UDM Events

UDM News

2008 Graduation

When does the Baccalaureate Mass take place?
The Baccalaureate Mass for the Class of 2008 will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Gerard Stockhausen, S.J., President of the University, will preside. Graduates attending Baccalaureate wear their graduation academic attire and gather promptly at 8:45 a.m. in the first-floor hall of the School of Law, outside of the Student Services and Registrar Office (Room 133) to line up for the procession.

When does Graduation take place?
Graduation for the Class of 2008 will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus of the University of Detroit Mercy. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for guests with tickets. There is no admittance to Calihan before 10:30 a.m. except for graduates checking in.

Given the solemnity of the occasion, please ask your guests to observe the following requests:
* Turn off all cell phones and pagers.
* Please do not bring food into Calihan Hall.
* Please do not bring strollers into the arena. The School will provide a stroller station in the lobby of Calihan Hall.

There are diaper-changing stations in the restrooms in Calihan Hall.

There will be a reserved section for guests requiring accommodated seating. Calihan Hall does not have wheelchairs.

Where do graduates and their guests park on the McNichols Campus?
There is free parking for graduates and their guests in the lots accessible from the McNichols entrance to the University. Vehicles may not drop off graduates and guests at the front door of Calihan Hall. The parking lot immediately in front of Calihan is reserved for permit parking only, including those who requested accommodations. Parking lots open for Graduation at 10:00 a.m.

May guests use cameras and video recorders during Graduation?
The Reception is the best opportunity to take pictures. However, during Graduation we will reserve a section of the Hall for guests so that they can take pictures or record video. Guests seated in the upper sections may use cameras and recorders at any time during Graduation. Each graduate receives a DVD of Graduation. Graduates may return to the Hall after the Recessional for photographs as well.

When should graduates arrive at Calihan Hall?
All graduates must check in at the northwest hall of Calihan by 10:30 a.m. The Faculty Marshals will line up the graduates.

Who is the graduation speaker?
Mr. E. Christopher Johnson, Jr., GM North American Vice President and General Counsel. With Mr. Johnson's efforts, GM provided UDM with its mobile law office (MLO) for Project SALUTE.

How long is the Commencement?
About two and a half hours, including lining up, the ceremony, and the reception.

Is there a reception after Graduation?
The University and the School of Law will hold a Reception for graduates and their guests immediately following the ceremony at the Fisher Fountain, just north of the Student Center on the McNichols Campus. We recommend that graduates and their guests not move their vehicles between Graduation and the Reception.

How many tickets may graduates have for Commencement?
Each graduate may request as many tickets as needed for Graduation and the Reception. Graduates pick up their tickets when they pick up their academic attire the week before Graduation at the Reserve Desk in the Law Library. Admission is by ticket only, including children. Please contact the Student Affairs Office (Room 207, 313-596-0287) with any questions about tickets.

When do graduates pick up their caps, hoods, and gowns?
Caps, hoods, and gowns will be available in the Law Library the week before Graduation. Graduates also may pick up the class composite photo at that time.

When will graduates receive their diplomas?
The School of Law Student Services and Registrar's Office will contact graduates by mail as soon as the diplomas arrive. May graduates can expect their diplomas in early September; July graduates in early October and December graduates in March. Graduates who move between now and when the diplomas for their class are scheduled to arrive must notify the Student Services and Registrar's Office of the new address at lawregistrar@udmercy.edu. The revised address will be shared with both the Office of the School of Law Career Services and Outreach and the School of Law Office of Alumni Relations.

Where can guests stay in downtown Detroit?
Information about hotels in downtown Detroit is located on the Visitor Information page of the School of Law web site. There are also special rates available at Detroit Titan Hotel Partners

Recommended Directions from downtown (School of Law Campus) to Calihan Hall (McNichols Campus):

From Larned St. Parking Lot
1. Proceed east making a left onto Larned St.
2. Turn right (south) on to Chrysler Drive.
3. Turn right on Jefferson Avenue (west).
4. Take Jefferson Avenue (.5 mile) and continue on to the John Lodge Expressway (MI 10) north (7.8 miles)
5. Take M10 north to the Livernois exit (Exit 9)
6. Turn right onto Livernois (.8 mile).7. Turn right onto McNichols (.1 mile).
9. Turn right into the McNichols entrance.

UDM School of Law 651 E. Jefferson Ave. Detroit, MI 48226
UDM McNichols Campus 4001 W. McNichols Detroit, MI 48221