CMU celebrates Fall 2025 graduates

Central Michigan University celebrated its Fall 2025 graduates with three commencement ceremonies on Saturday, December 13. In all, 1,086 students graduated, with 571 students receiving their bachelor’s degree, 441 students receiving a master’s degree, and 31 earning a doctoral degree.

CMU President Neil MacKinnon praised the hard work and dedication of graduates before conferring degrees in all three of the day’s ceremonies. Read on for highlights from each event:

9:00 a.m.

The 9:00 a.m. ceremony included graduates earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Arts and Media, College of Education and Human Services, and College of Science and Engineering.

Graduating student speaker Lauren Rupe, from Mount Pleasant, asked graduates to appreciate the work that brought them to commencement day.

“Take the time to be present in this moment,” she said. “Today marks a monumental transition in your life, so take today to truly soak in your successes and know that great things are in store.”

Alumni speaker Anthony Fairbanks, ’82, was an educator and advocate for over 40 years, and was a member of CMU’s 1979 and 1980 MAC Championship football teams. Fairbanks shared that he is living with a terminal cancer diagnosis, and implored graduates to appreciate every moment and try to make a difference.

“I look back over the years and realize how fast everything has gone by,” he said. “I’m ready for my journey to continue. I'm not sure what I’ll be doing, or for how long, but life is very beautiful, and I encourage all of us to make the very best of it.”

CMU Board of Trustees Chair Todd Regis told graduates they were on a path to a better future because of their decision to earn a college degree.

“Your achievement is going to change your life in profound ways,” Regis said.  “Today you have substantially increased the possibilities that lie ahead for your personal and professional life.”

12:30 p.m.

The 12:30 p.m. ceremony included graduates earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of Business Administration, College of Liberal Arts and Social Science, and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions.

Graduating speaker Jazlyn Coles, from Macomb, spoke about becoming the person you once needed by pushing through adversity with strength and principles.

“Throughout my journey to this point, I became what I once needed. As we walk into

this next chapter, I challenge you to be resourceful by becoming the someone you once needed.  Trust that the work that has begun in you shall be completed,” Coles said.

Alumni speaker and New York Times best-selling author Angeline Boulley, ’88 and ’01, told graduates stories revolving around her time at CMU, and about the support she received from CMU faculty.

“I always say that stories are good medicine,” Boulley said. “May your story span every genre. May each chapter contain twists and turns, blessings and lessons. Make your story epic.”

4:30 p.m.

The 4:30 p.m. ceremony included graduates earning a specialist, master’s or doctoral degree.

Graduating speaker Mackenzie Miller, from Bad Axe, spoke of the graduates’ shared drive to learn, lead and make an impact. She described visiting CMU when she was eight years old and falling in love with the university.

“Looking back now to my first campus visit, I see that the little girl who didn’t want to leave CMU grew into the woman who never truly did,” Miller said.

Alumni speaker Roxanne Caine, ‘97, is the vice president of the Detroit Lions Foundation and Community Relations. She inspired graduates with stories about her parents,  both of whom graduated from CMU. She also spoke about finding a passion to help others.

“You always have the power to do something kind for someone else. No matter how small, draw power from sharing your kindness with others,” Caine said. “The future belongs to those who uplift others. Go fuel your fire by fanning someone else’s flame.” 

CMU Trustee David McGhee welcomed graduates into the CMU alumni community, expressing his belief in their success.

“I take pride in knowing each and every one of you will not simply inherit the future, you will create it. How do I know? Because that’s what CMU graduates do,” McGhee said. “There are a quarter of a million of us around the world that can attest to that, and they are now your people.”

Saturday’s ceremonies also included a smudging by Joseph Sowmick from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. A smudging is a traditional ceremony that blesses a space by burning sage and other herbs. Sowmick added his congratulations to CMU’s class of 2025.

Ceremony photos and video

All Fall 2025 ceremonies were livestreamed and recordings from each ceremony can be viewed here.

Enjoy select photos from CMU’s Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies on the CMU Facebook and CMU Instagram accounts.