2020 Commencement Celebration

NMU will be hosting a virtual graduation recognition ceremony for all 2020 graduates on Sunday, December 6 at 3 p.m. Come help us celebrate the accomplishments all our 2020 graduates have achieved.

Order of the Ceremony

Greetings from the President
Greetings from the Board of Trustees
Introduction of the Graduating Class Representative
Student Speaker Address
Presentation of Candidates for the Graduate degrees
Presentation of Candidates for the Undergraduate Degrees
Conferring of Degrees
The Alma Mater - Hail Northern

Commencement Speakers

Northern Michigan University English Professor Kia Jane Richmond is the student-selected faculty speaker for the Dec. 6 virtual commencement celebration honoring all 2020 graduates. Richmond is in her 20th year as an NMU faculty member and said she could not imagine a better way to mark the milestone.

“My goal in teaching every class is to develop positive relationships with students to help them in their processes of becoming. I try to emphasize care before content, which I hope has been evident to students in my classes in English education, young adult literature and the humanities."

Cecilia Ruiz will be the student commencement speaker for the virtual Dec. 6 graduation recognition ceremony honoring all 2020 Northern Michigan University graduates.A native of Ludington, Mich., Ruiz entered NMU in 2016 as a first-generation college student and NMU Honors Program participant. In addition to academics, she came to train in the sport of weightlifting at the NMU U.S. Olympic Training Site.

“The general theme of my speech is that 2020 has been the most trying year of many people's lives. As a class, we have managed to make it through those tough times, still managing to come out with our respective degrees—which was no easy feat.”

To all the 2020 Graduates, congratulations on your accomplishment. NMU is excited to celebrate you at this virtual commencement ceremony. While we patiently await the day we can gather in the Superior Dome again, NMU wants to recognize your hard work and perseverance.

Before the virtual celebration, each graduate will receive a program, diploma cover, and lapel pin in the mail. We encourage our graduates to celebrate in their own way at home. Put on your cap and gown, decorate, take pictures with your diploma, thank the family and friends who helped you along the way.

Please be sure to update your address with the university before November 15 to ensure your graduation package's safe arrival.