Gov. Gretchen Whitmer headed back to her alma mater at Michigan State University Friday to give her final university commencement speech as Michigan’s elected chief executive.
“This is where it all started for me, and part of me will always be here,” said Whitmer, who last got a diploma 28 years ago.
The Democratic governor, who graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1993 and a law degree in 1998, said the university taught her three things: Don’t underestimate yourself, keep an open mind and that time will pass, so you might as well enjoy it.
She also relayed stories of her experience at MSU, from parties and couch burnings to her first internship in the Michigan Legislature that sparked her journey in policy and public service and eventually becoming a two-term governor of Michigan.
“I took a chance with that internship in the state Capitol because it seemed different and interesting,” Whitmer said. “It was a detour, but it ended up being the scenic route that changed my destination.”
Whitmer acknowledged the three students ― Alexandria Verner, Arielle Anderson and Brian Fraser ― who were killed in the February 2023 campus shooting. This year’s graduating class members were freshmen at the time and are the last graduating class to have been on the East Lansing campus when the shooting took place.
“Those three should have been out in the world by now, living their lives and chasing their own adventures,” she said. “It’s not fair that they’re not with us anymore. It’s not fair that some of you will still carry scars, both seen and unseen from that day. It’s not right that your first year at MSU was traumatic.
“But nothing, and I mean nothing, has inspired me more than the resilience, courage and community that you and your fellow Spartans showed in the days and weeks after that dark day.”
Whitmer received an honorary doctorate in education from MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Laura Lee McIntyre during the ceremony.
“Congratulations, I love you,” Whitmer said at the end of her remarks. “Big Gretch out. Go Green!”
satwood@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Whitmer salutes 3 slain MSU students, gives advice at commencement
Reporting by Sarah Atwood, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
