Convocation

Michigan State University’s spring convocation ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on the corner of Harrison Road and Kalamazoo Street. The main speaker will be Gro Harlem Brundtland, former director general of the World Health Organization and former prime minister of Norway, who will receive an honorary doctor of laws. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon also will recognize Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, with an honorary doctor of laws. Mandela, who will not be present at the ceremony, will present videotaped remarks. The Hon. Yusuf Omar, consul-general, South African Consulate General, Chicago, will accept the award on Mandela’s behalf.

Advanced-Degree Ceremony

Peter Raven, biodiversity advocate and president of the Missouri Botanical Garden, will address candidates for advanced degrees at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Breslin Center, and receive an honorary doctor of science. Steven Koonin, chief scientist for BP (formerly British Petroleum), will receive an honorary doctor of science at this ceremony.

Media Parking and Entry

Media parking is available in either the west side of Lot 63 off Harrison Road immediately south of the Breslin Center, or Lot 66A on the southwest corner of Harrison Road and Kalamazoo Street. Media must obtain a special parking pass and other materials from MSU University Relations, 403 Olds Hall, by 9 a.m. Friday, May 2. Passes must be displayed to enter the lots. These passes may be used for both the convocation and advanced-degree ceremonies. Media are asked to enter the Breslin Center through the ticket entrance, which is located on the south side of the building, just east of Gate B. Media will be accommodated on Platform 111. An audio feed will be available.

For additional information about commencement, visit www.commencement.msu.edu.

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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.