6/4/99

ATHENS, Ohio -- An estimated 3,600 undergraduates are expected at Ohio University's two June 12 commencement ceremonies where Leon Harris, co-anchor of CNN's "Early Edition," will address morning and afternoon sessions in the 13,000-seat Convocation Center.

Harris, a native of Akron, graduated cum laude from Ohio University in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in communications. He will speak at the 10 a.m. and the 2 p.m. ceremonies.

Master's, Ph.D. and doctor of osteopathic medicine degree candidates will participate in ceremonies at 10 a.m. Friday, June 11. Marty Schwartz, chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, will give the graduate commencement keynote address.

An increasing number of undergraduates participating in commencement exercises prompted the switch to two ceremonies in 1996 when more than 3,000 undergraduates participated.

Participating graduating seniors from the colleges of Business, Communication, Fine Arts and Health and Human Services will receive their diplomas at the morning session. Graduates of the Honors Tutorial College and the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering and University College will attend the afternoon session.