FSU kicks off spring commencement ceremonies differently, in honor of shooting victims

Yahoo

03-05-2025

The Florida State University arena that usually resounds with cheers during graduation season began still and silent May 2 as everyone – graduating students, the campus community, and loved ones from both near and far – honored victims of the recent mass shooting on campus.
As the university celebrated the first of its five main spring commencement ceremonies at the Tucker Civic Center with the College of Business's graduating class, the atmosphere was initially somber with the celebration coming two weeks after a gunman killed two and injured five students on FSU's campus April 17.
'Before we begin, we need to acknowledge the loss that our community has suffered,' FSU President Richard McCullough said ahead of a moment of silence. 'Multiple people were injured and many more were deeply shaken. It was a tough day in the history of Florida State University.'
But as McCullough highlighted the fact that the students this spring make up the largest graduating class in FSU's history, the crowd's spirit was lifted as a powerful round of applause and shouts of excitement filled the arena. Nearly 8,700 students will be awarded degrees this semester as commencement events began May 2 and continue May 3.
In an April 24 message, McCullough informed the campus community that a moment of silence would take place before each commencement "to honor Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba, whose lives were lost in the violence," and victims still recovering.
The university also will have increased security measures during the graduation events this weekend, and the heightened presence of law enforcement in and around the civic center Friday reminded attendees of what happened weeks ago.
The rest of the Friday afternoon ceremony flowed according to the university's regular program – from the patriotic national anthem performance and a motivational keynote speech to students turning their tassels and throwing their caps up in the air.
Smiling from ear to ear, many students waved to their family and friends and made the well-known tomahawk chop gesture as they crossed the stage. Occasionally, a few members of Black Greek-letter fraternities celebrated the special moment with a quick stroll, displaying their pride while becoming an FSU alum.
Nonetheless, a reference to the tragedy that recently struck FSU's campus was made by outgoing FSU Student Body President Jackson Boisvert during his speech.
'Over the last few years – and especially over this last month – that word (unconquered) has taken on a much deeper meaning,' Boisvert said. 'In a place that so many of us call our home, we were reminded just how quickly everything can change. We lost members of our FSU family. We're still mourning, still healing.'
FSU graduate Hanna Siegel – who crossed the stage May 2 after majoring in finance and real estate – said she was glad a moment of silence was part of commencement, especially since she was on campus during the April 17 shooting.
"It made me cry a little bit, but I thought it was really nice,' Siegel said. 'I love FSU so much that I'm coming back for my master's starting this summer. I'm gonna be here again, so I didn't get that sad.'
With the May 2 afternoon class of spring 2025 being from FSU's College of Business, keynote speaker Ash Williams – vice chair of J.P. Morgan Asset Management – shared advice on the approach the students should take after graduating as they navigate the business world, and life in general.
'Don't look at the world as a single path,' said Williams, a two-time FSU alumnus. 'It's a winding road, and there are all kinds of wonderful sights to see along it, so be open to those changes. Look for places that can open doors, give you exposure and accelerate your progress.'
McCullough also shared inspiring words with the students in a lighthearted address to close the commencement event, where his closing speech was made up of several music references – including singer Mac Davis's 'Stop and Smell the Roses' and Lana Del Rey's 'Ride' – to get his message across.
One of his last song references was rapper Kendrick Lamar's 'tv off,' which was met with engaging cheers and laughter from students.
'He's got a line in there that says 'Got my foot up on the gas cause somebody's gotta do it,' and I listen to that all the time,' McCullough said. 'That means people depend on you to get it done, because somebody has got to do it. And you know who the people are that can do it? It's Florida State grads.'
FSU's commencements are ticketed events. For information on how to watch them livestreamed, visit https://commencement.fsu.edu/.
Tarah Jean is a reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at [e-mail]. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU spring graduations begin with moment of silence following shooting