Twelve Ford School students were honored at the University of Michigan’s Winter Commencement on December 15, 2024. Nine MPPs and three BAs were conferred at Crisler Arena. They are:
- Ha Thanh Do (BA '24)
- Diana Dolezalova (BA '24)
- Erisa Rei Rosen (BA '24)
- Habeeb Nabeel El-amir(MPP '24)
- Emily Christa Kuttner (MPP '24)
- Joseph Louis Mancina (MPP '24)
- Gerardo Alfonso Mendez Gutierrez (MPP '24)
- Kelly Rogers Victor (MPP '24)
- Caryn Alisabeth Shannon (MPP '24)
- Jaymie Tibbits (MPP '24)
- Haitian Wang (MPP '24)
- Junxian Wu (MPP '24)
Jerry (Gerardo) Mendez Gutierrez (MPP '24) served as the Ford School's flag bearer.
Commencement speaker Rebecca Blumenstein, president of editorial at NBC News, encouraged graduates to prioritize seeking the truth in an age of burgeoning artificial intelligence.
“It’s important that you take what you read and consume seriously. There’s a reason why the First Amendment came first. It wasn’t just about protecting a free and independent press,” said Blumenstein, a U-M alumna, during her remarks at the ceremony. “It’s also about a free and independent population engaging with that information. Resist the urge to tune out. Feel empowered to engage with stories about communities, your government and even people half a world away."
“Though our world may be on the cusp of great change, I believe that the thing that will stand out is original work and thinking, and how well you solve problems that — let’s face it — abound. AI may be a co-pilot, but the need for you to lead is greater than ever.”
President Santa J. Ono reminded graduates they had entered the arena as students, but would leave as alumni, a transition that could invite both excitement and uncertainty.
“So, as you go forward, take pride in your heritage, whatever it might be, your identity. Look at the success of others, keep learning, keep growing, keep pushing boundaries, and above all, hold true to what you believe in,” Ono said.
Watch a video of the full commencement ceremony.
Congratulations, graduates! Go Blue!
Excerpts from a story by Genevieve Monsma, The University Record