Commencement ceremonies for Michigan State University’s 17 different colleges begin this weekend with the first undergraduate programs scheduled for Friday, April 26. James Madison College will celebrate its commencement at Wharton Center at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 27.
Among those graduating is Lily Zuber, a senior from Flushing, Michigan. Zuber is earning her degree in social relations and policy in James Madison and will earn her teaching certification in secondary education social studies from the College of Education following her teaching internship in the fall.
For Zuber, commencement marks the next step as she prepares for a yearlong teaching internship in the Lansing area.
“I am incredibly excited to begin my student teaching internship, though I will miss my Madison professors who have taught me I can change the world — even a small piece of it,” said Zuber.
Convocation for students earning Baccalaureate degrees is scheduled for 1 p.m., April 26 at Breslin Student Events Center. Ceremonies for more than 9,500 students will be livestreamed, and a schedule can be found on the MSU Commencement page.
Of the total 6,849 undergraduate degree candidates, James Madison College will confer degrees of 210 students this spring.
Featured speakers include JMC alumnus Bill Beekman (JMCD ’89), vice president of strategic initiatives at Michigan State University.
“I use the skills I learned in Madison every day: how to listen as objectively as possible to understand the facts before crafting your own argument or position, how to look at a problem from different viewpoints and perspectives, how to constructively engage in a conversation with someone who sees the world differently than you do and, whether you end up ultimately agreeing or not, being able to maintain a friendship,” said Beekman.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts in justice, morality and constitutional democracy in Madison, Beekman earned his J.D. from Wayne State University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
I use the skills I learned in Madison every day: how to listen as objectively as possible to understand the facts before crafting your own argument or position, how to look at a problem from different viewpoints and perspectives...
Bill Beekman is JMC's featured commencement speaker.
“I look forward to sharing with graduates a few lessons I’ve learned over the course of my almost 29-year career here at MSU,” Beekman said.
JMC’s spring 2024 student commencement speaker is Ellie Friedman (SRP ’24). Friedman was selected by a committee consisting of faculty, staff and peers.
Zuber, who has served as president of JMC Student Senate this year, also was part of the selection committee.
“I have known Ellie since before we were students in Madison and, even then, I knew she would be an incredibly successful, hardworking and vital part of the JMC community,” said Zuber. “It’s been amazing to see how critical her work as a TA for MC 201 and as part of the JMC Writing Center has been for the students in our college.”
Ellie decided to apply to be her class’s commencement speaker despite doubts about whether or not she was writing the speech correctly.
Ellie Friedman is the 2024 student commencement speaker.
[Ellie] also delights in other people's successes and, at the center of her life, is making people feel included. I am a better person for witnessing her generosity, her patience and her kindness with students in JMC." — Melissa Fore, associate professor
“It’s important to go for opportunities and not be afraid of rejection,” said Friedman. “I had to think about what a commencement speech looks like since I didn’t have a high school graduation, so I took some time over spring break to think about that and write down what I thought I’d want to say to my peers, faculty and audience members.
My speech is structured largely around what I’ve said to first-year students I work with through the Writing Center and MC 201 as a TA. I have three go-to tips I give them, and they apply to us as we graduate.”
Associate Professor Melissa Fore, director of the JMC Writing Center, will be introducing Friedman to commencement attendees.
"Ellie is forever curious, loves to learn and is a deep critical thinker," said Fore.
"She also delights in other people's successes and, at the center of her life, is making people feel included. I am a better person for witnessing her generosity, her patience and her kindness with students in JMC."
For the safety of attendees, no bags or purses will be allowed in Breslin Center, Wharton Center and MSU Auditorium for commencement ceremonies. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but cases are prohibited. No food or beverages — including bottled water — will be allowed and this applies to graduates, guests and faculty.
For more information about spring commencement, visit the Michigan State University Commencement website.