The caps and gowns are ready, and the bands are practicing “Pomp and Circumstance.”
That can only mean one thing: It’s graduation time.
College students across the state and around the country will attend commencement ceremonies in the coming days, to collect their degrees, snap their photos and hopefully hear some words of inspiration from their commencement speakers.
Over the years, universities have tapped presidents, business leaders, peace prize winners and others to inspire their graduates.
Apple cofounder Steve Jobs gave a memorable commencement address at Stanford University in 2005, telling graduates that dropping out of college was one of the best things he ever did.
U.S. Navy Adm. William McRaven, a former Navy SEAL, made news in 2014 when he addressed graduates at Texas A&M. He told them they should begin their day by making their bed because completing small, disciplined tasks builds momentum to do bigger things.
Here’s a look at some of the commencement speakers who are scheduled to speak at Michigan universities this year:
University of Michigan: Basketball great Jalen Rose, who, along with his Fab Five teammates, led U-M to the brink of the national championship twice, losing to Duke in the 1992 finals and to the University of North Carolina in 1993. The Detroit native went on to a 13-year NBA career and has worked in broadcasting and philanthropy. He will deliver his commencement speech Saturday, May 2, at Michigan Stadium. He’s also scheduled to receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremony.
Michigan State University: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver the commencement address at the baccalaureate ceremony Friday, May 1, at the Breslin Center. Whitmer, who’s completing her eighth and final year as governor, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and a Juris Doctor at Michigan State.
Hillsdale College: Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will deliver the commencement address at the school May 9. Kirk is the CEO of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit conservative advocacy group founded by her late husband. The school announced last year that it would award honorary degrees to both Kirks.
Grand Valley State University: Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak is scheduled to address graduates at three separate ceremonies on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist came to the area in September to kick off Grand Rapids Tech Week and is returning for this ceremony, where he will be awarded an honorary degree in computing.
Eastern Michigan University: NBA Hall of Fame player George “Iceman” Gervin will address the graduates of Eastern Michigan at their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 2, at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Gervin played two years at Eastern before an NBA career that included 12 All-Star Game appearances. Eastern awarded Gervin an honorary doctorate degree in education in 2011.
Oakland University: Dr. John J. Whyte will deliver the 2026 commencement address at the ceremony on Friday, May 8, at the OU Credit Union O’rena on campus. Whyte serves as the CEO and executive vice president of the American Medical Association, the nation’s largest physician organization.
Central Michigan University: Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darren Werner will deliver the commencement address to CMU’s liberal arts, science and engineering graduates at a ceremony at the McGuirk Arena on Saturday, May 9. Werner was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Central’s ROTC program and earned a bachelor’s degree in science from the school.
University of Detroit Mercy: The Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, the former president of DePaul University and of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, will address graduates at two graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 9, at Calihan Hall on the school’s McNichols campus. Holtschneider grew up across the street from the Mercy College campus on Outer Drive and his parents met at the University of Detroit.
Wayne State University: The school will host its spring commencement ceremonies at the Wayne State Fieldhouse for different colleges May 6-8. The school has no scheduled guest speakers scheduled, but several students will address their peers at the ceremonies.
Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Basketball greats among this year’s commencement speakers
Reporting by John Wisely, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
