WKU To Confer 2,167 Degrees At May 6 Commencement

April 21, 2005

Bowling Green, Ky. - In the University's first outdoor evening commencement in a quarter century, Western Kentucky University will confer degrees to 2,167 graduates on May 6.

About 1,500 students are expected to participate in Western's 157th Commencement. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. at L.T. Smith Stadium.

Commencement was moved to the evening for the comfort of those attending the outdoor ceremony. Each graduate who participates is recognized by name and is greeted by President Gary Ransdell.

The ceremony honors May and August degree recipients - 158 associate, 1,527 baccalaureate, 468 master's, 10 specialist and four cooperative doctoral degrees.

"The growing number of graduates is a reflection of the larger freshmen classes Western has had for the past four, five and six years," Registrar Freida Eggleton said.

President Ransdell will deliver commencement remarks. The ceremony also will include the commissioning of Army ROTC cadets as second lieutenants, recognition of honor graduates and faculty award winners, and a parade of international flags.

WKYU-PBS, Western's public television, will broadcast the ceremony live with a replay at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 8.

Commencement rain plan
In the event of inclement weather, commencement will be held as two ceremonies in Diddle Arena. If the weather appears questionable, you may call one of the following phone numbers beginning at noon Friday, May 6: 1-888-CALL-WKU, (270) 745-0111 or (270) 745-3351.

The rain plan calls for a 4 p.m. ceremony that would include the Gordon Ford College of Business, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Ogden College of Science and Engineering and Graduate Studies; and an 8 p.m. ceremony that would include Potter College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, Bowling Green Community College and Interdisciplinary Studies.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Freida Eggleton at (270) 745-3351.



-WKU-


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