- 5/31/2025
On Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) delivered remarks at the 2025 Governor's Valedictorian Ceremony.
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NewsTranscript
00:00It is an honor to welcome you to the 2025 Governor's Valedictorian Reception.
00:07My name is Christopher Green, and I have the honor of serving as the President of the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
00:14We are gathered here this morning to celebrate a remarkable group of students,
00:19the very best and brightest from high schools across Georgia.
00:25Valedictorians, this is your moment.
00:28You've worked incredibly hard, you've led with excellence, and you've earned this recognition.
00:35This morning is about celebrating your achievements, your families, your schools, and your futures.
00:43We are proud of you, and we are excited to see where your journeys will lead.
00:48We're also joined today by leaders who believe deeply in education and in your potential.
00:54Let's begin this morning's program by hearing from someone who leads this institution
01:00and champions academic excellence right here at Georgia State University.
01:06Dr. Brian Blake is the eighth president of Georgia State, leading a dynamic university that spans six campuses
01:14and serves nearly 55,000 students.
01:17Since his appointment in 2021, Dr. Blake has introduced a strategic vision centered around four key pillars,
01:27research and innovation, student success, college to careers, and identity and placemaking.
01:35A native of Savannah, Dr. Blake holds degrees from Georgia Tech, Mercer University, and George Mason University.
01:43President Blake and his wife, Dr. Bridget Blake, live here in Atlanta and are the proud parents of two sons.
01:52Please join me in welcoming the president of Georgia State University, Dr. Brian Blake.
01:57Good morning, everyone.
02:06How's everyone doing today?
02:07You guys got to loosen up, man.
02:11I'm so honored to join you all here today and give opening remarks for our 2025 Valedictorian Day.
02:19Governor Kemp, thank you for continuing to host this magnificent event here at Georgia State.
02:26As a product, a president of a university in the system and also a product of the system,
02:32I thank you for your passion and all your amazing support for higher ed for our great state.
02:37So to the attendees, it's a privilege for Georgia State University to host you all here
02:43at our relatively new 8,000-seat convocation center.
02:47Let's give another round of applause.
02:49Weren't the mascots amazing today?
02:56I'll tell you what, they have 100% disappeared, though.
03:03Valedictorians, you are the best and the brightest, and I can just feel your brilliance here.
03:08Your intellect just fills these walls.
03:11While I hope you and your family will join us here at our facility for something that's arts or entertainment
03:17or sporting events, I would be absolutely remiss if I didn't invite you here on this stage
03:24in four years to shake my hand receiving a Georgia State degree.
03:28I'm serious.
03:29Come see me at this ceremony.
03:31Today, we are pleased to celebrate you, Georgia's most impressive students.
03:37Validictorians, on behalf of the entire Georgia State University community,
03:41and I know I speak, and you'll hear from the chancellor, Dr. Sonny Perdue, shortly,
03:46our regent chair, T. Dallas Smith, and all our dynamic regents that are here today,
03:51the presidents of our 25 institutions, we extend our most sincere congratulations.
03:57What an amazing accomplishment.
03:59You all have bright futures.
04:01Whether your next step in life is for college or if you decide to take a different route,
04:06we know you will be successful, and we wish you all the best.
04:08As one of the largest, most diverse institutions in the country,
04:12student success for Georgia State is one of our main pillars.
04:16Validictorians, your student success, your academic outcomes, your hard work,
04:21I know firsthand is just a definition of all that.
04:24You provide a positive example for your peers.
04:27Your achievement is just so inspirational, and I encourage you all to keep up the great work.
04:32As I close, let me offer some brief advice.
04:35The Blake family also has a valedictorian in our home, and in case you're wondering, it's not me.
04:42My wife reminds me from time to time.
04:44But as a witness, I know you all have an uncanny capacity for learning,
04:49an unlimited ability to create new innovations.
04:53College is a time to take your unique gifts to the next level.
04:56So while you should certainly continue to gain new knowledge and skills, you should also explore new possibilities.
05:04Leverage and exploit your knowledge and skills.
05:07Seek out those grand challenges.
05:10You are the future innovators and leaders, and our future global solutions are certainly within you already.
