Western to confer more than 2,300 degrees during spring 2023 commencement ceremonies April 29

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will grant students nearly 1,800 degrees at the bachelor's level, over 430 at the master's level, more than 100 at the doctoral level and one specialist degree during commencement ceremonies Saturday, April 29.

Graduates hail from 50 countries and will participate in one of four programs beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) at Miller Auditorium.

Former Congressman Fred Upton will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the first ceremony. Upton retired in January after serving 36 years in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 6th District, which included the areas of Kalamazoo, Portage, Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.

• 9 a.m.— College of Education and Human Development and College of Fine Arts

• Noon—College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and College of Health and Human Services

• 3 p.m.—College of Aviation and Haworth College of Business

• 6 p.m.—College of Arts and Sciences and Merze Tate College

In addition to the conferring of degrees and presentation of graduates, President Edward Montgomery and Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will speak. There will be vignettes on graduate success and a tribute to graduates.

All guests, including family members and children of any age, must have a ticket to enter Miller Auditorium. Seating in the auditorium is limited; all seats are general admission. Guests without tickets may view the ceremony livestream or watch the ceremony on a large screen in Brown Hall. More information is available on the Commencement website.

WMU conducts formal graduation exercises after the fall and spring semesters and the summer I session, although students also may graduate after the summer II session.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.