Graduation & Commencement
The SMTD Commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 4:00pm at Hill Auditorium.
Please note, all athletic (Crisler and Stadium) and University Productions venues (Hill, Rackham, Power, and Mendelssohn) will follow the Michigan Stadium prohibited items list for Commencement ceremonies. Be sure to check the permitted and prohibited items list before arriving at Hill Auditorium.
The SMTD does not handle details on ceremonies at Crisler Center, Michigan Stadium, or those held by other units. For more information, please see the University of Michigan Commencement website.
Information for Graduating Students
Graduation Application
Any SMTD student intending to complete all degree requirements must apply to graduate within the appropriate timeframe in order to be considered for degree approval. Students will apply to graduate on both Wolverine Access under Student Business, and through a form sent by the SMTD Student Affairs Office. Please note the following application deadlines:
- December graduates must apply no later than September 30
- Students graduating in December will be eligible to participate in the following Spring Commencement ceremonies.
- April/May graduates must apply no later than January 31
- June-August graduates must apply no later than January 31
Failure to apply by the listed deadlines may result in the delay of degree approval. In addition, students with late applications may not be permitted to participate in Commencement ceremonies.
Attire
Academic attire (cap and gown) is required for all graduates who plan to participate in Commencement ceremonies. More information on the purchase of attire can be found at the University of Michigan’s Academic Attire website.
Attire is typically available for purchase year-round from Barnes & Noble Campus Stores. Students should not wait until the last minute to purchase attire. Doctoral Degree Candidates–custom attire takes extra time to arrive, so please 6-8 weeks in advance to make sure your attire arrives in time.
Tassel and hood colors for SMTD students can be found here.
Honors are only awarded to undergraduate students with an overall, cumulative GPA of 3.60 or above. Students receiving Honors may purchase Honors cords with their graduation attire.
How to wear your Bachelors cap and gown
How to wear your Masters cap and gown
How to wear your Doctoral cap and gown
Photography
There will be a photographer present at the SMTD Commencement ceremony who will photograph each student crossing stage. Students will later be contacted via email with the option to purchase photos. Personally hired professional photographers or videographers are not allowed.
The SMTD does not handle photography for Commencement events at Michigan Stadium or Crisler Center. Please see the University of Michigan’s Commencement website for further details.
Announcements and Mementos
The SMTD does not handle formal announcements or graduation mementos. Please see the University of Michigan’s Commencement website for information on remembrances.
Information for Families and Guests
Families and guests of graduating students should be aware that Commencement weekend is among one of the busiest in Ann Arbor. There are several Commencement ceremonies happening around Michigan’s campus over the course of the weekend with many visitors in town. Hotels and restaurants in and around Ann Arbor book up far in advance of Commencement weekend, so please plan accordingly.
Ann Arbor and area Hotels and Restaurants
For a listing of area hotels and local restaurants, see Ann Arbor’s Visitor website.
Parking
University surface lots and parking structures are free and open to the public on Commencement weekend. Please note that parking is limited in Ann Arbor and visitors may need to walk from a structure to the designated venue. For more information, see the Campus Information Map or U-M Parking Services.
Ticketing and Venue Information
Tickets are not required for the SMTD Commencement ceremony at Hill Auditorium, and there is not a limit to how many family members or guests a graduating student may invite.
Seating accommodations are available for guests with wheelchairs or those unable to use stairs. A sign language interpreter will also be present on stage throughout the ceremony.
Doors will open to guests 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
Previous Ceremonies
2024
- George I. Shirley, 2024 Commencement Speaker
- 2024 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2023
- View the Youtube playlist for the 2023 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Dominique Morisseau, 2023 Commencement Speaker
- 2023 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2022
- View the Youtube playlist for the 2022 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Visit the SMTD Commencement website for lists of graduates and more.
- Laura Karpman, 2022 Commencement Speaker
- 2022 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2021
- View the Youtube playlist for the 2021 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Watch the entire 2021 SMTD Commencement Ceremony
- Class of 2021, the World is Waiting for You!
Damien Crutcher, 2021 Commencement Speaker - 2021 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2020
- View the YouTube playlist for the 2020 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Hail to the Class of 2020!
- David Gier: A Message of Congratulations to the Class of 2020
- 2020 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2019
- View the YouTube playlist for the 2019 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Christine Lahti, 2019 Commencement Speaker
- 2019 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2018
- View the YouTube playlist for the 2018 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Congratulations Class of 2018!
- Ricky Ian Gordon, 2018 Commencement Speaker
- 2018 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2017
- View the YouTube playlist for the 2017 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Congratulations SMTD Class of 2017!
- Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, 2017 Commencement Speakers
- 2017 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
2016
- View the YouTube playlist for the 2016 SMTD Commencement Ceremony.
- Congratulations SMTD Class of 2016!
- Jane Chu, 2016 Commencement Speaker
- 2016 SMTD Commencement Ceremony program (PDF)
Commencement Awards
Each year during Spring Commencement, awards are presented to the most outstanding members of the SMTD graduating class.
The Albert A. Stanley Medal
Awarded to a single graduating senior who, during the last two years of residence, has been most outstanding in his or her field, with special consideration given to scholarship and public performance.
2019
Thomas Laub, BFA (musical theatre)
2018
Martijn Appelo, BFA (theatre – design and production)
2017
Daniel Fendrick, BM (bassoon)
2016
Nicole Erin Patrick, BFA (jazz and contemporary improvisation)
The Earl V. Moore Awards
Given for outstanding achievement in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Five awards are presented in four categories – Dance, Music (2 awards), Musical Theatre, and Theatre – and are open to undergraduate and graduate students.
2019
Julian J. Goods, BM (choral music education)
Berrit Keller, BFA (theatre – design & production)
Emilie Kouatchou, BFA (musical theatre)
Emily Soong, BFA (dance)
Maddy Wildman, BM (bassoon)
2018
Jesse Aaronson, BFA (theatre)
Yoshiko Iwai, BFA (dance)
Natalia Kazaryan, DMA (piano)
Emily Kirven, BM (instrumental music education)
Charles Patterson, BFA (musical theatre)
2017
Luna Lemus-Bromley, BFA (dance)
Eleanor Howell-Shryock, BFA (theatre – design and production)
Tzu-Yin Huang, DMA (piano)
Jordyn Norkey, BFA (musical theatre)
Jacob Warren, BM (double bass)
2016
Hidemi Minagawa, BM (piano)
Andreas Oeste, MM (oboe and chamber music)
Lena Frieda Oren, BFA (dance)
Nora Marie Schell, BFA (musical theatre)
Graham Ross Techler, BFA (theatre)
The Willis Patterson Diversity Award
Presented to a graduating student who has used his or her talents and/or scholarly abilities to enhance the development of and appreciation for a more culturally and ethnically diverse community within the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
2019
Colleen Bernstein, MM (percussion), MM (chamber music)
2018
Anita Dumar, BM (violin)
2017
Rikki Morrow-Spitzer, BM (voice)
2016
Horacio Contreras Espinoza, DMA (cello)
Theven Brice Smith, MM (flute and chamber music)