Alexandra Allers (she/her) graduated in December 2023 with a double major in social relations and policy in James Madison College, and English in the College of Arts and Letters, as well as a minor in educational studies. During her time at MSU, Alexandra was involved in the pre-law fraternity Kappa Alpha Pi, and served on the executive boards of the Council of Students with Disabilities, MSU Leader Dogs for the Blind Club and Tower Guard. Allers was selected to be the student speaker for the fall 2023 commencement ceremony for the university. The following is her commencement speech.
Thank you, Interim President Woodruff, Interim Provost Jeitschko, EVP Beauchamp, Board of Trustees and Deans. My name is Alexandra Allers, and I am truly honored to be speaking to you today on behalf of the graduates of 2023.
It is hard to believe this day has finally come — this pivotal moment in our lives when we transition from MSU undergraduate students to Spartan alumni. While we have all taken different paths to reach this point, we should be proud of everything we have accomplished and overcome together as a Spartan family.
When I was deciding where to go to college and spend the next several formative years of my life, I was terrified to leave the only family I had ever known. In my hometown, most people knew me and what I might need, and I was scared of losing that sense of community and understanding when I left. I was especially unsure about attending MSU.
I knew the campus was huge, and I thought there was no way I could ever feel at home amidst the thousands of students I didn't know. However, the moment I stepped onto campus for a tour, I immediately knew Michigan State was the place for me. Every single person I met that first day was friendly and welcomed me with eagerness, and their enthusiasm for MSU was palpable as we walked across the gorgeous campus. In that moment, I realized that I would soon call MSU home, and my sense of family would expand to include my fellow Spartans.
Throughout my time here, the connections I made and experiences I shared with peers, faculty, staff and alumni continuously reminded me of what it means to be a Spartan. The friends I made inside and outside of the classroom were always there to encourage me to try new things and support me as I ventured out of my comfort zone.
My professors recognized my potential to succeed and challenged me to open my mind to new ideas and different perspectives. Most people I have encountered at MSU have been very accommodating and always willing to help out whenever I need it. To me, this is what family is all about — an evolving support system that empowers us and provides a sense of belonging and identity.
As students here, we have all become a part of the MSU family. We met new people and formed lifelong connections in the classrooms, dorms, dining halls, and clubs and student organizations. We received guidance from mentors, faculty and staff that uplifted us and inspired us to do our best. We gathered in times of celebration, proud to wear green and white. But we also came together to overcome unexpected obstacles and significant hardships.
Despite the isolation and additional stress of the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted our college experiences, we managed to adapt to our new normal, continue our studies and maintain connections to fellow Spartans until the day finally came when we could come back together on campus again. Then, we endured a horrific tragedy that no one should ever have to go through, yet the MSU and East Lansing communities came together to collectively process the devastating loss and trauma, try to heal and reclaim our home.
The ways in which we stood together in times of triumph and united in moments of adversity are a true testament of the Spartan will that has been instilled in us during our time here at MSU, but this sense of unity and solidarity doesn't end after we graduate. While we will all embark on different life journeys — some of us continuing our education, others joining the workforce and some of us still trying to figure out exactly what to do next, we will forever be bonded by the time we spent here together.
To conclude, I would like to tell you a brief story that I think captures the spirit of those in the Spartan family. One Saturday during my first year on campus, I decided to challenge myself and attend a student meeting in a location I had never gone to before. With my white cane, GPS and plenty of extra time to get lost and problem-solve, I headed out of my dorm. While I was able to successfully find the building and attend the meeting on my own, I got turned around on my way back.
My GPS failed to connect to a satellite and couldn't provide any direction, and I was unfamiliar with the area of campus. As the time passed, I grew increasingly panicked, wondering how I was ever going to find my way. Suddenly, I heard voices. A couple approached and asked if I needed any help. I explained that I had gotten lost and, without any hesitation, they offered to walk with me back to my dorm. As we crossed campus together, we chatted and I learned they were both MSU alumni who had been walking to a tailgate when they saw me. I cannot begin to express how grateful I was, not only for their assistance, but for the compassion and kindness they showed me that day. Not only did they give me directions, but they took the time to walk with me and ensure I made it back to my dorm safely.
To me, it is moments like that that exemplify what it means to be a part of the Spartan family. No matter how far from East Lansing we go, a fellow Spartan is never too far away. No matter what opportunities or obstacles life has in store, we can achieve anything with our Spartan will and the support of our MSU family.
Congratulations, graduates! Thank you, and Go Green!
Photos courtesy of Alexandra Allers