Some 1,937 students, including 24 who earned double degrees, will receive diplomas in winter commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 20, at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Of the 1,961 degrees to be awarded, 1,350 will be bachelor聮s degrees, 440 will be master聮s degrees, 160 will be doctoral degrees and 11 will be law degrees.
The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center. The ceremony kicks off with a procession of graduates, faculty and administrators led by Jim Williams, dean of libraries, as commencement marshal.
Commencement is free and open to the public with no reserved seating or tickets required. Family and friends of the graduates are urged to arrive early to find the best parking and seating.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Phil DiStefano will give the commencement address.
Amy Dawn Robison of Englewood will receive the Chancellor聮s Recognition Award for earning all A聮s in her college career. Robison is receiving her bachelor of arts degree in English.
The outstanding graduates named by the schools and colleges will be honored along with their classmates. They are Thomas Corson of Iowa City, Iowa, College of Architecture and Planning; Paulino Rivera Torres Moir of Cocoyoc, Mexico, College of Arts and Sciences; Kevin Lowe of Lakewood, College of Business and Administration; Jennifer Long of Lancaster, Pa., School of Education; Andrew C. Hooker of Boulder, College of Engineering and Applied Science; Marlene Siering of Coral Gables, Fla., School of Journalism and Mass Communication; and Joanna Lynden of Oak Lawn, Ill., College of Music.
The University of Colorado Medal will be awarded to James Jankowski, a professor of history at CU-Boulder who has been on the faculty for 30 years. An internationally recognized scholar of modern Egypt and the Middle East, Jankowski will receive the medal for his outstanding accomplishments in scholarship, teaching and service to the university community and the community at large. His outreach work has included coordinating a project to assist teachers in the San Luis Valley with developing student projects for the national History Day competition.
James E. Lovelock will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree. A British chemist and medical doctor, Lovelock developed the Gaia hypothesis that the Earth is a self-regulating system that behaves like a living organism. He also invented the first instrument capable of detecting chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. Lovelock聮s contributions are especially significant to the atmospheric science community in Boulder, where his work has shaped many research programs.
CU President John C. Buechner will read the traditional Norlin Charge to the Graduates. The words, from a speech by President George Norlin to the graduating class of 1935, conclude CU-Boulder聮s three annual commencements.
Music will be provided by the Colorado Brass Quintet with vocalist Mary Ramsour of Lakewood, who will receive a master of music degree during the ceremony.
All staff and faculty parking lots near the Coors Events/Conference Center will be free to guests. Parking also will be free at all campus meters.
The meters along Regent Drive and lots 430 and 440 north of the Events/Conference Center will be reserved for the elderly and disabled. A handicapped drop-off area also will be available. Anyone with special needs may call CU Parking Services at 492-2322.