Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

From celebrations to innovations, Central Michigan University shared it all on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn in 2019. Here's a look at some of the social media moments people connected with the most.

A magical moment at commencement

Sharonda Love-Wilson skipped her own graduation in May to make it to her son Stephan Wilson's CMU commencement. When CMU President Bob Davies surprised them by conferring Sharonda's Ferris State University degree, the resulting viral video was viewed more than a million times on Facebook and featured in news outlets such as BuzzFeed, CNN and People magazine. The "supermom" moment also made it into Google's "Year in Search 2019" video.

A CMU welcome for a president

CMU ceremonially installed its 15th president, Robert O. Davies, at the traditional investiture ceremony  in March. He shared his vision for CMU's future in a special moment that gained the attention of thousands on social media.

A presidential welcome for students

Davies showed off his CMU spirit, his reliable Twitter presence and love for campus in a memorable "welcome back" video. His tweets helped him reach more than 55,000 people on Facebook and Twitter.

10 grads make the most of a decade

The Alumni Association's annual 10 Within 10 Awards made a splash on social media, becoming some of the year's most-read posts on CMU's Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Students share their internship adventures

Many students made the most of their summer break with internships all over the country. To highlight these adventures, CMU invited students to post their own pictures and experiences on Facebook and Twitter. Several students took the initiative to share their stories across both platforms.

Adding maroon and gold to the rainbow

In June, CMU displayed the rainbow flag on Warriner Mall in support of the LGBTQ community and in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion. Also in June, an Instagram post of CMU alumni and Student Government Association representatives in the 2019 Motor City Pride parade reached more than 13,000 people.

The best fashion show of the year

Coverage of the annual Threads Fashion show offered an inside look at preparations for the student-run production — and insight into CMU's highly rated fashion merchandising and design program. More than 20,000 people tuned in on Facebook.

CMU alumni fire up for Tigers

From left, CMU Board of Trustees Chair Tricia Keith, Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, Trustee Emeritus William Kanine, biology faculty member and Academic Senate Chair Brad Swanson, and student Makai-Lynn Randall receive the Detroit Tigers' gift of $4,650 to CMU's Alumni Gold Scholarship fund.

On CMU Night in July, maroon and gold became Detroit Tigers colors in the stands of Comerica Park. CMU's social media audience tuned in to see CMU Board of Trustees Chair Tricia Keith throw out the first pitch.

Solar workstation is students' reward

For two years, a dozen engineering and technology students measured the effectiveness of more than 200,000 panels in one of DTE Energy's solar parks. As a thank you to the School of Engineering and Technology, DTE donated a solar-powered workstation. CMU's photos of the installation reached more than 14,000 people.

Combining broadcasting with forecasting

A video of CMU's first interdisciplinary broadcasting and meteorology course received more than 1,100 social media likes, comments and shares. NBC25 and Fox66 meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey, who co-teaches the course, is a CMU alum.

Sales students keep their eye on the ball

Hands-on learning is key in CMU's sport sales and marketing course. In February, students in the course gained firsthand experience as they helped sell tickets to Detroit Pistons home games. A tweet about the course received more than 1,300 likes, replies and retweets.