The Spring Commencement ceremony includes keynote remarks by guest speakers.

2026 Spring Commencement Speaker

Jalen A. Rose, former National Basketball League forward and sports analyst, will be the 2026 Spring Commencement keynote speaker. 

Born and raised in Detroit, Rose gained national prominence in the early 90s as a key member of the University of Michigan’s “Fab Five.” In 1994, he was selected in the first round of the NBA draft, where he played 13 seasons. 

Off the court, Rose has taken on a number of philanthropic roles, most notably in his hometown. The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy opened in 2011, and now boasts a 95% graduation rate and 100% college and postsecondary acceptance rate. He is also a driving force for the cultural resurgence of Detroit as co-founder and CEO of Same Page Entertainment. The Detroit-based production firm develops, produces, finances and distributes both scripted and unscripted media. 

Rose has been a pioneer in other forms of entertainment work, as well. He produced the critically acclaimed documentary “The Fab Five,” released in 2011. He was the first active NBA player to serve as a basketball analyst, and has appeared on FOX Sports, ESPN, and TNT, where he’s currently a college basketball analyst. 

Rose is a member of the National Basketball Players Association Foundation, where he has been honored with several awards, including the NBA’s Bob Lanier Community Impact Award, the National Civil Rights Museum’s Sports Legacy Award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Mannie Jackson Basketball Human Spirit Award, and the University of Michigan’s President’s Medal of Excellence.

2026 Spring Commencement Student Speakers

In addition, brief remarks will be made by student speakers, chosen by the Student Speaker Selection Committee.

This application is now closed. Congratulations to the 2026 Spring Commencement Student Speakers!

Alicia Clark – Bachelor of Arts in Film, Television and Media

Liam Reaser – Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Science, Political Science

Cassandra Turner – PhD in Health Infrastructures & Learning Systems