Former UM basketball star and philanthropist Jalen Rose delivered the commencement keynote and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Michigan Stadium, where more than 10,000 graduates and 60,000 guests were in attendance.

Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps also received an honorary degree at the ceremony.

Rose encouraged graduates with a message about future achievements and the Go Blue spirit, telling them the world is their oyster.

The keynote message emphasized that success comes with turbulence and that failure is part of the path to realizing dreams.

Overall tone of the weekend was celebratory, underscoring resilience, community, and service as core UM values and the graduates' future contributions.

Family members described the ceremony as bittersweet, with pride and emotion as loved ones graduate and look to continuing education and careers.

Rose aims to leave graduates with a practical, lasting takeaway they can apply after commencement.

Three spring graduates—Alicia Clark, Liam Reaser, and Cassandra Turner—delivered speeches reflecting on memories, defying expectations, and maintaining alumni connections.

University President Domenico Grasso praised resilience and framed graduates as embodying steadiness and grace amid challenges.

Detroit-area graduates Chiante Hamilton and Bionca Stewart spoke about the value of networks, patience, and enjoying the college journey.

Rose prepared by studying leaders like Obama and Washington, planning a roughly 10-minute address focused on perseverance and managing expectations.

The commencement weekend included a Fab Five reunion, signaling ongoing impact beyond basketball and renewed community engagement.