Commencement 2024
To view Commencements from the previous years, visit our Graduation Events page.
Grad Fair: Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 12:30 - 6:00 p.m., Law School Atrium
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About the Grad Fair
Graduates will have the opportunity to meet with a Herff Jones representative to learn more about ordering regalia and other graduation products. Commercial bar prep companies will also be onsite. Graduates will also be able to confirm name and photo for the class composite photo.
You’ll see a proof of the class composite, purchase alumni swag, order your diploma frame, and more. There will even be giveaways!
Multicultural Graduate Ceremony: Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Student Union Ballroom, McNichols Campus
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Multicultural Graduate Ceremony Information
The details for the event are at this link: https://www.udmercy.edu/current-students/commencement/Multicultural-Graduation.php. Students should RSVP by April 25 at the link on the page.
Baccalaureate Mass: Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8:30 a.m., Student Union Ballroom, McNichols Campus
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Baccalaureate Mass Information
The Class of 2024 and their families are invited to join their fellow graduates and the Detroit Mercy faculty and administration for Baccalaureate Mass. This mass offers a moment of quiet reflection and thanksgiving for your educational journey at Detroit Mercy Law and an opportunity to ask for God’s blessing as you begin your legal career. Members of all faiths and traditions are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Family and guests are invited and encouraged to attend. No tickets or reservations are required. Graduates wear their cap and gowns for the mass and will process into the ballroom together.
The Baccalaureate Mass is a tradition that dates back to 1432. The word Baccalaureate is from the Latin bacca, berries, and lauri, laurel. The word Baccalaureatus was then used to describe the laurel wreath given at commencements. According to tradition, students graduating from Oxford University were required, as their final test, to give a sermon in Latin to graduate. This practice was adopted into Catholic tradition and now the Baccalaureate Mass is a large component of most Catholic graduation ceremonies.
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Baccalaureate Ceremony Protocol
Location & Parking
The Mass takes place in Student Union Ballroom in the Student Union- second floor on the McNichols Campus.Graduates
The graduates are asked to assemble in the hallway outside of the Student Union, in cap and gown. If you are interested in volunteering to take an active role in the ceremony – such as reading, being a eucharistic minister, or singing in the choir – contact the University Ministry office at ministry@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1560.Family & Guests
Go directly into the ballroom, where you will be seated by the ushers. The procession begins at approximately 8:30 a.m., so be sure to arrive sometime before that. No photography is permitted during the Mass.
Commencement: Friday, May 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. (EST), Calihan Hall, McNichols Campus
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will celebrate the graduating class of 2024 at the Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus of University of Detroit Mercy. Graduates, dignitaries, and faculty are expected to arrive at Calihan no later than 1:00 p.m. Guests may begin to be seated in Calihan Hall at 1:00 p.m. and should be seated by 1:45 p.m. to make way for the academic procession. Currently, there are no limit to the number of guests allowed per graduate for the School of Law ceremony. No tickets are required. Masking is not required at this time but may be depending on health department guidelines.
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Commencement Details
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will celebrate the graduating class of 2024 at the Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus of University of Detroit Mercy. Graduates, dignitaries, and faculty are expected to arrive at Calihan no later than 1:00 p.m. Guests may begin to be seated in Calihan Hall at 1:00 p.m. and should be seated by 1:45 p.m. to make way for the academic procession. Currently, there are no limit to the number of guests allowed per graduate for the School of Law ceremony. No tickets are required. Masking is not required at this time but may be depending on health department guidelines.
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Ordering Academic Regalia
Academic attire is restricted to University-approved tams, hoods, tassels, and gowns for professional schools. Graduates may order their academic regalia from Herff Jones. The last day to order a cap and gown online is Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
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Accommodations for Guests with Disabilities
Handicapped parking, in front of Calihan Hall, is limited and restricted to those guests with valid handicapped stickers or license plates. A limited number of seats for disabled persons are available on the main floor. Only one family member is permitted to sit with those who require accommodated seating. Strollers will not be accommodated in the disabled seating area. If accommodated seating is requested, a member of the Commencement Planning Committee will contact you will further details.
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Metropolitan Detroit Motels and Hotels
Visit the Detroit Mercy Law website for information about hotels in downtown Detroit. -
Parking
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. Parking will be crowded. Please plan to carpool and allow for extra time to park. Handicapped parking, in front of Calihan Hall, is limited to those with valid handicapped license plates or stickers.
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Guest Seating
Calihan Hall will open for guests at 1:00 p.m. Currently, there is no limit to the number of guests allowed per graduate for the School of Law ceremony. No tickets are required, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. All guests are asked to be seated by 1:45 p.m. to allow for the academic procession to begin.
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Graduate Check-in
All graduates must check in at the Calihan Hall northwest entrance by 1:00 p.m. Please wear your academic regalia.
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Graduation Attire
Commencement is a formal academic ceremony. Academic attire is restricted to University-approved tams, hoods, tassels, and gowns for professional schools. Since you will be standing in line and processing, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Academic attire is mailed to the address graduates list on their Herff Jones web order. International students may have their academic attire sent in care of the Student Service Center, Detroit Mercy Law, 651 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48226.
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Reciting the Prayer Inspired by St. Thomas More
All graduates stand and recite the prayer with the Graduate Prayer Reader selected by the graduating class.
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Commencement Ceremony Protocol
Graduates are asked not to chew gum or use any electronic devices during the Commencement ceremony. Given the solemnity of the occasion, please ask your guests to observe the following courtesies during Commencement:
- Turn off all electronic devices, cell phones, and pagers.
- Please do not bring food into the Church or Calihan Hall.
- No horns or balloons are allowed in Church or Calihan Hall.
- Guests who wish to check a stroller during Commencement may do so by stopping at the Alumni and VIP check-in in the northeast lobby of Calihan Hall.
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Commencement Photography
More information coming soon! -
Recommended Directions to Calihan Hall
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. The 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.
Questions?
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Contact
Please contact Ieisha Humphrey, Associate Dean for Student Affairs at humphrie@udmercy.edu.