Graduation Events

School of Law
About Us
Events
Graduation Events

Commencement Ceremony

For most up-to-date information, visit our Commencement page.

View past issues of the Commencement booklet in the School archives.

Open All | Close All

2023 Commencement Ceremony
The 2023 Commencement Ceremony took place in-person on Friday, May 12 at Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus of University of Detroit Mercy.

Watch the 2023 Commencement Ceremony here.
- University President : Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D.
- Dean: Jelani Jefferson Exum
- Vivere ex Missione (Living the Mission) Award recipient: Emily Elmer '23
- Commencement Speaker: Te Honorable Michelle M. Rick ’91, Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals
- Grand Marshal: Cristina D. Lockwood, J.D., Professor of Law
- St. Thomas More Prayer: Brandon J. Hayes ’23
- Graduate Remarks: Madison R. Orow ’23
- Invocation: Pamela Zarkowski, J.D., M.P.H., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University
- Alumni Speaker: Kyle R. Dufrane '98, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
2022 Commencement Ceremony
The 2022 Commencement Ceremony took place in-person on Friday, May 13 at Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus of University of Detroit Mercy.

Please enjoy the celebratory photos of your accomplishments online
- University President : Antoine M. Garibaldi
- Dean: Jelani Jefferson Exum
- Vivere ex Missione (Living the Mission) Award recipient: Fatmeh T. Cheaib '22
- Commencement Speaker: Hon. Shalina D. Kumar '96, Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- Grand Marshal: Margaret A. Costello, Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Veterans Law Clinic
- St. Thomas More Prayer: Rita Samir Soka '22
- Graduate Remarks: Erin Kristine Malone '22
- Invocation: Pamela Zarkowski, J.D., M.P.H.
- Alumni Speaker: Kyle R. Dufrane '98, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Watch the Class of 2022 Commencement
2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
The 2020-2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony took place on Friday, May 14.
- University President : Antoine M. Garibaldi
- Dean: Phyllis L. Crocker, J.D.
- Vivere ex Missione (Living the Mission) Award recipient: Deja Monet Davis '21
- Commencement Speaker: Aramis Ayala '01
- St. Thomas More Prayer: Deja Monet Davis '21
- Graduate Remarks: Livia Khemmoro '21
- Invocation: Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, PH.D. Assistant to the President for Mission Integration and Anita Gicana Klueg, Director for University Mission
- Alumni Speaker: Kyle R. Dufrane '98, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Watch the Class of 2021 Virtual Commencement.
2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
- University President : Antoine M. Garibaldi
- Dean: Phyllis L. Crocker, J.D.
- Vivere ex Missione (Living the Mission) Award recipient: Veronica Beltran '20
- St. Thomas More Prayer: Aaron Pattison '20
- Graduate Remarks: Ertis Tereziu '20
- Invocation: Father Gilbert (Society of Jesus) and Sister Judith Mouch (Sisters of Mercy)
- Alumni Speaker: Hon. Michael J. Riordan '90, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Watch the Class of 2020 Virtual Commencement.
2019 Commencement Ceremony
Please enjoy the celebratory photos of your accomplishments online.
- University President: Antoine M. Garibaldi
- Dean: Phyllis L. Crocker, J.D.
- Grand Marshal: Loretta Lewins-Peck, Assistant Dean and Registrar
- Valedictorian: Christopher Stone
- Invocation: Pamela Zarkowski, J.D., M.P.H.
- Speaker / Address: Joseph G. Vernon '05
- Graduate Remarks: Christopher Stone '19
- St. Thomas More Prayer: Roeiah Epps '19
- Alumni Speaker: Edward G. Lennon '88, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Watch the Class of 2019 Commencement.

Part 1: Introductions and Speeches

Part 2: Hooding