Business | UNT Recognition Ceremony Fall 2020
Welcome to the Virtual College Recognition Ceremony for the G. Brint Ryan College of Business honoring Fall 2020 graduation candidates at the University of North Texas. Welcome, class of 2020! I am Marilyn Wiley, Dean of the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North
Texas. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Fall 2020 Virtual Recognition Ceremony. And while I cannot shake your hands individually at this time, as I wish I could, we are still commemorating together a special and wonderful day.
I'm standing here to commemorate one of the most important milestones of your lives. Only 36 percent of individuals hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and today, you join those prestigious ranks. And while earning a degree is alone a difficult and celebratory feat, you are among an elite group of individuals who did so in the face of tremendous adversity.
You persevered to conquer the obstacles of 2020, and you have come out on the other side stronger, more knowledgeable and more qualified to take on the challenges of today's business world. Before we begin formally congratulating you all, I would like to kick off this celebration by featuring some of the faces of today's hard-working graduates. We are so proud of each and every one of you. From late night study sessions, to navigating the virtual classroom in the midst of a pandemic - you are truly a generation of change-makers. And, to all the loved ones who share today's accomplishments with you - we recognize that the success of any individual most often comes from a team, and we appreciate the devoted support that your loved ones have given you.
You've spent years preparing yourselves to become leaders of a complex business world. And from the knowledge you've gained and the network you've grown, I am confident that each and every one of you will continue to make us proud. I challenge you to take on each day as an opportunity to learn, reflect and grow, and to find that creative endeavor that leaves your mark in the world. Because knowledge is not just about what you find in a textbook, but about how you turn that knowledge into action and create a positive change. As the late Albert Einstein once said, "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think."
Now, before we recognize each of our exceptional students, I would like to acknowledge those who have not only completed their degree. but have done so with academic excellence. Graduates whose overall grade point averages are from 3.5 to 3.69 graduate cum laude - which is the Latin translation meaning "with praise." In the Ryan College of Business, there are 69 students graduating cum laude.
Those graduates whose GPA's are from 3.7 through 3.89 graduate magna cum laude - meaning "with high praise." There are 42 students today graduating magna cum laude. Those whose GPA's are from 3.9 through a perfect 4.0 graduate summa cum laude - meaning "with highest praise." There are 17 students graduating summa cum laude.
Congratulations! It is now with great honor that we formally recognize each of this year's Fall 2020 graduates. Congratulations on your achievement! And, welcome to an alumni network that is strong, active and proud of your accomplishment. As you begin this new chapter of your life, remember that you will forever be a part of the UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business family. We encourage you to stay connected to us as you move forward. Come home for the family reunions. Join us at events, share with us your successes, and know that you have the lifelong support of your great university, and spread that message wherever you go! Now, turn your class rings outward, move your tassels, and get ready to conquer the world! Congratulations to the class of 2020 – our newest members of the UNT alumni network! Thanks for joining us to honor our graduates accomplishments this concludes the ceremony.
2020-12-18 11:02
