More than 3,000 students will walk across the stage at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College this weekend.

Thousands more will make the trip to support the students.

IU South Bend, Holy Cross, Ivy Tech, Bethel College and Purdue College of Technology have already held graduation ceremonies for this year.

it is estimated that more than 44,000 people will visit the Michiana area during graduation season, which means an extra boost for local businesses.

Commencement at the University of Notre Dame will be held on Sunday at 9 a.m. This year's commencement speaker is Haley Scott DeMaria, a member of the 1992 Notre Dame swim team. The team was involved in a bus crash that killed two teammates. DeMaria suffered a broken back and was paralyzed, but was able to walk again, and return to the team.

Saint Mary's College graduation takes place on Saturday at 12 p.m. Mellody Hobson, president of the Chicago-based money management firm, Ariel Investment will speak at Saturday's commencement.