Western Graduates 1700 in Fall Commencement Ceremony

Approximately 1700 Western Michigan University students Saturday (December 15th) became Western Michigan University graduates and alumni. There were three ceremonies at Miller Auditorium to celebrate the achievements.

University President Dr. Edward Montgomery, with a new raise and contract extension under his belt, quoted U.S. Olympic hero Jesse Owens in his remarks, saying, "'We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort'. Graduates, all of you here today are the embodiment of that statement!"

The commencement was again broken into three ceremonies, with the College of Education and Human Development, College of Health and Human Services and
College of Fine Arts at 9am. An Noon, it was the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Haworth College of Business' turn. And finally at 3pm, the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Aviation, and Extended University Programs.

News of Montgomery's contract extension preceded the ceremony, on Thursday. The extension is for five years, thru the 2024-2025 school year.