Governor Whitmer to Address MSU Law Graduates


Governor Gretchen Whitmer, ’98, will return to her alma mater, MSU College of Law, to speak to future Spartan lawyers from the Class of 2020 at Commencement on May 8, 2020.

As an MSU Law graduate, Governor Whitmer understands the value of the degree that will soon be conferred upon this year’s graduates. During her time at the College of Law, she served on the Michigan State Law Review.

After graduating magna cum laude, she practiced as a litigator in Dickinson Wright’s Lansing office for two years, then ran for state representative. She served five and a half years in the House, then won a special election for state senator in 2006. She was elected by her colleagues as the senate democratic leader, and was the first woman in Michigan history to serve as a leader in the state senate. Whitmer served as Ingham county prosecutor in 2016. In 2018, Gov. Whitmer was elected the 49th governor of Michigan and took her oath on January 1, 2019, joining the ranks of elected officials, mayors, and representatives across the country who earned their JDs from MSU Law.

“I am delighted that Governor Whitmer will be our keynote speaker,” said Dean Melanie B. Jacobs. “The Governor has dedicated much of her career to public service and her leadership journey from student to Governor is a great example for our students.”