Published December 15, 2025

MSU Water Alliance director Joan Rose delivered the keynote address at Michigan State University’s Fall 2025 advanced degree commencement ceremony, speaking to master’s and doctoral graduates from across the university.

Drawing on her expertise in water quality and public health, Rose highlighted the urgent challenges confronting water systems worldwide, from pollution and climate-driven extremes to growing inequities. She emphasized that “water quality is health,” a theme central to her decades of research as a microbiologist.

Rose acknowledged the accomplishments of the graduating class, noting how their diverse areas of study contribute to solutions in environmental science, engineering, public health, and other fields. She encouraged graduates to move forward with curiosity and resilience, assuring them that their skills and ideas will be essential in addressing complex problems in Michigan and beyond.

Watch the full commencement address here (Joan Rose starts at 18:00): https://video.wkar.org/video/advanced-degrees-fall-2025-pdsaa1/ 

Story by Aja Witt