Mark Dantonio to address latest class of MSU grads

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Mark Dantonio will address the latest class of Michigan State University graduates at this week’s commencement ceremony.

More than 9,000 students are set to graduate this semester, with formal ceremonies set for April 26 in East Lansing.

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Dantonio will serve as the speaker for the Spring Convocation, to be held at 1 p.m. on Friday. He will also receive an honorary doctorate of education.

“I am incredibly grateful to President (Kevin) Guskiewicz for the opportunity to speak to the class of 2024,” Dantonio said in a statement. “Many of the key components that went into building a championship football program are also great life lessons. I look forward to sharing them with the graduating class and challenging them to dream big.”

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The Texas native took over the Spartans football program in 2007 and led the team for 13 seasons, including three Big Ten titles and the program’s only appearance in the College Football Playoff (2015). When Dantonio retired in 2020, he walked away as the team’s all-time leader in wins (114), bowl appearances (6) and tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (7). He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in January and will be formally inducted in a ceremony in December.

April Clobes, the president and chief executive officer of MSU Federal Credit Union, will address the master’s and education specialist degree recipients at a morning ceremony. Clobes will also receive an honorary doctorate of business.

Global financier Bolaji Balogun will close out the day’s ceremonies by addressing MSU’s doctoral candidates. He will receive an honorary doctorate of business.

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