The Ford School congratulates 17 graduates who were honored at the University of Michigan's Winter Commencement on December 14, 2025. Eight MPPs, two MPAs, and seven BAs were conferred at Crisler Arena. They are:
- Noah Anaya, BA Major
- Jack Kapcar, BA Major
- Grace Lim, BA Major
- Amy McKiernan, BA Major
- Eliza Phares, BA Major
- Amrita Kondur, BA Minor
- Rhea Sridhara, BA Minor
- Casey Jackson, MPA
- Kera Luckritz, MPA
- Julia Johnson, MPP
- Raul Mammadov, MPP
- Jessica Taketa, MPP
- Hope Wang, MPP
- Saif Khalid, MPP/MBA
- Muhammad Irfan, MPP/SEAS
- Nicholas Nonnenmacher, MPP/SEAS
- Molly Russell, MPP/SEAS
As they enter a world riddled with challenges, University of Michigan graduates must stand up and assume their roles as leaders, said Winter Commencement speaker Fred Upton, a former U.S. representative from the state of Michigan and a U-M alumnus. While acknowledging that the class of 2025 was stepping into a challenging era marked by complex problems and political gridlock, Upton said he is optimistic.
"The sun will come up, and we will get through these very troubled times, but only with your leadership, vision and involvement," he said.
Throughout his remarks, Upton returned to the theme of bipartisan problem-solving. He described how, over nearly four decades in Congress, he worked with colleagues from both political parties, saying voters in his swing district cared less about whether there was an "R" or a "D" after his name than about whether he listened and got things done.
Quoting abolitionist Frederick Douglass — "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong" — Upton encouraged graduates to seek out coalitions that could move the country forward.
President Domenico Grasso lightheartedly told the graduates that Dec. 14, 2025, would be a date they would always remember as "the first day you begin to forget everything you learned in college."
But, borrowing from Mark Twain, he added, "what remains will be your true education."
"What you learned here can never be taken from you. Your Michigan degree is part of who you are," Grasso said. "Your ability to think creatively and critically, while communicating persuasively, will serve you for the rest of your lives."
Grasso also reminded graduates they are "among a fortunate minority on this planet to have had the opportunity to study, pursue your passions and earn a college degree," and that with that privilege comes a responsibility to help others and strengthen their communities.
Quoting educational reformer Horace Mann, Grasso said, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." He linked that call to the university's Look to Michigan vision, saying the phrase encourages society to turn to U-M graduates when seeking solutions.
"Remember: To whom much is given, much is expected," he said.
Congratulations, graduates! Go Blue!
- Watch a video of the full commencement ceremony.
- Read President Grasso's full remarks.
- Excerpts from a story by Genevieve Monsma, The University Record