Friday's graduate exercises kick off big weekend
June 7, 2007
By Tom Bosco
Cue up Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance." The stirring march is just one tradition revived this weekend as graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies cap the academic year.
More than 600 candidates for master's and doctoral degrees kick off the festivities with commencement exercises that begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Convocation Center. Doors to the Convo open at 8:15 a.m. for family and friends. Graduates should assemble in the Convo garage no later than 8:45 a.m.
Candidates will hear from Valerie Martin Conley, associate professor of counseling and higher education, who will give the commencement address as the Outstanding Graduate Faculty member. She is the director of Ohio University's Center for Higher Education, which conducts research on higher education issues across Ohio, Appalachia and the nation.
On Saturday, undergraduates get their turn in the spotlight. More than 3,000 candidates for undergraduate degrees will march in two separate commencement ceremonies. They will be addressed Dr. Jennie S. Hwang, a pioneer among women in science and business. She is credited with advancements in technology to make cell phones, computers and electronic devices smaller and more powerful.
While this traditionally is considered Commencement Weekend, graduation ceremonies actually kicked off last weekend with exercises for Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. The university graduated 102 new physicians at the proceedings in Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium. The class of 2007 is the 28th to graduate from OU-COM.
With three graduation ceremonies, there will be thousands of visitors in Athens this weekend. Graduates, their families and guests are encouraged to check the Ohio University Commencement Web site for important information.
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