University of Michigan-Flint

Former Chancellor Clinton Jones encouraged Student Life to create a tradition for students. Spring Finale was thus founded in 1985 by Dr. Mary Jo Sekelsky who was then the director of Student Life. It was organized to honor the accomplishments of the students, staff and faculty of the University of Michigan-Flint. The event included a short awards ceremony, dinner and dance.

Over the years, Student Government funded and supported Spring Finale, and eventually began hosting the event in the mid '90s. Student Government changed the name of the event to President's Ball in 2007 to reflect the significance of the awards and those honored at the event. In 2008 Student Government handed the event over to the Office of Student Life. The President's Ball Committee was created in the same year, and has coordinated the event ever since. Students celebrated the 25th anniversary of the President's Ball in 2010. In 2011, to recognize the student presidents in all the student organizations on campus, the punctuation changed within the title of the event to reflect this shift in recognition, giving us the current name of the event, Presidents' Ball.

Presidents' Ball has honored over 120 students, student organizations, faculty and staff. It is the only annual event that all Sponsored Student Organizations and the Office of Student Life collaborate on. The Ball has grown into one of the most anticipated university events of the year, and has the honor of being the longest student tradition at the University of Michigan-Flint.

For past awardees, you may visit the Presidents' Ball plaques on the third floor of the University Center.