05:15So let me selfishly urge you to certainly make a societal impact right here in the state of Georgia.
05:23Also, I hope you would consider the university system of Georgia.
05:25Our system is one of the best in the country.
05:28Through the diverse set of colleges and universities, there's really a place and program for each one of you.
05:33So hopefully you give that some consideration as well.
05:35But above all, have fun this summer.
05:39You deserve it.
05:40Thanks again, Governor Kemp, for allowing us to host this.
05:43This is our third time in the facility.
05:45Thanks to everyone here today who support our students.
05:48And congratulations to all the elected historians.
06:01Thank you, President Blake, for your inspiring welcome and for hosting us in this beautiful facility.
06:07Next, we will hear from a leader who has spent his entire career serving the people of Georgia
06:14and advancing educational opportunity throughout our state.
06:19Dr. Sonny Perdue became the 14th Chancellor of the University System of Georgia in 2022.
06:25In this role, he is responsible for leading our 26 public colleges and universities
06:31with over 51,000 faculty and staff and more than 364,000 students.
06:39Prior to becoming Chancellor, Dr. Perdue served as the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture
06:46in two terms as Governor of Georgia.
06:49Chancellor Perdue and his wife, Mary, have four children, 14 grandchildren,
06:55and served as foster parents to eight children awaiting adoption.
06:59Please join me in welcoming the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia,
07:04the Honorable Sonny Perdue.
07:05Hello, everyone.
07:12After President Blake has shamelessly used this as a recruiting tool,
07:16I'll take the liberty of recruiting you to one of our 26 University of System Georgia facilities here,
07:25and we need the best and brightest.
07:27Governor Kemp, this is your future workforce right here,
07:30and they're the ones that are going to continue to make Georgia the best place to live, work, and play,
07:35and grow jobs and an economy and do great.
07:38So this is the best and brightest, and we want to congratulate all of you.
07:45It's indeed, this is one of my favorite times of the year, has been for a while.
07:51Not that I was in your class.
07:53I'm not the valedictorian, but you need to know,
07:56I was part of the class that made the valedictorian possible.
08:00You stood on our shoulders, really.
08:04Think about that.
08:05But no, great to have you today.
08:09And like I tell people, coaches, you can coach speed, but you can't coach intellect.
08:15You guys got it, and we appreciate that.
08:18That's why we want you here.
08:20If some of you have thought about slipping out of Georgia temporarily, that's okay.
08:25We forgive you, but you've got to come back.
08:28That's the main thing, so that's why we need you.
08:33I want to be very brief.
08:34I used this in a commencement address a couple weeks ago,
08:37but I thought it was so pertinent because you're exactly the kind of people that we want in the arena.
08:43And let me tell you why I say that.
08:45One of my favorite presidents was President Teddy Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, National Park, so many different things.
08:53In 1910, he gave a famous speech.
08:56It was called about citizenship in a republic.
08:59And in that speech, he had the famous line,
09:02The Man in the Arena.
09:05Now, young women, don't think you're out of this because in that era, that's the way they talk.
09:10But you all also included, so you can talk about young men and women in the arena here.
09:15And I want to give that quote to you because that's what I want to encourage and inspire you all to do here today
09:20because you show the tenacity, you show the capability, you show the courage,
09:26and you show the ability to get out and get in the arena as a citizen.
09:31So not only use your academic talents there for academia and those kind of things,
09:37but use it to make a better world for mankind here in Georgia, across the nation, across the world.
09:43Listen to what Teddy Roosevelt said in 1910.
09:46It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
09:52or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
09:54The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
09:59whose fare is marred by, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,
10:04who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again
10:08because there is no effort without error and shortcoming,
10:12but who does actually strive to do the deeds,
10:14who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions,
10:18who spends himself in a worthy cause,
10:21who is at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
10:25and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,
10:30so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
10:33who neither knew victory nor defeat.
10:37You have the ability, young people.
10:40Get in the arena.
10:41Make a better world out there.
10:42You can do it.
10:43Let it go.
10:52Thank you, Chancellor Perdue, for your remarks this morning
10:55and for your continued dedication to Georgia students.
