5/5/97

ATHENS, Ohio -- An anticipated record high turnout for Ohio University's two June 14 commencement ceremonies and the presence of first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as afternoon keynote speaker have prompted an afternoon commencement starting time change, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Joel S. Rudy, vice president for student affairs, announced today.

Matt Lauer, co-anchor of the "Today" show, will be the keynote speaker for the 10 a.m. ceremonies, which will include the colleges of business, communication, fine arts and health and human services. During the morning commencement, Lauer will receive his bachelor's degree in telecommunications together with undergraduates of the College of Communication. When he left Ohio University for a news media job in 1979, Lauer had earned 10 hours more than necessary to graduate but lacked one essential media class. During this year he has completed an independent study project that will allow him to graduate.

More than 3,400 of an estimated 4,000 graduates have registered so far to participate in commencement ceremonies.

"Because we have very large numbers, we expect the morning session to run a little bit longer than last year," said Rudy. "We need more turnaround time to clean, setup, accommodate security needs and admit another large crowd for the afternoon session."

Because of the large number of students registered for the afternoon session, tickets will be issued for entry into the afternoon session only, when the first lady is speaking.

Afternoon commencement ceremonies are for Honors Tutorial College, University College and the colleges of arts and sciences, education, and engineering and technology.

"Our highest priority in issuing tickets will be for the families of our graduates of the colleges scheduled for the afternoon session," Rudy said. "The procedure is simple. As graduates of the afternoon colleges pick up their cap and gown they will be provided with up to six tickets for their guests." However, he said, if more tickets are required for family guests, afternoon graduates will be required to request the additional tickets in writing from the Office of Public Occasions. There is no cost for the tickets.

"We hope to honor all such requests," Rudy said.

Individuals other than graduates of the afternoon session, their guests, faculty, staff, platform party and other participants, will be considered members of the general public and will only be admitted to the afternoon ceremony on a space available basis beginning at 2:40 p.m., at the front entrance to the Convocation Center.

Both ceremonies will be videotaped and simulcast over a local media outlet. Videotapes will be available for purchase with an order blank to be included in the commencement booklet.

"Every effort will be made to assure that the focus of these ceremonies will be on our graduates who have worked so very hard toward earning their degrees," Rudy said.