Two commencement ceremonies set for Saturday
June 25, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- More than 1,400 degrees will be awarded to new graduates by Western Michigan University in commencement ceremonies Saturday, June 28.
President Judith I. Bailey will preside over two ceremonies in Miller Auditorium--her first since taking leadership of the University.
The day's first ceremony, at 9 a.m., is for graduates of the Haworth College of Business, General University Studies and the colleges of Education and Fine Arts.
The second ceremony, at 11:30 a.m., is for graduates of the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Health and Human Services.
A total of 1,467 graduates will receive degrees, including 952 who have earned bachelor's degrees, 454 who will receive master's degrees, 53 who will be awarded doctoral degrees and eight who will be recognized with specialist certificates.
University Organist Karl Schrock 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, conducted by Anthony Funaro. Graduates will be welcomed as new alumni of the University by Julie A. Harris, president of the WMU Alumni Association.
Tickets are required for guests to attend the ceremonies and each participating graduate is eligible to receive up to seven guest tickets.
Guests without tickets may view the exercises in Miller Auditorium if additional seats are available or 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 Channel 22 of the Charter Communication cable system. In addition, video of the commencement may also be viewed online at the time of the ceremonies and for 30 days afterward. The Web address for online viewing is <www.wmich.edu/commencement>.
University Video Services provides an opportunity for persons to purchase videotapes of any of the ceremonies. Orders may be placed by calling (269) 387-5003. The tapes are $20 each.
Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu