Titan Class of 2020
Congratulations to all University of Detroit Mercy students who completed their studies and earned their degrees and certificates! Detroit Mercy is rolling out the virtual red (and blue) carpet celebrating the Titan Class of 2020 all throughout May. Join us here and on socials as we share our excitement across the Internet and recognize the tremendous accomplishments of our graduating students.
To be featured on our social media wall, post a photo, video, celebratory message, shout-out or send-off on Instagram or Twitter with #DetroitMercy2020. We encourage parents, friends, fellow graduates, colleagues, professors and alumni to join this virtual graduation party and shout out congrats as well!
Detroit Mercy is also looking into how we can more formally honor your achievements in the near future. Please stay tuned for more details as plans develop. See below for College/School celebrations and digital recognition, student spotlight stories, video highlights, celebrity salutes, downloads and more.
Congratulations, Class of 2020 and GO TITANS!
College and School information and digital celebrations
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Honors Convocation recognition
The Honors Convocation page recognizes graduating students who received University-wide and college- and program-specific honors. Congratulations Class of 2020 honorees!
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College of Engineering & Science virtual celebration, May 12
College of Engineering & Science (CES) invites graduating CES students and their families to a virtual celebration, honoring the Class of 2020 on Tuesday, May 12 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Register online to join the College of Engineering & Science Virtual Senior Recognition Event and receive the Zoom link.
The virtual event will include:
- Welcome from the Dean
- Welcome and prayer from two senior students
- Senior Messages - Please email a single PowerPoint slide with your message to austinad1@udmercy.edu.
- Department Awards
- Senior Slide Show - Please upload pictures for the slide show on the CES Student Photos site.
- Detroit Mercy Trivia
If you have any questions or concerns, please email austinad1@udmercy.edu. The College of Engineering & Science looks forward to celebrating with its students on May 12!
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School of Dentistry graduation website
A congratulatory message from Detroit Mercy Dental Dean Mert Aksu and employees:
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
As you take the final steps to complete your academic programs, we invite you to pause for reflection on your accomplishments. Your faculty, staff and administrators at the School of Dentistry are thinking of you today and every day. We are so proud of your hard work in your programs and wish we were together in Calihan Hall to celebrate together today (May 8). We look forward to seeing you soon to complete your programs and to appropriately honor your accomplishments. Continue the celebration with more videos and photos on our Detroit Mercy Dental graduation website!
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School of Law recognition and video
A congratulatory message from Detroit Mercy Law Dean Phyllis Crocker and employees:
Dear Students,
Today, May 8, should have been our commencement ceremony celebrating the Detroit Mercy Law Class of 2020. We are proud of all that our graduating students have accomplished. We know your last semester in law school didn't look like what any of you (or any of us) expected, but you have all excelled in so many ways. You overcame unexpected challenges and made it to today. Well done. The faculty, administration and staff put together this video to recognize our graduating class. We look forward to when we can all come together in person to celebrate your great accomplishment. Congratulations!
Congratulations Detroit Mercy Law Class of 2020 from Detroit Mercy Law on Vimeo.
Graduating Student Spotlights
2020 Valedictorian Sarah Hirschmann
Congrats to Sarah Hirschmann on being named Detroit Mercy's 2020 valedictorian. Hirschmann is not too disappointed that her senior year at University of Detroit Mercy was cut short by a global pandemic. She’s not even disappointed that, as valedictorian, she will not be giving the address she worked so hard on.
2020 Vivere ex Missione Awards
Detroit Mercy is pleased to honor the winners of the 2020 annual Vivere ex Missione Award, which is typically presented each year during commencement exercises to graduating students who best exemplify the mission of Detroit Mercy. This year’s winners are Dohna A. Dudley (College of Business Administration undergraduate student), Vania I. Noguez (College of Business Administration graduate student), Veronica Beltran (School of Law) and Bilal M. Ibrahim (School of Dentistry).
