Distinguished scholars, leaders and Michigan State University alums will join in celebrating the accomplishments of more than 5,000 Spartan graduates during the fall semester commencement ceremonies Dec. 16 and 17.
New this year, family, friends and fellow alums will be able to honor graduating students by submitting personalized messages to be displayed on stage prior to the ceremonies. Supporters can submit their well wishes online starting today through graduation day.
"This semester's guest speakers are leading experts in their fields," said MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. "Their stories of determination and success will inspire graduating Spartans as they venture forward to make their impact on our community and the world."
William C. Clark, a notable scholar in sustainability science, and Marta Tienda, an MSU alum and sociology professor emerita at Princeton University, will kick off the graduation season at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Clark will address doctoral, master's and educational specialist degree recipients, and both speakers will receive honorary doctoral degrees in science.
Two separate ceremonies will take place on Dec. 17 to honor baccalaureate degree recipients. At 10 a.m., Okhee Lee-Salwen, MSU alum and scholar whose work on STEM and language learning is used in schools across the U.S., will address graduating students from the colleges of Arts and Letters, Business, Education, Music, Social Science, James Madison College and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. She will receive an honorary doctoral degree in humanities.
At 2 p.m., Lt. Gen. Terry Gabreski, former commander in the U.S. Air Force, and Elizabeth Phillips, renowned scholar in mathematics education, will conclude university commencement ceremonies. Gabreski will address graduating students from the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communication Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Natural Science, Nursing and Lyman Briggs College. She will receive an honorary doctoral degree in engineering, and Phillips an honorary doctoral degree in science.
All ceremonies will be held at Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road on the East Lansing campus. The events will be livestreamed and can be watched via MSU's commencement ceremonies. Twitter users are invited to follow them using #SpartansWill.
For the safety of attendees, only small, clear bags are allowed. Cameras, camcorders and certain carrying cases also are permitted. More information about the bag policy can be found on the Breslin Center's website. No food or beverages -- including bottled water -- will be allowed, and this applies to graduates, guests and faculty. Breslin Center will offer a limited concessions menu during the ceremonies. Additional prohibited items include noisemakers, selfie sticks, pets, signs and weapons of any form. Breslin Center is a smoke-free facility. Metal detectors will screen all attendees, so please plan accordingly.
Categories: Michigan, Education