May 8, 2023 - Congratulations to our new UMSL graduates
Dear University Community,
Excitement is all around us as we near the end of the 2022-23 academic year.
This time represents a new beginning for our more than 1,400 spring graduates who will undoubtedly go on to make incredible contributions within our community and far, far beyond. This time is also an opportunity for our continuing students to move ever forward in their goal of crossing the commencement stage in the semesters ahead. Please remain focused and keep the momentum going, always knowing that we are right here with you along the journey.
This spring’s commencement will include six ceremonies that will bring together families, friends, faculty, staff, and many other supporters to cheer on the UMSL Class of 2023. We will also award honorary degrees to both Ilene Novack, BS Ed ’68, and Steve Novack, BA ’68, to recognize their personal and professional legacy of transforming lives. We look forward to celebrating our graduates, recognizing our outstanding alumni, and sharing our sincere thanks and appreciation for the many individuals who provided support to our students throughout their academic journeys.
The future is bright for our students, our soon-to-be graduates, and our university community. Just last week, we held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark our first major Transform UMSL project. Our $12.1M renovation of the University Libraries will create a central hub of student activity with new study rooms, an information commons, reading nooks and lounges, instructional classrooms, and a new entryway leading to the quad. In June, we will break ground on the new Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center that will become our home for welcoming prospective students and families to UMSL while simultaneously giving those who’ve already experienced our transformative power a place to return and give back to their alma mater.
In my last message, I led with forward momentum as the subject line. That is exactly the mindset and space I want each of us to embrace daily. There will always be challenges and obstacles to face in keeping that momentum going, but at the end of the day, we are better for them. We learn from them. We grow from them. We change from them. Always remember to lean into your purpose, your passion, and your future.
Congratulations to our graduating class and thank you to our students, staff, and faculty for keeping this momentum going.
Gratefully forward,
Kristin Sobolik
Chancellor
University of Missouri–St. Louis
