The University of Michigan is set for a landmark event in May, awarding its 1 millionth degree during Spring Commencement. This significant milestone comes over 180 years since the first commencement on August 6, 1845, with just 11 graduates. The upcoming ceremony will see nearly 14,000 students graduating across Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses for the winter 2026 term. Last year, the university conferred 20,043 degrees across summer, fall, and winter terms.
“Commencement is always a special occasion in the life of the university,” stated President Domenico Grasso. “This year’s ceremonies will be all the more meaningful as we honor the Class of 2026 and award our 1 millionth degree.”
The university’s growth is evident since its humble beginnings, now boasting nearly 70,000 students across three campuses. As of fall 2025, 53,488 students were enrolled in Ann Arbor, 8,005 in Dearborn, and 7,119 in Flint. U-M attracts students from all 83 Michigan counties, 57 states and territories, and 104 countries, supported by 58,000 faculty and staff members.
U-M has expanded its academic offerings to 267 undergraduate and 421 graduate and professional programs. It consistently ranks highly in U.S. News & World Report’s education rankings, with over 100 graduate programs placing in the top 10. In the 2026 Best Colleges list, U-M was ranked No. 3 among U.S. public institutions. The 1 millionth degree highlights U-M’s vast alumni network, consisting of nearly 700,000 living graduates worldwide.
“This milestone belongs to generations of alumni across Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint,” said Alumni Association President and CEO Ayanna McConnell. “It is a powerful reminder that commencement is just the beginning of a lifetime of alumni impact and connections throughout the world and at our university.”
To celebrate, graduates participating in ceremonies at Michigan Stadium and UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint will receive a commemorative tassel featuring the numeral 1 in front of the block “M.”
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