Commencement & Graduation

Each year, the Department of Economics holds a special commencement exclusively for its students. Our commencement will be held Thursday, May 1st, 2025, from 6-8 P.M. at the Crisler Arena.

Caps and gowns are required. The program begins with a faculty and graduate processional. 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). You will want to allow 1.5-2 hours for the event. Doors open at 5:00 P.M.; the event will likely be very full, so arrive as early as possible.

Tickets will be required for this event. There is no limit to the number of guests allowed.

Our 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker will be Chris Cramer (A.B. Economics, '93)!

Chris currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Claire's Stores, Inc., a $1B+ retailer and consumer products company with over 2,500 stores worldwide. Immediately prior to his current role, Chris served in a short-term role as President of Parade, Inc., a Gen Z fashion lingerie and apparel retailer. Before this, he served as chief operating officer for Bath & Body Works, Inc., a $7+Billion dollar in sales global retailer. In addition to his role as chief operating officer, Chris held a variety of leadership roles within corporate and brand management at Bath & Body Works, including executive vice president and general manager for Bath & Body Works Direct (the ecommerce business unit of Bath & Body Works), executive vice president, merchandise planning & allocation and customer marketing insights, and senior vice president and chief financial officer for Bath & Body Works. He joined Bath & Body Works in 2005 when it was part of L Brands, having previously joined L Brands in 2001.

Prior to joining Bath & Body Works/L Brands, Chris worked in financial management roles with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and he started his career with Accenture (Andersen Consulting) in systems integration consulting.

Chris holds an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University and serves on the school's Dean's Leadership Committee. He also serves on the University of Michigan LSA Dean's Advisory Council as a member of the Executive Committee and as a member of the Economics Department Leadership Council. He resides in the greater Chicago area with his wife and has two adult children.

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.

Prohibited Items in Crisler Arena

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 (Virtual Office Hours: M, Tu, Th 2-3pm, W 10-11am 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 20th 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

Doors open at 5pm.

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

Graduates should arrive at Crisler Arena at 5pm and use the Northeast (main) Entrance. Guests are also welcome to arrive and begin seating at 5pm.

Graduates* must check in at the Will Call Ticket Area of the Northeast entrance. You will then be given your name and photo cards, and directed to your place in the procession line. Your name and photo cards are needed as you cross the stage to be recognized.

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

Guests with Special Needs

Students with Special Needs

If you cannot walk down stairs or have any special needs not mentioned below, please contact econundergradoffice@umich.edu as soon as possible.

Parking

There are 60 handicap parking spaces available in front of the NE (main) entrance of Crisler on a first come, first served basis. Guests can also be dropped off and picked up at the NE Entrance. If parking at Crisler fills, overflow parking will be available at Pioneer High School (free of charge).

Entrance/Time of Arrival

All graduates and guests use the NE Entrance. Guests with limited mobility or other accessibility needs may enter at 4:40pm, along with their party. All other guests and graduates must enter at 5pm.

Stairs/Limited Mobility

Just inside the NE Entrance, there is an escalator and a small elevator that will take guests to the third (concourse) level. The closest entrance to the seating area is entrance B (between sections 104 & 101). This seating area is on the east side of Crisler and the stage will be on the south side of the arena floor.

Wheelchairs

Crisler will have 10-12 wheelchairs and Event Staff 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.

Strollers

Guests bringing strollers to the ceremony should store them at Guest Services on the Concourse at Crisler, and pick them up when the ceremony concludes.

Seating within the Arena

Chairs are stadium style with padded folding seats and plastic (slightly padded) backs. The first two (top) rows of the lower bowl are reserved for families of those with mobility issues, 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.

Closed Captioning

We will provide closed captioning on the Jumbotron for guests with hearing impairments.

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.