A total of 530 graduates are anticipated to participate in one of two commencement ceremonies Northwood University will host Saturday, May 11.
“This is a wonderful moment in these students’ lives, and Northwood looks forward to welcoming their families and friends to Midland,” stated Northwood University President Kent MacDonald. “Commencement is always a special time for our community and the greater Midland area, as visitors come to the Great Lakes Bay Region from all over the country to celebrate our graduates’ remarkable accomplishment.”
The first commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and be live-streamed here and here. The second ceremony, set for 2 p.m., will be live-streamed here and here. Audio for the livestreams will start once the stage party is on stage and the opening procession has concluded.
Esteemed auto group owner to keynote first ceremony
Jay S. Feldman, CEO and Owner of Feldman Auto Group, will present the keynote during the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony.
Feldman Auto Group is a leading automotive enterprise with 19 dealerships in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
A Northwood alumnus, Feldman graduated from Andover High School in 1988. He earned a degree in business and automotive marketing from Northwood in 1992. He further honed his expertise by completing his studies at the NADA Dealer Academy.
Since joining the Feldman dealerships full-time in 1993, Feldman has demonstrated an exemplary trajectory of professional growth, rising to the rank of dealer operator of Jay Chevrolet in 1996. In 2008, he founded Feldman Automotive Inc. Under his leadership, the group has thrived financially, maintained robust relationships with manufacturers, and achieved high customer satisfaction.
Feldman’s proven performance led to his dealerships being designated as open points in New Hudson by Chevrolet and Hyundai, which opened in 2005 and 2009, respectively. Under his stewardship, the group has expanded its operations to include several new dealerships, notably introducing his first Ford franchise, Feldman Ford of Detroit.
In 2018, Jay forged a new partnership with actor Mark Wahlberg, co-owning six dealerships, including Airstream, in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. Most recently, in 2023, Feldman Auto Group expanded further by opening a new dealership in Muncie, Indiana.
Beyond his business achievements, Feldman is deeply committed to philanthropy. Feldman Automotive takes pride in its active role in supporting local communities and charities. This commitment to service reflects Feldman’s professional ethos and dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Feldman’s generosity, time, and talents include serving as a board member of Tunnel to Towers in New York. He is integral to the Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational, hosted by the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation in Detroit, which raises as much as $1.6 million each year for the Children’s Miracle Network.
Feldman will be awarded an honorary doctorate during the 10 a.m. May 11 commencement ceremony. This is the highest award a university can give to an individual who has meaningfully contributed to society.
“As an alumnus, innovator, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leader, Jay Feldman embodies the values of his alma mater,” stated Dr. Kristin Stehouwer, academic vice president and provost of Northwood University. “We look forward to honoring Jay on May 11 as he joins the ranks of the other exceptional men and women whom Northwood has vested with honorary degrees over the past 60 years.”
Beloved Midland couple to receive Naegele Award during second ceremony
Carol and David Williams of Midland will receive the Robert and Patricia Naegele Distinguished Community Service Award during the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony. The Naegele Award honors the legacy of Patricia and Robert Naegele by recognizing individuals from the Midland area who have significantly impacted the local community in a positive way through volunteerism, philanthropy, and advocacy.
Valued supporters of Northwood University, Carol and David Williams, are widely recognized for their mentorship and meaningful connections with student scholarship recipients, which are a testament to their ongoing commitment to Northwood. Their outstanding professional accomplishments have served as a source of inspiration for numerous Northwood students.
David Williams, hailing from Plymouth, Michigan, earned degrees in accounting and finance from the University of Houston. His long-standing leadership roles within the financial and insurance sectors underscore the significant impact he has had on Northwood over the years. Similarly, Carol’s foundation in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and her executive training at Indiana University have empowered her to advance Northwood’s mission of developing future leaders who drive economic and social progress.
Carol Williams finished her tenure at Dow Chemical Company, headquartered in Midland, Michigan, in early 2015. Over her 34-year career with Dow, she held pivotal roles in research and development, eventually assuming executive leadership positions integral to the company’s operations. Notably, she served as executive vice president of manufacturing and engineering, supply chain, and environmental, health, and safety operations.
Among their myriad accolades, Carol was honored as a Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader in 2017 and remains an active Outstanding Business Leader Executive Committee member. Both Carol and David were 2022 recipients of the Wings of Freedom Award, which Northwood bestows on individuals whose lives have contributed to human progress, individual liberty, and economic and social prosperity.
“Through their unwavering support of Northwood University, Carol and David Williams have consistently demonstrated a commitment to contributing to human progress, individual liberty, and economic and social prosperity. The Williams literally change students’ lives,” Stehouwer stated. “The Williams are an inspiration to us all, and The Robert and Patricia Naegele Distinguished Community Service Award is a testament to their extraordinary contributions.”
For more information, visit Northwood University’s commencement webpage.
