UM-Flint Chancellor Ruth Person addresses graduates during spring commencement. To accommodate a record number of nearly 660 graduates participating in the May 1 event, UM-Flint for the first time held two ceremonies.
Photo by Mel Serow, UM-Flint.
As commencement ceremonies draw near, UM-Flint graduates Jordan Shaw and Andrew Skindell celebrate the occasion with a slice of cake.
Photo by Mel Serow, UM-Flint.
UM-Flint graduates Krystal Holleman (left) and Jessica Mora capture a remembrance of the day in a photo booth before the commencement ceremony at the Perani Arena and Events Center.
Photo by Mel Serow, UM-Flint.
Michigan Student Assembly President Chris Armstrong (center) reacts during a light moment at the Spectrum Center?s Lavender Graduation, a celebration of achievement for the university?s LGBTQ, ally and similarly identified students. Armstrong is the student body?s first openly gay leader.
Photo by Lon Hordwell, U-M Photo Services.
President Mary Sue Coleman congratulates a graduate during University Graduate Exercises at Hill Auditorium.
Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
The University Graduate Exercises procession moves from Rackham Auditorium to Hill Auditorium, where graduates receiving masters' or doctoral degrees through the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies were honored for their achievements.
Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
Graduates of the School of Information take part in graduation ceremonies at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. The gathering included a slideshow and remarks by School of Information Dean Jeffrey MacKie-Mason.
Photo by Austin Thomason, U-M Photo Services.
Gov. Rick Snyder, shown with President Mary Sue Coleman, delivered the commencement address. Since 1967, every sitting governor has given the address during his or her time in office.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
Carlos Valdes performs "Finishing the Hat" as Han Park accompanies on piano during the School of Music, Theatre & Dance Spring Commencement.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
Members of Groove, a U-M student percussion group that uses both traditional and nontraditional instruments, offer entertainment for the crowd prior to the commencement ceremony.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, one graduate finds a whimsical way to pass the time.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
Graduates wait to file into Michigan Stadium.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
Honorary degree recipients (from left) William Clay Ford Jr., executive chairman of the board of directors, Ford Motor Co., Doctor of Laws; Shelton ?Spike? Lee, film director, producer and writer, Doctor of Fine Arts; Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, Doctor of Humane Letters; and Stephen M. Ross, chairman, CEO and managing partner, The Related Companies, L.P., Doctor of Laws. Not pictured: Snyder, and Vernon J. Ehlers, former U.S. congressman and physicist, Doctor of Laws.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
Gov. Rick Snyder delivers his commencement address. Snyder has three degrees from U-M, and on Saturday received an honorary Doctor of Laws.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
In her remarks to the class of 2011, President Mary Sue Coleman encouraged graduates to take bold steps, and told them ?real leaders push forward, confident in their ideas and their actions.?
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
As commencement ceremonies continue, graduates can?t contain their excitement. Close to 40,000 graduates, families and friends attended the event at Michigan Stadium. The weather cooperated despite a cool breeze.
Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
Jeff Lester receives dual master?s degrees in business administration and finance from UM-Dearborn Chancellor Daniel Little. Lester, from Lebanon, Mo., completed the degree online while battling ALS.
Photo by Rachel Shomsky, UM-Dearborn.
Cardi DeMonaco Jr., the student commencement speaker at UM-Dearborn, addresses graduates.
Photo by Rachel Shomsky, UM-Dearborn.
Sandra Jaward speaks with fellow UM-Dearborn graduates before commencement begins in the Fieldhouse/Arena.
Photo by Rachel Shomsky, UM-Dearborn.