is a special place,.a place not many can.appreciate the way we can..We will all remember IIT.as a place we spent.significant years of our lives..I had the ability to play four.years of collegiate baseball.under one of the most influential coaches.and role models I will ever have..I've made some of the best.friends of my life here,.along with connections that.will last me a lifetime..All of which will help.bring me the success.that this institution.instills into its students..From a young kid going to.Chicago to play baseball,.thinking he was just going to.walk right into medical school.without even knowing the difference.between translation and transcription,.to a kid who worked his way.through some adversities.and can look back now.and understand why Dr..Spink and Dr. Menhart.didn't have the answers.for me when I needed them..The truth is, the answers.to my questions of struggle.were simply a part of the experience,.and answers one must.work out for themselves..Here at Illinois Tech, like most of us,.I was far from perfect..However, I believe through.our ups and our downs.we have learned for the better.and for doing so, we're going.to score pretty well in life..Thank you..[SOFT MUSIC].>> Hello, everyone..Thank you for joining me today.in this most unusual and.special commencement ceremony..My name is Yuanbing Mao..I'm in the Department Chair of Chemistry,.representing the whole department..Let me first say congratulations.to the Class of 2020,.you have reached this milestone,.not just through your.hard work and dedication,.but also through a desire.to better understand chemistry.and a love for science..That deserves to be celebrated today..Let's also acknowledge the sacrifices.and the support of your parents.and the family to help you get here..I extend my sympathies to them..Because today, we cannot come together.to celebrate your personal.triumphs in person..But that shouldn't stop us.from making the most.of these circumstances.and to celebrate as best as we can..The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike.anything we have seen in our lifetime..It has brought daily life.to a near standstill on a global scale.that are strange times for all of us..However, this is not the first time.humanity has faced a.large-scale health crisis..In fact, history shows us.that episodes like this.can lead to can lead to.great strides in science..For example,.during the Great Plague of London in 1665,.23-year-old Isaac Newton.had to quarantine himself too..Just like you had achieved today,.he just earned his undergraduate degree.from Trinity College at that time..He retreated to his family farm,.located some 60 miles.northwest of Cambridge..This not only helped him.a safe distance from the plague,.but also gave him a golden.opportunity to explore science.without interruption..During the years of wonders,.Newton explored mathematics.and helped to develop the calculus..He analyzed the color,.light, and the spectrum.and discovered that white light.is composed of all components of spectrum..He also studied gravity,.which led to the creation.of his Laws of Motion.years later..Illinois Tech was founded 130 years ago.on the principle that.a first-rate education.can enable individuals.to make positive changes to our world..Now, equipped with a new chemistry degree,.this could be a wonderful time.that you can allow your mind to journey.to the farthest reaches.of the imagination..As you continue to explore chemistry,.with the skills you have.built here at Illinois Tech,.remember that you are well prepared.to tackle challenges the world faces now,.and those who are presented.to us in the future..This could be an unusual.and special opportunity.for all of us to make some.surprising chemistry discoveries..There is a long way ahead of you,.stay committed to your dreams, desires,.and the love of chemistry..Let's make use of our chemistry knowledge.and the skills to promote humanity,.support our community,.and help our society..We can get through this health crisis soon.and build a better world..We can turn this virtual.commencement ceremony.into one of our most memorable.and gratifying moments..Be proud, bold, resilient,.and keep enjoying the ceremony..Thank you..>> Hello, my name is Keara Rigg..And I'm honored to be speaking to you.representing the Chemistry.graduates for today's ceremony..Today, we were all supposed.to be celebrating together..We were supposed to be in our regalia.filled with joy, excitement, and pride,.as we walked across the stage.and accepted our diplomas..We were supposed to shake.hands and say goodbye.to our professors, fellow students,.and the University that.forever changed our lives..Instead, we are at home,.watching from our computer screens..I'm sure this is not what any of us.imagined graduation would be..But that doesn't mean that.this can't be a cause for celebration..Do something for yourself today..Go in your backyard and have.a graduation photo shoot..bake a cake, watch your favorite movie,.write a journal entry,.have a Zoom meeting with.your friends and family..Do what you can today to celebrate you,.because today we graduated.and that's an incredible accomplishment.that deserves recognition,.especially considering.the sudden change to online learning,.the social distancing,.and global uncertainty.brought upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic..Now, I could go into all sorts of stories.about my journey through Illinois Tech,.but encapsulating all of.those in under three minutes,.is impossible..So instead,.I would like you to take time.to reflect on your journey..What was the biggest challenge you faced?.How did you overcome that?.How many all-nighters did you pull?.How did Illinois Tech.compare to your expectations.prior to attending?.What was your favorite place on campus?.How have you changed?.How will you use your.knowledge of chemistry.to make an impact on our world communities.and our alma mater?.The next chapter will look.different for all of us..Some are going to additional schooling..Some are entering the workforce,.some don't have plans in place..But for all of us, one thing is universal..We graduated from the Illinois.Institute of Technology.with a degree in chemistry..No matter what we will.be doing post graduation,.I hope that we not only.take the lessons we learned.from lecture and labs,.but also the memories and self growth.that we've all experienced.outside of the classroom..No matter what uncertainty.faces us for the future,.I wish you nothing but the.best, and congratulations!.