Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

Our campus is quiet! Noticeably quiet. Our graduates and thousands of their family members and friends are all but gone pursuing their life and career journeys. The deeply felt gratitude of our graduates toward their family, friends, professors, counselors, advisors, tutors and coaches was evident in the hugs, the smiles and the tears. They looked proud and confident of how much more capable they had become. After all, they had gone the distance and achieved arguably the most enabling milestone of their lives. The ceremonies lasted only a few hours, but the memories are indelible. 

In fact, this week, right after we wished our 2026 graduates farewell as they commenced their long career journeys, we welcomed our 1976 graduates back to campus to celebrate their golden anniversary reunion. They spoke fondly of their experiences and of their own indelible memories. I met remarkable women and men who graduated 50 years ago and went on to make their marks on their profession, society, community and families. Among them were engineers, scientists, inventors, discoverers, astronauts, national leaders, business leaders, military leaders, art collectors, writers and philanthropists, who came together on their campus to reminisce about their yesteryear experiences. The graduation event celebrated perseverance, commitment to learning and overcoming challenges. The golden alumni reunion event celebrated commitment to service, dedication to work and family and successful pursuit of decades of productive careers. 

During the golden alumni welcoming event, I couldn’t help but think of our 2026 graduates who left the campus just three days earlier to begin their own journeys of success. I wanted to call them all back so that they could see for themselves the examples of successful careers pursued by our golden alumni — their peers of 50 years earlier. I want them to believe in themselves and know that they can overcome the most challenging of situations and push through any artificial or real roadblocks, if they set their goals and pursue them relentlessly. I wanted them to see examples of staying resolute in pursuing purpose and, in the process, become an inspiration for the generations that will follow them.

And then, we had another well-deserved celebration this week. Our Staff Appreciation Day yesterday marked the culmination of a week of events leading to a day of recognition planned and coordinated by our Staff Council and Staff Success Center. Open to all, the programs highlight multiple benefits, incentives, recognitions and awards to say thank you to all our committed and dedicated staff for their unceasing contribution.

To our ever-present, attentive and supportive staff, I say THANK YOU! We appreciate all that you do in support of S&T, our students and faculty.

To our golden alumni, I say thank you for coming home. Thank you for your endurance, struggles and successes, for what you have done, for what you have become, and for remembering and returning to your old glorious stomping grounds.

Finally, an important thought. While our focus this week has been on success and achievements, on this Memorial Day weekend, we remember and reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives in defense of freedom and democracy. We commemorate those who sacrificed for us, support those who defend us, and celebrate the resilience and achievement of our graduates and alumni who energize us. Indeed, all the indelible moments and memories that define us.

Warmly,

-Mo.

Share your thoughts!

Read previous Friday morning messages.

Check out more news and information:

• Memorial Day: A Commemoration (National Archives)
• Missouri governor to host artificial intelligence and data center forum at Missouri S&T
• Fifteen honored at Staff Day awards ceremony

Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu