President Karl Scholz gave the following speech at the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025 on Monday, June 16, 2025.

Good morning! What a beautiful sight this is in historic, spectacular, world-famous Autzen Stadium.

I have been in higher education for a long time, but being on the podium during graduation and staring out over a group of fresh graduates and proud families never gets old. 

It is my honor as president to welcome you all and congratulate you on earning one of the most important credentials of your lives: a degree from the University of Oregon.

As a proud parent of three college graduates, let me start by recognizing the vital role families play in getting you to this point. Graduates, please give loud whoop and holler of thanks for the family members and friends who supported you along the way. 

You’re doing well whooping and hollering at nine in the morning. Excellent.

To parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and others with a college graduate here this morning, I am sure you are all experiencing quite the range of emotions as you see them dressed in their caps and gowns. These are not the same people that you saw off to college. Their college experiences have shaped them intellectually, socially, and ethically. These years have not just been about earning a degree but about becoming critical thinkers and compassionate citizens.

Your graduates are ready to lead with integrity and courage in a world that deeply needs both. Celebrate with them. 

Now, I turn to you, the Class of 2025. 

You’ve reached an ending at the University of Oregon and you you’re starting a new beginning. You are in a period of transition. Some of you will be attending graduate school or have internships, others are starting jobs and careers. Some are moving home, others might be moving to new cities where you don’t know many people.

This is all exciting and may even generate a bit of uncertainty or fear. This is OK! Trust yourselves despite this feeling of the unknown. Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s taking actions despite it. Facing your fears can build resilience, confidence, and self-awareness.

That leads me to my first takeaway: I just mentioned it, but foster resilience in your life. It is not always rainbows and fairies. You have all experienced this already in your lives. But the more you incorporate a resilient life view when challenges and disappointments inevitably come, the better you will be.

I'm reminded of a quote from the esteemed philosopher Ted Lasso: “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse. If you're comfortable while doing it, you're probably doing it wrong.”

Don’t let disappointment or discomfort deter you. You may not get the job. You may be told no. This will never change. All this and more has happened to me many times. Look at these struggles as part of the journey instead of derailments. You are always on a path of discovery and, perhaps, these twists and abrupt changes are actually the beginning of something much better.

Earlier, I said your achievements are not just the result of individual effort, but of a community of support. This is in no way a knock at the incredibly hard work you all put in. The late nights you all spent (at the library, I’m sure), and the investment in bettering yourselves. 

But my second point is this: your relationships are immensely valuable. Cherish people. Nurture your connections. I PROMISE there are people in this stadium right now who will be your friends for the rest of your life. A critical ingredient to a happy, fulfilling life is having strong relationships. Remember, you are the average of your five best friends. So hopefully you’ve chosen wisely. Now don’t bring the average down.

And that average isn’t measured in how many friends you have or your social media clout. It means showing up, expressing gratitude, and showing appreciation for those who you care about.

Now that you are transitioning into the next parts of your life, I hope you never lose your passion for learning. My third takeaway is to be a life-long learner. Stay curious. Continue to seek wisdom. Understand yourself and the world around you. Your UO education has given you this crucial foundation.

Here at the UO we believe education can and should be a liberating force. It should cross barriers, challenge assumptions, sharpen one’s sense of agency, and strengthen one’s sense of belonging.

Finally, what I hope for you is that you each lead a good life. A life filled with exploration and authenticity. I hope you continue to strive, learn, and recognize your gifts. That you seek both professional and personal fulfillment. Grow, nurture your relationships, opportunities, and experiences. 

In doing so, you’ll find your purpose and, I hope, great joy and satisfaction.

Stay true to your values and find your purpose. Find your why.

Let me leave you with this: you earned this. Be proud. And wherever you go from here, whatever path you take, you will always be part of the University of Oregon family. 

You each have officially earned new titles: UO alumnus. 

Congratulations!

And Go Ducks!