In addition to celebrating their graduation at the MSU commencement ceremonies, students are invited to celebrate their graduation and achievements in the African American Celebratory on May 2.
The celebratory group is sponsoring its first annual "Grad Week" this week, with a host of activities including an Annual Family Reunion Picnic to be held from 2-6 p.m. Saturday in the courtyard behind Akers and Hubbard.
The event, which began in May 2002, seeks to inform and educate the community on the importance of retention rates among minority students, particularly among black students.
The event will be held at 7 p.m. in Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre, featuring Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick as the keynote speaker.
The idea for the celebratory stemmed from 2002 graduate Michael Oden, who saw a similar program had been implemented at the University of Michigan and has been in existence for 10 years.
Stanford University, Harvard University and The Ohio State University are among other institutions that currently implement programs similar to the celebratory.
"The celebratory provides a motivational tool for undergraduates, and serves as a supplement to the original convocation," co-student director and finance senior Jeremiah Quarles said. "Most of us are first-generation graduates.
"It's a chance for us to get together for the last time."
This year's celebratory will cost about $13,000 to put on, with resources coming from a variety of sources, including The Dow Chemical Company, Eaton Corporation, ASMSU and the Residence Halls Association, said DeJuan Lever, co-fund-raising chair and supply chain management junior.
Celebratory participants will receive stoles and certificates of appreciation instead of diplomas. About 110 people are signed up to be in the celebratory.
"We want to celebrate the graduation for African-American undergraduates, and to stress the importance of retention," said 2002 graduate Erica Nero, a celebratory co-student director. "I think the university does good things as far as attracting minority students, but they aren't doing enough."
About 40 percent of black students who enter MSU graduate, while 70 percent of non-minorities earn their degree, Nero said.
In order to increase retention among black students, Nero said an increase in minority faculty and staff is necessary.
"There needs to be an increase in black faculty and staff," she said. "I think it gives people more of a role model, and not a sense of disconnectedness."
Students may register at www.geocities.com/blakgrad or in the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs until April 17.
