Commencement ceremonies are fast approaching at Ferris State University. This spring,
commencement will be hosted Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 during ceremonies in
Big Rapids and in Grand Rapids at Kendall College of Art and Design.
Approximately 1,850 students are eligible to graduate at commencement ceremonies for the Spring 2014 term. Of that group, approximately 1,500 students are expected to participate in all five Big Rapids campus ceremonies. Ferris also plans to recognize three individuals who will receive honorary degrees and speak at the commencement ceremonies. The three individuals who will receive honorary degrees are: James Gartner, honorary Doctorate of Business and Industry; Steve Kolb, honorary Doctor of Arts; and Susan P. Wheatlake, honorary Doctorate of Public Service.
Commencement ceremonies begin on Friday, May 9. The ceremony for the College of Health Professions begins at 3:30 p.m. inside Wink Arena of the Ewigleben Sports Complex. Wheatlake, who will receive her Doctorate of Public Service, will address graduates at the 3:30 p.m. ceremony. The doors open at 2:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., ceremonies for the Doctorate in Community College Leadership and the College of Arts, Sciences and Education and the College of Pharmacy will be hosted.
Commencement exercises resume on Saturday, May 10. Beginning at 9 a.m. is a ceremony for the College of Engineering Technology. Doors open at 8 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., with the doors opening at 11:30 a.m., will be a ceremony for the College of Business. Gartner, who will receive his Doctorate of Business and Industry, will address the COB graduates. Finally, on the Big Rapids campus, the 4 p.m. ceremony takes place featuring the Michigan College of Optometry and the College of Education and Human Services. Doors for the 4 p.m. ceremony open at 3 p.m.
KCAD commencement takes place Saturday, May 10 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Fountain Street Church on 24 Fountain Street NE in Grand Rapids. Approximately 195 of the 227 students who are eligible for graduation from KCAD are expected to participate in the ceremony. Kolb, who is receiving his honorary Doctor of Arts, will participate in the KCAD ceremony.
Commencement ceremony information for Ferris Statewide and Online students can be found here.
All students who plan to participate in Spring 2014 commencement ceremonies receive six tickets. No extra tickets are distributed by the Commencement Office or the individual college commencement coordinators. Lost tickets will not be replaced. Guests who do not have tickets may watch the ceremony via live stream on the Commencement Office website or on a large screen from an alternate viewing room inside of the Ewigleben Sports Complex.
Tickets are required to attend all Big Rapids commencement ceremonies. For more information about commencement, visit here.