Nearly 1,400 degrees to be conferred June 23
June 14, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University will award nearly 1,400 degrees during commencement ceremonies Saturday, June 23, 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, College of Aviation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and College of Health and Human Services.
An 11:30 a.m. ceremony will be held for graduates of the Haworth College of Business, College of Education, College of Fine Arts and General University Studies program.
A total of 888 bachelor's degrees, 463 master's and specialist degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees will be awarded for a total of 1,389 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 the Rev. Gregory Jennings of Progressive Church of God in Christ in Kalamazoo at the 9 a.m. ceremony and Pastor Joseph Shaler of United Methodist Church in Otsego, Mich., at the 11:30 a.m. ceremony. Jennings' nephew, Antoine Jennings, will receive a bachelor's degree in political science at the 9 a.m. ceremony. Shaler's wife, Ellen, earned a master's degree in counselor education in April, but will receive her diploma at the 11:30 a.m. ceremony.
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.
Graduates will be welcomed as new alumni of the University by Jeanne Carlson, president of the WMU Alumni Association.
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 Access channels 31-33 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. The Web site address is <www.wmich.edu/commencement>.
University 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: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu