Michigan State University will host advanced degree and undergraduate commencement ceremonies for College of Engineering graduates during the weekend of May 1-3, 2026. All Engineering ceremonies will take place at the Breslin Student Events Center, 534 Birch Road, East Lansing, MI 48824.
After years of labs, capstone projects, internships and late-night deadlines, Spartan Engineers are preparing to celebrate one of the college’s biggest milestones of the academic year.
College of Engineering Interim Dean John Papapolymerou said commencement is both a celebration of what students have achieved and a reminder of the impact Spartan Engineers are prepared to make next.
“Commencement is a proud milestone for our college and a meaningful moment to recognize the hard work, resilience and growth of our graduates,” Papapolymerou said. "They will carry the values of Spartan Engineering into their careers, with the knowledge, creativity and determination to lead, solve problems and make a difference in the world.”
Spartan Engineers will celebrate graduation at three different ceremonies on MSU Commencement Weekend.
Event Details
Advanced Degree Commencement for 65 master’s and educational specialist degree graduates is Friday, May 1, at 9 a.m. at the Breslin Center. The ceremony is about two and a half hours. No admission tickets are required.
Advanced Degree Commencement for 72 doctoral graduates is Friday, May 1, at 2:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center. The ceremony is about two and a half hours. No admission tickets are required.
Spring Undergraduate Convocation is a one-hour ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 12:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center. Degrees are not conferred at the ceremony.
Undergraduate Commencement for about 1,000 Engineering undergraduate students will be Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at the Breslin Center. The undergraduate ceremony is about two hours. No admission tickets are required.
More details on Undergraduate Commencement
Papapolymerou will offer the welcome and closing remarks at the undergraduate ceremony. Amanda Idema, assistant dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs, will serve as commencement coordinator.
Marissa Beatty, founder and CEO of Turnover Labs, will deliver the undergraduate keynote address.
Beatty is a Michigan State alumna who studied chemical engineering and graduated in 2017. She later earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Columbia University and conducted research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as a U.S. Department of Energy fellow.
She founded Turnover Labs in 2022 to help decarbonize chemical manufacturing. The company is developing ultra-durable electrolysis systems that convert industrial carbon dioxide emissions into useful chemical products, with a focus on making chemical production more sustainable, resilient and cost-competitive.
Beatty was named to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in energy.
Pranav Deshmukh, a computer engineering major from Rochester Hills, Michigan, graduating in summer 2026, will serve as student speaker at the undergraduate ceremony.
“I want to use it to celebrate the Engineering Class of 2026 and highlight the sense of community we’ve built throughout our time here,” Deshmukh said.
His own path included changing majors within the college before finding the right fit, supported by mentors, faculty and staff who helped shape his experience. After graduation, he plans to travel to Japan through the Come On Out Japan program, where he will work with local students on conversational English.
Evan Claude, a chemical engineering major from Okemos, Michigan, graduating in spring 2026, will carry the Engineering banner during Spring Convocation at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the Breslin Center.
Claude said some of his favorite memories were made during late nights in the computer labs, working with classmates to finish reports just before deadline. After graduation, he will begin his career as an engineer in the refractory industry.
Sanika Joshi, an electrical engineering major from Troy, Michigan, graduating in spring 2026, will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Joshi said hands-on learning opportunities, especially in engineering labs, helped define her time at MSU. She also pointed to her internship at Eaton and her senior capstone as important experiences that strengthened her technical and analytical skills. After graduation, she plans to pursue her master’s degree at MSU.
Speaker Biographies
At the university level, Christopher Fernandez will address graduates receiving master’s and educational specialist degrees.
University Distinguished Professor Ann E. Austin will address doctoral candidates.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will address graduates at the Spring Undergraduate Convocation ceremony.
More information is available in the 2026 spring commencement speakers announcement.
Commencement livestream and guest information
All commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed on the MSU Commencement website. There are no limits on guest attendance, and no admission tickets are required.
Graduate instructions
Engineering undergraduate candidates should assemble at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the arena level of Breslin Center. Students should use the service tunnel/drive on the south side of the building to reach the arena level. Name and photo cards will be distributed in the service area. After picking up their cards, students will be directed to the stands and seated with their department or major. After the ceremony, students will exit through the service tunnel/drive on the south side of the building to meet guests outside.
Safety, parking and accessibility
Guests should review security guidance before arriving. Metal detectors are in place at each Breslin Center entrance. Clear bags may not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, and food and beverages, including bottled water, are prohibited.
Please review the clear bag policy on the Breslin Center’s website.
There is no charge for parking in any lot or ramp during commencement weekend. Complimentary shuttle buses to Breslin Center run every 10-15 minutes on a continuous loop, and the buses are accessible.
Guests who need accommodations can review Breslin Center accessibility information before arriving. Accessible seating areas are available, elevator access to floor level is available across from Section 109, and complimentary wheelchairs and assistive listening devices are available through Guest Services across from the Hall of History gate at Section 117. Barrier-free parking is available in both Breslin Center lots south of the arena.
Additional commencement details, including ceremony updates, graduate instructions, guest information and parking, are available on the MSU Commencement website.
Written by Austin Witt.
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page