Northern Michigan University’s commencement ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in the Superior Dome. Of the 576 students eligible to graduate, nearly 400 are expected to participate in the ceremony. The keynote speaker/honorary degree recipient is NMU alumnus Dana Verville of Stryker Corp. The student speaker is Emily Schneider and the student soloist is Alex Polkinghorne. 

Media Coverage (NEW): If you are planning to cover commencement, please contact Derek Hall in Identity, Brand and Marketing to obtain a press pass to gain access to otherwise-restricted areas. You can secure a pass from Hall on site or in advance by calling his mobile at 362-3621.

Commencement Story Idea: A Negaunee woman and her son will be graduating together on Saturday. Diane Darlington is 70 years old and managed to complete a bachelor’s degree in French at a full-time pace almost equal to her 23-year-old son, Michael Darlington-West. He will earn a health and fitness management degree. Darlington did not attend college after high school in her native Montreal, Quebec. Even without a degree, she was able to launch an enviable 23-year career—the bulk of it spent as a producer and director—with Canada’s first educational television network. The family moved to Negaunee when her husband, Tom West, was hired to direct the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum in Ishpeming. Darlington decided to take advantage of Northern’s senior (62+) tuition benefit and pursue a degree. She and Michael had a few courses together along the way and will both march in the ceremony. To arrange an interview, Darlington can be reached at 475-4610.

Commencement will be broadcast live on WNMU Public TV and via free streaming video online. To see the webcast, visit www.nmu.edu/commencement.