11:00And now, it is my distinct honor to introduce our host
11:04and keynote speaker,
11:05a leader who believes in rewarding excellence
11:08and making historic investments in the next generation.
11:13Since being sworn in as Georgia's 83rd governor,
11:17Governor Kemp has consistently championed initiatives
11:19that put hardworking Georgians first.
11:23Throughout his first term,
11:25Georgia consistently broke economic records
11:27with new jobs and investment reaching every corner of our state.
11:32With the support of our wonderful First Lady,
11:36Governor Kemp championed legislation to end human trafficking and support survivors.
11:42Governor Kemp also delivered historic pay raises for teachers,
11:46provided tax relief for families,
11:48and kept Georgia moving forward after the pandemic.
11:52In 2022, the governor was re-elected to a second term,
11:57and he continues to focus on not only making Georgia the top state for business,
12:03but also the top state for talent.
12:07Under his leadership, we launched Georgia Match,
12:10which is the largest direct admissions program in the nation.
12:14In just this past legislative session,
12:18Governor Kemp championed passage of the Top State for Talent Act,
12:22a bold step forward in preparing our students for the economy of the future.
12:27Please join me in welcoming the governor of the state of Georgia,
12:31the Honorable Brian P. Kemp.
12:38Well, good morning.
12:40Thank you so much.
12:41Valedictorians, proud family members.
12:45I am honored to be with you all today
12:47as we celebrate these incredible students and their bright futures.
12:52The First Lady wanted to send along her congratulations to you.
12:57She apologized she couldn't be here today,
12:59but she's in another part of the state on a prior commitment that she had.
13:03But she, like I, is very proud of all your hard work,
13:07your many accomplishments,
13:08and all that you're going to achieve in the years ahead.
13:12I want to thank President Chris Green for that kind introduction,
13:16and also just thank you and the team
13:18at the Georgia Student Finance Commission
13:20for all that you do to open doors for opportunities
13:24for these Georgians like the students that are here today.
13:28I also want to thank President Blake and the Georgia State team.
13:31Thank you guys for serving us so well today
13:34and getting this great facility ready for us.
13:38It's been an honor to be here the last three years,
13:41even though most every other president's mad at me,
13:44President Blake, because you continue to
13:46do the same thing I would do if I was president of Georgia State.
13:51Recruit.
13:51So much appreciate Chancellor Perdue.
13:56Just great pointed remarks that really says a lot about the way he has governed our state,
14:05the way he works with the Board of Regents
14:07to govern the university system,
14:09and the way we all feel about our state.
14:13We are incredibly proud of the university system
14:16and want to thank the Chancellor and the Board of Regents,
14:19Chairman Smith, and the rest of the board
14:21for making our public, 26 public colleges and universities
14:25among the best in the country.
14:27I also want to recognize so many other great educational leaders
14:31from across the state who are here with us today,
14:34and if you don't mind, if you would please stand when I call your name,
14:39and we'll hold our applause to the end for all these folks,
14:42if y'all will.
14:42Our state superintendent, Richard Woods,
14:44and members of the State Board of Education,
14:47thank you all for being here today.
14:49Commissioner Greg Dozier and the technical college system
14:52and the TCSG board members who are here,
14:56the members of the Board of Regents who I mentioned earlier,
15:00all the presidents and executive leaders of our public colleges
15:03and universities around the state,
15:06representatives of the Georgia Independent College Association,
15:10and the presidents and executives of our private colleges
15:13and universities here in Georgia,
15:17as well as members of the Student Finance Commission.
15:20Let's thank all these folks for all that they do.
15:23I want to take just a moment and recognize the parents,
15:34grandparents, brothers, sisters, other family members,
15:39friends of our valedictorians,
15:41both those that are with us today and those that are not.
15:45Without their support and their helpful presence
15:48throughout your academic careers and lives,
15:51our valedictorians would not be here today.
15:54No matter who is a part of that support system,
15:58I know I speak for these graduates when I say thank you
16:00for all that you have done
16:02and for always being there, including today.
16:05Let's all thank these great people for their support.
