The Middle Eastern and North African⁺ (MENA) Pre-Commencement Celebration is a special event dedicated to recognizing student graduates (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral/professional) of Middle Eastern and North African⁺ (MENA) descent. This inclusive gathering celebrates the diverse identities at Wayne State University and builds unity and pride as we celebrate our MENA⁺ graduates' achievements. It is also for students who identify closely to the MENA region, anyone who wishes to uplift our MENA students and appreciate the MENA culture and history (as symbolized by the plus sign in MENA⁺). Our MENA students make up the third largest ethnic demographic^* on Wayne State's campus while Michigan has the second largest Arab American population^** in the country. This ceremony will take place in April during National Arab American Heritage and Chaldean American Month, a special time to honor the achievements and legacies of our campus community's Arab American and Chaldean American students. The ceremony also pays tribute to graduating students' families and the communities that contributed to their success. The MENA⁺ Pre-Commencement Ceremony is not an alternative graduation; we are celebrating our current students' academic successes and accomplishments, and paving the way for future children in Detroit and beyond to follow in their footsteps of graduating from a nationally-ranked public institution.

Date: Friday, April 25, 2025

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Student Center Ballroom

Graduating students RSVP here.

Note: Students graduating from any WSU undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral/professional program in 2024-2025 are welcome to join.

If you or someone you know would be an excellent candidate for our student speaker, please complete this nomination form.

Guests RSVP here.

We are also accepting sponsors and donors to help make this event a truly memorable celebration for our students, their families, and our community.

For questions and accommodations, please contact bayanfounas@wayne.edu.

This event is open to all students, employees, and the public community.

* ^©2024 WSU Census File. Institution of Research and Data Analytics

** ^©2024 Arab American Institute