Wayne State University celebrates 2024 graduates

Wayne State University celebrated nearly 6,300 graduates in the 2024 calendar year, including more than 3,000 graduates at its Dec. 14 commencement ceremonies.

"As one of the nation's top public urban research universities, Wayne State University has anchored the City of Detroit since 1868," said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Laurie Lauzon Clabo. "It is our greatest pleasure to celebrate with our graduates and their families. I am confident, that with the world-class education they have received at Wayne State, they are exceptionally prepared to make a meaningful impact on our community and beyond."

The Class of 2024 joins the more than 300,000 current WSU alumni. With eight out of every 10 Wayne State graduates choosing to live and work in Michigan, more than 5,000 new Warriors will enter the state's workforce this year ready to contribute to the growth of our economy and the vitality of our community.

Through the university's College to Career initiative, Wayne State students put classroom knowledge to work in real-world settings, preparing them for the rigors and challenges of their future careers. Wayne State was ranked in the nation's top 100 public univerities by U.S. News and World Report, and with the large number of graduates excelling in their fields and holding leadership positions nationwide, TIME magazine recognized Wayne State as a top 100 university for future leaders.

"Wayne State graduates take full advantage of the unique career-enriching experiences in the heart of the coolest city in the country, Detroit," said Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, Wayne State University president. "Wayne State is truly a university of opportunity, and I cannot wait to read of our graduates' successes in the future."

2024 graduation year snapshot

• Over 3,800 graduates - more than half of the Class of 2024 - earned their first degree, exemplifying Wayne State's role as an engine of opportunity.

• The university credentialed more than 1,200 health care professionals who will support the health and well-being of their communities and address workforce shortages.

• Wayne State partnered with more than 500 employers and hosted more than 1,000 student-employer engagement events in 2024, connecting students with opportunities and helping organizations meet growing demands for an educated workforce.

• The top degree-awarding programs included medicine, public health, computer and information sciences, nursing, business administration and general management, psychology, social work, organizational behavior, marketing, and logistics/supply chain management.

"A degree is far more than a piece of paper: It's a symbol of possibility, a key that opens new doors. It's a gateway to opportunities you've worked tirelessly to earn and a tool for shaping a brighter future," said Student Senate president and new graduate Hayden Johnson, who earned a degree in political science and anthropology.