Ferris State University will be awarding nearly 800 degrees and certificates with 465 students planning to participate in commencement ceremonies taking place on Friday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Jim Wink Arena of the Ewigleben Sports Complex in Big Rapids. 

Following the FSU Concert Choir’s National Anthem performance, President Bill Pink will greet commencement attendees, saluting Class of 2023 graduates, their families, and friends. 

This fall’s featured speaker is Joshua Pardon, Ferris State’s 2023 Distinguished Teacher Award recipient. A professor in the Television and Digital Media Production program in the College of Business, Pardon has received multiple Telly Awards and an Emmy nomination. He has received acclaim for his work on historical documentaries, including “The Factor” and the Emmy-nominated “The Poor Farm,” both airing on public access stations nationwide. 

The Wink Arena doors open at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. ceremonies, saluting College of Arts, Sciences and Education and College of Engineering Technology graduates. Following a break, the doors reopen at 11:30 a.m. for the 12:30 p.m. ceremony highlighting graduates of the colleges of Business and Health Professions. 

Near the close of the ceremonies, Dr. Emily Coles, president of The Ferris State University Alumni Association, officially welcomes graduates as the newest alumni. 

Each graduate receives six tickets for the Fall 2023 commencement and can use the online ticketing system to reserve tickets. The Commencement Office or the individual college commencement coordinators will distribute no extra e-tickets. Lost tickets will not be replaced. Guests without tickets can watch the ceremonies via live stream available on the Commencement Office website. Click for more information. 

Kendall College of Art and Design, Doctorate in Community College Leadership, Michigan College of Optometry and College of Pharmacy graduates are honored annually during spring ceremonies.

E-tickets are required to attend all Big Rapids commencement ceremonies. 

Visit the commencement website for more information.