The Multicultural Graduation Celebration will transition to a once-a-year schedule, the Center of Race and Ethnicity announced in a statement on Instagram.
CORE said the next Multicultural Graduation Celebration will be held May 1, 2026. However, fall 2025 graduates will still have the opportunity to receive a complimentary cultural stole that can be worn at the campus-wide commencement in December 2025.
The MGC aims to celebrate Eastern Michigan University graduates and their cultures. As part of the celebration, registered graduates receive a stole of their choosing and six tickets for guests.
Center Coordinator Sariah Metcalfe explained why the change was made.
“The staff that hosts MGC is very small, and we call upon volunteers from the campus community,” Metcalfe said. “It became really clear that two MGCs a year was not sustainable.”
Metcalfe acknowledged the disappointment and frustration students might feel and encouraged them to bring feedback to the Center.
“We do understand that this is a very significant transition to the expectations of the lineup for celebrating graduation,” Metcalfe said. “We are still open to hearing how that’s landing for folks via the CORE inbox, and we’re also on the third floor of the Student Center.”
In an effort to still celebrate 2025 summer and fall graduates, CORE is partnering with the LGBT Resource Center and the EMU Foundation for Cap and Gown Countdown.
The event will be held Dec. 9, 2025, in the Student Center Ballroom from 4:30-6 p.m. Graduating students will have the opportunity to decorate their caps, receive their cultural stoles from CORE, enjoy food and more.
Students interested in requesting a cultural stole can do so here. Registration for the Cap and Gown Countdown can be found on GiveCampus.com. Students can reach out with questions about stoles or with other concerns to the office at core_emu@emich.edu.
