Michigan Technological University will honor students graduating this spring with two ceremonies held at the Student Development Complex's John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
The Graduate Student Commencement Ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, April 24, followed by the Undergraduate Student Commencement Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25.
Each ceremony will be livestreamed, with recordings available after the events. Tickets are required to attend both commencement ceremonies, and free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in Lot 22 adjacent to the SDC and Lot 24 near the football field. Guests are encouraged to check Michigan Tech's campus map for accessible parking locations.
Together, the Spring Commencement ceremonies will honor more than 1,300 graduates.
Michigan Tech Leader and Honorary Alumnus to Deliver Commencement Address
Jeffrey Littmann, a life trustee of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and longtime leader in professional sports finance, will deliver the Spring Commencement address. Littmann has spent decades in executive leadership, including more than 25 years as chief financial officer and board member of Buffalo Bills Inc. in the National Football League.
A dedicated supporter of Michigan Tech, Littmann has served on the University's Board of Trustees since 2019, including two terms as chair. He also serves on the Michigan Tech Fund Board of Directors, contributing his expertise to its investment committee. In 2025, he was recognized with Michigan Tech's Honorary Alumni Award.
Littmann holds degrees in accounting and taxation from Walsh College and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. His career has spanned financial leadership roles across multiple industries, including international franchising, public accounting and professional sports, along with extensive service on nonprofit and corporate boards.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Littmann maintains a strong connection to Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. He and his wife, Cynthia, spend time at their camp in the U.P., where he enjoys fishing and other outdoor pursuits.
"My father, a Lawrence Tech guy, was a mechanical engineer and I was always in awe of his skills. My uncle, Don Holstein, a graduate of Michigan Tech, was a metallurgist. I was very close to Don so I grew up hearing a lot of Michigan Tech stories," said Littmann.
"Don introduced me to the forest in the northern lower in the 1970s, and later to the U.P. at his 320-acre hunting camp there. So, when Governor Snyder asked me to join the Michigan Tech board, it was like destiny," he said.
Graduates Reflect on Their Time at Tech
Representing the Class of 2026's Ph.D. and master's students, Houssein Yassin will deliver the graduate student address as he earns his doctorate in mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics.
Originally from The Gambia, Yassin came to the United States as a Fulbright scholar and chose Michigan Tech as his first-choice institution. At Tech, he earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering, conducted research in the Michigan Tech Wave Lab, and supported first-year students as a LEAP leader in the University's Learning with Academic Partners program.
His work focuses on data-driven modeling and advanced control systems, and he has contributed to expanding aerospace opportunities in Tech's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Representing the Class of 2026's undergraduates is Caelan Mead-O'Brien, who is earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering with minors in Spanish and sustainability science and society.
Originally from Okemos, Michigan, Mead-O'Brien gained hands-on experience as a Husky through a two-year internship with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), working on water systems, permitting and inspections. On campus, he served as a resident assistant for three years and was involved in multiple student organizations.
After graduation, Mead-O'Brien plans to continue studying at Michigan Tech as an accelerated master's student, working toward a Master of Science in Civil Engineering focused on water resources.
For more information, visit the MTU Commencement website.
Commencement Logistics
- Graduate Ceremony: Friday, April 24, at 3 p.m.
- Undergraduate Ceremony: Saturday, April 25, at 10:30 a.m.
- Location: John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena, SDC
- Tickets: Required for entry. Graduates will receive instructions via email.
- Parking: Free, first-come, first-served in Lot 22 (adjacent to the SDC) and Lot 24 (near the football field). Accessible parking is available; see the campus map for details.
- Livestream: Can't be here? Catch the commencement livestream.
- Concessions and Retail: Available on-site.
- Social Media: Show your Husky Spirit and tag @michigantech when posting.
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
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