Three Commencement ceremonies will celebrate over 3,200 GVSU 2025 graduates

GVSU students are scheduled to cross the stage during the Winter 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, at Van Andel Arena.

The webpage, What to Expect on Commencement Day , includes important information for graduates and attendees, including arrival times, parking information, the arena's no-bag policy and more.

Ceremony details for the 3,238 graduates are outlined below:

Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m:

• College of Computing
• College of Education and Community Innovation
• Padnos College of Engineering
• Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m:

• Seidman College of Business
• College of Health Professions

Saturday, April 26, at 3 p.m:

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Kirkhof College of Nursing

MORE: Read about some graduates and their paths as Lakers.

Former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss is this year's guest speaker at the Friday ceremony.

"I am deeply honored to join Grand Valley State University as a speaker for the upcoming Commencement ceremony," Bliss said. "It is a privilege to be a part of this exciting milestone as graduates celebrate their accomplishments and step into the next chapter of their lives with confidence and purpose."

MORE: Read more about Bliss as Commencement guest speaker.

President Philomena V. Mantella will give the welcome address. Courtney Karasinski, chair of the University Academic Senate, and Jennifer Drake, Grand Valley's new provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs , will also give their remarks.

At each ceremony, a member of the graduating class will speak. The student speaker at Friday's ceremony is Bex Takacs-Britz, who will receive a master's degree in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. At the Saturday morning ceremony, the student speaker will be Anna Schlutt, who will receive a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy. At the Saturday afternoon ceremony, the student speaker will be Cabdulcasiis (Abdul) Ciise, who will receive a master's degree in higher education.

A livestream will be available for those unable to attend.