As we continue to follow the University and Community Guidelines, we are planning an in-person graduation ceremony on Thursday, April 27, 2023, 6-8pm at the Crisler Center. Caps and gowns are required.
Any changes will be posted here, as well as shared with students by email.
The Undergraduate Commencement Featured Speaker for 2023 is Steve Shyn!
Steve Shyn is a dynamic and accomplished individual with a passion for entrepreneurship, social impact, and environmental sustainability. He is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan Economics Program in 1989 and 1992. He spent the majority of his career in New York where he honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of the financial industry.
Steve “retired” from his first career recently when he sold his company to Accenture in 2018. He is now in the position to chase his passions and one is as a mentor, coach and investor in the venture world and hands on Partner, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of a blockchain fintech company based in Miami that successfully raised Venture Capital Funds in 2022. He is always on the lookout for new ideas and technologies that have the potential to change the world, and is committed to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Throughout his career in technology, banking and capital markets, Steve has been driven by a desire to make a positive impact in the world. He firmly believes in the importance of diversity and fairness in the workplace, and has been a vocal advocate for initiatives aimed at promoting greater inclusion and equity in the industry.
Steve is committed to environmental sustainability and reducing carbon emissions and works with the largest companies in the world to generate solutions. He understands the urgent need to address climate change and has been actively involved in efforts to promote sustainability and reduce the impact of human activity on the environment.
In addition, Steve is passionate about restoring civility and fairness to the political process. He firmly believes in respectful and honest debate, and is committed to working towards a more civil and fair political environment.
Steve's love for the University of Michigan runs deep, and he is an active member of the Economic Leadership Council, advocating for the students, faculty, and staff. He is committed to helping the university continue to grow and thrive as a hub of innovation and academic excellence. He was born in Ann Arbor in 1967 and has had season football tickets for the past 23 years!.
Overall, Steve's story is one of dedication, hard work, and a commitment to the University and to making a positive impact in the world through entrepreneurship, social impact, environmental sustainability, and advocacy. He is an inspiring and exciting figure, and his contributions to the financial industry, social justice, and academic excellence will continue to be felt for many years to come.
Livestream: Economics Commencement, Class of 2023
The Undergraduate Commencement Featured Speaker for 2022 will be Derek R.B. Douglas, Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Affairs at the University of Chicago.
Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Douglas served on the White House Domestic Policy Council (DPC) as Special Assistant to President Barack Obama. He also served as Associate Director of Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress where he founded and served as Director of the Economic Mobility Program. Before joining the Center, Douglas was a Counsel at O'Melveny & Myers LLP and an Assistant Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Douglas graduated from the University of Michigan with Highest Honors in Economics and from the Yale Law School.
General Information:
Each spring, the Department of Economics holds a Commencement Ceremony for students who are either graduating that April/May, will be graduating in the following August, or have graduated the previous December. Please see above for the most current information about the next Economics Undergraduate Commencement.
Well in advance of the ceremony, students must complete specific tasks to be eligible to participate. Please find more information about these requirements, and the ceremony in general, below!
Information about the University's larger Commencement can be found here.