All candidates must register to participate in the commencement ceremonies.
Register to Participate
There are no limits on guest attendance, and no tickets are required. Please refer your guests to the Guests page for more information.
Baccalaureate Degrees
Commencement Ceremonies
Jack Breslin Student Events Center and Wharton Center for Performing Arts
Friday, May 5 - Sunday, May 7, 2023
Each ceremony is about two hours. No admission tickets are required
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Contact: Stratton Lee, Assistant Director, 517-355-0234 or leestrat@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates enter the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the building at 6:30 p.m. to clear security measures and access the Arena Level. Report to the Arena level by 7:00 p.m. to receive your name/photo card before being seated with your department/major. Faculty marshals will assist with name card disbursement and seating. Name/Photo cards are distributed at the commencement ceremony.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Contact: Pam Newsted - 517-355-0210 or newstedp@msu.edu & Marissa King kingma17@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 6:15 p.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. Follow graduate signage to the third floor. Name/photo cards are distributed at assembly. Following the ceremony, a reception will be held in the Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby).
Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Cara Cilano, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Contact: Delaney Atkinson, 517-355-0366 or atkin148@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 8:15 a.m., on the Arena floor. Take the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Report to the Arena floor, where name/photo cards are distributed by major. Candidates sit by major after receiving your name/photo card.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Contacts: Mahin Sandoval-Chavez - sandov90@msu.edu; Brekelle Wiedenmannott - wiedenma@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 3:00 p.m. on the Arena floor. Take the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Report to the Arena floor, where Name/photo cards are distributed by major. Candidates sit by major after receiving your name card and photo card.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Friday, May 5, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Jennifer New, Associate Director - 517-355-1794 or jnew@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 6:00 p.m. on the Arena floor. Take the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Report to the Arena floor, where Name/photo cards are distributed by major. You will be directed to your seating area.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Kristy Dumont, Director of Undergraduate Affairs
Contact: Robin Lenkart – 517-884-3951 or lenkartr@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 6:00 p.m. Take the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Pick up your name/photo card in the Service Area. You will be directed to your seating area.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Amanda Idema, Assistant Dean
Contact: Mary Pease - 517-432-7749 or Peasem@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 2:30 p.m., Arena level for the processional. Take the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Name/photo cards are distributed at assembly. You will be directed to your seating area.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.
Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Contact: Justin Burkett – 517-353-3381 or burket16@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 11:30 a.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. From the Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby), take the stairs up to the Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge (balcony level). Name/photo cards are distributed at assembly. Following the ceremony there will be a reception at Case Hall. Invitations with details will be sent in April.
Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Niki Rudolph, Assistant Dean
Contact: Sarah Evans-Cain – 517-353-6480 or evansca7@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 11:00 a.m. Take the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Name/photo cards are distributed at assembly. You will be directed to your seating area.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Contact: Michael Kroth, Associate Dean, 517-884-9449 or kroth@msu.edu;
or Talitha Trout, Director, 517-432-2616 or TalithaT@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 3:30 p.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. From the Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby), take the stairs up to the Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge (balcony level). Name/photo cards are distributed at assembly.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.
Breslin Center, 534 Birch Road
Heidi Purdy, Assistant Dean
Contact: Dawn Therrian-Taylor - 517-355-4470 or therria5@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates arrive at 11:30 a.m. Take the Service Tunnel/Drive on the south side of the Breslin Center down to the Arena level. Name/photo cards will be distributed in the Service Area. After picking up your name card, students will be directed to the stands and will sit with their department/major.
Exit: Students exit the Breslin Center through the Service Tunnel/Drive at the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Contact: Laurel Noon – 517-353-4827 or switzen1@msu.edu
Assembly: Candidates assemble at 8:00 a.m., Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge for the processional. From the Grand Foyer (Great Hall lobby), take the stairs up to the Stoddard Grand Tier Lounge (balcony level). Name/photo cards are distributed at assembly.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Friday, May 5, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.
Wharton Center, Great Hall, 766 East Shaw Lane
Contact: Jeanne (Jeannie) Walser - WalserJe@cvm.msu.edu
Immediately following the ceremony there will be a reception in the lobby.
Instructions for Graduating Seniors
We ask your cooperation in observing graduation etiquette. Any items visible and worn with your academic regalia should be appropriate to the occasion and not detract from the recognition of your fellow graduating seniors. Do not wear flowers or decorative jewelry on your academic gown. Low-heeled shoes are recommended. Please be respectful as names are read, so that each and every graduating senior receives the proper recognition.
Please put your phones on silent. Additionally, keep in mind that on stage you will be using both of your hands simultaneously. One hand to receive your diploma and one hand to shake the dean’s hand. Wearing an outfit underneath the gown that has a pocket for your phone is ideal. Academic apparel does NOT have pockets. Please note that you do need your cell phone to register for graduation photos.
Please review the security page for all prohibited items.
Metal detectors will be at all entrances; please plan accordingly for lines into the facility.
- Apply to graduate - you MUST apply to graduate with the Registrar's Office. Complete the application before Monday, February 20, 2023, for the spring 2023 semester. This will ensure your name is included in the printed commencement program. If you have a directory restriction on your account, your name will not print in the program.
- Register to participate in a ceremony. Registration deadline is April 14, 2023.
- Arrange for your cap and gown. Any questions about academic apparel can be emailed to spirit@msu.edu or call their 1855 Place location at 517-353-1353. Visit the Official On-Campus Provider of Caps and Gowns, the Spartan Spirit Shop, in-store or on-line at: spartanspiritshop.msu.edu/collections/graduation.
- If you are Honor/High Honor: Pickup your honor cords from your Academic Advising/Student Affairs Office within your college. These cords will be available after April 17, 2023.
ASSEMBLY
Please have your guests hold your coat or other belongings. Items are not allowed in the candidate seating area.
TASSELS - Wear your tassel on the RIGHT of your cap.
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES
Please contact the commencement office at commencement@msu.edu by Monday, April 10, 2023, with requests for accommodations for the ceremony. Requests made after that date will be met when possible. Parking is limited in the area.
We encourage all participants and their guests to use commencement shuttle bus service. Shuttle buses are accessible. There is no charge.
Barrier-free parking is located in the Breslin Center lot #126 (EAST SIDE OF THE SERVICE DRIVE/TUNNEL). Please enter from Shaw Lane. Parking in this area is limited to those with a State of Michigan or other State-issued disability placard. Breslin Area Parking Map
The Senior Class Council will select one graduating senior to deliver the student speech at the Undergraduate Convocation. Speeches are to be no longer than 4-5 minutes. If you are interested in representing the Class of 2023, please review the Speakers page for more information. Please see the memo from the Senior Class Council and the application to submit your speech.
Friday, May 5, 1:00 p.m. at the Breslin Center
The ceremony is ONE HOUR. The convocation ceremony is for all graduating seniors. Degrees are not conferred at this ceremony. This ceremony serves as a 'kick-off' to the commencement events. Graduates enter by taking the service drive on the south-side of the Breslin Center, down to the Arena level. Graduates are seated in floor seating and the bleachers. Graduates are not seated by college at this ceremony. Graduates must be in academic apparel to be seated in the graduate seating areas.