Commencement weekend schedule announced

Commencement weekend activities will include a ceremony for undergraduates on Saturday, May 23 and separate ceremonies on Friday, May 22 for the Graduate School and the Stockbridge School.

At the Undergraduate Commencement at McGuirk Alumni Stadium from 12:30-2:30 p.m., approximately 4,000 graduates will receive bachelor’s degrees. Alumnus Earl W. Stafford, a Virginia businessman and organizer of the “Peoples’ Inaugural Project,” which invited disadvantaged people to President Barack Obama’s inauguration, will be the speaker and will also receive a Distinguished Achievement Award at the ceremony.

Also receiving Distinguished Achievement Awards will be alumnus and businessman Robert B. Brack of Milford, and Aaron D. Spencer, founder, director and chairman emeritus of UNO Chicago Grill pizzerias. President Jack M. Wilson and Chancellor Robert C. Holub will offer brief remarks. Graduating senior Jackie Hai will be the student speaker.

Thirteen members of the graduating class will be honored as 21st Century Leaders. This is the seventh year of the awards sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office and the Alumni Association. The presentation of the senior awards highlights the accomplishments of students and recognizes the support received from their families. Kyle Johnson, a member of Commonwealth College and a Management and Economics major, will receive the Jack Welch Scholar award.

“Commencement is the time to recognize the accomplishments of our students, to celebrate exemplary academic performance, and to honor outstanding alumni and friends of UMass Amherst,” said Holub. “It is also is a time to offer congratulations to students, their families and friends.”

Immediately following the Commencement ceremony, the chancellor will host the university cook-out under the tents north of the stadium with a section designated for each school and college.

All graduating seniors and guests are invited to attend.

Graduate School Commencement

The Graduate School Commencement will be held Friday, May 22 at 2 p.m. at the Mullins Center, where approximately 1,200 candidates will receive master’s and doctoral degrees. John R. Mullin, dean of the Graduate School, will offer a welcome. Holub and Wilson will deliver brief remarks.

Stockbridge School Commencement

Also on May 22, approximately 100 candidates will receive associate of science degrees from the Stockbridge School at an 11 a.m. ceremony in Bowker Auditorium. The guest speaker will be Paul E. Rogers, a 1951 alumnus of the Floriculture Program who currently is a newspaper columnist and radio talk show host specializing in gardening. Steve Goodwin, dean of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment, and Martha G. Baker, interim director of the Stockbridge School, will give brief opening remarks.

Additional events on May 22 will include:

School of Nursing Convocation, Fine Arts Center, Concert Hall, 5 p.m.

Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, Bernie Dallas Room in Goodell Hall, 9:30 a.m.

Air Force ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, Bernie Dallas Room in Goodell Hall, 4:30 p.m.

Other Commencement-related events include the Commonwealth College Celebration of Excellence at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 at the Mullins Center, and the annual Commencement Ball at 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 in the Student Union Ballroom.

More Information

Full schedule of Commencement events

April 28, 2009.

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