More than 365 students from the College of Engineering will be honored on Dec. 17-18, 2021, when Michigan State University hosts commencement ceremonies for graduates earning advanced and undergraduate degrees. Engineering will graduate around 310 undergraduates, 28 master's, and 30 Ph.D. candidates.
MSU will award five honorary degrees and host a total of five graduation ceremonies this weekend - all in the Breslin Student Events Center. The events will be live-streamed and can be watched via MSU's commencement website. MSU's Fall 2021 graduation program, featuring the names of graduates, can be viewed here.
The schedule for Engineering graduates is:
Friday, Dec. 17, 2021
- Master's degree ceremony, 11:30 a.m.
- Doctoral degree ceremony, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021
- 1 p.m., Engineering will share its undergraduates ceremony with graduates from Residential Arts and Humanities, Eli Broad College of Business, Education, James Madison, and Music.
Mechanical engineering graduate Dayana Villagran will offer the senior class remarks at MSU's 1 p.m. baccalaureate ceremony on Saturday.
Villagran has been an active leader during her years at MSU, including work and volunteer roles in the Cornerstone Engineering and Residential Experience (CoRe); as a resource for Women in Engineering, and through participation as a CAMP Scholar and Supporting Excellent Engineers (SEE) Scholar.
"Both the CAMP and SEE programs helped me financially, but also provided a safe space for me to be myself," she said. "I come from a migrant farm working family and started working in the fields at a young age. My parents and my siblings are the reasons why I developed such a strong work ethic and an urge to help those in need. I hope to someday repay all the guidance and teachings my family have given me," Villagran added.
After graduation, Villagran will be working for General Motors.
Kayla Siemen will carry the Engineering banner during the processional and recessional marches at commencement Saturday afternoon. Siemen is graduating with a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering.
Among those earning advanced degrees are:
- Dillon McClintock, an MSU Track & Field athlete who came to MSU as an undergraduate athlete and did very well academically and athletically. The pandemic disrupted her senior season and cancelled some significant competitions. She pivoted and ended up dually enrolled in the master's program, which helped preserve her last year of NCAA eligibility. She fell in love with research and received the College's most prestigious graduate recruiting award to support her Ph.D. program at MSU. McClintock has bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering. She will continue in the field of mechanical engineering for her doctoral work.
- Pedro Nariyoshi, an international student in the electrical engineering doctoral program. He joined MSU in the fall of 2012 and has overcome significant challenges and delays to his doctoral studies. Both he and his adviser experienced serious health challenges that delayed progress, and the pandemic further complicated his program. Nariyoshi became a parent twice while in graduate school. He has persevered for nearly 10 years and will be receiving his Ph.D. in electrical engineering.
Engineering Commencement Coordinator Amanda Idema, who is assistant dean for undergraduate studies, reminded commencement graduates and guests to wear appropriate face coverings when inside MSU buildings. Masks must be worn at all times during commencement ceremonies.
Safety tips for attendees: no bags or purses will be allowed in Breslin Center for any commencement ceremonies. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but cases are prohibited. No food or beverages — including bottled water — will be allowed, and this applies to graduates, guests and faculty. The 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. The Breslin Center is a smoke-free facility. Metal detectors will screen all attendees, so please plan accordingly. And a reminder - all individuals are required to wear appropriate face coverings indoors in all MSU facilities.
For more information on MSU graduation, visit: https://commencement.msu.edu/