Dear Students,

About 600 of you will participate in the commencement ceremonies later Saturday. That will conclude a long and, at times, challenging journey. But you are also in a position now to reap great benefits from your degree.

As you enter the workforce, you will be in an excellent position to become agents of change. You will be teachers who influence students, counselors and nurses who help people heal, entrepreneurs who will employ hard workers like yourselves and politicians and administrators who can influence laws and policies. The list could go on at great length, but I think you get the point. You are the future of positive change.

UMSL was built on the foundation of creating change and equal opportunity for all of our students. That means providing everyone a quality and affordable education at a safe campus. We are here to educate the future leaders, policymakers and general contributors to society.

This semester, you all have demonstrated the university’s mission in action. I am proud of you and the entire UMSL community for fostering civil dialogue and positive action following the tragedy in Ferguson and its aftermath. Many of you have participated in peaceful protests, service projects, debates, forums and workshops. I know these conversations can be uncomfortable sometimes. But they are necessary. I’m pleased that civility and understanding has been the tone.

For those of you still working toward your degree, I recognize the concerns during these difficult times. But I encourage you to stay on track, enroll in classes and join your classmates as agents of change throughout the St. Louis community and the world beyond. You all have the power to create change now and in your future endeavors. It starts here with your education at UMSL.

Best regards,
Chancellor Thomas George