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One question has emerged as University of Michigan-Dearborn prepares for December’s commencement activities: Who will be the 50,000^th graduate? The university is expected to recognize the 50,000th graduate during the morning ceremony Saturday, December 19.

“University of Michigan-Dearborn has prepared our graduates to be difference makers on the job and in the community for more than 50 years,” said Chancellor Daniel E. Little. “As we celebrate this milestone, we celebrate all our graduates and the impact they have had in southeast Michigan and throughout the world.”

������-Dearborn will host two commencement ceremonies on December 19. Richard Bernstein, Michigan supreme court justice, and Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr., chairman of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Board of Directors, will serve as keynote speakers.

Bernstein will speak at the morning ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m., for graduates of the university’s College of Business, College of Education, Health, and Human Services, and College of Engineering and Computer Science. Gargaro will speak at the afternoon ceremony, beginning at 3 p.m., for graduates of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters.

Student Shéma Aman, alumna Linda Torakis (’93 B.G.S) and Professor of Electrical and Computer Science Mal Shridhar also will give remarks during the morning ceremony. Student Ayana King, alumnus Marcus Haynes (’89 B.S.) and Assistant Professor of Language, Culture, and Communication Jennifer Proctor will address graduates during the afternoon ceremony. Additional speakers include ������-Dearborn Chancellor Daniel Little and Provost Kate Davy.

Entry to the Fieldhouse and all venues is by ticket only. Additional commencement information is available on ������-Dearborn’s website.

Richard Bernstein

Justice Richard Bernstein became the first sight-impaired justice, elected by voters statewide, to the Michigan Supreme Court in November 2014. He began his eight-year term in January 2015.

Prior to being elected to Michigan’s highest court, Bernstein was known as a tireless advocate for disabled rights as an attorney heading the public service division for The Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Committed to taking action to help clients who needed him, Bernstein’s cases often set national standards protecting the rights and safety of people with and without disabilities. His cases helped establish guidelines to accommodate disabled visitors that are used by all commercial facilities across the country, established a precedent for accessibility in public transportation and impacted future ADA compliance for road construction throughout the United States.

In a landmark settlement against Delta Airlines and Detroit Metro Airport, Bernstein gained accessibility for disabled fliers, helping set the standard for which airlines and airports are to be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. He argued for, and won, preservation of special education funding throughout the state and filed a federal suit against the American Bar Association to put an end to its discriminatory practices toward blind students via requirement of the Law School Admissions Test. He also challenged the City of New York to make Central Park and all parks safer for visitors and accessible for disabled and visually impaired individuals.

Bernstein has received many honors including: “Michiganian of the Year” by The Detroit News, “40 Under 40” by Crain’s Detroit Business and recognition on worldwide television by CNN as a leader in keeping government honest. He was selected by The Young Lawyers section of the State Bar of Michigan as the 2003-2004 Regeana Myrick Outstanding Young Lawyer Award and is the recipient of the 2008 John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award from the State Bar of Michigan.

Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Bernstein a 2009 Leader in the Law and the University of Michigan presented him with the James T. Neubacher Award in 2011 for his unwavering commitment to equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities. Also in 2011, L. Brooks Patterson, Michigan’s Oakland County Executive, selected Justice Bernstein as one of the region’s Elite 40 Under 40. In 2013, Bernstein was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame; an avid runner, he has completed 18 marathons, the full Ironman triathlon and the Israman triathlon’s half Ironman.

Bernstein is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of U-M Ann Arbor and earned his juris doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law.

Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr.

Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr. is a Detroit civic and community leader whose philanthropy is guided by his belief that art and culture are great unifiers, capable of linking together people of all races, religions and cultures.

Gargaro has served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) since 2003. During this time, he has led the DIA through a period of challenging transition and historic transformation.

He worked in tandem with the museum’s professional and volunteer leadership from 2003-2007 to implement a world-class $160 million renovation, expansion, reinstallation and grand opening of one of the country’s leading art museums.

During the world’s financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, Gargaro led the effort to keep the DIA open and vibrant. He successfully led the regional millage initiative in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to provide essential annual operating support for the museum.

In 2013 and 2014, Gargaro led a strategic initiative to guide the DIA through the Detroit bankruptcy, achieved the DIA’s $100 million commitment to the Grand Bargain in 10 months and secured the museum’s independent status.

The DIA awarded Mr. and Mrs. Gargaro each the organization’s Lifetime Service Award in May 2015 for their exemplary volunteer service.

In addition to his role at the DIA, Gargaro is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Detroit-Mercy, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Legacy Detroit Medical Center and New Detroit. He has served as board chair of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, President of the Board of Trustees of University Liggett School, President of the Board of Governors of the Country Club of Detroit and Vice Chair of the Board of Regents of Georgetown University.

Gargaro previously was a member of the Dykema law firm in Detroit for 26 years before joining Masco Corporation in 1993, where he served as vice president and corporate secretary before his retirement in 2008. He currently serves as legal counsel and an officer of the Manoogian Foundation. He is a member of the Michigan Bar Association and is a past chairman of the State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section.