One thousand Eastern Michigan University students have earned degrees that will be awarded Saturday, Dec. 14, at the winter commencement ceremonies featuring guest speaker and EMU alum Michael Pugh.
Since October 2023, Pugh has served as the chief executive officer of Local Initiatives Support Corp., an investment and innovation company that focuses on connecting resource partners with community-driving projects. He has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry.
The commencement ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The doors open at 8 a.m. Students must check in by 8:30 a.m.
In a report delivered to the university's Board of Regents on Dec. 5, University President James Smith said nearly 1,000 students are expected to receive degrees during the Dec. 14, 2024, commencement ceremonies.
Just over three-quarters of the graduating class will be receiving bachelor’s degrees, Smith said. Another 211 earned master’s degrees, and eight students will be graduating with doctoral degrees.
Smith said 157 of those students are graduating cum laude with a 3.5 to 3.69 grade point average; 154 are graduating magna cum laude with a 3.7 to 3.89 grade point average; and 119 are graduating summa cum laude with a 3.9 to 4.0 grade point average.
Pugh earned his bachelor’s degree in health care administration at EMU while working as a bank teller. Before joining the Local Initiatives company, he served as president and CEO of Carver Federal Savings Bank, the nation’s largest African-American-led financial institution. During the commencement ceremony, EMU will award Pugh an honorary doctoral degree in commercial science.
A native of Detroit, Pugh said in a statement released by the university that his interest in community finance and connecting people with capital began while working as a bank teller. He has since volunteered with The New York Bankers Association, The Economic Club of New York, the Community Development Bankers Association, and the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development.
Earlier in his career, Pugh served as a senior vice president at Capital One, N.A., and as a senior vice president at Citizens Financial Group. His duties included overseeing retail banking in Michigan and Indiana as well as managing 67 banking centers.
Tickets for the commencement ceremony are available only through graduating students, so students should be sure to check their emails for items received from the university on Nov. 25 and Dec. 2. The later email will provide instructions for how students can get one free ticket for themselves and may claim up to six tickets for guests.
All tickets are general admission. If accessible seating is required, contact the EMU Ticketing Office by email at emu_tix@emich.edu in advance of the ceremony after obtaining the tickets to ensure a spot.
Other graduation-related events at the university include:
- The Honors college Graduation Ceremony is from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Honors College auditorium, at 511 W. Forest St. Graduate lineup starts at 1 p.m. The ceremony starts at 2.
- A multicultural celebration is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in Pease Auditorium on campus. The keynote speaker for the event is Mia Milton.
Congratulations to all EMU graduates!
