Student Speakers Named for UM-Flint's 2014 Spring Commencement Ceremony

The University of Michigan-Flint has selected two students for the role of student speaker for the commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 4, 2014. Both students are Maize and Blue Award recipients, the highest honor the university bestows on undergraduate students.

For the College of Arts and Sciences Ceremony at 11:00 a.m., Communication major Erika Trigg will deliver remarks. Ms. Trigg is a leader on campus, serving in a wide variety of roles. She has been an orientation leader, peer advisor, classroom assistant for the Honors Program, and a member of a number of committees, including the academic standards committee for the College of Arts and Sciences.

With an outstanding commitment to community service, Ms. Trigg has been recognized for her civic engagement activities through both the Saab Signature Blue Service Scholarship and in her role as Director of Communications for Michigan Youth Leadership. She is also a recipient of the prestigious James Angell Award from the University of Michigan.

Her work with students throughout her time at UM-Flint prompted Ms. Trigg to make serving students part of her future. She is planning to attend Michigan State University in the fall to pursue a graduate degree in Student Affairs Administration.

Kristin McBride has been chosen as the student speaker for the 3:00 p.m. Professional Schools Ceremony. Ms. McBride is an top student majoring in Social Work with a concentration in substance abuse treatment.

Ms. McBride is also very involved on campus. She has participated in such organizations as Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, Social Work Club, Golden Key International Honour Society, and Black Student Union. Ms. McBride also participated in collaborative research with faculty at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint. It is there that Ms. McBride worked on urban gardening, going on to receive grants to help build and distribute twenty rain barrels to bolster community garden projects in the Flint area.

Ms. McBride will attend the one-year Master in Social Work program at University of Michigan, and hopes to eventually be accepted to a law program to focus on civil rights.