EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University senior Laura Sams is the Class of 2000 student commencement speaker. Sams was chosen from a pool of 10 applicants by the Senior Class Council.
The undergraduate convocation will be held at the Breslin Center at 1 p.m., Friday, May 5.
"I'm excited and truly honored," Sams said. "I'm actually not nervous. I enjoy speaking."
Sams said she believes her speech differs from the ordinary commencement speech.
"It's light-hearted," she said. "It is supposed to be funny, and then it gets more serious."
The daughter of Brigadier General Ronald and Diane Sams of Langley Air Force Base, Va., Sams will earn dual degrees in zoology and parks, recreation and tourism resources.
While at MSU, Sams has been a teaching assistant in Zoology 365 classes and has been involved in numerous groups including Sideshow, a sketch comedy group, Women's Glee Club, intramural volleyball and softball, and Shaw Hall Recycling.
She is also active in Golden Key Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board, the Wesley Foundation, the Zoology Association, the Outdoors Club and Shaw Hall Health in Progress (SHIP). She will participate in her third study abroad program this summer when she travels to the Caribbean to learn about coastal tourism.
One of Sams' career goals includes hosting a children's television show about nature with her brother, Robert, an MSU zoology sophomore.
"My life has been so blessed. I've been lucky to do so many things. Now, as I graduate, I'm excited to think about all the possibilities ahead. I just hope I help people enjoy life."