Congratulations, Class of 2026! On July 31st, we were proud to celebrate the accomplishments of 77 graduates with their friends and families at the Hawk Community Center in Farmington Hills. Ten students received their MA degree in clinical psychology with a concentration in ABA, 57 students received their MA degree in clinical psychology, and 10 students received their PsyD degree in clinical psychology.
Dr. Tanya Martin, Chair of the Board of Trustees, opened the ceremony by welcoming the graduates and their guests. She and President Brian Stogner then celebrated the academic, research, and clinical achievements of the graduating students in each of their respective commencement addresses. “Our hope and aspiration for you is that you pursue careers, vocations, and callings to serve the deep needs of the world,” said President Stogner. Dr. Stogner also charged graduates to not only use their degrees to find a job but to become servant leaders, peacemakers, and people devoted to truth, honesty, and integrity.
This year, we were joined by Barry LaKritz, former MSP Board Chair and Board Emeritus. A long time supporter of the school, LaKritz served on the very first Board of Trustees for the Michigan School of Psychology then known as the Center for Humanistic Studies. Mr. LaKritz presented the inaugural Judith R. Burdick Scholarship of Grief, Loss, and Transformation. This scholarship, named for Judith R. Burdick an MA graduate from the class of 2002, recognizes a graduating MA student who embodies resilience, compassion, and tenacity in the face of adversity. This year’s recipient was Rachel Booker. Upon receiving her award, Rachel reflected on grief and how “the love that they [people we have lost] instilled in us does not disappear but instead stays within us and lives on.” You can learn more about Rachel’s work here.
The Marjorie Scott Scholarship for Excellence is also presented at commencement each year to graduating students from the MA and PsyD programs who have best achieved excellence in academic performance, clinical work, and research in their respective programs. The award is presented to the recipients by the faculty member who recommended them. Dr. Ryan Blackstock presented the award, on behalf of Dr. Jim Maher, to MA graduate Tasnia Khan, and Dr. Ruth Anan presented it to PsyD graduate Hannah Kingkittisack. Both students were invited to the stage to share their thoughts on receiving the award. Tasnia reflected on drawing strength from others during moments of self-doubt, and Hannah shared how the award felt like a gift after spending the last eight years at MSP. You can read more about Tasnia and Hannah’s accomplishments here.
The ceremony continued with the conferring of degrees, where each student received their degree from President Stogner. Each year, as part of the conferment of degrees, graduates participate in a ritual that asks them to reflect on their time as a student and to consider their future contributions to society.
During the MA and ABA ritual, graduates are asked to contemplate their time at MSP by sharing what they stand for in the metaphorical river of experience. Each student then takes a rock, which represents their journey through the river of experience as a student, and individually makes a statement about the personal meaning of the journey. This year’s students shared that they stand for “progress over perfection,” “intentionality,” “turning pain into purpose,” and more. These statements were reflective of the unique interests and personality of each graduate and allowed them the opportunity to help shape their ceremony.
During the PsyD ritual, students were introduced and hooded by their dissertation chairs. A list of all doctoral graduates and their dissertation titles is available here. Graduates made a pledge where they shared how they would use their education in their new role. This special moment is the first time that doctoral graduates can refer to themselves with the title of Doctor while also allowing them a moment to tell guests about their experiences and hopes for the future. Students shared how they plan to use their degrees to “serve with integrity and lead with compassion to create a world where mental health care is accessible,” “holding others’ suffering and their hope,” and more.
We are so proud of everything this group of students has done and will do moving forward. Congratulations, Class of 2026!