Commencement & Graduation

Please find information about the University's response to COVID-19

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.

Previous Commencements

Commencement FAQ

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.

Things to do before Graduation

Well in advance of the ceremony, anticipated graduates will receive several emails specifically regarding the ceremony and eligibility to attend. In order to be eligible to graduate and walk at the Economics Commencement Ceremony, graduates must do the following:

Meet with any economics advisor to complete your Major Release
- Students can meet with an advisor by either making an advising appointment with a faculty advisor, or attending drop-in advising with our Undergraduate Coordinators (M, Th & F, 2-3pm, or W, 9:30-10:30am on Zoom).
- NOTE: If you are a dual-major, or if you also have a declared minor or supplemental studies plan, a release must be completed for each program. You should consult each department to learn how they handle this process.
“Apply to Graduate” by March 15th through your Student Business Account online in Wolverine Access (Student Business > Student Center > Apply for Graduation)
- Students will receive emails about applying to graduate and obtaining major/minor releases and should make note of the deadlines listed therein. Please review the UM Commencement website's Graduate Checklist and the Newnan Advising Center's Graduation page to ensure you are on track for graduation (please note specific information about the larger University Commencement may not be applicable to our ceremony).
- NOTE: Graduates who do not apply for graduation by March 20th are still welcome to attend our Economics Commencement Ceremony, however their names will unfortunately not be included in our programs for the event. This deadline is for the Economics Commencement Ceremony only, the University Commencement Ceremony may have different deadlines so please check their website for the most up-to-date information.

After you have completed the steps above, in 3–5 weeks the LSA Auditors will send a final audit of all your college, LSA, major and minor requirements to your umich email account.

**Note for those Studying Abroad** If you plan to be abroad during your final year, it is strongly suggested that you take care of your Major Release prior to leaving the country. Please review our Study Abroad pages for more information about studying abroad and transfering back credits.

About the Ceremony

The program begins with a Faculty and Graduate Processional, followed by a brief welcome and introduction to the Commencement Speaker. Following the Commencement Address, presentations begin of award recipients, Honors Candidates, and the Degree Candidates. At this time, each graduate will have their name announced as they walk across the stage to receive a congratulatory certificate (actual diplomas are mailed after a final audit by the Auditors Office). A photograph of each graduate will also be taken and available later (graduates, be sure to check your emails for more information about this!). The ceremony will conclude with a final farewell and Faculty Recessional. Graduates should be dressed in cap & gown for the event (see below under "Academic Attire").

Please allow 1.5-2 hours for the event itself. Doors open an hour before the start of the program and, as seats are unassigned, it is recommended to arrive early.

The venue does offer some seating for those with mobility limitations. Upon arrival, please seek out a staff member or usher for assistance. Please do try to come early so we can make our best effort to accommodate your needs. Please see "Graduate & Guest Arrival" below for more information.

Note: Graduates will not receive their diplomas at the Economics Commencement Ceremony (or at the U-M Commencement Ceremony). Diplomas are mailed by the Office of the Registrar some weeks after commencement, so please make sure your your permanent address in Wolverine Access is up to date. More information about diplomas can be found on the LSA Newnan Academic Advising Center's website.

Graduate & Guest Arrival

General Information:

Doors open at 5pm. Graduates* should arrive at Crisler Arena between 5-5:30pm and use the Northeast (main) Entrance. Guests are also welcome to arrive and begin seating at 5pm. Please see below for information about parking and accommodating guests with mobility concerns.

Graduates must check in at the Hall of Honors on the Concorse level (to the left of the MDen Store at the Northeast entrance). Staff will be present to direct graduates. At check-in, graduates will then be given name cards and be directed to their place in the procession line. These name cards are needed to be recognized as graduates cross the stage.

Graduates: If you are unable to walk up/down stairs, or have any other mobility concerns, please email econundergradoffice@umich.edu as soon as possible to arrange accommodation.

The MDen store in Crisler near the Northeast entrance will be open from 5-7:30pm.

*Economics Honors students will recieve alternate instructions. Please check your email in the days before the ceremony for more information.

Information for guests with limited mobility:

Seating in the Arena:

Chairs are stadium style with padded folding seats and plastic (slightly padded) backs. The first (top) row of the lower bowl are reserved for families of those with limited mobility, but do require going down a couple stairs.

Guests in wheelchairs may sit around the concourse. To allow room for our many guests with need for this type of seating, we allow one guest (with mobility limitations) plus one companion. Folding chairs will be available for those sitting in this area. The rest of the family members may sit directly in front of the guest(s) sitting on the concourse.

Concourse and reserved seating are on a first come, first served basis. We encourage those with wheelchairs to go around to the farther side of the concourse seating to allow those who walk, but cannot climb stairs to sit on the near-side concourse.

Wheelchairs:

Crisler will have Event Staff and a limited number of wheelchairs available to take guests with limited mobility up to the concourse. Guests are not able to use these wheelchairs during the ceremony. There will also be many Econ Dept and Crisler Event staff available if you need assistance pushing a wheelchair or helping someone with limited mobility.

Accessible parking:

Please see "Parking" below.

Parking

Parking is available free of charge in the Blue Lots surrounding Crisler Center (lots SC4, SC5, SC6, SC7; see map below). The Crisler Center lot has entrances on Stadium Boulevard and East Keech Avenue (off South Main Street) / Greene Street (off East Hoover Street). Note: graduates and guests will enter the center at the Northeast Entry only unless otherwise notified.

No parking areas are reserved specifically for the Economics Commencement Ceremony.

Overflow parking will be available in the Pioneer High School parking lot at no charge.

Parking for Persons with Disabilities

Parking is available for guests with disabilities outside the Northeast entrance of Crisler Center on a first-come, first-served basis. It can be accessed from Green Street and Stadium Boulevard. You must have a state-issued disability parking placard in order to use these spots.

Photos of the Ceremony

Academic Attire

Graduates participating in any U-M commencement must wear academic attire (i.e. cap & gown) which is not provided by the department. Such attire can be purchased from:

The Michigan Bookstore in the Union (734 205-2401)
The Michigan Bookstore on North Campus (734-668-6022)
Michiganensian Yearbook on Maynard St. (734-418-4115 x1247).

Please contact the individual bookstores for specific information on graduation attire.

Graduates may be standing until the ceremony begins (up to an hour) and walking up/down a long flight of stairs; please plan shoes accordingly. If you are unable to stand for long periods, walk up/down stairs, or have any other mobility concerns, please email econundergradoffice@umich.edu as soon as possible to arrange accommodation.

Note: LS&A undergraduate B.A. tassels should be white, B.S. should be gold; there is no specific color for Economics graduates. Tassels should be worn on the right side. Graduates are welcome to wear sashes, cords, tassels, etc., from their other programs or awards.

Honors Cords: Graduates who are part of the LSA Honors College will be given Honors cords at the Honors Commencement Ceremony. Genuine Honors cords cannot be purchased in the bookstores or online. Find out more about the Honors Commencement here.