The Wharton Center can be easily recognized for its Broadway musicals and performances. Flyers for Mean Girls and Hamilton can be seen all throughout the city of Lansing. As graduation season approaches, The Wharton will be expecting a different type of crowd.
On April 24, the African American Celebratory will be hosting the Certified Black Graduation for the 2022 academic year to celebrate the achievements of black graduates at Michigan State.
“This is the first one since the pandemic has started so we’re just excited to come back and just to celebrate all the black grads on MSU campus because it was a momentous experience to have,” said Kennedy Walters, Vice President of African American Celebratory.
Students can register through the link in the organization’s Instagram bio. The registration fee allows for graduates to receive a kente print black grads matter stole. Certain soon-to-be graduates are grateful for an additional commencement ceremony.
“As you all know, we go to a PWI, to have that safe space to be able to celebrate and to come together with people who look like you is a great thing,” said Stephanie McCullum, a senior at Michigan State.
“Just like having events like this, being able to see the community being together and making sure that we all know to celebrate each other as well as the university being able to celebrate too,” said Mecca Muhammad, a student worker at the Spartan Spirit Shop.
The ceremony will begin at 2 o’clock in the Cobb Great Hall of the Wharton Center.