Governor Mike Braun Delivers Rousing Commencement Address at Trine University

“Inspiring the next generation: Gov. Mike Braun delivers a powerful commencement address to Trine University’s Class of 2025, urging graduates to embrace life and take bold risks!”

ANGOLA, Ind. — Hoosier Enquirer, May 7, 2025

Indiana Governor Mike Braun energized Trine University’s Class of 2025 with an inspiring commencement address on May 3, urging nearly 2,300 graduates to embrace risk and seize life’s opportunities. Speaking at the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Inc. Athletic and Recreation Center, Braun drew from his journey as a Jasper native, entrepreneur, U.S. senator, and now governor to motivate students from Trine’s Angola campus, Brooks College of Health Professions, and TrineOnline programs.

“It was my honor to deliver the commencement address to @TrineUniversity’s 2025 graduates,” Braun shared on X post-ceremony. “These college graduates are ready to take on the world. Just remember what I said, embrace life, stick your neck out, and take risks!” His message resonated deeply, earning praise from attendees and sparking lively discussions online.

Braun framed life as a series of “forks in the road,” encouraging graduates to make bold choices grounded in faith, family, and community. “Life is filled with risk,” he said. “If you don’t embrace that, you could end up in that broad band of mediocrity.” Reflecting on his own path—from Wall Street to building a business that created thousands of Hoosier jobs—Braun emphasized resilience and courage in navigating challenges.

Trine President Earl D. Brooks II lauded Braun’s leadership, noting his longstanding support for the university. “Gov. Braun’s wisdom and friendship have been invaluable,” Brooks said, presenting him with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. The ceremony also featured a poignant moment when Trine awarded a posthumous degree to Fred Garland, a sport management major and basketball player killed in a December 2024 accident. Garland’s brother, Cortez, accepted the degree to a standing ovation.

Parents and graduates took to X to celebrate Braun’s speech. One parent posted, “Great ‘fork in the road’ speech by @GovBraun at my son’s graduation. Thank you for inspiring the students!” Another attendee wrote, “We love you, Mike. You did an excellent job.” The afternoon ceremony featured Kiruba “Rupa” Shanmugam, a 1995 Trine alumna and SoPark Corporation president, addressing graduates from Trine’s Detroit, Phoenix, and Reston, Virginia, centers.

Braun’s address aligns with his gubernatorial focus on education and workforce development, as outlined in his 2025 State of the State Address, where he championed school choice, teacher pay raises, and industry-aligned training. For Trine’s graduates, his words marked a rallying cry to shape Indiana’s future with boldness and purpose.

As the Class of 2025 steps into the world, Braun’s call to “stick your neck out” echoes as a challenge to make their mark. For Hoosiers, it’s a reminder of the governor’s commitment to fostering opportunity and ambition across the state.