Commencement

 

The 2025 School of Kinesiology Spring Commencement Ceremony is on Thursday, May 1, at 5:00 p.m. ET in Hill Auditorium.

 

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Commencement Speaker

Dr. Darlene Recker

Darlene Recker, DO (MVS '98)
Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Dr. Darlene Recker’s life and work exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and the power of forging one’s own path. A proud alumna of the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology (MVS '98) and former student-athlete (volleyball '93-97), her journey to becoming a leading cardiac anesthesiologist was anything but linear.

After exploring several paths, Dr. Recker shifted her focus to medicine and obtained her medical degree from Michigan State University. She pursued and completed a residency in anesthesiology from Rush University Medical Center before ultimately discovering her passion for cardiothoracic anesthesiology during her fellowship at University of Chicago Medicine.

As a dedicated physician, Dr. Recker provides perioperative care to complex heart surgery patients in the Chicagoland area. She played an integral role in establishing a highly successful minimally invasive aortic heart valve program, working alongside a team of cardiac surgeons and cardiologists. Her expertise has made her a recognized leader in valve imaging, diagnosis, and clinical cardiac anesthesiology, helping to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Recker is excited to inspire the graduating class of 2025 by sharing her story - one of perseverance, embracing change, and the power of following one’s passion.


Eligibility

  • UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS graduating in August 2024, December 2024, May 2025, August 2025, or December 2025 are eligible to participate in the 2025 Kinesiology Spring Commencement Ceremony. (Note: This is not the university-wide commencement ceremony; December 2025 graduates are not eligible to participate in the Spring 2025 university-wide ceremony.)
  • MASTER'S STUDENTS graduating in December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025 are eligible to participate in the 2025 Kinesiology Commencement Ceremony.
  • PHD STUDENTS should contact the Office of Graduate Student Affairs for participation eligibility.

 

Participation Checklist

  1. Apply to graduate in Wolverine Access under Students > Student Business > Student Center > Academics > Other Academic Links > Apply for Graduation. If you are eligible to apply for graduation, the academic program(s) will be listed on the “Apply for Graduation” page. The application is available until the last day of classes (April 22, 2025), but you must apply by Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in order to be included in the University (Big House) Commencement program.
  2. Complete the Walk Form by Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in order to be included in the Kinesiology Commencement program. Through this form, you can request up to 8 tickets (aka wristbands) for your guests, tell us how to pronounce your name, and more.
  3. Share your talent with your classmates:
  4. Forward the Kinesiology Commencement digital invitation to your family and friends.
  5. If you or your guests have accessibility needs, complete the Accommodations Request Form by Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
  6. If you're an international student whose parents must apply for a visa in order to attend the commencement ceremony, visit myumi.ch/mn95P and follow the instructions to obtain a letter.
  7. Buy your academic attire (required for the Kinesiology ceremony).
  8. Review the detailed schedule for the day of Commencement. Graduates will need to arrive at the SKB Commons at 4:00 p.m.

 

Accommodations Requests

We want to ensure full and equitable participation in our events. If an accommodation would promote you or your guests' full participation in this event, please complete the Accommodations Request Form by Tuesday, April 15, 2025. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be on-stage to interpret the ceremony.

 

International Students: Letter of Invitation

The University of Michigan will provide a letter of invitation to assist graduates whose parents must apply for a visa in order to attend the commencement ceremony. Please visit myumi.ch/mn95P and follow the instructions to obtain a letter.

 

Academic Attire

Academic attire is required for the Kinesiology ceremony. You can purchase your attire at the following locations:

Please note:

  • The Kinesiology tassel and hood color is sage green.
  • Doctoral attire is NOT available at the Michiganensian.
  • There are standard and customized options for doctoral attire. The standard option is much less expensive and includes a gown, hat, hood, and tassel.

Need help getting attire, or want to pay yours forward? Apply to receive a gown - or donate your own gown to future graduates - through U-M Central Student Government's Operation Graduation. Fill out the CSG Free Graduation Gown Rental Interest Form for WN25.

