More than 3,000 students graduate with undergraduate and graduate degrees
A student waves to her family after receiving a bachelor's degree during commencement in McGuirk Arena.
Beginning at 9 a.m., more than 3,000 students donned caps and gowns to receive degrees from Central Michigan University.
Within three ceremonies, the crowd was made up of 2,504 undergraduate degree recipients and 1,122 graduate degree recipients. This included 150 international students from more than 20 countries. Ninety-five students graduated from the University Honors Program.
"Today, we look forward to all you will accomplish," said President George Ross, as he addressed CMU's new alumni. "You've been armed with the tools to model change we need in the world and make a positive difference."
McGuirk Arena was filled with parents, siblings and friends, taking photographs anxiously waiting for their graduate's name to be called.
At the 9 a.m. ceremony, Melanie Bergeron addressed students and received a honorary degree, Doctor of Commercial Science. Bergeron is a CMU alumna and chair of "Two Men and a Truck," a moving company in North America.
Bergeron spoke of several lessons she learned throughout her career, including those from various odd-jobs she worked before becoming chair.
"Do not compare yourself to others," she said. "Everyone's career journey is different."
At the 1 p.m. ceremony, documentary filmmaker Thomas Morgan spoke and received a honorary degree, Doctor of Public Service. Morgan is a CMU alumnus who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Before making films, Morgan worked as an investment banker and real estate developer.
"My degree was not a tour guide," Morgan said. "It was a backpack; it was tools to do with whatever I chose."
Morgan spoke of a film he is working on, "Waiting for Mamu," which shares the story of children growing up in prison with their incarcerated parents in Nepal. A woman there, Pushpa Basnet, opened a residential home for those children. Morgan's speech was concluded with a standing ovation from graduates and the audience.
When awards for Excellence in Teaching were given to various faculty members. Jeanneane Wood-Nartker, who receieved the award for her work in Human Environmental Studies, announced she would be donating the monetary value of her award to Basnet's home for children.
Joseph S. Francisco, dean of College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, spoke at the third and final ceremony. He is a researcher in many areas, including atmospheric chemistry, tropospheric and stratospheric chemical kinetics and modeling, and several others. Francisco also received a honorary degree, Doctor of Science.
