UM-Flint to host spring commencement ceremonies, April 29-30

The University of Michigan-Flint will celebrate its April and August graduates during the Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremonies, April 29-30, at the Riverfront Conference Center. More than 800 students are eligible to participate. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be awarded degrees during four ceremonies involving the university's six schools and colleges.

The schedule for commencement is as follows:

College of Arts & Sciences, 11 a.m., April 29
School of Management and College of Innovation & Technology, 1:30 p.m., April 29
School of Nursing, 11 a.m., April 30
College of Health Sciences and School of Education & Human Services, 1:30 p.m., April 30

Doors for each ceremony open one hour before the start time. Graduating students are asked to RSVP before the April 21 deadline by logging into the Student Information System portal and navigating to the graduation menu of the student services tab. Each graduate can bring four guests and the ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded at live.umflint.edu.

In addition to messages from Deba Dutta, UM-Flint chancellor, and Sonja Feist-Price, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, the 1:30 p.m. ceremony on April 29 will feature special remarks from Phil Hagerman, CEO of Skypoint Ventures, Forum Health and co-founder of Diplomat Pharmacy. Hagerman will receive an honorary doctorate in recognition of his service to both the Flint community and the university. In 2015, a $2 million gift from Hagerman allowed UM-Flint to establish the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which organizes events like the annual Zillion Solutions competition, which invites students of all majors to submit pitches for a product or service that solves a real-world problem. Winners are then awarded prize money to turn their ideas into reality.

"I often say that commencement is the most meaningful event of the academic year, but this year's proceedings are made that much more special by bestowing Phil Hagerman with an honorary degree," said Feist-Price. "I look forward to his words of innovation and persistence, which will serve our graduates well as they enter the next chapter of their lives."

Student speakers will also share their perspectives with fellow graduates and guests. Noor Shahibi, a biology major from Swartz Creek, will speak at the CAS ceremony. Yuliia Lane, an international business and marketing major from Rochester, will speak at the SOM and CIT ceremony. Elizabeth Rice, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion and nursing leadership & management major from Troy, will speak at the SON ceremony. Alyssa Golden, an elementary education major from Fenton, will speak at the CHS and SEHS ceremony.

Lane immigrated to Michigan from Ukraine in 2017. UM-Flint offered her the tools to thrive in a totally new environment.

"There is a great mix of people at UM-Flint, especially adult learners and nontraditional students like me," said Lane. "After being a student here for two years, I saw that this campus had everything that I needed. UM-Flint has given me the flexibility I needed with my job and offered me countless opportunities to branch out and explore."