Michigan State University will host advanced degree and undergraduate commencement ceremonies for more than 900 College of Engineering graduates this weekend.
Both ceremonies are expected to be approximately two hours. There are no admission tickets required.
College of Engineering Dean Leo Kempel said he’s confident all graduates will be able to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
“I cannot wait to see the incredible accomplishments our graduates will achieve in the years to come,” Kempel said. “My advice is to embrace every career opportunity, continue to learn and grow, and never lose sight of the impact you can make as Spartan Engineers."
Kempel will offer both the welcome and closing remarks at undergraduate graduation. Amanda Idema, assistant dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs, serves as commencement coordinator.
Ceremony dates, times
Engineering will host graduation services for 805 undergraduates on Sunday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m. in the Breslin Center.
Ashlin Riggs, a computation data science senior, has been named the student commencement speaker.
Charles Dunn, a senior in chemical engineering, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner.
Advait Paliwal, a computer science senior, will deliver the remarks at convocation.
The Advanced Degree Commencement for master’s degree graduates is Friday, April 26, at 9 a.m. in MSU's Breslin Center. There will be 56 master's candidates from the College of Engineering.
The Advanced Degree Commencement for Ph.D. graduates is Friday, April 26, at 3 p.m. in MSU's Breslin Center. There will 78 Ph.D. candidates from the college.
Commencement livestream, social media, personal messages
Commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed on the MSU Commencement website: https://commencement.msu.edu.
Social media users can follow the ceremonies on X, formerly known as Twitter, and other social media platforms using the hashtag #SpartanGrad24.
Family, friends and fellow alums can honor graduating students by submitting personalized messages and photos to be displayed on stage prior to the ceremonies. Supporters can submit their well wishes online now through graduation day.
The link to sumbit messages that recognize College of Engineering graduates: https://app.kululu.com/nu8wd9.
Safety protocols, parking, concessions
For the safety of attendees, no bags or purses will be allowed in Breslin Center during 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. Breslin Center will offer a limited concessions menu during the ceremonies.
Related links:
- MSU Commencement website
- More than 9,500 Spartans to graduate this spring
- Dantonio, influential leaders to address spring graduates
Additional prohibited items: noisemakers, selfie sticks, pets, signs and weapons of any kind. MSU is a smoke-free campus, including all outdoor and indoor spaces.
Metal detectors will screen all attendees at Breslin Center, so please plan accordingly.
Parking at the Breslin Center is limited, so the public is encouraged to use the free shuttle service.
Distinguished Alumni keynote address
Rachel S. Hutter will offer the undergraduate keynote address as the 2024 Claud R. Erickson Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient. Hutter will receive the College of Engineering’s top honor at the Engineering Alumni Awards banquet on Saturday, April 27.
Hutter is head of studio operations for Walt Disney Studios and is a licensed professional engineer and certified safety professional.
Hutter joined Disney in 1997 and was part of the team that built and opened Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
As head of Disney studio operations, Hutter’s responsibilities include planning and tracking content for Marvel, Lucasfilm, Disney Live-Action, Disney Animation, Pixar, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures.
Hutter graduated from Michigan State University in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and had a concentration in theater.
Programs available online, via mail
There are no printed commencement programs on-site at any ceremony location. However, attendees will be able to access the programs by scanning QR codes with their mobile device.
To order a program and have it mailed to you, visit the MSU commencement website. Programs will be mailed after the ceremonies.
Written by Eric Lacy, lacyeric@msu.edu. See more at the Engineering Media and Public Relations page.