More than 1,500 degrees to be conferred June 29
June 21, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University will award more than 1,500 degrees during commencement ceremonies Saturday, June 29, in Miller Auditorium.
President Elson S. Floyd will preside over two ceremonies.
A 9 a.m. ceremony is set for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Aviation, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the College of Health and Human Services.
An 11:30 a.m. ceremony will be held for graduates of the Haworth College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and the General University Studies program.
A total of 985 bachelor's degrees, 500 master's and specialist degrees, and 17 doctoral degrees will be awarded for a total of 1,502 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.
Invocations and benedictions will be given by Pastor Louis J. Felton of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Kalamazoo at the 9 a.m. ceremony and by the Rev. Thomas Keizer, a retired minister from Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the 11:30 a.m. ceremony. Keizer's son, Stephen, will receive a doctoral degree in educational leadership at the 11:30 a.m. ceremony.
Organist Gary Forsleff will perform music for the ceremonies. 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 Kenneth Miller, vice president of the WMU Alumni Association, at the 9 a.m. ceremony and by Patrick Laughlin, past president of the WMU Alumni Association, at the 11:30 a.m. ceremony.
No tickets are 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 also will be carried live on Channel 7 of EduCABLE, the University's cable television system, and on Kalamazoo Community Access channel 19 of the Charter Communications cable system. In addition, video of the commencement may be viewed online at the time of the ceremonies and for 30 days afterward at <www.wmich.edu/commencement>.
University 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: Marie Lee, 269 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu