Spring commencement to feature student, alumni speakers

Graduation day is always a proud occasion for students and their families, as well as for faculty, staff, and alumni. At Central Michigan University, spring’s “graduation day” will be plural, with five ceremonies over two days in May. This year’s spring commencement ceremonies will feature speakers from the graduating class of 2025 and accomplished alumni who are returning to campus to share their stories, advice, and congratulations. Here's a quick look at who graduates and their friends, families, and loved ones will hear from this year.

Friday Ceremonies

College of Medicine ceremony, 10 a.m. 

Medical student Max King will share the story of “finding his why” amidst the rigorous academic challenges of medical school. King is pursuing emergency medicine and will complete his medical residency at the University of Cincinnati’s Medical Control Center. During his time at CMU, he founded the College of Medicine Study Table review sessions, served as a peer tutor for first- and second-year medical students, and served as leader of a student interest group focused on disability in medicine. He also has been involved in the development of a teaching curriculum aimed at teaching CPR to elementary school children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, a 2018 College of Medicine graduate, will also return to celebrate with the Class of 2025. Dr. Cozzi is a physician and faculty member at Rush University Medical Center, where he also serves as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director. As a medical student, Cozzi received the 2017 American Medical Student Association Award for Community Development and Service, and in 2020, Cozzi was a recipient of the CMU Alumni 10 Within 10 Award in recognition of his contributions to CMU and to the health and well-being of patients and their families. 

Graduate ceremony, 3 p.m. Friday, May 9

In the ceremony honoring students receiving doctoral degrees, graduate certificates, master’s degrees, and specialist degrees, Shana Kingma, who is earning a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Social Justice, will tell the story of her degree journey, highlight her champions and share her advice for her fellow graduates. Kingma is an academic advisor for North Central Michigan College and previously earned a bachelor’s degree from CMU in 1999. She also served as a member of the search advisory committee to select CMU’s 16th president, Neil MacKinnon.

Tim and Sherry Magnusson, both graduates of the College of Business Administration, will be the alumni guest speakers for the 3 p.m. ceremony. The Magnussons attended and graduated from CMU together in 1994; they were married during their senior year. They say their commitment to CMU today is a response to the help they received during their time as students: Tim was one of CMU’s first-ever recipients of the Centralis scholarship, and Sherry found significant support as a first-generation college student. Today, Tim is founding partner and chief investment officer at Garda Capital Partners in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sherry, who worked in human resources for a number of years, now devotes her time to numerous philanthropic and volunteer organizations. In 2024, the Magnussons made a $2 million gift to support CMU Athletics and the College of Business Administration. In honor of that support and in recognition of their prior impactful gifts to support Study Abroad and internship programs, the Magnussons were this year’s recipients of the College of Business Administration’s Alumni Commitment Award. 

Saturday ceremonies

The College of Business Administration and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, 9 a.m.

Leader Advancement Scholar Kaitlin Otteman, who will receive her bachelor’s degree in public and nonprofit administration, will speak during Saturday’s first commencement ceremony. Otteman’s family includes many CMU alumni and even current faculty and staff members, and she will speak about a lifetime of engagement on campus. In addition to her campus involvements, Otteman completed internships and work experiences with the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, the office of Stewardship and Donor Relations for University Advancement, and the United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties.

The ceremony’s alumni guest speaker will be Melanie Kalmar, who recently retired from her role as corporate vice president, chief information officer and chief digital officer for Dow. Kalmar earned her bachelor’s degree in management information systems at CMU in 1987 and also completed the International Leadership Program at Thunderbird International, Inc. and the Executive Education Program at Babson College. Kalmar has been a frequent visitor to CMU’s campus, as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and participant in numerous college events. In 2020, she received the CMU College of Business’ Distinguished Alumni Award and was recognized this year as part of Technology Magazine’s Top 100 Leadership List.

The College of Education and Human Services and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, 1:30 p.m.

Graduating student Amyah Seybert, an Honors Program student who will receive her degree in Elementary Education, will share her story and some life advice from students in the fourth-grade classroom in Mount Pleasant Public Schools, where she is completing her student teaching. Seybert served as fundraising chair for the CMU Alternative Breaks Advisory Board, and was also a Leadership Safari guide, a volunteer in the Student Food Pantry, and a Study Abroad participant. 

Former Representative Brenda Lawrence, Class of 2005, will speak to graduates as a proud alumna and leader. Lawrence represented Michigan’s 14th Congressional District, which included part of Detroit and 17 other cities in the Oakland and Wayne County areas, from 2015-2023. Her career in public service included a 30-year career with the U.S. Postal Service, as well as tenure as the first African American and first woman to serve as mayor of the City of Southfield. During her time in the U.S. Congress, Lawrence served in roles including vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee; a member of the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform; and as a member of subcommittees such as Labor, Health and Human Services; Commerce, Justice, and Science; and Financial Services and General Government. 

The College of the Arts and Media and the College of Science and Engineering, 5:30 p.m.

For the final ceremony, student Elijah Lewis will share his CMU story with his classmates, family and friends. Lewis will earn his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, with a minor in communication. Lewis has been a Mentor Coordinator for CMU’s IMPACT program and a peer advisor in Multicultural Academic Student Services while also completing internships and experiential learning in his field, serving as a social media manager for the CMU men’s basketball team and a photographer/videographer in the MASS Office. He also was an e-board member for several registered student organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists and CreativeZ. 

CMU alumnus Matt Franklin, Class of 2004, will be the evening ceremony’s guest speaker. Franklin recently stepped away from a 20-year career in broadcast journalism at ABC12 in Flint, Michigan, to become a regional manager for the office of U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. Throughout his career, Franklin has received numerous professional awards, including being named a best anchor by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and a best anchor/reporter by the Michigan Associated Press; he also won a Michigan Emmy award for his series, “The Path Forward,” which focused on protests and marches for equality during the summer of 2020. Franklin was a member of CMU’s 2014 “10 within 10” alumni award winners and serves on the CMU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

How to watch

Information for attending CMU commencement ceremonies in-person is available on the commencement webpage, and all ceremonies will be available to view via livestream.