A Guide to Fall 2025 Commencement

Hearing “Hail to the Victors” brings excitement and pride, especially during commencement. As the song plays, the newest Dearborn Wolverine alums walk out of the Fieldhouse and join the more than 690,000 U-M alumni network. 

This year UM-Dearborn will recognize 751 degree candidates — who are from ages 18 to 61 — during two 90-minute commencement ceremonies on Dec. 20.

The morning ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m., recognizes graduates of the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters and the College of Business. The afternoon ceremony, which starts at 2 p.m., celebrates graduates of the College of Education, Health and Human Services and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Doors open one hour before start time.

Here’s more information about the Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies.

Speakers

UM-Dearborn alum Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, ’96 BS, will give the keynote speech. Lodhi is a board-certified OB-GYN with over 20 years of experience dedicated to empowering women through education, advocacy and personalized care. She is the founder and CEO of Femme Vie Health, a concierge gynecology practice in New York, and also provides telehealth services for patients in Michigan. Her clinical focus spans the full spectrum of women’s health, with a specialization in menopause, sexual health and intimacy coaching. Lodhi is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, an ISSWSH Fellow, and a sexual counselor and educator through the University of Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with honors from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and earned her doctorate in osteopathic medicine at Michigan State University. 

Lodhi’s impact extends beyond the clinic. In 2023, she delivered a TEDx talk, “Sexual Education for Physicians: Lessons from a  Muslim Gynecologist.” In 2024, she was honored as Distinguished Alum of the Year by the University of Michigan-Dearborn for her pioneering advocacy through the globally recognized “Muslim Sex Podcast,” which has reached audiences worldwide with accessible  conversations on menopause, intimacy and sexual health. She is also a contributing author in “Thriving After Burnout” and “Made for More 2,” further amplifying her mission to help women embrace midlife as a season of vitality and possibility.

The student speaker for the two ceremonies is College of Education, Health and Human Services Fall ’25 graduate Kennedi “Ifasekemi” Hammond. Since transferring to UM-Dearborn in 2023, Hammonds has distinguished herself as a scholar, leader and advocate for equity in health and education. A mother of three, she is graduating with high distinction and has been recognized on the Dean’s List every semester since Fall 2023. In addition to academic excellence, Hammonds has demonstrated a deep commitment to campus and community engagement. She served as the 2024-25 chair of the Student Government Inclusion Committee and is currently basileus (president) of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Xi Upsilon Chapter, where she has championed initiatives centered on women’s wellness, inclusion and service. She also served as social media and marketing chair for the Black Student Union in Fall 2024 and has mentored peers through the SOAR and Wolverine Mentor Collective programs. In addition, Hammonds is a proud member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society.

A recipient of multiple honors, including the Beth Beson Returning Women Scholarship, the Janet & Cynthia Hewitt Scholarship, the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship and the Velda D. Taylor Scholarship. Hammonds has combined scholarship with impact. Professionally, she works as a contingent doula with Henry Ford Health and a community health worker with Corewell Health’s east region — contributing to the Healthy Baby Connect AI-ECHO program, which uses artificial intelligence to improve maternal and infant outcomes. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a Master of Public Health, specializing in maternal and child health and health informatics and advancing her mission to improve birth equity and family health outcomes through innovation and compassion.

Tickets

Each graduate received up to four tickets for the ceremony; graduates do not need a ticket for themselves. Children ages 2 or younger, who will be seated on a lap, do not need a ticket.

If a student or a guest requires extra aid, like wheelchair-assistance, for the event, email the commencement team. ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be provided for all ceremonies.

If students haven’t picked up their tickets yet, they can get them at the One Stop, located inside the Renick University Center on the first floor. Make sure to bring your cap-and-gown receipt and a state-issued ID, passport or MCard. One Stop hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday. Thursday hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. If a student is unable to come to campus prior to commencement email commencement staff by Dec. 5. for tickets to be placed in Will Call, where they can be picked up at the Fieldhouse on the day of the ceremony. Get or reserve tickets by Dec. 5 or they will be considered unclaimed.

So how does someone get more tickets if they have a big family or a large friend group? An email about unclaimed tickets will be sent to graduating students on Dec. 8.

Parking

UM-Dearborn parking is available in parking lots E7, E6 and E5 on the north side of the Fieldhouse.

The bridge on southbound Evergreen Road at Michigan Avenue is undergoing major repair work. Only local traffic (including UM-Dearborn traffic) is allowed south of Hubbard. The southbound entrance to Michigan Avenue is closed and there is no access to Fair Lane Drive. 

Please refer to campus maps and directions for the most up-to-date information and follow posted signage the day of commencement.

Photography and videography

Photography and videography will take place during the ceremonies. Images may be shared on UM-Dearborn’s social media, website or other platforms and/or used for marketing purposes. Any graduate or guest who does not wish to appear in a close-up image may alert the photographer or videographer and he/she will do their best to accommodate. Any attendee may appear in crowd shots of the day. This event will also be livestreamed. The livestream will be posted after the event.

Watching the ceremony

If you aren’t able to be there in person, there’s still a way to watch your favorite student graduate. No matter where in the world families and friends may be, they can watch the ceremonies online.

The two events will stream through the UM-Dearborn’s YouTube account. 

Get additional commencement information at the Fall 2025 commencement website.

Story by Sarah Tuxbury