Nearly 2,900 students will conclude 2015 as graduates of Wayne State University and will have an opportunity to participate in commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Three ceremonies, scheduled at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., will take place at Wayne State’s Matthaei Physical Education Center, located at 5105 John C. Lodge in Detroit.
During the 10 a.m. ceremony, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree will be bestowed upon Ruben Santiago-Hudson for his extensive achievements as an award-winning performer, writer and director, and to honor his ceaseless dedication to the performing arts.
For more than 30 years, Santiago-Hudson has honed his craft. In 1992, he made his Broadway acting debut in Jelly’s Last Jam opposite Gregory Hines. In 1996, he was recognized for his performance in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars with Broadway’s highest honor, the Tony Award, for Featured Actor in a Play. He wrote Lackawanna Blues in 2001, which was later adapted into a highly acclaimed, award-winning HBO film.
Santiago-Hudson made his directorial debut with Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean. In 2012, he directed Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, which earned him a Lucille Lortel Award and Obie Award for Best Direction. His television and film performances include Their Eyes Were Watching God, Forgotten Genius, American Gangster, Shaft, Low Winter Sun, The West Wing, Law & Order, Castle, and Selma.
Santiago-Hudson holds a bachelor’s from SUNY Binghamton and a master’s from Wayne State University.
*Media planning to attend the ceremonies should RSVP by emailing Tom Reynolds at treynolds@wayne.edu.
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 commencement ceremony schedule:
10 a.m.
College of Education
College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts
School of Library and Information Science
School of Medicine (Ph.D./Master's candidates)
College of Nursing
2 p.m.
Mike Ilitch School of Business
College of Engineering
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences
School of Social Work
6 p.m.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences