12/14/2024

JONESBORO - The Arkansas State University Fall Commencement took place Saturday at First National Bank Arena.

Chancellor Todd Shields and Dr. Calvin White Jr., provost and executive vice chancellor, conferred the degrees during the 10 a.m. ceremony.

"Earning your degree is a major achievement and something you will have for your lifetime. An earned degree can never be taken away. Your sacrifices and hard work were not made in isolation - your families and friends have been important partners in your educational success," said Chancellor Shields.

Approximately 2,000 students graduated from the eight colleges: College of Agriculture, Neil Griffin College of Business, College of Education and Behavioral Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Liberal Arts and Communication, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics, and University College.

The student speaker for commencement was Emanuel Cazano, a biological sciences major with an emphasis in pre-professional studies from Jonesboro.

"I want you to think back to the start of your journey here at A-State. When we first began this race, the road ahead was long and seemed impossible," said Cazano. "How was I ever going to graduate when I couldn't even find my first class? But you take one step forward, and then another, then another. Along the way, you faced many challenges - late night study sessions, exams, and courses that pushed you beyond what we thought we were capable of, and of course moments where you questioned if you could even do it at all. But you did it."

In addition, those in attendance featured one of the first graduates of the ASU - Qatar Initiative, a partnership between the university and the Global Studies Institute in Qatar.

Abdallah Dobashi, the second graduate of the program, received a bachelor of science degree in engineering management systems.

Chancellor Todd Shields addresses graduates at the fall commencement ceremony.