Commencement

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

We are excited to celebrate you!

As we prepare, get hyped by replaying last year's Commencement ceremonies online on YouTube.

Or click here for a full array of photos from each of the ceremonies, as well as the Multicultural Graduation and other ceremonies.

Traffic Update

The City of Detroit has recently begun construction on Livernois Avenue, reducing it to one lane. Please factor this into your travel plans and allow extra time for your commute.

Additionally, please note that the center of campus will be closed to traffic on commencement day. However, all campus entrances will remain open to help facilitate access to parking:

• McNichols Gate: Access to Lot F only
• Fairfield and Livernois Entrances: Use these to access all other parking lots

Commencement Day Information

Graduate and Guest FAQs

RSVP List

Preparation to Graduate

Regalia Colors

Additional Approved Regalia Items

Watch full live stream

Morning Undergraduate Ceremony

Afternoon Graduate Ceremony

Friday ceremonies

Download map (PDF) for Friday

Saturday ceremonies

Download map (PDF) for Saturday

School of Dentistry

School of Dentistry program

School of Law

School of Law program

McNichols Campus

McNichols program

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.

Formosa's profile

Steven Meerschaert '25

Meerschaert's profile

Zaynab Alhisnawi '25

Alhisnawi's profile

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.

Guzman's profile

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.