UMich Class of 2024 celebrates graduation at Spring Commencement as pro-Palestine protesters demonstrate

Family, friends and University of Michigan community members filled the Big House Saturday morning to celebrate U-M graduates at the annual Spring Commencement. Graduates entered the stadium through the tunnel to a performance of the national anthem by the U-M Men’s Glee Club and Women’s Glee Club. 

University Provost Laurie McCauley opened the ceremony with a land acknowledgment before congratulating the graduates on their work during their time at the University. 

“For the last few years you’ve practiced and worked hard to become your best self,” McCauley said. “And in doing so, you join a global community of leaders united under the banner of the maize and blue. The next time you hear the fight song and those immortal words, I hope you feel a profound sense of pride, and with it, a calling to keep at the work of being your best as you take your place among the family of U-M alumni.”

Afterward, Carlos Del Toro, 78th Secretary of the Navy, commissioned graduates from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program. During his speech, a group of graduates rose from their seats and held up signs and banners in support of Palestine. Protests have been occurring on university campuses nationwide in response to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Over the past six months, the University has had its own wave of protests, specifically urging U-M administration to divest from companies profiting from the Israeli military campaign in Gaza., Recently, students have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment on the Diag and disrupted the 101st Annual Honors Convocation, prompting responses from the University. 

The graduates chanted “Regents, regents, you can’t hide, you are funding genocide” and “We will not rest until divest” as they moved toward the stage before being stopped by commencement security officials. 

In an email to The Michigan Daily, University spokesperson Colleen Mastony said the disruption was handled peacefully and that the University continues to uphold students’ rights to free speech on campus. 

“Approximately 75 protesters staged a small demonstration at the beginning of the program, walking up the main aisle and chanting, before public safety personnel escorted them to the rear of the stadium, where they remained through the conclusion of the event,” Mastony wrote. “There were no arrests. Peaceful protests like this have taken place at U-M commencement ceremonies for decades. The university supports free speech and expression, and university leaders are pleased that today’s commencement was such a proud and triumphant moment, worthy of the achievements of our extraordinary graduates.”

In an interview with The Daily during the disruption, LSA graduate Jake Sadow said he disapproved of the context in which protesters chose to demonstrate. 

“There’s a correct time and place for stuff like this, and it’s not here,” Saddow said. 

The graduates continued to chant during the first graduate speech given by Rackham student Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, the first Black woman at the University to earn a Ph.D. in Robotics. 

In her speech, Dosunmu-Ogunbi said she found the support she needed to grow as a leader at the University and encouraged graduates to be confident as they begin their careers.

“We have the grit, the motivation, the support, to be our best selves,” Dosunmu-Ogunbi said. “Class of 2024, we are earning our degrees. We have become giants. We are now leaders and best of the University of Michigan.”

Commencement speaker Brad Meltzer, U-M alum and author, then took to the stage. During his speech, he encouraged graduates to keep learning and growing even beyond their graduation from the University. 

“The most sophisticated and intelligent people I know are the ones willing to challenge their thinking and admit there’s more to learn,” Meltzer said. “Life will absolutely not be what you think it will be. It will be hard and wonderful and messy and rewarding, with more versions of you than you think possible. The only immutable fact is you should never be immutable.” 

Meltzer also compared the Michigan block ‘M’ to the Superman logo and brought out former members of the Michigan football team including Desmond Howard, J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum. The four stood in a line at the edge of the stage and pulled open their graduation gowns, revealing block ‘M’ shirts. 

After a speech from LSA graduate Adeline Tumolo, LSA Dean Anne Curzan gave a message to the graduates and said with her upcoming departure from her deanship, she felt like she was entering a new chapter in her life alongside the graduates.

“Like many of you, I am hopeful and uncertain about what lies ahead,” Curzan said. “This feeling will and should keep happening with each chapter break. Just remember, it’s for the plot.”

Tom Braun, member of Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs, Fritz Brown, Alumni Association board of directors member and LSA graduate Theresa Dvorocsik all gave speeches. University President Santa Ono then spoke, congratulating the graduates and their families. 

“We are so proud of your achievement and we look forward to all that you will do,” Ono said. “You will always be part of the University of Michigan family. Congratulations again graduates and always and forever, Go Blue!”

Daily Staff Reporter Isabel Hopson can be reached at ihopson@umich.edu. Summer Managing News Editor Eilene Koo can be reached at ekoo@umich.edu.