[MUSIC].>> Welcome to the Biology, Chemistry.and Physics Commencement Celebration..I'm Grant Bunker,.professor and Chair of.the Department of Physics..Today, we're virtually here.to celebrate the graduation.of a fine group of young scientists..As Physics Chair,.I particularly want to focus.on our physics students,.both undergraduate and graduate..We're very proud of them.and their accomplishments..For most people,.a degree in physics is not.an easy thing to achieve..For the undergraduates.right out of high school,.a degree in physics is.particularly challenging,.because students are tackling.a difficult rigorous subject,.faced with difficult and.mind-blowing concepts,.often at the same time.as living in a totally.foreign environment,.maybe for the first time ever,.but they get through it..They have a variety of new experiences..And they make new friends.and associates along the way..I've seen many of these students grow.into their brains and become real adults.ready to confront the world..And the world is particularly.challenging right now..We have, as if you hadn't noticed,.a worldwide pandemic and.an economic shutdown..I hope you have not been.suffering badly from these..And once we manage those,.challenges like a climate crisis,.and many other things that.need urgent attention,.our graduating students.will have much to do..It's clear that complacency.and indifference and denial.are attitudes we never could,.and certainly cannot now, afford..But during their education,.they also have sharpened their thinking.and analytical skills,.and, I would hope, expanded.their creative faculties..They've learned how to think and to do,.specifically how to think critically,.use logic and mathematics,.and computation, and.scientific instruments,.and to work with others in.accomplishing larger goals..Some of them continue on to.attain MS and PhD degrees..And there are other things.I hope we have taught them..We have a culture in our department,.and more broadly, Illinois.Tech, by osmosis and example,.I hope their experiences.here have encouraged them.to be smart, to be kind, and to be strong..The professional master's students.in our Health Physics Program,.that is Radiological Physics,.have greatly enhanced.their knowledge and skills.in the detection and monitoring.and management of radioactive.isotopes in any context..Many of these students are.currently embedded in the real,.that is, working, world..These are just the people.you want on your team.when you're confronting.these kinds of issues..Our Physics MS and PhD.students in their coursework.have broadened and sharpen their knowledge.of advanced concepts in physics..Some of the MS and all of the PhDs.have fought their ways through the jungles.of doing research, where much is unknown,.and you have to invent new.ways to make sense out of it,.and then convince the scientific.world that you're right..They are now prepared to.do independent research,.or to pass along what.they've learned by teaching,.or to invent new methods.or create new enterprises,.or do whatever else they may want to do..And there is much to do..Our collective futures depend in.part on the success of our new graduates..We will all need to work together.to solve our collective problems..We congratulate our graduating students.on their accomplishments.and wish them success.in their futures for the benefit of all..And personally,.I hope they look back on their time at IIT.with some measure of.appreciation, or even affection..Thank you..I hope you have a great celebration..Stay safe..>> Hello, fellow physics students,.faculty, family, and.friends, everybody watching..I'm glad Dr. Bunker gave me.a few minutes to say some words.celebrating the Physics Departments..And so over the past four years,.I've gotten to know you all very well..And collectively,.you're among my favorite.people in the world, really..You know, graduation feels.like it brings with it.some uncertainty about.the future, in any case,.since we're all going out.into the world now to do.who knows what, and given.the current circumstances,.it feels like this uncertainty.is a bit amplified..As I've reflected on this,.at the risk of sounding.a bit too metaphorical,.this really is the kind of thing.that studying physics.sort of prepares us for..We spend a lot of time.dealing with uncertainty,.thinking about problems that,.at times, it feels like we.don't know anything about.and maybe have little.hope of understanding..But only in retrospect and.with time does it become clear.how much progress we've all made.over the course of these years..And, you know, it was.through a lot of dedication.and perhaps a herculean effort.on the part of ourselves.and our professors,.but I'm impressed at what our entire class.has been able to accomplish.over these years..So, I think now is the.time to give ourselves.a little bit of a pat on the back.before we worry too much about the future..You know, looking back on this time,.it isn't really anything.academic that I'm most proud of..Rather, it's the community.that I was lucky to.experience here at IIT..So, even though it's only been four years,.I really do feel like I've.known a lot of you forever now..I feel almost like part.of a goofy little family.that we have here..And whether it be from.the time we spent.commiserating and bonding.over the seemingly endless.quantum mechanics homeworks,.which did feel endless at times,.the late nights.hearing the wit and wisdom of.Dr. Terry in the computer lab,.or hurriedly putting together.the SPS pumpkin launcher.with nothing but a shoestring budget.and our practically nonexistent.engineering skills....All these things we went through,.it really does feel like.we went through together..So I'm super lucky to have some.of my best friends made here.and I'm proud to have you all.as part of my academic family as well,.which was all of you,.students, faculty, and staff..So let's not be strangers in the future..In particular, I owe a.big thank you to Dr. Z.for being especially helpful.in guiding my academic.and research career..And a thank you to Dr. Shylnov.for the many enlightening lectures,.and perhaps even more.enlightening anecdotes..And I'm thankful to all of you..I'm proud of all of you.and you should be proud of yourselves too..So hats off to the Class of 2020..[MUSIC].
