The arena for each session was filled with students dressed in maroon and gold, and plenty of emotion. Families and friends of crowded the stands, cheering on the students as they entered and ultimately crossed the stage.

Their son, Andrew Lobsinger, earned his Bachelor’s in secondary education and social studies with a political science concentration from Central Michigan University Saturday afternoon, leaving his parents with a slew of emotions.

“Three years and just with a snap of a finger,” Robyn said. “(I’m) excited to see where he’s going to end up and all the lives he is going to touch becoming a teacher.”

“It seemed like we were just moving him in here on his first year,” Jeremy said. “I’ve seen a lot of growth out of him. A lot of strengthening and a lot of good work.

CMU celebrated over 2,400 graduating students during a series of commencement ceremonies at McGuirk Arena.

It took five celebrations over two days to confer the degrees of bachelor's, master's, doctor and M.D. On Friday, the College of Medicine and graduate students (those receiving their master's and doctoral degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees) took the stage in two separate events.

Saturday was the day to celebrate the bachelor's students, with the colleges of Business Administration and Liberal Arts and Social Sciences conferring degrees at 9 a.m.; the College of Education and Human Services and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions walking at 1:30 p.m.; and the colleges of Arts and Media and Science and Engineering graduating at 5:30 p.m.

The arena for each session was filled with students dressed in maroon and gold, beaming smiles and plenty of emotion. Families, friends and supporters crowded the stands, cheering on the students as they entered and ultimately crossed the stage.

Undergraduate Students

There are 1,371 undergraduates this spring who will be leaving campus to enter the workforce or to further their education.

Saturday’s commencement ceremonies were the start of a new chapter in graduates' lives, but they were also a time to celebrate and reflect on the years the students spent working to get their degrees.

During the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, Emily Paajanen received her bachelor’s in clinical exercise science and said that she is going to miss being surrounded by her friends.

“No matter where you go, you're always running into someone that you know and catching up with them and hanging out,” she said of the campus.

Brett Caswell, who graduated with a bachelor's in sports management, said he is going to miss the Mount Pleasant community.

“It was always super welcoming whenever we needed to do something for class or outside of class,” he said. “I’m definitely going to miss Mount Pleasant.”

This summer, Caswell will be working with the Saginaw Valley State University football team, helping manage incoming recruits and transfers.

For most, pursuing a degree is a step towards starting a career or moving up to a better position at a job.

Steve Vitale is 36 years old and works as inspector for different infrastructures across the state. He decided to get his bachelor's in community development with an eye toward moving up into a managing position at work.

“I kind of just put it off, took a long break from college and decided to wrap it up,” he said

Between work and raising a family, he took classes online and was still in shock that he was getting ready to walk in the commencement ceremony.

“It feels amazing," he said. “All these years of going to school at night and studying and dealing with the family, it’s starting to hit me … I’m finally here.”

Graduate and Doctoral Students

CMU awarded 835 master’s degrees and 189 doctoral degrees during Friday’s graduate student ceremony.

Shana Kingma, the student speaker for the ceremony earned a master's degree in higher education, administration and social justice. She spoke about her journey at CMU, ending with a call to action.

“Don't let this be only a degree, let it be a launch,” Kingma said. “Keep learning, keep questioning, keep showing up for others and for yourself. Believe in yourself. Speak up when it's hard, use your voice to lift someone else. Make the table longer.

"And when you're scared, when you feel like an impostor, or you're not sure you belong, look around. We did it. Remember today.”

Kennedy Klein graduated with a doctorate in physical therapy. She plans to take some time off after graduation but will return to work shortly after. Klein said her favorite memory at CMU was slow-pitch softball.

“We had a cohort team that we put together one summer, and that was a lot of fun,” Klein said.

Shawn Tang Jenkins graduated with her doctorate in education leadership. She praised the departmental support as key to her success.

“It was really tremendous. I wouldn't have made it if it weren't for the faculty,” she said.

Jenkins is currently the director of the Central West Michigan Region at Grand Valley State University and plans to continue her work at the university.

The support and pride from family and friends

Graduating is exciting for students, but it is also a day of celebration for the family, friends and relatives who helped support them through their colligate journey.

CMU Alumni Kerry and Kerry and Robert Conley are the parents of Emily Conley, who received her bachelor’s in education in upper elementary and special education. Kerry teared up when talking about her daughter’s time at her alma mater.

“CMU has been great for her,” she said. “I’m just so proud of her and everything she’s achieved and ... everything she's about to do.”

Robert agreed.

“It's just been a great experience and wonderful journey,” he said.