Pictured in this photo is Ferris State University President Bill Pink (right) and
Vice President for Student Affairs Jeanine Ward-Roof (left) at the Fall 2022 commencement
ceremonies. President Pink was recovering from surgery in December, but is look forward
to his first spring commencement this May.
Ferris State University will wrap up its 2022-23 academic year with spring commencement ceremonies Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, in Big Rapids. Ferris expects to graduate approximately 1,580 students this semester with degrees and certificates, including 1,455 planning to take part in five ceremonies during a two-day period in Jim Wink Arena of the Ewigleben Sports Complex.
On Friday, May 5, commencement ceremonies start with a 3:30 p.m. ceremony for the Michigan College of Optometry and the College of Health Professions, followed by a 7 p.m. ceremony for graduates of the Doctorate in Community College Leadership and College of Pharmacy. Commencement resumes on Saturday, May 6, with a 9 a.m. session for the College of Engineering Technology, 12:30 p.m. for the College of Business and a 4 p.m. for the College of Arts, Sciences and Education.
President Bill Pink will lead his second commencement and his first spring commencement since coming to Ferris.
“This is special. Commencement is one of the most exciting times of the year. This one is extra-special for me because it’s my first spring commencement here at Ferris State University,” Pink said. “It’s an honor to celebrate our students for this significant academic achievement that shows their excellence, resilience and persistence to make it to this moment to receive their degree from Ferris and to become alumni of our university. I look forward to celebrating them, and I look forward to celebrating this important moment in their lives with them.”
Students taking part in Spring 2023 commencement ceremonies can receive up to six electronic tickets. No extra e-tickets will be distributed by the Commencement Office or the individual college commencement coordinators. Likewise, lost tickets will not be replaced. Guests who do not have tickets can watch the ceremonies via a live stream on the Commencement Office website. Click for more information.
E-tickets are required to attend all Big Rapids commencement ceremonies. Children 2 years old and younger do not need a ticket.
Kendall College of Art and Design hosts its commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (600 Forest Hills Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546), beginning at 10 a.m. KCAD commencement will celebrate graduates from December 2022, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023. Tickets are required to attend. Each graduate can reserve up to six tickets for their supporters. After the initial distribution, a ticket lottery will be held for those interested in additional tickets. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the KCAD website and Facebook page for people who cannot attend in person. KCAD’s 2023 Annual Student Exhibitions are on view to the public in Grand Rapids (17 Fountain St. NW) from Tuesday, May 1, through Saturday, May 6. The opening reception is Wednesday, May 2, from 4 to 7 p.m.
“We can’t wait to place our graduating students center stage and showcase the incredible work they have been creating over the past year,” KCAD President Tara McCrackin said. “Their passion, curiosity, and dedication to excellence remind us that students are the driving force behind everything we do here at KCAD, and I am continually inspired by their boundless potential to create meaningful change in the world.”
For people interested in but unable to attend commencement, the Ferris Big Rapids ceremonies are streamed live via the Ferris State Video YouTube channel. Watch the online stream by clicking the link. That live stream will be courtesy of Ferris Cable 22.
Visit the commencement website for more information.