June 17, 2024

President Scholz sent the following message to faculty, staff, and students on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Dear University of Oregon community,

With great admiration, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our students who are graduating from the University of Oregon. Today marks a significant milestone in your lives, one that you have worked tirelessly toward and one that you should be immensely proud of achieving. 

Graduates, as you embark on your new beginnings, remember to embrace curiosity, cultivate empathy, and never cease in your pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. Your time at the University of Oregon has equipped you with the skills and wisdom needed to navigate the complexities of the world, and I have every confidence that you will go forth and make meaningful contributions to society and live a good life.

Commencement is a time for our university community to come together to celebrate our students and experience the best possible reminder of our precious mission—to create and impart knowledge, improve lives, and benefit our state and world. 

The unwavering commitment of our instructors and researchers to excellence—their passion for teaching, mentorship, and discovery—has contributed to our students’ growth and success. To all our faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate student employees—you have my deepest appreciation for your dedication to our mission and the many ways you support and shape our students’ academic journey and experience. Thank you!

As I think about my first year, I am filled with gratitude. It has been an honor. I continue to be in awe of our physical surroundings and the breathtaking possibilities ahead, and inspired by the resilience, determination, and spirit of innovation that permeates our campus community. 

Together, we have weathered challenges and embraced opportunities. We have identified a series of targeted aspirations through our strategic planning process to: enhance pathways to timely graduation, lead in student career preparation, create a flourishing community, and create scholarship that accelerates societal impact, elevates the human experience, and develops innovative models for a changing world. I look forward to working together as we begin to implement these priorities.

I would like to again offer my sincerest congratulations to the remarkable Class of 2024. May your futures be bright, your endeavors fruitful, and your hearts forever tethered to the cherished memories and enduring friendships forged during your time at the University of Oregon. To our returning students and our faculty and staff, I wish you a restorative, joy-filled summer.

Go Ducks!

Karl Scholz
President