Western celebrates fall 2023 graduates Dec. 16; Dunn, Penn will receive honorary degrees
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will grant students nearly 1,200 degrees, including 900 degrees at the bachelor's level, more than 200 at the master's level, 55 at the doctoral level and six specialist degrees, during commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 16.
Graduates hail from 34 countries and will participate in one of three programs beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) at Miller Auditorium.
President Emeritus John M. Dunn will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the 9 a.m. ceremony. Dunn served as Western’s eighth president from 2007 to 2017, leading projects such as the establishment of the Seita Scholars Program, founding of the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and expansion of WMU's national and international reputation in the area of sustainability.
Late Board of Trustees Vice Chair Shani J. Penn will receive a posthumous honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the noon ceremony. Penn, who passed away in August, was a graduate of Western, an esteemed resident of Detroit and a champion to Southeast Michigan.
9 a.m.—College of Education and Human Development and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Noon— College of Health and Human Services, Haworth College of Business and Merze Tate College
3 p.m.— College of Arts and Sciences, College of Aviation and College of Fine Arts
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 webpage.
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.