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Richard Haddrill, executive vice chairman of Scientific Games, challenged University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates to draw upon their university experiences to lead joyful lives and make a positive impact on others.

“Let me tell you about the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn advantage. It goes beyond great academics,” Haddrill said. “By growing up in southeast Michigan and by attending 51��Ƶ-Dearborn, you’ve been exposed to people of all kinds—all religions, all ethnicities, all backgrounds… By the time you graduate from here, you know more about people than most people know in a lifetime, creating an opportunity to have real win-win relationships in life if you’ll respect those differences. Don’t waste that opportunity.”

Haddrill spoke before a record number of 51��Ƶ-Dearborn graduates, their families and friends at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. The university conferred more than 950 degrees on Sunday.

Haddrill began his remarks by asking graduates to recognize those in the audience who supported them.

“Stand up and give a big high five to those in the audience who have helped you,” he said. “Life really is a team sport and a team got you here. You should all be proud.”

Haddrill was a first-generation college student when he earned his degree from 51��Ƶ-Dearborn in 1974. He shared what he called “life nuggets” with the graduates—tips he has learned over the span of a 40+ year career, including setting goals, maintaining a positive attitude, helping others and embracing others’ differences.

Earlier in the ceremony, graduate Bradley Pischea addressed his classmates, encouraging them to remain connected to the university.

“Remember how hard you worked to get to where you are now and how grateful you were when someone was there to offer a helping hand. You now have an opportunity to help a student,” said Pischea, a criminal justice and political science graduate who served as Student Government president.

“While we are all going in different directions… don’t lose sight of what makes us all alike: We graduated from the university, we pushed ourselves to get our degrees and, most importantly, we are part of the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn family. Take pride in your school because you won’t find anything else like it.”

Sunday’s ceremony included recognition of five students who were honored as Chancellor’s Medallion Award recipients for their academic record, quality of character, intellect and integrity:

• Brownstown resident Matthew Piotrowski, College of Business
• Trenton resident Brandon Schwartz, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Dearborn resident Abeer Yassine, College of Education, Health, and Human Services
• Canton resident Hina Haider, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters
• Belleville resident Jessica Snow, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

Michael Brown, CEO and co-found of City Year, received the honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the ceremony.

The university announced earlier this year their plans to move the winter 2016 commencement ceremony to Crisler Center. The move was made to better accommodate the university’s growing number of winter graduates and their families.

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