December 12, 2024

SVSU students to celebrate beginning of new chapters

Over 500 expected to participate in commencement ceremonies

As the year draws to a close, over 530 Saginaw Valley State University students will prepare to put their degrees to use and celebrate the beginning of the next chapter of their lives when they participate in commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Graduates from the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, the Scott L. Carmona College of Business, and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology will be recognized in a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Graduates from the College of Education and the Crystal M. Lange College of Health and Human Services will participate in a ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Both events will be held at SVSU’s Ryder Center and will be livestreamed. The livestreams can be viewed here.

Mark Murray, vice chairman of the board of Meijer, will speak at both ceremonies. SVSU President George Grant Jr will confer on Murray an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree during the 10 a.m. event.

Murray was named co-chief executive officer of Meijer in 2013, sharing the role with Hank Meijer. His career with Meijer began in 2006, when he joined the company as president. During this time, Meijer added 24 supercenters, and annual sales rose more than 20%.

Prior to joining Meijer, Murray served as the third president of Grand Valley State University from 2001-2006. Early in his career at Grand Valley, Murray helped grow international programs, establishing a partnership between GVSU and the University of Cape Coast in Africa and helping create a North American Office for John Cabot University (Rome) at GVSU, followed by several other international partnerships.

Before he arrived at Grand Valley, Murray served for more than 20 years in Michigan state government. During his tenure, he held several leadership positions, including state budget director, state treasurer and acting director of the Family Independence Agency, now known as the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, Murray served as education advisor to Governor John Engler from 1999-2001. Murray also served briefly as vice president of finance and administration at Michigan State University, his alma mater.

Murray holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from MSU.

SVSU graduates are building careers in high-demand fields in the Great Lakes Bay Region, throughout the state and beyond. According to a survey conducted by SVSU’s Office of Career Services, at least 96% of graduates from 2019 through 2022 are employed or continuing their education.