WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS WMU to graduate more than 2,400 students Dec. 3, 2004 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will grant degrees to more than 2,400 students during commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 11, in Miller Auditorium. President Judith I. Bailey will preside over three commencement ceremonies throughout the day. The first ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. and is for graduates of the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Fine Arts, and Health and Human Services. The second ceremony, set for 11:30 a.m., is for graduates of the College of Education and Extended University Programs. The final ceremony at 2 p.m. is for graduates of the College of Aviation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Haworth College of Business. A total of 2,450 students will receive degrees, including 1,782 who will earn bachelor's degrees, 611 who will earn master's degrees, three who will earn specialist degrees and 54 who will earn doctoral degrees. Among the day's graduates will be the first student to complete the Peace Corp option of WMU's master of development administration degree, which prepared students to work in developing countries or with international development organizations. The degree program is one of only a handful of such programs in the nation and requires students to spend 27 months on assignment with the Peace Corps after completing their on-campus studies. Also graduating will be the first student to complete the bachelor of science degree in geochemistry. The departments of Geosciences and Chemistry began offering the geochemistry major in 2003 for students seeking careers in geochemistry or environmental chemistry. The Western Brass Ensemble, conducted by Steve Wolfinbarger, 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 Brian Neau. Graduates will be welcomed as new alumni of the University by Anitta Orr, president of the WMU Alumni Association. Tickets are required for guests to attend the commencement ceremonies, and each participating student is eligible to receive up to four guest tickets. Should there be extra tickets, participating students may request up to two more on a first-come, first-served basis from the Miller Auditorium box office beginning 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10. Guests without tickets may view the Dec. 11 ceremonies live on a large-screen television in Room 3512 Knauss Hall; on Channel 7 of EduCABLE, the University's cable television system; or on Channels 31 through 33 of the Charter Communication cable system. Live broadcasts of the ceremonies also will be available online by logging on to the Web site at <www.wmich.edu/commencement>. Those needing help setting up their computers for video streaming may contact WMU's Office of Information Technology by calling (269) 387-4357 or sending e-mail to <helpdesk@wmich.edu>. The University will be providing professional VHS videotapes of all three ceremonies. The tapes will cost $25 each, plus shipping and formatting fees if any, and may ordered online as well as by calling (269) 387-5460. In addition, a professional photographer will be taking pictures of each graduating student. For more information about the Dec. 11 graduation exercises and how to order videotapes or student photos, visit <www.wmich.edu/commencement>. Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news