Michigan State University will host commencement ceremonies this weekend at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on the corner of Harrison Road and Kalamazoo Street.
There are a total of 1,693 undergraduate degree candidates and 746 advanced degree candidates. The College of Social Science has the most undergraduate degree candidates with 356.
The advanced degree ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday and Teresa Sullivan, president of the University of Virginia, will deliver the commencement address. She will receive an honorary doctorate of laws. Also receiving an honorary doctorate of laws will be Robert Clark Jr., a retired Mississippi legislator and civil rights advocate.
George Will, Washington Post columnist, will speak at the undergraduate ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday. He will receive an honorary doctorate of humanities. In addition, the Rev. James Wallis, spiritual adviser to President Barack Obama, will receive an honorary doctorate of humanities at that ceremony.
Then, at 2 p.m. Saturday, filmmaker Michael Moore will speak, receiving an honorary doctorate of humanities. Also at that ceremony, Kristin Clark Taylor, White House director of media relations under former President George H.W. Bush, will earn an honorary doctorate of humanities.
More information on the speakers and honorary degree recipients can be found at MSUToday.
Consistent with Breslin Center policy, all bags will be subject to search. No food or beverages – including bottled water – will be allowed into Breslin Center, and this applies to graduates, guests and faculty participating in the ceremonies. As such, Breslin will offer a limited menu of concessions for sale one hour prior to the start of ceremonies and during the first hour of ceremonies. Additional prohibited items include large cameras, recording devices, noisemakers, sticks, pets, signs or weapons of any form. Smoking also is prohibited at the Breslin Center.
Also, anyone who disrupts the commencement ceremonies from inside the Breslin Center will be removed by police and could face arrest. Those who prevent attendees from entering the building also will be removed from the premises and could face arrest. Per MSU policy, those wishing to protest a commencement speaker will be allowed to do so peacefully outside the Breslin Center or inside the building, as long as they do not block entrances or exits to the building or disrupt the ceremony in any way.
Media Parking
Parking passes for media are available from 9 a.m. Thursday to noon Friday at the Media Communications Office, 408 W. Circle Drive, Room 403, Olds Hall. Media parking is available in the west side of Lot 63 off Harrison Road, immediately south of the Breslin Center. Media must obtain a parking pass from Media Communications. This pass must be displayed to enter the lot.
Breslin Center Entry
Media must be credentialed and should enter through the ticket entrance on the east side of the building. Media will be accommodated on Platform 111. An audio feed will be available.