WMU to confer 1,500 degrees during summer commencement

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will grant degrees to nearly 1,500 students during two commencement ceremonies Saturday, June 30, in Miller Auditorium.

WMU President John M. Dunn will preside over the summer 2012 ceremonies. In all, the University will confer 1,498 degrees: 950 at the bachelor's level, 479 at the master's level and 69 at the doctoral level.

Schedule

• 9 a.m.--Ceremony for graduates of the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Extended University Programs, and the Haworth College of Business.
• Noon--Ceremony for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Aviation, College of Fine Arts, and College of Health and Human Services.

The June 2012 commencement ceremonies will feature music by Dr. Karl Schrock, University organist. The national anthem and the alma mater will be sung by WMU's chapter of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity, conducted by Keith Kelsey. The day's graduates will be welcomed as new alumni of the University by Jennifer L.B. Lentner, a member of the WMU Alumni Association Executive Committee.

Tickets

Tickets are required for guests to attend commencement, and each participating student is eligible to reserve up to six guest tickets. After all ticketed guests have been seated in Miller, any remaining open seats will be offered to those without tickets. Guests without tickets may view the commencement ceremonies live on a large screen in Brown Hall, which is adjacent to Miller.

Live coverage

Both June ceremonies will be broadcast live on Channel 5 of EduCABLE, the University's cable television system. They also are usually broadcast throughout the Kalamazoo area on the Public Media Network (typically on Channel 99), a local public access service on the Charter Communications commercial cable television system.

A live Webcast of the ceremonies will be available online to a limited number of people the day of graduation. Those planning to view the Webcast will need to install Windows Media Player on their computers.

Recordings and photos

The University's TotalTech store will be providing professional recordings of the ceremonies in DVD and VHS formats. The recordings will cost $25 each, plus shipping and formatting fees if any, and may be ordered by mail or calling (269) 387-3930.

In addition, a professional photographer will take pictures of each graduating student. Proofs will be sent to the students, but purchase of prints is optional.

WMU conducts formal commencement ceremonies in fall, spring and summer, usually in June, December and April. Students also may graduate in August.

Bachelor's and master's degree recipients who graduate in August are reflected in June's graduation statistics, and they have the option of participating in summer's formal commencement ceremonies. Doctoral degree recipients who graduate in August are reflected in the upcoming fall's graduation statistics, and they have the option of participating in that season's formal commencement ceremonies.

A final list of June graduates is expected to be distributed to hometown newspapers in early August. The list of August graduates is expected to be distributed in October.

Visit wmich.edu/commencement for complete graduation information, including how to view the live Webcast or obtain tickets, recordings and student photos.