UMD’s 2024 commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at AMSOIL Arena, 350 Harbor Drive. UMD students have been working toward this achievement for years. The pomp and circumstance around this event is to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice required to earn a degree and to celebrate this milestone achievement.

There are two ceremonies:

• 10 a.m.    The College of Education and Human Service Professions and the Labovitz School of Business and Economics
• 3 p.m.      The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the Swenson College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus (Master’s Degrees)

Meet the grads and student speakers

Over 1700 Bulldogs will be participating in this year’s commencement exercise, in recognition of their earning bachelor’s degrees, doctoral degrees, or master’s degrees. The morning student speaker is Uyen Nguyen – Labovitz School of Business and Economics and the afternoon speaker is Olivia Nelson – College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

See this video from the 2023 Commencement for a taste of the festivities.

Uyen Nguyen -  Labovitz School of Business and Economics

Uyen Nguyen (she/her) is graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in healthcare management and minoring in finance, and while she always knew she’d go into business, it wasn’t until studying at UMD that she found the right fit.

Nguyen was born in Vietnam, and her family moved to Minnesota when she was just seven years old. Inspired by many of her family members working in the healthcare field, she’s now actively searching for careers where she can put her degree to use within healthcare administration.

Outside of classes, Nguyen has been involved across campus, from leadership roles in Student Government Association (including rep-at-large, financial officer and, most recently, as student body president), to vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa, secretary for the Student Health Care Management Association, and CORE ambassador for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In her spare time, you could find Nguyen at the gym, exploring Duluth’s food scene, curled up with a book, or spending time with friends and family.

Looking back at her time at UMD, Nguyen remembers just how much has changed. From overcoming a pandemic to graduating, “we're super adaptable now,” she says. “You should be proud of that.”

Olivia Nelson - College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Olivia Nelson (she/her) will be graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre, with emphases in both musical theatre and acting, and an art minor.

Nelson grew up in Prior Lake, but was always drawn to the North Shore. When it came time for college, she set her sights on UMD. “I knew that this was a special place,” she said. Since choosing theatre, Nelson has been involved in productions across campus and Duluth, with the outdoor twilight production of The Moors as one of her favorite memories.

Outside of classes and all-evening rehearsals, Nelson has spent her time connecting with friends, and supporting her fellow students as an inclusion and advocacy officer on the Stage 2 Board and through work with Art in Ordean. Off campus, she enjoys thrifting, watching movies, creating art in her home studio, and whenever she can, visiting Lake Superior.

After graduation, Nelson wants to head to Chicago, to continue telling stories and share her voice through acting and writing. “I want to make new stuff,” Nelson said, “things that nobody's ever seen before.”

“UMD is where I learned who I am,” Nelson said. “I feel like I'm set up to do anything.”