{"id":825,"date":"2026-06-29T10:19:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:19:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/provost\/?page_id=825"},"modified":"2026-07-13T10:58:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T14:58:13","slug":"academic-events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/academic-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Academic Events"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover fb-cover-text-box wp-duotone-black-and-white\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:100%;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/themes\/flintblock\/assets\/images\/sidewalk-art.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 95%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 95%\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-90 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-blue-gradient-gradient-background\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-15d3db16 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-xx-large-font-size wp-elements-8233351fc28920db2f1ff007dfb337d5\">Academic Events<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-2\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-2-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/academic-affairs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Academic Affairs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/leadership-searches\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Leadership Searches<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/communications\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Communications<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/newsletter\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Current Newsletter<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/faculty-staff-awards\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Faculty &amp; Staff Awards<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/jack-thompson\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Jack W. Thompson, M.D. Distinguished Visiting Professorship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/academic-events\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Academic Events<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/resources\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Resources<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Resources submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/resources\/interfolio\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Interfolio Resources and Training<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/policies\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Policies<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Contact Us<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Hosting the Traditions of University of Michigan-Flint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Signature university events are an important part of Academic Affairs. From major events like the Convocation and Commencement Ceremonies to new activities like the Common Read, Academic Affairs honors the traditions of UM-Flint through important milestones each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Academic Convocation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Academic Convocation is held before the start of the fall semester each year at UM-Flint. This hallowed tradition is the official start of the academic year, and it is where faculty and staff are recognized for their achievements in scholarly endeavors and service to the institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Commencement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The highlight of every academic year is the bi-annual Commencement Ceremonies. Typically held each December and April, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commencement\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commencement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Commencement<\/a> is the culmination of a student\u2019s educational journey at UM-Flint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">The Maize and Blue Award<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Maize and Blue Award is the university\u2019s highest undergraduate award and is presented to no more than 13 graduates at the May and December Commencement ceremonies. A special recognition is extended to Maize and Blue Award winners at each ceremony along with the presentation of a commencement stole and pin. The award is also noted on each recipient\u2019s transcript and diploma. The commencement student speaker is selected from the group of Maize and Blue recipients. August graduates are eligible for the award in December after they finish degree requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Common Read<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/umflint.edu\/commonread\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Common Read<\/a> Project is faculty-led, in collaboration with academic and student affairs. The charge of the committee is to select a book that inspires intellectual curiosity, prepares students for the challenging reading that is part of a university education, and contributes to the university as a community of ideas, inquiry, and discussion. Faculty are encouraged to assign the book in their courses and to guide discussion of the text. The committee also develops programming around the book\u2019s themes. The committee invites the author to campus for a major presentation and other discussions. Faculty, staff and students are all invited to read and discuss the book and attend events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Critical Issues in Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Frances Willson Thompson <a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/academic-events\/critical-issues-in-education\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"www.umflint.edu\/provost\/academic-events\/critical-issues-in-education\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Critical Issues in Education<\/a> is one of the UM-Flint\u2019s signature events. For more than four decades, the campus and community have gathered to hear world-renowned speakers share their words of wisdom with the collective conscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Frances Willson Thompson is the forum\u2019s namesake, but Critical Issues is truly bigger than any one individual. It is a community treasure. It is a chance for all of us to interact with the leading thinkers and experts of our times. Having national conversations on our campus in the heart of our community is an important, valuable experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The boldfaced names that have spoken with us are the individuals who are part of the highest echelons of power and prestige both in this country and around the world. Nobel prize winners, cabinet members, cultural icons, scientific trailblazers\u2014all have shared their insight on the myriad issues we face as a society. And what better place to have those conversations than in a university setting, where the exchange of ideas is essential to the academic experience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have looked back at the Critical Issues Forum\u2019s rich history, recalling the many speakers and topics, and discovered interesting new facts and stories about the event over the years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hosting the Traditions of University of Michigan-Flint Signature university events are an important part of Academic Affairs. From major events like the Convocation and Commencement Ceremonies to new activities like the Common Read, Academic Affairs honors the traditions of UM-Flint through important milestones each year. Academic Convocation Academic Convocation is held before the start of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-825","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=825"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/825\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1389,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/825\/revisions\/1389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}