Commencement Program

Presiding 

• Gabriella Scarlatta, Interim Chancellor

Graduate Processional*

• St. Andrew’s Pipe Band of Detroit

Administration and Faculty Processional

• “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar

Welcome 

• Ghassan Kridli, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Presentation of the Colors 

• ROTC Color Guard

National Anthem* 

• “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key
  Sung by Kavahna Heard

Platform Party Introductions 

• Ghassan Kridli, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Greetings on Behalf of the University of Michigan President

• President Domenico Grasso

Greetings on Behalf of the University of Michigan Board of Regents

• Regent Carl J. Meyers

Remarks on Behalf of Students 

• Rehab Jadallah, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  (Undergraduate ceremonies)
   

• Ana Karla Albisua Bermudez, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  (Doctoral/Graduate ceremony) 

Introduction of the Commencement Speaker

• Ghassan Kridli, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Commencement Address 

• Eric Ham ’95 BA
  Author, Columnist and News Anchor
  (Undergraduate ceremonies)
   

• Bruce Maxim, PhD
  Professor of Computer and Information Science and Narasimhamurthi “Nattu” Natarajan Collegiate Professor of Engineering
  University of Michigan-Dearborn
  (Doctoral/Graduate ceremony)

Presentation of Degree Candidates

• Dagmar Budikova
  Dean, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters
• Frédéric Brunel
  Dean, College of Business
• Ann Y. Lampkin-Williams
  Dean, College of Education, Health, and Human Services
• Armen Zakarian
  Interim Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Presentation of the Chancellor’s and Dean’s Medallion Winners

• Dagmar Budikova
  Dean, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters
• Frédéric Brunel
  Dean, College of Business
• Ann Y. Lampkin-Williams
  Dean, College of Education, Health, and Human Services
• Armen Zakarian
  Interim Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Recognition of Honors Graduates 

• Ghassan Kridli, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Remarks on Behalf of the University

• Gabriella Scarlatta, Interim Chancellor

Recessional* 

• St. Andrew’s Pipe Band of Detroit

*Those who are able are asked to stand for these portions of the program. At the conclusion of the program, the audience will please remain standing until the platform party has left the arena.

Sign Language Interpretation is provided through DeafCAN of Sylvan Lake, Michigan.

Eric Ham ’95 BA
Author, Columnist and News Anchor 

Eric Ham is a bestselling author, columnist and news anchor. Over the past decade, he has covered many of the biggest news stories from the U.S. and around the world. Working for some of the most respected media outlets, he has reported on groundbreaking events, including presidential elections, the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. government shutdowns. He has served as a White House correspondent for The Associated Press, a U.S. political analyst for BBC News, a host on the Sirius XM Radio POTUS channel, an anchor of Firstpost America and a columnist for Canada’s CTV. 

Prior to his time as a journalist, Eric spent years in Washington working on foreign policy and national security affairs. At the height of the Iraq War, he was a staffer in the U.S. Congress, where he served as an aide to former Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. During his time on Capitol Hill, his portfolio consisted of military affairs and international relations. He also led the government relations department for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, one of the world’s premier defense and global policy think tanks. He chaired the Security and Development Work Group for the Society for International Development and served as the executive director of the Fragile State Strategy Group. 

The University of Michigan-Dearborn provided the academic and theoretical foundation for Eric’s lifelong career in politics. The university’s Political Science Department jumpstarted those efforts, beginning with an internship in the Government Affairs office at Chrysler Corp. Upon graduation, Ham secured his first official role in government working as a legislative aide in the Michigan Legislature. The job offer came after a six-hour interview with a state lawmaker that took place in the offices of UM-Dearborn’s Political Science Department. Eric is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the University of Chicago. He resides in Washington, D.C. 

Bruce Maxim, PhD
Professor of Computer and Information Science and Narasimhamurthi “Nattu” Natarajan Collegiate Professor of Engineering
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Bruce R. Maxim is professor of computer and information science and the Narasimhamurthi “Nattu” Natarajan collegiate professor of engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. His research interests include software engineering, user experience design, serious game development, virtual reality, social media, artificial intelligence and engineering education. He has published several papers on the animation of computer algorithms, software quality assurance,game development and educational computing applications. He is co-author of a bestselling introductory computer science text and the world’s most popular software engineering text. He has served as co-editor of three collections of software engineering research papers. 

Bruce is the architect of the ABET-accredited computer science curriculum and the ABET-accredited software engineering curriculum at UM-Dearborn. He is the creator of 28 computer and information science courses dealing with software engineering, game design, artificial intelligence, user interface design, web engineering, software quality and computer programming. He also serves as the faculty advisor to several UM-Dearborn student groups, including the computing honor society (Upsilon Pi Epsilon), (Game) Developers of Dearborn and the Google Developer Student Club. 

Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, Bruce’s professional experience included managing research information systems at a medical school, directing instructional computing activities for a medical campus and working as a statistical programmer in a department of epidemiology. He also served as the chief technology officer for a game development company. He has received several distinguished teaching awards, distinguished faculty governance awards and distinguished service awards.

Rehab Jadallah
College of Engineering and Computer Science 

Rehab Jadallah is an honors student graduating with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in computer and information science and in CIS mathematics. During her time at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, she combined academic excellence with leadership, research and service across campus and the broader community. 

Rehab was a Michigan Council of Women in Technology scholar and student ambassador, representing women in engineering at statewide professional events and delivering a keynote address to more than 750 attendees at the organization’s annual gala. She also founded the Arab Affairs League at UM-Dearborn and earned recognition as an award-winning delegate in Model Arab League. She has conducted research through the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, developing a virtual reality accessibility simulation, and mentors K-12 students through STEM programs focused on coding and robotics. 

After graduation, Jadallah will pursue a master’s degree in computer science and begin her career as a software engineer at Stryker. 

Ana Karla Albisua Bermudez
College of Engineering and Computer Science

Ana Karla Albisua Bermudez is earning her Master of Science in engineering management. Her graduate studies have focused on the intersection of engineering, business strategy and organizational leadership. 

Born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, she completed her undergraduate studies at Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. She graduated at the top of her class and received the Medal of Honor “Francisco Javier Clavijero,” one of the university’s highest academic distinctions. During her studies, she also spent a year abroad at Deggendorf Institute of Technology and completed an internship at the BMW Group manufacturing plant in Dingolfing, Germany. 

Ana Karla began her career in the automotive industry as a Development Engineer, working on automotive interior systems before transitioning into Program Management. She currently serves as a program manager at Lear Corporation, where she leads cross-functional teams delivering complex engineering programs for major automotive manufacturers. 

Committed to service and community engagement, she has participated in Jesuit missionary outreach programs in rural communities in Mexico and volunteers with Alternatives for Girls in Detroit. She is also a marathon runner who supports youth development initiatives through fundraising for Grassroot Soccer.