UDM Events

2009 Graduation

When does the Baccalaureate Mass take place?
The Baccalaureate Mass for the Class of 2009 will take place on Thursday, May 7th at 5:30 p.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church.  Graduates attending Baccalaureate wear their graduation academic attire and gather by 5:15 p.m. in the first-floor hall of the School of Law, outside of the Student Services and Registrar Office (Room 133) to line up for the procession. 

A light reception for graduates and their guests with the Dean, Faculty and Staff follows Baccalaureate at the School of Law.  Graduates and guests may park in the Larned and Christ Church parking lots.

When does Graduation take place?
Graduation for the Class of 2009 will take place on Friday, May 8, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus of the University of Detroit Mercy. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for guests with tickets. There is no admittance to Calihan before 4:30 p.m. except for graduates checking in.

Given the solemnity of the occasion, please ask your guests to observe the following requests:

• Turn off all cell phones and pagers.
• Please do not bring food into Calihan Hall.
• Please do not bring strollers into Calihan. The School will provide a stroller station outside of the Hall.

There is reserved seating for guests requiring accommodations.  Please ask an usher for assistance upon arriving at Calihan Hall.  Calihan Hall does not have wheelchairs.

Guests who wish to check a stroller may do so by stopping at the Alumni and VIP check-in in the northeast lobby of Calihan Hall.

Where do graduates and their guests park on the McNichols Campus?
There is free parking for graduates and their guests in the lots accessible from the McNichols entrance to the University.  Vehicles may not drop off graduates and guests at the front door of Calihan Hall. 

The parking lots immediately in front of Calihan and to the west are reserved for permit parking only, including those who requested accommodations.

McNichols Campus Map (PDF)
Driving Directions

May guests use cameras and video recorders during Graduation?
The Reception is the best opportunity to take pictures.  During Graduation, guests on the main floor may not take pictures or record video and may not move to the upper sections.  Guests seated in the upper sections may use cameras and recorders at any time during Graduation.  Each graduate receives a DVD of Graduation.  Graduates may return to the Hall after the Recessional for photographs as well.

When should graduates arrive at Calihan Hall?
All graduates must check in at the northwest hall of Calihan by 4:30 p.m. The Faculty Marshals will line up the graduates.

Who is the graduation speaker?
The Honorable Denise Langford Morris, Judge, Oakland County Circuit Court. 

How long is the Commencement?
The Graduation ceremony lasts about two hours. 

Is there a reception after Graduation?
The University and the School of Law will hold a Reception for graduates and their guests immediately following the ceremony at the Fisher Fountain, just north of the Student Center on the McNichols Campus.  We recommend that graduates and their guests not move their vehicles between Graduation and the Reception.

How many tickets may graduates have for Commencement?
Each graduate may request as many tickets as needed for Graduation and the Reception.  Graduates pick up their tickets when they pick up their academic attire the week before Graduation at the Reserve Desk in the Law Library.  Admission is by ticket only, including children.  Please contact the Student Affairs Office (Room 207, 313-596-0287) with any questions about tickets.

When do graduates pick up their caps, hoods, and gowns?
Caps, hoods, and gowns will be available in the Law Library the week before Graduation.  Graduates also may pick up the class composite photo and their Graduation tickets at that time.  Graduates who requested accommodations for guests with special needs also will receive a parking permit for the lots adjacent to Calihan.

When will graduates receive their diplomas?
The School of Law Student Services and Registrar's Office will contact graduates by mail as soon as the diplomas arrive.  May graduates can expect their diplomas in early September; July graduates in early October and December graduates in March.  If you move between now and when the diplomas for your class are scheduled to arrive, please notify the Student Services and Registrar's Office (SSRO) of your new address at lawregistrar@udmercy.edu.  The SSRO shares graduates' address information with the Career Services and Alumni Relations offices at the School of Law. 

Where can guests stay in downtown Detroit?
Information about hotels in downtown Detroit is located on the Admissions Office pages of the School of Law web site at http://www.law.udmercy.edu/admitted/visitorinfo.

Recommended Directions to Calihan Hall
4001 West McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221:

From Metro Airport
Take I-94 East to the Lodge Freeway (M-10).  Take the Lodge North to the Livernois exit.  At the top of the ramp, turn right onto Livernois and proceed three-quarters of a mile North to W. McNichols (third traffic light).  Turn right onto W. McNichols and entrance is one quarter of a mile on the right.

From Downtown Detroit
Take the Lodge Freeway North out of downtown and follow the above directions from Metro Airport.

From Northwest on M-10
Driving South on the Lodge Freeway, take the Livernois exit.  At the traffic light, turn left onto Livernois and proceed three-quarters of a mile North to W. McNichols (third traffic light).  Turn right on W. McNichols and the entrance is one quarter of a mile on the right.

From the North on I-75
Driving South on I-75, exit Eight Mile Road and turn right off the ramp.  Take Eight Mile Road West and proceed 2.5 miles to Livernois. Turn left (South) onto Livernois and proceed 2.0 miles to W. McNichols. Head East (left) onto W. McNichols and entrance is one-quarter of a mile on the right.

Recommended Directions to the School of Law
651 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48226:

From the West  (From I-96E or I-94E)
Take M-10S towards Civic Center/Cobo Center. Once on M-10S, take the Larned Street exit on the left. Stay on Larned Street. Once on Larned Street, you will pass several cross streets including: Washington Boulevard, Woodward Avenue, Randolph Street, and Beaubien Street.  The next cross street will be St. Antoine Street. Immediately after crossing St. Antoine Street, the School of Law will be on your right, just after Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

From the East  (From I-94W)
Take I-75S which will become I-375S. From I-375S, take the East Jefferson Avenue exit and continue on the service drive. Turn right onto East Jefferson Avenue. Turn right at the first street, St. Antoine Street. Turn right again onto Larned Street. The School of Law will be on your right, just after Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. 

From Woodward Avenue      
Take Woodward Avenue south. Stay on Woodward Avenue until you reach Larned Street. Turn left onto Larned Street. Once on Larned Street, you will pass cross streets including: Randolph Street, Brush Street, and Beaubien Street. The next cross street will be St. Antoine Street.  Immediately after crossing St. Antoine Street, the School of Law will be on your right, just after Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

From the South
Take I-75N to M-10S toward Civic Center/Cobo Center. Once on M-10S, take the Larned Street exit on the left. Stay on Larned Street. Once on Larned Street, you will pass several cross streets including: Washington Boulevard, Woodward Avenue, Randolph Street, and Beaubien Street.  The next cross street will be St. Antoine Street. Immediately after crossing St. Antoine Street, the School of Law will be on your right, just after Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

From the North
Take I-75S which will become I-375S. From I-375S, take the East Jefferson Avenue exit and continue on the service drive. Turn right onto East Jefferson Avenue. Turn right at the first street, St. Antoine Street. Turn right again onto Larned Street. The School of Law will be on your right, just after Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

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