Wayne State University turned the spotlight on more than 3,000 proud graduates as they crossed the stage, surrounded by family and friends, at its commencement ceremonies April 30 through May 2 in the Wayne State Fieldhouse.  Wayne State will celebrate graduates from the School of Medicine and Law School during separate commencement ceremonies May 8 and May 12, respectively.  

“Each one of our graduates has played a crucial role in advancing our university by sharing their unique talents every day,” said Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, Wayne State University president. “Wayne State is truly a university of opportunity, and I cannot wait to read of our graduates’ successes in the future.”   

The Class of 2025 joins the more than 300,000 current WSU alumni. With 8 out of every 10 Wayne State graduates choosing to live and work in Michigan, more than an estimated 2,400 new Warriors will enter the state’s workforce this spring ready to contribute to the growth of our economy and the vitality of our community.   

“We are immensely proud of our graduates. Their academic achievements reflect their personal dedication as well as the commitment of our outstanding faculty and academic staff who help every student thrive at Wayne State,” said Dr. Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “As one of the nation’s top public urban research universities, Wayne State is committed to helping all of our students reach this important milestone of graduation, and we are confident they are exceptionally prepared to make a positive impact in our local and global communities.” 

Through the university’s College to Career initiative, Wayne State students put classroom knowledge to work in real-world settings, preparing them for the rigors and challenges of their future careers. Wayne State is ranked in the nation’s top 100 public univerities by U.S. News and World Report, and with the large number of graduates excelling in their fields and holding leadership positions nationwide, TIME magazine recognized Wayne State as a top 100 university for future leaders. 

Cordelia Krajewski, a graduate who earned a bachelor’s in public affairs with an honor’s co-major and minor in urban studies, is one of those many leaders. During her time on campus, Krajewski was a passionate advocate for student engagement and civic participation. She served as director of government affairs on the Student Senate, a resident advisor at Anthony Wayne Drive Apartments and a Democracy Fellow with the Campus Vote Project, while also gaining invaluable experience through internships with the City of Detroit, the Executive Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the office of Sen. Mallory McMorrow. 

In an address to fellow graduates, Krajewski shared how those experiences fueled her passion for public service and encouraged all graduates to enthusiastically pursue their own dreams.  

“Wayne State has helped us all become lifelong learners, and as the world changes around us, we also must continue to grow,” she said. “Our campus community has shown us that even during uncertain times, it is vital to continue living our lives with passion for our values and to show grace and compassion toward the people around us. That is what being a Warrior means: living with purpose and passion for making our community a better place.” 

The university also awarded honorary degrees to leaders whose remarkable contributions to society and their respective fields.  

Dr. Larry Brilliant, a native Detroiter and Wayne State School of Medicine alumnus, was awarded the Doctor of Science, honoris causa, for his lifelong commitment and leadership in improving public health. From serving as the unofficial physician for Native Americans occupying Alcatraz Island in 1969 to pursuing smallpox eradication with the U.N. World Health Organization in India and co-founding the Seva Foundation that has treated millions of people with blinding eye conditions, Brilliant has led a remarkable and varied career. 

Jamie and Dr. Denise Jacob, a College of Nursing alumna, were awarded the Doctor of Laws, honors causa. They are pillars of the Detroit community, who together co-founded the Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation, dedicated to advancing childhood enrichment, college access and success, and reproductive health. They developed a partnership with the College of Nursing, and through the Jacob Scholars program, they provide high-achieving nursing students with the resources, support and mentorship needed to excel and make an impact in health care and their communities.  

2025 graduation – Winter semester snapshot  

As an urban public research institution, Wayne State plays a unique and influential role in Detroit, preparing our students for life-changing careers, advancing the health and well-being of our local communities, and contributing significantly to Michigan’s economic growth. This work, outlined in the Prosperity Agenda, is exemplified by the graduating class, who are ready and eager to make an impact.  

• Nearly 1,400 graduates — almost half of the Class of 2025 — are first-generation college students, exemplifying Wayne State’s role as an engine of opportunity.   

• The university credentialed more than 800 health care professionals who will support the health and well-being of their communities and address workforce shortages. The university will credential more than 150 lawyers this spring 

• Wayne State continues to expand its partnerships with employers and hosted more than 200 student-employer engagement events and facilitated more than 1,600 career coaching sessions this semester, connecting students with opportunities and helping organizations meet growing demands for an educated workforce.   

• The top degree-awarding programs included social work, business administration, public health, psychology, nursing, computer science, law, finance and marketing.