MEDIA ADVISORY: Wayne State University commencement ceremonies honor the class of 2026

WHAT: More than 3,400 Wayne State University students will graduate this spring and participate in the institution's annual commencement ceremonies. 

Honorary degree recipients include: Dr. John D. Carethers, physician-scientist; David Salzman, television producer and businessman; Don Edward Fagenson (known professionally as Don Was), musician and record producer; Harry Kurtz, business executive and education innovator; Edith Lee-Payne, civil rights activist and public health advocate; and J. Ricardo Guzmán, entrepreneur and community health leader.

WHEN: The ceremonies will be held May 6-8. See below for a full schedule. Each ceremony will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes.  

Media representatives planning to attend the ceremonies are asked to RSVP by emailing Katie McMillan at [email protected]. 
 
WHERE: Wayne State Fieldhouse, 1290 W. Warren Avenue, Detroit 
 
PARKING: Complimentary parking will be available in Lot 50, located at 1200 W. Warren Avenue and Structure 2, located at 5150 John C. Lodge. 
 
STREAMING: A livestream of the celebrations will be available for viewing on the Commencement website during each ceremony.  

For more information about this year's ceremonies and honorary degree recipients, visit wayne.edu/commencement.  

Commencement ceremony schedule 

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Ceremony I - 9 a.m. 

• Ph.D./Ed.D. Hooding - all schools and colleges

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Ceremony II - 9 a.m. 

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Sciences) 

Ceremony III - 1 p.m. 

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Arts) 

Ceremony IV - 5 p.m. 

• Mike Ilitch School of Business 

Friday, May 8, 2026

Ceremony V - 9 a.m. 

• College of Nursing
• School of Social Work 

Ceremony VI - 1 p.m.

• College of Education 
• College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts 
• School of Information Sciences 
• School of Medicine (Master's) 

Ceremony VII - 5 p.m.

• James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering 
• ​​​​​​​Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences