Four student speakers to be featured at 139th SDSU commencement
Four South 糖心视频 State University recent and soon-to-be graduates will be featured speakers at the university鈥檚 139th commencement on May 10 at First Bank & Trust Arena.
SDSU will have three ceremonies as more than 1,700 students plan to walk across the stage for their degrees.
The student speakers at each of the ceremonies include:

10 a.m. ceremony
Samuel Hadacek
Coming from Mount Solon, Virginia, Samuel Hadacek majored in economics with an agricultural specialization.
As the son of two veterinarians and growing up on a farm, Hadacek has always had a keen interest in the agricultural industry, how its markets work and its biggest issues. This interest drove him to South 糖心视频 State, where he was involved in the Economics Club and was a Ness School of Management and Economics contestant at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association鈥檚 case competition. Hadacek participated in the Hult Prize Challenge, where he and three other student leaders traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to pitch their startup, Agri-Cycle Innovations. Hadacek also took two trips abroad to West Africa to study developing agricultural economies.
Since graduating from SDSU in fall 2024, Hadacek has spent time managing the family farm and working for the Virginia Cattlemen鈥檚 Association. He hopes to continue working in policy while preparing to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in economics.
He advised current students to build as many connections as they can, pursue mentorships and internships, and study abroad if they can.
鈥淪DSU has changed my life forever, and so much for the better. I can think of a million places that I could have gone for college, but I never would have had the experiences that I have gotten had it not been for SDSU,鈥 Hadacek said.
2 p.m. ceremony

Pierre Lear
Pierre Lear, originally from Watertown, is a passionate educator, athlete and leader dedicated to personal growth and empowering others to succeed. As a graduate teaching assistant in the sport and recreation management program at SDSU, he is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire his students. Now graduating with his master鈥檚 degree in sport and recreation administration, he aspires to pursue a Ph.D. and ultimately become a university professor, leaving a lasting impact in both academia and athletics.
In addition to his academic pursuits, he is a Division I hurdler, training with the goal of competing in the 110-meter hurdles at the regional and national meets in June, with a long-term vision of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics.
Outside of athletics and academics, he leads a Bible study. His commitment to leadership, community and faith has profoundly shaped his journey. He strives for excellence in all areas of his life and is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those around him.
鈥淚鈥檝e been very grateful to be here for six years,鈥 Lear said. 鈥淚 came here with a lot of hopes and dreams, but SDSU has helped me to channel that, to be very people-centered. I think my time here has only improved the skills I had, to be better than my weaknesses.鈥

Carley Mullins
Carley Mullins, originally from Algona, Iowa, is the daughter of Greg and Brenda Mullins. She is a recent graduate of the SDSU College of Nursing and the School of American and Global Studies.
On campus, Mullins has been involved in many capacities. She served as a secretary and vice president for the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College Student Organization. Mullins dedicated multiple years to LeadState, a program designed to foster student leadership, as a student coach and coordinator. Mullins also volunteered as a teacher for SDSU鈥檚 Public Humanities Initiative English as a Second Language program, which utilizes language to form connections within the Brookings community and beyond.
Passionate about health care, Mullins is pursuing a career in nursing with a special interest in nurse education. Her research explores the impact of peer evaluation on student clinical skill retention, confidence and behavioral change.
She鈥檚 grateful for the connections she鈥檚 made and opportunities she鈥檚 had at State.
鈥淚f you take the time to slow down 鈥 and listen to the people around you and be open-minded, you鈥檇 be surprised by the number of opportunities that are sitting around you, and you鈥檙e just not looking at them yet,鈥 Mullins said.
6 p.m. ceremony

Logan Tlam
Logan Tlam is from Mount Vernon, majoring in human biology with a minor in health sciences and on the premedicine track. During his time at SDSU, he has been involved in many student clubs and organizations. He serves as an Admissions Ambassador, is a student in the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College, participates in anatomy research with the Snow Lab research team, and coaches women鈥檚 club volleyball.
Tlam鈥檚 passion for science and health lies in whole-body medicinal approaches, preventative medicine and epidemiology. Furthermore, the connection between clinical application and undergraduate anatomy education led him to complete his honors capstone, titled 鈥淐ase-Study Analysis and Clinical Review of Human Cadavers,鈥 and present it at the 2024 National Collegiate Honors Council conference.
Following graduation, Tlam will attend the University of Minnesota to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in integrative biology and physiology. Afterward, he hopes to attend medical school to become a physician and researcher.
鈥(SDSU) has been so impactful in my life, and I鈥檝e tried to be intentional about giving something back to SDSU. I鈥檓 really going to miss those opportunities to do that, and I can鈥檛 wait for more opportunities to come in my future,鈥 Tlam siad.
Find more information on spring 2025 graduation ceremonies and activities online.
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