MSU graduates 4,700 Spartans during fall commencement ceremonies 

As the fall 2025 semester comes to a close, 4,761 MSU students will be graduating during this weekend’s commencement ceremonies.

Of the more than 4,700 students graduating, 3,275 bachelor’s degree candidates represent 71 of Michigan’s counties, 38 U.S. states and 42 countries. Among those, 76 are student-athletes. Graduates range in age from 20 to 64 years old. Fifty-one students will be graduating with more than one bachelor’s degree.

“I want to congratulate the class of 2025, as our soon-to-be Spartan alumni begin exciting, new chapters in their lives,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “While each of our graduates will follow a unique path forward, their Spartan roots of problem-solving, forward thinking and lifelong curiosity will continue to guide them. I wish our graduates a lifetime of success, happiness and good health.”

Commencement speakers

Joan Rose, Ph.D., Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research and director of the Water Alliance, will address advanced degree recipients on Friday, Dec. 12. Rose is internationally recognized for her work in water microbiology and public health, improving wastewater treatment and water safety across the globe.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, during the 9 a.m. ceremony, Lee June, Ph.D., will address graduates from the arts and humanities (residential college), arts and letters, education, James Madison, music, nursing and social science. June, a scholar and educator for more than 50 years at MSU, has advanced multicultural and spiritual psychology, mentored countless students and higher education professionals, and championed equity and inclusion through leadership roles across the university.

At noon on Saturday, accomplished alumnus Kevin Conroy, CEO and chairman of Exact Sciences, will address graduates from engineering, Lyman Briggs and natural science. Conroy has driven innovation at Exact Sciences, including the development of Cologuard, which has advanced early colorectal cancer detection.

Kim Wilcox, Ph.D., former provost at MSU and retired chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, will inspire graduates from agriculture and natural resources, communication arts and sciences, and business during Saturday’s 3 p.m. ceremony. Wilcox has led transformative initiatives that expanded faculty, increased research funding and improved graduation rates, demonstrating a career-long commitment to student success and institutional excellence.

Additional information, including speaker biographies, is available on MSUToday.

Important reminders

All ceremonies will be held at the Breslin Student Events Center at 534 Birch Road on the East Lansing campus. The events will be livestreamed and available to view via MSU’s commencement ceremonies web page. Social media users can follow the ceremonies on social media platforms using #SpartanGrad25.

For the safety of attendees, only small transparent bags are allowed. Cameras, camcorders and certain carrying cases also are permitted. More information about the bag policy is available on the Breslin Center’s website. Breslin Center will offer a limited concessions menu during the ceremonies. Additional prohibited items include noisemakers, selfie sticks, pets, signs and weapons of any form. Breslin Center is a smoke-free facility. Metal detectors will screen all attendees, so please plan accordingly.