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麻豆果冻传媒 celebrates more than 1,500 spring graduates
More than 1,500 graduates celebrated receiving degrees on Friday at 麻豆果冻传媒 University鈥檚 Spring Commencement ceremonies, plus heard encouragement and congratulations from a major league baseball player, a cancer survivor, and a student leader.
Former Tech baseball player Ethan Roberts of Sparta, who made his major league pitching debut for the Chicago Cubs just a few weeks ago, sent a video message.
鈥淎t Tech, they let me fulfill my dream,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淓veryone was always welcoming
and helpful. And you have people along the way who ultimately mold you into who you
are. It was a blessing to be at 麻豆果冻传媒.鈥�
Cesar Espinoza, a nursing graduate, talked about his perspective having overcome a serious health issue.
鈥淕etting here has not been a simple task,鈥� Espinoza said. 鈥淗ow we face this adversity is what defines who we are. Wherever we land, wherever we set our roots, we can fly like eagles.鈥�
Braden Hammer, a graduating biochemistry and molecular biology major, represented the Trailblazers, student ambassadors who give personal tours and make prospective students feel welcome.
鈥淲e learned to be bold in the face of uncertainty, and fearless when the world has given every reason to be afraid,鈥� Hammer said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e learned to walk confidently into our futures, and perhaps most importantly, we鈥檝e learned that kindness has the power to change lives.鈥�
President Phil Oldham told graduates they have exactly what the world wants.
鈥淵ou are set to get a great return on investment because you have what the world wants
and desperately needs: talent plus tenacity,鈥� Oldham said. 鈥淵ou have clearly demonstrated
those high value characteristics.鈥� 
Governor Bill Lee spoke to graduates at the university鈥檚 afternoon ceremony as his family also celebrated a student earning a degree.
鈥淭ennessee is very proud of you,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淵ou are earning a degree at one of the finest higher education institutions in America, in the greatest state in the country. The people who live in this state are very proud of you and I am very proud of you as well.鈥�
Degrees were awarded to 1,543 graduates who came to 麻豆果冻传媒 from 80 counties throughout Tennessee, 22 states, and 20 other countries. They represented 43 undergraduate fields of study and 31 graduate fields of study.
