Approximately 3,850 students will receive diplomas from the University of Colorado at Boulder on Friday, May 14, in outdoor commencement exercises at Folsom Stadium.
Of the degrees to be awarded, 2,872 will be bachelor's degrees, 686 will be master's degrees, 187 will be doctoral degrees and 131 will be law degrees.
Double degrees will be earned by 66 students, including 24 who will receive combined bachelor's/master's degrees. The combined degree option allows students to obtain a bachelor's/master's degree in just five years.
The University Commencement Ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. following the traditional procession of faculty and students from Norlin Quadrangle. The procession, led by Dean of Libraries James Williams, the commencement marshal, will leave the quadrangle at 9 a.m. Â鶹ÊÓƵ 80 members of the Class of 1949, who will celebrate their 50th and Golden Anniversary commencement weekend, will participate.
The commencement address will be given by Dennis Van Gerven, CU-Boulder professor of anthropology, 1998 Colorado Professor of the Year, director of the CU honors program and a President's Teaching Scholar.
Commencement is free and open to the public with no reserved seating or tickets required. Family and friends of the graduates are encouraged to arrive early to find the best parking and seating.
The exercises will be at Folsom Stadium regardless of the weather. Graduating students and guests are asked to check the morning forecast and prepare accordingly. In case of rain, the procession will be canceled and the ceremony abbreviated. The program is expected to end before 11 a.m.
Honorary degrees will be presented to Dr. George Crumb, a renowned music composer, and Dr. Joachim Kuettner, Distinguished Chair for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and International Research at UCAR, the University Corp. for Atmospheric Research. University medals will be presented to Bruce D. Benson, a longtime university supporter and co-chair of the Total Learning Environment campaign, and Robert C. Anderson, former Colorado football athlete and CU sports broadcaster.
The Chancellor's Recognition Award for students receiving all As in their college careers will be given to Robyn Elizabeth Harrison of Sedalia, who will receive a bachelor's degree in political science, Danielle Kay Jagoda of Leawood, Kansas, who will receive a bachelor's degree in psychology and Grey Robert Greenwald of Glenwood Springs, who will receive a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Greenwald also has been named outstanding graduate of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
The outstanding graduates named by the other schools and colleges are John Daniel Selle of Salida, College of Architecture and Planning; Gretchen Anne Schaper of Boulder, College of Arts and Sciences; Jessie Colene Tiernan of Costa Mesa, Calif., College of Business and Administration; Gretchen Hutter of Wauwatosa, Wis., School of Education; Alicia Berry of Fort Collins, School of Journalism and Mass Communication; and Brian Thomas Ebert of Kankakee, Ill., College of Music.
Students will enter the stadium from the south and sit in the horseshoe end. Guests should plan to be seated by 9:15 a.m. because the south gates will be closed before the processional and reopened once the students are seated. Â鶹ÊÓƵ 20,000 visitors and graduates are expected to attend.
Processional and recessional music will be provided by the Colorado Brass Quintet. Catherine Clarke will lead the audience in singing the national anthem, and Quinn Doody will lead the singing of the Alma Mater. Both vocalists are master's candidates from the College of Music.
CU President John C. Buechner will read the traditional Norlin Charge to the graduates. The words, from a speech by former CU President George Norlin to the graduating class of 1935, conclude CU-Boulder's three annual commencements.