MARQUETTE, Mich.—Emily Schneider of Arlington Heights, Ill., will be the student speaker at Northern Michigan University’s mid-year commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13. She will graduate cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and minors in economics and English. 

“I feel that I have grown both as a student and a person during my time here, and this gives me a chance to both express some things I have learned, as well as my gratitude to everyone who has helped me along the way,” said Schneider. “It's a great opportunity to show what NMU means to me, and how much I've grown while being here. Having my last words as an NMU student heard by so many people is an honor, and I can't think of a better way to end my undergraduate experience here.”

Schneider lists the theme of her speech as, “Using the NMU experience to be innovative, move past the generation label, and leave a mark on the world.”

The commencement soloist will be Alex Polkinghorne of Hurley, Wis., who is graduating with a music education degree. He will lead the audience in the singing of the national anthem and “Hail Northern.” He is the younger sibling of Callie Polkinghorne, who was the commencement soloist of her graduating class.

The ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Superior Dome. It will be broadcast live on WNMU-TV regionally and streamed live in high definition online free of charge through the America One/B2 networks. To see the ceremony, follow the link at www.nmu.edu/commencement.