Michigan State University will celebrate over 10,000 graduates during commencement ceremonies across baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and professional programs at the Breslin Student Events Center and Wharton Center for Performing Arts beginning May 1.
“Commencement is an opportunity to celebrate our students’ achievements and reflect on the unique journeys that they’ve each taken to reach this moment,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “I am proud to salute the class of 2025 and look forward to seeing how they enrich their communities and the world around them.”
This semester, the 7,331 bachelor’s degree candidates represent 79 of Michigan’s counties, all 50 states and 57 countries. Among those baccalaureate degrees are 850 members of the Honors College, 128 student-athletes and 39 veterans. This year’s graduating class ranges in age from 19 to 56 years old.
This graduating class also boasts 275 graduates earning the highest scholastic average one can achieve — a 4.0 GPA. The students received the Board of Trustees Award for their academic excellence at the April 11 board meeting and will receive recognition at their college ceremonies.
Ceremonies will take place between Thursday , May 1, and Sunday, May 4, at either the Breslin Center or Wharton Center. Specific ceremony information, including professional programs, is available on the MSU commencement website.
Convocation will take place on Friday, May 2, at 12:30 p.m. at Breslin Center and will include remarks from Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage and former MSU basketball player. The ceremony serves as a kickoff to the commencement events. All spring 2025 baccalaureate degree candidates are invited to participate in convocation as well as their individual program’s degree commencement ceremony.
Other speakers at Friday’s commencement ceremonies include Deirdre O’Brien, senior vice president of retail and people at Apple, who will address master’s and educational specialist degree recipients at the 9 a.m. ceremony, and James Spaniolo will address MSU’s doctoral candidates, including those earning degrees in philosophy, education, nursing practice and musical arts at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony. Spaniolo served as dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences before assuming the role of president at the University of Texas, Arlington.
Commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed and available to view via MSU’s commencement ceremonies web page. Social media users can follow the ceremonies on X, formerly known as Twitter, and other social media platforms using #SpartanGrad25.
Family, friends and fellow alums will be able to honor graduating students by submitting personalized messages and photos to be displayed on stage prior to the ceremonies. Supporters can submit their well wishes online now through graduation day. Each ceremony below at Breslin Center has a unique link for message submissions.
Master and Education Specialists
Communication Arts and Sciences
Agriculture and Natural Resources
For the safety of all attendees, only small, transparent bags are allowed at the ceremonies. Cameras, camcorders and certain carrying cases are also permitted. No food or beverages — including bottled water — will be allowed, and this applies to graduates, guests and faculty. Facilities will offer a limited concessions menu during the ceremonies. Additional prohibited items include noisemakers, selfie sticks, pets, signs and weapons of any form.
