University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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In the early morning hours of April 26, seniors gathered together as they entered into Michigan Stadium for the last time as undergraduate students. Unlike familiar Saturdays in the Big House, graduates traded the usual blue and gold stadium attire for black caps and gowns that appropriately marked the end of an unforgettable four years. Students were both nostalgic and enthusiastic as they, along with family and friends, listened to the auspicious commencement ceremonies. Alumnus Michael Guttman explained, On one hand you ' re sad that you ' re graduating, but as I sat with my best friends in Michigan Stadium where I saw so many great games, I couldn ' t help being so happy that I had four incredible years. CO CD CD CD 13 CD ( i- CD hail to the graduates Speaker Governor Jennifer Granholm reminded students not only to look back but also to look forward. Some felt anxious and even affronted by her reminder of the difficult job-hunt and declining economy awaiting the graduating class in the months to come. She told us that although we had now graduated from a great university, our accomplishments could not just end there. Instead of reflecting on the past four years, I found myself thinking about a very uncertain future. . .Yet I ' m confident that my whole experience at U of M, not just the academic aspect, will allow me to be successful, described graduate Evan Lison. President Mary Sue Coleman also gave her first spring commencement speech, in which she reminded students to pursue intellectual freedom in the age of the information revolution. for Advanced Studies, doctor of humane letters; Hillel Shuval Lunenfeld-Kunen, Professor of Environmental Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, doctor of science; Judith Jamison, director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, doctor of fine arts; and Dr. John Schwarz, former Michigan State Senator representing Battle Creek, doctor of laws. Most importantly, more than 6,400 undergraduate degrees were conferred to the class of 2003, making them a part of the largest living alumni base in the nation. During the ceremony, honorary doctoral degrees were conferred to Governor Granholm, doctor of laws; Oleg Grabar, professor emeritus at the Princeton Institute Graduation 19

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A sense of accomplishment and tranquility washes over the ceremony as graduates file down the steps of the stadium. Although graduation was a time of exuberance, it left many students reflecting upon their past four years and their uncertain futures. Tedjasukmana photo 18 Michigan Life Celebrating the successful end to his college career, business school graduate Eric Frank shouts with excitement. Graduation day in the Big House was met by most students with enthusiasm and joy. L. Prottx photo

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avoiding the ' M ' dodging your R.A. wailing for a 2 a.m. bus it ' s all part of being a freshman LSA freshmen Molly Heitner andVicki Christner study in their Markley dorm room on a Friday afternoon. Many freshmen found the college workload heavier than imagined and had to sacrifice more time to studying. . Neff photo 20 Michigan Life