16:08On behalf of the state of Georgia,
16:16I also want to join these parents, grandparents,
16:19brothers, sisters, friends, loved ones,
16:22and others in congratulating our valedictorians here today.
16:26Their hard work and dedication that it took
16:30to reach this milestone has impressed us all,
16:33and it certainly inspires us.
16:36That work ethic will continue to be an asset
16:39in the next chapters of your academic
16:41and professional careers.
16:44Your willingness to put in long hours
16:46and keep going even when you wanted to quit
16:48will make you stand out and find further success,
16:53much like Chancellor Perdue was talking about.
16:56And through the example that you all have set,
16:59you've left your mark on the lives of your friends,
17:03your classmates, your teachers, and whole communities.
17:08And Georgia is better because of your hard work.
17:11For all the leaders on this stage and around this room,
17:15it is our hope that your impact on Georgia doesn't end here.
17:20In every corner of the state,
17:21there are opportunities for quality and rewarding careers.
17:24And the fact that you have distinguished yourself
17:28as the best and brightest means the groundwork
17:31has already been laid for you to seize these opportunities.
17:34We're blessed to be home to three of the top 50 universities
17:38and colleges in this country.
17:40We've been named the number one state in the country
17:43for business 11 years in a row.
17:45We continue to have a low unemployment rate
17:48and we're growing our reputation as a hub
17:51for innovation, logistics, advanced manufacturing,
17:56and other fast, innovative, growing industries.
17:59The truth is we have worked hard
18:01to bring these pathways to our state
18:03and we need the best of the best like you
18:07to make sure that we continue on that upward trajectory.
18:11As proud parents of three daughters
18:13and as proud alumni of the University of Georgia,
18:17Marty and I believe you should be able to achieve
18:19a fulfilling career right here in your home state.
18:23Along with the leaders here today
18:25and others across Georgia,
18:27we have committed to making that goal a reality.
18:31And as you leave here today,
18:33it marks another moment
18:34in what some might say is a time of endings.
18:39You've all been to your last home football game,
18:42your last school dance,
18:44your last class with your favorite teacher,
18:47your last time as a high school student.
18:50But the beauty of this period is
18:52it's also a time when new doors are opening to you,
18:56filled with possibilities and growth.
18:59As you prepare to walk through these doors,
19:02be sure to hold fast the values and beliefs
19:05that have helped carry you to this point.
19:07If you do,
19:10even when you're uncertain about the door you have chosen,
19:13you will continue to make your family,
19:15our state,
19:16and our country proud.
19:18And as I tell my own girls,
19:21always remember,
19:23do the right thing,
19:24even when no one is watching.
19:26Thank you all again for being here
19:28and for your incredibly hard work.
19:31God bless and congratulations.
19:33Thank you Governor Kemp for your leadership
19:48and for taking the time
19:50to personally honor these outstanding students.
19:53To all the valedictorians here today,
19:56this recognition is more than a title.
19:59It is a reflection of your hard work,
20:03your discipline,
20:04and your determination.
20:05You've achieved something exceptional
20:07and we know this is only the beginning.
20:11Now in a few moments,
20:12I'm going to invite the valedictorians
20:15to make their way to the two empty sections
20:17on my right for a group photo.
20:21We're going to ask everyone in the chairs
20:23on the right side of the floor,
20:25if you would please stand up
20:26and move to the other side of the floor
20:28so that our team may clear enough space
20:31for the group photo.
20:33Our staff volunteers
20:34are going to help everyone get into position
20:37and then the photographer
20:38will take several photos.
20:41These pictures will be available
20:43on the Governor's website next week
20:45at the link provided
20:47at the bottom of your program.
20:50Now, parents and guests,
20:51you are welcome to take photos
20:53with your personal devices.
20:56We just kindly ask
20:57that you remain behind the stanchions
20:59so that the photographer has enough room
21:01to capture all of our students.
21:03The group photo will conclude
21:05our official program today.
21:08Valedictorians, at this time,
21:10please make your way over
21:11to the two empty sections
21:13on my right for the group photo.
21:16Congratulations once again
21:17and thank you all
21:18for a wonderful event.
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