CMU announces December commencement speakers

Central Michigan University graduates will hear from several successful alumni and fellow students during December’s commencement ceremonies. The university today announced the lineup of invited guests who will share their stories, wisdom and encouragement with graduates on December 13, 2025.

9 a.m.: Undergraduate ceremony for College of the Arts and Media, College of Education and Human Services, and College of Science and Engineering 

Anthony Fairbanks, Ph.D., will share stories and wisdom gathered from more than four decades as an advocate and leader in education, as well as from his experience as a cancer patient with a terminal diagnosis. Fairbanks’ remarks focus on the grit and determination required to overcome overwhelming odds and speak to his experiences ranging from being an underweight walk-on player who joined CMU’s 1979 Championship-winning football team to his persistence in living life to the fullest after receiving a life-altering medical prognosis in 2021. Fairbanks, a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians will offer thoughts on embracing challenges as opportunities and the importance of teamwork. Fairbanks earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation from CMU in 1982 and later earned both a master’s degree in education and a doctoral degree in Educational Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota. He served as superintendent of the Oglala Dakota County Public School District and the Little Wound School District, both in South Dakota, and as a faculty member, dean of students, elementary school principal, football coach, leadership development program director, and more. Fairbanks is currently working with his daughter on a book chronicling his experience as a cancer patient.

Lauren Rupe, an Honors student earning a Bachelor of Science in secondary education, will reflect on the importance of trying new things and pushing herself to accomplish big goals. Rupe will share lessons learned from four years of engaging in campus life, including her experiences working with faculty members on research, her leadership roles with CMU Program Board and the CMU chapter of the National Science Teaching Association, her participation in Leadership Safari, Alternative Breaks, and Study Abroad, and her work as a student assistant in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. Rupe’s remarks will also highlight the support she received from numerous faculty and staff mentors who helped her achieve her goals, as well as from peer mentors who became close friends. 

12:30 p.m.: Undergraduate ceremony for College of Business Administration, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions

Angeline Boulley, award-winning author and storyteller, will share words of wisdom and encouragement with graduating students. Boulley’s New York Times bestselling book, “Firekeeper's Daughter,” received the Printz and Morris awards from the American Library Association, and was named one of “The 100 Best Young Adult Books of all Time” by Time Magazine. Her most recent book, “Sisters in the Wind,” also debuted on The New York Times bestseller list and was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction. Boulley earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University and has returned to campus several times to speak with students, faculty and staff at events. She most recently served as the keynote speaker for CMU’s Native American Heritage Month programs, sharing stories about her experiences as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and her Ojibwe community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This year, Boulley received the CMU College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award of Distinction for Scholarly or Creative Activity.

Jazlyn Coles, who is earning her Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship, is already enrolled and working toward her master’s degree in communication. As an undergraduate student, Coles was a Queller Leadership Scholar, a Leader Advancement Scholar and a McNair Scholar, and also became a student representative on the Multicultural, Diversity and Education Council. As an entrepreneur with a small business focused on public speaking, events, and podcasts, Coles also interviews campus leaders and students for the Innovate Podcast, a registered student organization. Now a graduate student, Coles serves as a graduate teaching assistant coach for CMU’s speech and debate program. In her remarks, she will share stories of overcoming adversity, starting a business and pursuing a dream. 

4:30 p.m.: Graduate Ceremony

CMU will celebrate commencement for all graduate education programs, including for students earning a master’s, doctoral or specialist degree and those earning a graduate certificate. The speakers will be: 

Roxanne Caine is the vice president for the Detroit Lions Foundation and Community Relations, where she leads community engagement efforts for the organization and oversees all aspects of the foundation’s operations. This includes directing the team’s participation in NFL initiatives supporting cancer, military servicemembers, social justice, and youth development programs. Caine has dedicated most of her career to philanthropic causes and has held leadership roles in fundraising, grantmaking, and community outreach for several public and nonprofit organizations. She earned her Master of Science in Health Services Administration from CMU in 1997, and her two sons, Jason and Brian, are both Class of 2022 CMU graduates. 

Mackenize Miller, who is earning a Master of Science in Administration with a focus on Leadership, is a soon-to-be two-time CMU graduate. Her commencement remarks will focus on leadership, especially in times of great challenge, and will highlight her experience entering the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Miller earned a bachelor’s degree from CMU in 2020 and currently serves as associate director of alumni engagement on CMU’s Alumni Relations team. As an undergraduate student at CMU, Miller discovered her passion — and talent — for event management through her involvement with the Recreation and Events Management program. She served as a teaching assistant and mentor for students in the Production of Festivals and Events course, which produces the annual Gus Macker basketball event. Before returning to CMU to join the alumni team, Miller was events and catering sales director for Veritas Vineyards. 

How to watch the December commencement ceremonies

Graduates who registered to participate in the commencement exercises and their ticketed guests can find information on parking and accessing the McGuirk Arena, as well as recommended arrival times, on the commencement day instructions webpage. 

Each ceremony is also available to view via livestream, and recordings will remain online for post-event viewing. Links for each ceremony are available on the commencement livestream webpage.

Additional information, including resources for graduates, is available on the commencement website.