The University of Colorado at Boulder will confer 4,089 degrees on Friday, May 12, in Folsom Stadium.
The first CU-Boulder commencement ceremony of the new century will focus on the significant role CU-Boulder has played in the exploration of space over the past 50 years by highlighting several astronaut alumni who will be on campus for commencement.
The spring commencement ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last about an hour and a half. The ceremony will be in Folsom Stadium regardless of the weather, but in the event of rain it will be held in abbreviated form. Sunscreen and hats are recommended.
Past commencements have drawn about 20,000 people, and a similar number is expected this year.
Guests are requested to be in their seats by 9:15 a.m. Because no tickets are required for the ceremony and a large turnout is expected due to the participation of the astronauts, early arrival is strongly suggested.
The ceremony will be preceded by the traditional procession of faculty and graduates from Norlin Quadrangle to the stadium, beginning at 9 a.m.
Degrees awarded will include 3,076 bachelor聮s, 712 master聮s degrees, 140 doctoral degrees and 161 law degrees.
Astronauts and CU-Boulder alumni M. Scott Carpenter, who flew on Mercury 7 in 1962, and George "Pinky" Nelson, who flew missions on the Challenger, Colombia and Discovery space shuttles, will give the century聮s first commencement address on the Boulder campus.
Carpenter and Nelson join seven other CU astronaut alums who will be on campus for the commencement ceremonies and other activities.
The Chancellor聮s Recognition Award for students receiving all A聮s during their college careers will be given to Jeffrey Robert Webb of Lafayette, Colo., who will receive a bachelor聮s degree in history, and who has also been named the Outstanding Graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences. Also receiving the award are Rachel Anne Davis of Eads, Colo., receiving a bachelor聮s degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and a minor in biochemistry, and Wendy Lynn Ayers of Colorado Springs, receiving a bachelor聮s degree in kinesiology.
The outstanding graduates, who are named for every graduating class by the different schools and colleges on campus, are Michael Scott Detamore of Lakewood, Colo., College of Engineering and Applied Science, bachelor聮s in chemical engineering and a minor in Russian studies; Sonja Grace Holmes of Apple Valley, Minn., College of Architecture and Planning, bachelor聮s in environmental design (design studies); and John Richard Ingold of Colorado Springs, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, double bachelor聮s degrees in journalism (news editorial) and in history, with a minor in molecular, cellular and developmental biology.
Also named as outstanding graduates are Michelle Lynn Mitchell of Lindsborg, Kan., College of Music, bachelor聮s in music (wind/percussion); Nicole Marie Cavarra of Aurora, Colo., College of Business and Administration, bachelor聮s in business administration (marketing); Jeffrey Robert Webb of Lafayette, College of Arts and Sciences, bachelor聮s in history; and Sarah Angela Puff of New Castle, Colo., School of Education, bachelor聮s in history, diploma in education (certificate program).
Following the ceremony a groundbreaking is set for 2 p.m. for the College of Engineering and Applied Science聮s new Discovery Learning Center, a $15.3 million capital project. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. in Lot 437, on the southwest corner of Regent Drive and Colorado Avenue. NASA astronaut Ron Sega, Sen. Wayne Allard, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, CU President John Buechner and Chancellor Richard Byyny all will speak at the ceremony.
To close the commencement program CU President John Buechner will read the traditional Norlin Charge 聳 the words from a speech given by former CU President George Norlin to the graduating class of 1935.
No bottles or containers will be allowed in the stands. Water stations will be available at stadium gates 3,4 and 5.
The university commencement ceremony is free and open to the public. All commencement details are listed on the Internet at .