WMU News

Nearly 1,500 degrees to be conferred June 26

June 22, 1999

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will award nearly 1,500 degrees in two commencement ceremonies Saturday, June 26, in Miller Auditorium.

Ceremonies are planned at the following times for these colleges and programs:

A total of 951 bachelor's degrees, 528 master's degrees, six specialist degrees and 12 doctoral degrees will be awarded for a total of 1,497 degrees. Students taking part in the ceremonies will include those earning their degrees in June at the end of the spring session and those earning their degrees in August at the end of the summer session. The University does not hold commencement ceremonies in August.

WMU President Elson S. Floyd will preside. Music for the ceremonies will be performed by organist Karl Schrock. The national anthem and the alma mater will be sung by WMU's chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity. Graduates will be welcomed as new alumni of the University by Robert G. Miller, past president of the WMU Alumni Association.

The Rev. C. Calvin Rice of Allen Temple AME. in Detroit will give the invocation and benediction at the 9 a.m. ceremony. His son, Steven J. Rice, will receive a bachelor's degree in public relations at the ceremony.

Offering the invocation and benediction at the 11:30 a.m. ceremony will be Pastor Albert W. Bytwork of East Cutlerville Christian Reformed Church in Cutlerville, Mich. His daughter, Sarah J. Folsom, will receive her bachelor's degree in management at that ceremony.

No tickets will be required to attend the June commencement ceremonies. If Miller Auditorium fills to capacity, the ceremonies may be viewed on a large screen television in Room 3512 of Knauss Hall.

Each ceremony will be carried live on Channel 7 of EduCABLE, the University's cable television system, and on Channel 30 of Kalamazoo Community Access Television.

WMU's Office of Video Services provides an opportunity for persons to purchase videotapes of either of the two ceremonies. Orders may be placed by calling (616) 387-5003. The tapes are $20 each.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu


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Western Michigan University
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616 387-8400
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