Commencement
Congratulations Class of 2025!
Stay tuned for full coverage following the 2025 Commencement ceremonies, including photo galleries, live stream replays, graduate profiles, social media coverage, and more!
First Destination Survey
Graduating class of 2025,
Detroit Mercy’s Center for Career & Professional Development requests your assistance in helping to identify trends in the employment, continuing education, and earning potential of our graduates. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the 2024-25 First Destination Survey.
Graduate (Master, Doctoral, Specialist)
The responses you provide are strictly confidential and are used by your college/school to assess student outcomes. If you are still seeking employment contact the Center for Career & Professional Development for job search assistance at 313-993-1017 or careerlink@udmercy.edu.
Class of 2025 Profiles
Mark Formosa '25
For Mark Formosa, Detroit Mercy “awakened” him to the power of faith-guided decision-making. His core values blossomed at UDM, where he found a tight-knit environment that supported his personal and intellectual development.
Steven Meerschaert '25
Steven Meerschaert '25 didn't anticipate being involved outside of the classroom at Detroit Mercy Law, but when he arrived he quickly found himself deeply immersed in organizations, community and causes within the school.
Zaynab Alhisnawi '25
Zaynab Alhisnawi was drawn to UDM because of its values of compassion, respect for all voices and meaningful engagement. These aspects aligned with Alhisnawi’s approach to design, one that encompasses the concept of working with and for community members and integrating their perspectives and spirit into her designs.
Cristal Guzman '25
Moments from Cristal Guzman's childhood sparked her interest in making a difference through advocacy and the law. They also inspired her to create a welcoming community at UDM, where she’s served as a campus leader.
Courtney Christian '25
Growing up outside of Detroit, Courtney Christian’s early life was steeped in a family tradition of medicine. Her mother, as well her mother's side of the family, work in the field of medicine. Naturally, Christian followed suit by studying at UDM's College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing.
Jeanette Andrade '25
Jeanette Andrade ’25 wants to help people. It’s what she envisions doing with her Dental Hygiene degree from Detroit Mercy’s School of Dentistry. But before helping others and finishing her degree, Andrade needed to pause her studies so she could take care of herself.
Commencement programs
Commencement maps/directions
Commencement Speakers
Undergrad, Graduate Ceremony
James E. White
CEO, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
James E. White is a servant leader dedicated to providing exemplary behavioral health services to the citizens of Detroit and Wayne County. As president and CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, White works to drive sustainable growth for the agency by improving access and availability to services, strengthening the provider network and ensuring individuals know there is help available to anyone who is struggling with mental health, substance use or disability concerns.
White spent the majority of his career as a public servant, starting in the Detroit Police Department in 1996, working his way up to police chief, a position he held for four years.
He was also executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, bridging his work in law enforcement with protecting the rights of Michigan residents working to bring awareness and inclusion in everything from housing and education to public services in underrepresented communities.
School of Dentistry Ceremony
Cheri Newman, D.D.S. ’89, ’90, ’98
Faculty, Detroit Mercy Dental
Cheri Newman has worked in private practice at Village Place Dental and her own practice and is an adjunct faculty member at Detroit Mercy Dental.
Newman’s work focuses on dental services for special needs patients, and she coordinates a clinic for these unique patients every week at Detroit Mercy Dental. Each year, she runs a weeklong outreach program to provide dental services for disabled adults at Bay Cliff Health Camp, which helps people with disabilities achieve greater independence. Her inclusion of Detroit Mercy Dental students in this community service is both meaningful and educational.
Newman is a past president of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, an international honorary dental service organization founded in 1936 and is a member or board member of many local and national dental organizations.
School of Law Ceremony
Gary Peters ’84
U.S. Senator
Gary Peters has dedicated his life to public service, combining a rich educational background with a career that includes positions in business, academics and politics. His four degrees include an MBA from University of Detroit and a J.D. from Wayne State University.
Peters served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1993 to 2008, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his service, he supported Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf. After the events of September 11, 2001, he again served overseas.
He served as an assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch and a vice president at Paine Webber and was the third Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University from 2007-08. His other academic positions include teaching finance and strategic management and business policy.
Peters has served as an elected representative since 1993 at the city, state and national levels and is the senior senator from Michigan, serving in the U.S. Senate since 2014. He is currently serving his last term, having announced he will not run again for the Senate.
Socials and Staying Connected
Share photos and videos on social media by tagging @detmercy on X or Instagram and using #DetroitMercy2025.
Remember to update your email and mailing address for access to event invitations, monthly alumni e-newsletters, our alumni magazine Spiritus twice a year and other important University updates and opportunities. Stay connected with your classmates with Forever Titans.
Congratulations, Class of 2025 and GO TITANS!