Nathan Hawks selected as Institute of Agricultural Technology student speaker for commencement

May 05, 2026

Hawks is a standout student in MSU’s horticulture and agricultural industries programs

IAT Commencement student speaker Nate Hawks — Since the age of 12, Hawks has owned and operated his own landscape business on Michigan’s west side, translating classroom learning into real-world application while developing the leadership, resilience, and professionalism that define his approach today.

EAST LANSING, Michigan – Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) is proud to announce Nathan Hawks as the student speaker for the IAT Commencement Ceremony held on March 29, 2026.

Hawks is a standout student in MSU’s horticulture and agricultural industries programs, recognized for his strong work ethic, academic excellence, and calm, solutions-focused leadership in and out of the classroom. He has fully embraced the IAT model, earning an IAT Certificate in Landscape Management in 2025 and completing a second IAT Certificate in Agricultural Industries in 2026.

Throughout his time at MSU, Hawks consistently went above and beyond in landscape horticulture, turfgrass, and business operations. Since the age of 12, he has owned and operated his own landscape business on Michigan’s west side, translating classroom learning into real-world application while developing the leadership, resilience, and professionalism that define his approach today.

In addition to his academic success, Hawks has demonstrated exceptional industry engagement and leadership. He has served on the Michigan Nursery Landscape Association Board of Directors, held leadership roles within the Student Horticulture Association including serving as President, worked with MSU Landscape Services, and competed at the national level through the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.

As he reflected in his commencement address, Hawks encouraged fellow graduates to embrace opportunity and uncertainty, noting that “the decisions you almost don’t make, and the people you meet because of them, will shape your life in ways you can’t see yet.”

As he prepares for the next chapter of his professional journey, Nathan Hawks embodies the innovation, integrity, and leadership that the Institute of Agricultural Technology strives to cultivate in its students. Please join us in congratulating him and welcoming him as the Institute of Agricultural Technology’s 2026 student commencement speaker.