As the Fall 2017 semester wraps up, Ferris State University is set to graduate 1,050
students – with 660 scheduled to participate during two commencement ceremonies on
Saturday, Dec. 16 in Jim Wink Arena of the Ewigleben Sports Complex.
In keeping with tradition, the Fall 2017 commencement speaker is this year’s Distinguished Teacher Award recipient: John Scott Gray, a College of Arts, Sciences and Education professor of Philosophy. A resident of nearby Canadian Lakes, Gray arrived at Ferris in the fall of 2006, having earned his Bachelor of Arts, from Furman University, in Greenville, S.C.; a Master of Arts, from Baylor University, in Waco, Texas; and a Ph.D., from Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale. Gray, who will address graduates at both Saturday commencement sessions, was announced, in April, as this year’s Distinguished Teacher Award honoree.
Fall commencement is divided into two sessions. The first begins at 10 a.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. Session one highlights graduates from the colleges of Arts, Sciences and Education; Education and Human Services; and Engineering Technology.
The second and final commencement session starts at 1:30 p.m. with doors opening at 12:30 p.m. Recognized in the final session will be graduates from the colleges of Business and Health Professions.
The Doctorate in Community College Leadership, Kendall College of Art and Design, Michigan College of Optometry and College of Pharmacy host commencement ceremonies in May, only.
All students who plan to participate in this fall’s commencement may request up to seven e-tickets. E-Tickets are required for all commencement ceremonies, with exceptions for children 2 years old and younger. No extra tickets are distributed by the Commencement Office or individual college commencement coordinators. Lost tickets will not be replaced.
For people who are unable to attend commencement, but would still like to watch, the ceremonies will be streamed live, online. A live stream will be available, via Ferris Cable 22.
Click special accommodations for more information for attendees with special needs.
Click ticket information to learn more about requirements to attend ceremonies in Big Rapids.
Click commencement for general information about the ceremonies.
PHOTO CAPTION: More than 1,000 students will graduate at the end of Ferris State University's
Fall 2017 semester. Of the 1,000-plus who will graduate, more than 600 will participate
in the two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 16 in Big Rapids.