May 7, 2026
Ferris State President Pink, daughter Lydia, to share special moment during Spring 2026 commencement
Ferris State University President Bill Pink has celebrated many commencement ceremonies throughout his career in higher education, but this weekend’s ceremonies will carry a deeply personal meaning. Among the nearly 1,500 graduates crossing the stage will be his daughter, Lydia.
Ferris State’s 157th commencement will feature four ceremonies over two days beginning Friday, marking a milestone not only for graduates and their families, but also for a university community continuing to celebrate students whose educational journeys were shaped by unprecedented challenges.
Although President Pink is preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime family moment, he said the ceremonies are especially meaningful because many graduates never experienced a traditional high school commencement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions.
Whether students attended classes online during high school, missed milestone celebrations, or overcame other obstacles, Pink said this weekend represents more than the awarding of degrees.
“I was reminded by one of our graduates just last week that she didn’t have a graduation in high school. That reminded me we’re still in that space of students who didn’t have it,” Pink said. “So, that makes this weekend’s ceremonies just that much more important and special for not only our university, but some of our students who are experiencing their first. We have to make it meaningful and memorable for them.”
For Lydia Pink, commencement will blend family pride with academic accomplishment in a way few graduates ever experience. When she walks across the stage, her diploma will be handed to her by her father.
Lydia said her parents never pressured her to attend Ferris State, but staying close to family and learning more about the university made the decision feel right.
“I knew I wouldn’t want to leave the Grand Rapids area or be away from family. So the more my dad talked about Ferris, and we got to learn about the university, seeing how successful Ferris is, that really helped make my decision to say, ‘I’ll be a Bulldog,’” Lydia said.
Sharing the same university experience strengthened the bond between father and daughter while also allowing each of them to grow independently.
For President Pink, having a child attend Ferris State provided a unique perspective into the student experience. Beyond lunches and campus events together, he was able to witness firsthand the challenges, growth and accomplishments students experience throughout their college years — something he said has helped him better connect with Bulldogs across campus.
Lydia said her father’s support has been invaluable, but she also credits her mother, Lori, as the foundation of their family’s success.
“She is always happy, always present, and honestly the biggest Bulldog there is. Honestly, she’s the backbone of our family. What would my dad and I be without her support? She’s a huge part of both of our stories,” Lydia said.
That family support helped Lydia thrive academically in Ferris State’s College of Health Professions. During commencement, she will receive a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Science, an associate degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and a certificate in Gerontology.
Lydia said her parents always encouraged her while also allowing her the independence to grow on her own — especially during one of the most demanding stretches of her education.
She spent part of her college experience living in Indiana while completing a full-time internship at Goshen Hospital, balancing professional responsibilities with coursework and maintaining connections to her friends and life in West Michigan.
As Lydia prepares to complete her internship this summer and celebrate commencement, she said the memories she created at Ferris are ones she will carry forever. Among her favorites was attending the 2025 National Football Championship game with the people closest to her — her mom, dad, boyfriend and friends.
Still, she admits Friday’s commencement ceremony could surpass even that memory.
“I love the unique experience of it, and he gets to enjoy it in a different way. How many people can say their parent is the one, on a collegiate level, to hand them their diploma?” Lydia said. “I’ll probably be crying as I walk across the stage. To have both my mom and dad literally be at the forefront of me graduating, it’s going to be overwhelming.”
President Pink said that after more than three decades working in higher education, this moment will stand apart from all the others.
“Never have I had the honor to hand my own child their degree. We will have our moment on stage, whatever that looks and sounds like, but we’ll take a few seconds to live in it,” he said.
This year’s Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies will take place across two days in Big Rapids.
On Friday, May 8, at 3 p.m., ceremonies will be held for the College of Health Professions, Doctorate in Community College Leadership, College of Pharmacy and Michigan College of Optometry. The College of Engineering Technology and Kendall College of Art and Design ceremonies will follow at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, May 9, students from the College of Arts, Sciences and Education and University College will celebrate at 10 a.m., followed by the College of Business ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
All Big Rapids ceremonies will take place at the R.L. Ewigleben Sports Complex, 210 Sports Drive.
Saturday will also feature a celebration for Ferris State’s Ready for Life students earning certificates of completion. In collaboration with Ferris State, Ready for Life Academy provides a postsecondary educational experience on the Big Rapids campus for college-aged individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Those unable to attend in person can watch the ceremonies via livestream on the Ferris State YouTube channel.
More details are available on the Ferris State commencement webpage.