A shared commitment, a shared celebration

Central Michigan University has named Sarah and Daniel Opperman as this year’s homecoming grand marshals — an honor that reflects decades of engagement, leadership and support for CMU and its students.

“Homecoming is a celebration of our shared history, and there is no better way to honor that legacy than by recognizing the Oppermans,” CMU President Neil MacKinnon said. “Their steadfast loyalty and visionary philanthropy have transformed CMU and the lives of our students. By serving as our Grand Marshals, they remind us that the heart of this university is the enduring commitment of our alumni.”

For the Oppermans, CMU is both a place and a throughline — one that has shaped their lives, their work and their commitment to supporting future generations of leaders.

For Sarah, the relationship began as a student interested in pursuing both business and journalism.

She graduated in 1981 with a double major in business and journalism — a unique combination that a CMU faculty member told her when she first visited campus: "We can make that happen." 

Sarah joined The Dow Chemical Company after graduation, where she worked in Public Affairs for nearly 30 years before retiring as Vice President of Global Government Affairs and Public Policy. Journalism sharpened her communication skills. Business taught her the language.

“My university experience was transformational,” she said. “CMU’s commitment to student success is still just as vibrant, fostering that same transformational experience for current students.”

That commitment to help future generations of students guides how she gives back — through board service, mentorship and philanthropy.

Dan’s connection came later, but it is no less meaningful. Earning his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and his law degree from Wayne State University, the nearly 20-year federal bankruptcy judge describes his relationship with CMU through Sarah’s experience — and through the community he has come to know. “It means a lot to me, because it means a lot to Sarah,” he said. “I feel as welcome as if I had graduated from CMU.”

That friendliness, support and inclusiveness is, for both of them, at the heart of CMU. “It’s what CMU is all about,” Sarah said.

The Oppermans have supported the university in ways that outlast any single gift — the Leadership Institute, the Park Library Auditorium, and multiple student-facing endowments, including a public relations Internship. A former trustee and chair of CMU’s Board of Trustees, Sarah currently chairs the Forge the Future National Campaign Steering Committee and is a member of the CMU Advancement Board.

Just as important, they approach their volunteerism as a partnership. “Everything we do, we do together,” Sarah said.

Homecoming has long been part of that shared experience. For the Oppermans, it is the game and everything that surrounds it: returning to campus and to Mount Pleasant, reconnecting with friends and the energy of a community that spans generations. “It truly is a homecoming for so many,” Sarah said.

This year, they will experience it from a different vantage point — waving from the parade route, reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones.

“We’re thrilled to recognize Sarah and Dan Opperman as the 2026 Homecoming Grand Marshals,” said Jennifer Cotter, Vice President for Advancement. “Their commitment to CMU goes far beyond their philanthropy — they have invested their time, energy and talents in ways that truly shape the student experience.”

Whether through mentorship, engagement or behind-the-scenes support, the Oppermans’ volunteerism creates meaningful connections and opportunities that students carry with them long after they leave campus, Cotter said. “We are deeply grateful for their continued support and unwavering dedication, and we look forward to celebrating the lasting impact they’ve made this fall.”

For both Sarah and Dan, the honor reflects something larger: a lifelong relationship with a university that continues to shape student leaders for the future. “If you want to renew your confidence in the future, spend time with and invest in these students,” Sarah said. “They certainly continue to inspire Dan and me.”

As for Homecoming, Sarah said it is a fun, joyous time to celebrate our students, the CMU campus, the Mount Pleasant community, and of course, the alumni who return for the game and all of the related festivities. "It's a fun weekend, and we will be embracing that fun — with a Fired Up win, of course!"

Dan is already working on his wave.

CMU’s Homecoming weekend will be held Oct. 1-4 and includes the MAC home opener against Akron on Oct. 3 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.