Welcome to the Georgia Institute of Technology’s 260th Commencement. On behalf of our entire Georgia Tech community, I extend to you my warmest greetings as we join together to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our graduates.

At our Spring 2021 ceremonies, we are conferring degrees to 4,435 outstanding Yellow Jackets — 2,265 bachelor’s degree students, 1,970 master’s degree students, and 200 doctoral students.

All graduations are special, but I take great pride in the fact that Georgia Tech has been able to safely recognize our graduates from the 2020-2021 academic year with in-person commencement ceremonies for both semesters. That isn’t the type of trademark achievement I ever thought I’d boast about for one of the world’s top research universities, but the challenges we’ve all endured since Covid-19 first appeared make this a truly extraordinary achievement. And the graduates we’re now celebrating had a lot to do with that.

The innovative surveillance testing system our own faculty, staff, and graduate students built last summer has kept our community as safe as possible from infection, allowing for a deliberate return to campus life starting last August. But this incredible safeguard only works when our campus community actively participates and sets aside time from their busy schedules for frequent testing. And that’s exactly what our students did. They worked hard academically, all while doing everything in their power to protect their instructors and fellow students. Their contributions to this community made this academic year possible. That’s the Georgia Tech way — that’s Progress and Service — and that’s another thing we are celebrating now.

This year also offers an important reminder of the crucial role of science, technology, and research institutions such as Georgia Tech in our society. Thanks to the work of hundreds of leading scientists in universities across the globe, advances in messenger RNA biotechnology provided the basis for the rapid development and evaluation of the vaccines currently being deployed worldwide. As vaccinations continue to ramp up, I do believe we’re nearing the end of this most unusual and challenging chapter of life.

This past academic year asked a lot of us — and frankly, sometimes it seemed like too much. But although we’ve suffered painful losses and costly disruptions, I couldn’t be prouder to say that this community has responded with nothing but ingenuity, compassion, and eagerness to solve problems. For the dedication and sacrifice of our students, faculty, and staff, I’m exceedingly grateful to each of you.

And to our graduates’ families and friends — those who inspired, guided, and challenged our graduates — we are celebrating today because of the support you’ve been providing for years. Thank you.

Throughout the Institute’s 136-year history, Yellow Jackets have set themselves apart through a trademark spirit of resilience, creativity, and dedication. That’s because Georgia Tech exists to guide the Progress and extend the Service this world needs — to make people's lives better and to develop pioneering solutions to humanity's greatest challenges. And based on what the Class of 2021 has already accomplished, I know we'll be celebrating these fine Yellow Jackets for years and generations to come.

Graduating from Georgia Tech is a monumental achievement all by itself. Graduating from Georgia Tech at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year is another thing entirely. But this is no time to look back. It’s time to look ahead. To push forward. To go out and make an impact on the world like only Yellow Jackets can. Congratulations, Class of 2021!