Undergraduate cords:

Undergraduate cords available at the bookstores are cords for distinction (GPA) and for the various honors societies and service organizations. There is no limit to the number of cords you may wear when you graduate, so feel free to purchase any you have earned along the way.

The maize cords at the bookstores are for undergraduates who earn Distinction/High Distinction/Highest Distinction. The GPA ranges for the distinction notations are determined each May, based on the cumulative GPAs of Kinesiology graduates of that May degree period. Those same numbers are used for the August and December degree periods of that calendar year.

Distinction ranges will not be calculated until all grades are posted for all graduates for the winter term. This means you will not officially know at the time you participate in commencement activities.

How do you know whether or not you should buy maize distinction cords? A best estimate reflects general ranges from the past:

  • Highest Distinction: 3.940-4.000
  • High Distinction: 3.847-3.939
  • Distinction: 3.686-3.846

 

Photography

Call Photography will take multiple pictures of each graduate as they cross the stage, and then send them a free color proof of their photos. There is no obligation to buy.

Additionally, there will be a professional photographer taking candid shots of the ceremony; these photos will be available for free download on the School of Kinesiology Flickr account a few days after the ceremony.

 

Livestreaming & Recording

The 2025 School of Kinesiology Spring Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed on Thursday, May 1, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET (with Wowza Streaming Cloud included) at ummedia01.umnet.umich.edu/kin/kin050125.html. You can also watch on YouTube at youtu.be/t6lSx2--fTw.

A recording of the ceremony will also be available on the school's YouTube channel after Commencement.

 

Safety & Security Protocols

Commencement ceremonies have been the site of free expression and peaceful protest for decades and will likely continue to be. Our goal is to limit substantial disruption, ensure safety, and support a successful and celebratory event worthy of the achievements of our extraordinary graduates. To help provide a secure and joyful commencement for all, our ceremony will include:

  • Required tickets.
    • Graduates have already requested tickets (aka wristbands) for their guests through the Walk Form, which is open until Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
    • Tickets will be available for graduates to pick up at the Office of Student Affairs front desk (SKB 2300) during these times:
      • Wednesday, April 23 - 11:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (beginning at the Grad Farewell Lunch)
      • Thursday-Friday, April 24-25 - 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
      • Monday-Wednesday, April 28-30 - 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
    • Graduates must show their MCard and complete this quick acknowledgement form to receive tickets for the number of guests they indicated on their Walk Form.
    • Graduates are responsible for giving the tickets to their guests before the commencement ceremony.
  • Prohibition of signs, banners, flags, and anything that obstructs sightlines. Bags and bottles are also prohibited.
    • Be sure to check the prohibited item list before arriving at Hill Auditorium.
    • Medical exceptions will be addressed individually at the gates. Those requiring necessary items (e.g., diapers for a baby, medical prescriptions, etc.) are encouraged to carry them in a clear plastic bag.
  • Security screening via walk-through weapons detectors. You will not need to empty your pockets or remove metal from your person.
  • Trained staffers who will respond to disruptions, beginning with warnings and requests to respect the importance of the celebrations for our graduates and their families.
  • A designated area for protests and counter-protests outside Hill Auditorium.

 

COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols

Masking is optional in most indoor spaces on the University of Michigan campus. (Read the policy.) As a result, face coverings, proof of vaccination, and/or a negative COVID test are NOT required at any U-M Commencement event.

High-quality face masks are still an effective strategy for enhanced personal protection, especially for those with compromised immune status, those who are not vaccinated or up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, and anyone with a perceived increased risk of complications from infection. Some in our community will choose to continue to mask and should be empowered to do so. Please be kind and respectful of these personal choices.

The School of Kinesiology agrees to adhere to all federal, state, local, and university COVID-19 safety guidelines, and by attending Commencement, you accept the inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and agree to abide by all federal, state, local, and university COVID-19 safety guidelines. If you are sick and unable to attend, the ceremony will be livestreamed.

