WMU News

Nearly 2,400 degrees to be conferred April 24

April 13, 1999

KALAMAZOO--Nearly 2,400 degrees will be awarded to graduates of Western Michigan University in three ceremonies Saturday, April 24, in Miller Auditorium.

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

9 a.m. --College of Arts and Sciences and College of Fine Arts.

11:30 a.m. -- College of Education, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and General University Studies program in the Division of Continuing Education.

2 p.m. -- Haworth College of Business and College of Health and Human Services.

A total of 1,833 bachelor's degrees, 510 master's degrees, one specialist's degree and 14 doctoral degrees will be awarded for a total of 2,358 degrees. WMU also holds commencement exercises in June and December.

WMU President Elson S. Floyd will preside. Music for the ceremonies will be performed by the Western Brass Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Steve Wolfinbarger, associate professor of music. 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. Leslie Strader of the United Methodist Church in Manlius, N.Y., will give the invocation and benediction at the 9 a.m. ceremony. His daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Patrick Beauregard, will receive their master of music degrees.

The Rev. Kenneth Schmidt of St. Thomas More Student Parish in Kalamazoo will lead those two parts of the ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Michael Nolan of Rhema Zoe Ministry Kalamazoo will do the same at the 2 p.m. ceremony. His wife, Beverly S. Nolan, will receive her master of social work degree.

Tickets are required for guests to attend the ceremonies. Each participating graduate is eligible to receive up to four guest tickets. If extra tickets are available, they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, April 23, at the Office of the Registrar, Room 3210 of the Seibert Administration Building.

Guests without tickets may view the exercises 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 32 of Kalamazoo Community Access Television.

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

Media contact: Mike Matthews, 616 387-8400, michael.matthews@wmich.edu


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