Graduating from U-M is an a-maize-ing achievement, particularly given the pandemic and the level of perseverance students needed to get through this past year. Despite Spring Commencement being virtual due to COVID-19, this year’s graduation still promises to be festive, with many celebrations taking place online.
“This commencement will feel different than those in past years, but we have just as much to celebrate,” says Provost Susan Collins. “In fact, our graduating students have shown extraordinary resilience in overcoming challenges, meeting their academic goals, and supporting one another. I look forward to this special day.”
Most of the graduation ceremonies in the following list have early April registration deadlines, so take note. Details on your school, college, or department’s celebratory plans should be announced in the coming weeks. Congratulations in advance from the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, which welcomes the class of 2021 into the alumni family. Forever Go Blue!
Universitywide Spring Commencement
Celebrate yourselves and take part in the virtual Spring Commencement ceremony on May 1 at noon, featuring this year’s speaker, human rights leader Bryan Stevenson. The founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), Stevenson also wrote his best-selling memoir, “Just Mercy,” which was adapted in 2019 into a major motion picture. EJI has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse of the incarcerated and the mentally ill, and aiding children prosecuted as adults.
Big House Photo Opportunity
Walking through the tunnel and into Michigan Stadium is a wonderful graduation day tradition. That ritual can’t take place this year due to the pandemic; however, all graduating students will be invited at the end of March to register for an appointment-based, 30-minute time slot to be photographed in the Big House. Pre-registration is required to ensure the number of students and staff on the field is in compliance with state guidelines.
LGBTQ+ Graduates
The Spectrum Center will host Lavender Graduation (LavGrad). The celebration honors LGBTQ+ graduates between December 2020 and August 2021. In 1995, it was the first commemorative event of its kind celebrated at an institution of higher education. The Spectrum Center works toward enhancing the campus climate and support services for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty. To receive a rainbow tassel, lavender cord, or Lavender Degree, register by April 4th.
Ginsberg Center Service Graduates
Fill out the service cord verification form and submit your social responsibility pledge by April 26 to attend the Ginsberg Center graduation ceremony. This ceremony recognizes graduates who, through direct service, activism and advocacy, or other forms of civic engagement, helped address or make positive change around a specific social issue in partnership with economically or socially marginalized communities beyond campus. Service cords are free if you participated in a Ginsberg Center program or are facing financial hardship. Coordinate a bulk order if you are part of a student organization, and receive $5 off per service cord.
Multicultural Celebrations
The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) is coordinating the following cultural graduations listed. All undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students who graduated in December 2020 or are graduating in May 2021 or August 2021 are invited to take part in these virtual celebrations. Register by Monday, April 5, by 11:59 p.m. EST to take part in the online viewbooks and virtual celebrations at any of the following graduations via the links provided.
First Generation Graduates
Register for the First-Generation Celebration to take part in:
- An online viewbook accessible as a PDF on the First-Generation Student website.
- Complete this form to be included.
Asian & Pacific Islander Graduates
Register for the Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) Celebration to take part in:
- An online viewbook accessible as a PDF on the A&PI Graduation Celebration’s website.
- Complete this form to be included.
Black Graduates
Register for the Black Celebratory Graduation to take part in:
- A virtual celebration accessible as a video presentation.
- An online viewbook accessible as a downloadable PDF on the Black Celebratory website.
- Complete this form to be included.
Native American Graduates
Register for the Native American Celebration to take part in:
- An online viewbook accessible and downloadable as a PDF on the Native American Celebration website.
- Complete this form to be included.
Middle Eastern/North African Graduates
Register for the Middle Eastern/North African (ME/NA) Celebration to take part in:
- An online viewbook accessible and downloadable as a PDF on the ME/NA Celebration website.
- Complete this form to be included.
Latina Graduates
Register for the Lantina Graduation to take part in:
- An online viewbook accessible and downloadable as a PDF on the La Celebración Latina website.
- Complete this form to be included.