Brynne Gustafson
When choosing which college she wanted attend, Brynne Gustafson’s wish-list was concise: study engineering at a small university and be involved in something outside of the classroom. University of Detroit Mercy checked all Gustafson’s boxes back in 2016, and four years later, she leaves the McNichols Campus well equipped for the professional world and with lots of memories.
Mitchell Mims
Mitchell Mims graduates this month with credentials most students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology don’t have: A published research paper in a national, peer-reviewed journal. The paper discusses the results of tests on a device that monitors the flow of spinal fluid through shunts in patients with hydrocephalus. It’s a subject that has long been on Mims’ mind: His twin brother, Marcus, also listed as an author on the paper, is living with hydrocephalus.
Nick Summerlee
Every college graduate has obstacles they have to overcome along the way; Nick Summerlee’s list just happens to be longer than most. Summerlee was a high school dropout. He fought in the Iraq War and, as a result, battled mental illness. But through it all, Summerlee kept on fighting, believing in himself and earned a bachelor of science in Biology from University of Detroit Mercy this year.
Victoria Ryce
Life as a traditional college student has its share of challenges. Attending college while working full-time and raising children adds more layers of complexity. Victoria Ryce knows this all too well. The sleepless nights, the sacrifices, the hectic balancing act — you name it. But for Ryce, the prize is worthwhile.
Digital Downloads
Celebrities Salute the Class of 2020
#Graduation2020
Facebook and Instragram host a graduation stream honoring Detroit Mercy's Class of 2020 with celebrity speeches and musical performances by Oprah Winfrey, Awkwafina, Miley Cyrus and more!
#ImStillGraduating
#ImStillGraduating, presented by Her Campus, recognizes the Class of 2020 in a virtual ceremony with celebrity guests including Liam Payne, Eva Longoria, Jesse McCartney, Gouplove, Margaret Cho and many more!
iHeartRadio
iHeartMedia celebrates and acknowledges the Titan Class of 2020 with a series of celebrity speeches available online. Speakers include Jimmy Fallon, John Legend, DJ Khaled and more!
Recognizing the Class of 2020
Members of the Detroit Mercy Alumni Board and fellow Titan alumni share congratulatory messages for the Class of 2020 20 words or less.
University Ministry shares a "transitional blessing" to the Class of 2020.
University of Detroit Mercy President Antoine M. Garibaldi recognizes and congratulates the Titan Class of 2020.
On behalf of the Detroit Mercy Alumni Board, Chair Kate McCarroll '98 congratulates the Titan Class of 2020.
The Department of Performing Arts and Detroit Mercy Theatre Company give a standing ovation to Andrew Guay, Dalton Hahn, DeShawn King, Savanah Wright and all Class of 2020 graduates.
Assistant Director of Student Life Liz Mazorowicz congratulates the Titan Class of 2020.
Associate Dean of Students Dorothy Stewart congratulates the Titan Class of 2020 and senior Dohna Dudley.
Detroit Mercy Campus Kitchen and Grace Gamble congratulate the Titan Class of 2020 and senior Melba Dearing.
The Health Information Management & Technology program congratulates the Titan Class of 2020 and senior Victoria Ryce.
Director of University Ministry Anita Klueg congratulates the Titan Class of 2020 and senior Sarah Purifoy.
Associate Professor of Biology Stephanie Conant congratulates the Titan Class of 2020 and senior Sarah Buhay.
Director of Residence Life Lanae Gill congratulates the Titan Class of 2020 and seniors Vania Noguez, Adrianna Haralampopoulos and Alex Jackman.
Assistant Director of Student Life Programming Adam Hollmann congratulates the Titan Class of 2020 and seniors Grace Choi, Benny Corral and Jennifer DeCook.
Senior Hyder Mirza represents the Detroit Mercy Nursing program and wishes the Titan Class of 2020 a happy graduation.