 

Day of Event Timeline

  • 4:00 p.m. - Graduates arrive at the School of Kinesiology Building Commons (2nd floor), visit the registration tables, and are directed to the processional staging area
  • 4:15 p.m. - Doors open for guest seating at Hill Auditorium
  • 4:45 p.m. - Graduates line up and walk across the street to the auditorium
  • 5:00 p.m. - Commencement begins promptly with procession of graduating students
  • 7:00 p.m. (approx.) - Reception at the School of Kinesiology Building (although there is no way to predict the exact end time of the ceremony, 7:00 p.m. is a reasonable approximation and most guests typically leave the reception by 8:30 p.m.)

 

Day of Event Instructions for Graduates

  • Graduates should assemble, in their academic attire, in the School of Kinesiology Building Commons (2nd floor). Upon arrival, go directly to the registration tables to pick up your name card. (You will hand your name card to the reader on stage.) After you check in, you will be directed to the appropriate location to prepare for the processional line-up:
    • SKB Commons - AES/MVS undergrads
    • SKB 3rd floor - SM undergrads
    • SKB 2080 - Master's/PhD
  • Bachelor's degree recipients wear their tassel on the right side until their degrees are conferred, then move it to the left. Master's and PhD recipients wear their tassel on the left from the beginning. (The idea is that moving the tassel signifies graduation, and graduate students already have that distinction.) Please also be sure to fully zip your gown!
  • For the procession, graduates will line up by degree earned. Kinesiology staff will assist you in lining up for the procession and walking over to Hill Auditorium. The procession over to the auditorium will begin promptly at 4:45 p.m.
  • Please do not bring any valuables, coats, purses, umbrellas, and other such items to Commencement - there is no place to store them. If you must bring something, you will need to leave it with family/friends BEFORE you go inside SKB. Family/friends will not be allowed to come inside the building with you.
  • We highly recommend that you wear shoes that are comfortable, supportive, and suitable for standing, walking, and climbing multiple flights of stairs.

 

Day of Event Information for Families & Guests

  • The doors open at Hill Auditorium at 4:15 p.m.
  • Tickets are required. Your graduating student will give you a ticket prior to the ceremony.
  • It is general seating.
  • Guests should be seated by 5:00 p.m. at the latest.
  • Guests are requested to remain seated throughout the program.
  • All graduates, their families, and friends are invited to attend the School of Kinesiology reception immediately following the Commencement ceremony. The reception will be at the School of Kinesiology Building, directly across the street from Hill Auditorium.
  • We want to ensure full and equitable participation in our events. If an accommodation would promote you or your guests' full participation in this event, complete the Accommodations Request Form by Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
    • Guest(s) with mobility limitations (wheelchair, walker, etc.), please arrive by 4:00 p.m. so you can be seated before we open the doors to the general public.
    • There is limited accessible parking near Hill Auditorium. Please make arrangements to drop your party at the west entrance before you park.
    • By entering Hill Auditorium from the west entrance (off Thayer), you will be nearest the ramps into the auditorium. Ushers will be available to assist in locating wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms for guests.

 

FAQs

  • Are tickets required? Tickets are required for the Kinesiology ceremony, and graduates may request up to 8 of them by completing the Walk Form.
  • Is there a photographer at graduation? Call Photography will take multiple pictures of each graduate as they cross the stage, and then email them a free color proof of the photos. There is no obligation to buy. Additionally, there will be a professional photographer taking candid shots of the ceremony; these photos will be available for free download on the School of Kinesiology Flickr account a few days after the ceremony.
  • Where can I park? Public parking will be available at the U-M structures. The closest structures to Hill Auditorium are on Fletcher and Thayer as shown on the central campus parking map. Please note that downtown will be extremely busy during the week of graduation and you should allow plenty of extra time to travel and find parking.
  • Where can I find more information on the university graduation ceremony at Michigan Stadium? More information can be found on the university's Spring Commencement website. The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are required.
  • Where can I find more information on the Rackham Graduate School graduation ceremony at Hill Auditorium? More information can be found on the university's Spring Commencement website. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are required.
  • Where can I find more information on the U-M affinity graduation ceremonies? Affinity graduation ceremonies are held during graduation week to celebrate the cultural or identity experiences of U-M students. More information can be found on the Cultural Graduation Celebrations webpage and Lavender Graduation webpage.