UW News

June 7, 2005

130th Commencement at UW’s Seattle campus–2 p.m., June 11, Husky Stadium

News and Information

Mark A. Emmert, University of Washington president, will officiate at his first Commencement ceremonies in Seattle, as well as Commencement ceremonies at UW Tacoma June 10 and UW Bothell June 12.

The June 11 ceremonies at Husky Stadium start at 2 p.m. Graduates begin to line up at noon. The academic procession begins at 1:30. The ceremony takes 2½ hours and could be shortened in the event of inclement weather.

About 4,400 graduates are expected to attend, with an audience of about 38,000 family members and guests. Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements some time during the 2004-2005 academic year. An estimated 10,535 degrees will be awarded in Seattle. The UW will award about 7,140 bachelor’s degrees, 2,565 master’s degrees, 370 doctorates and 460 professional degrees.

The Commencement speaker is Robert Rubin, former Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton administration.

Other recipients of special honors to be acknowledged at the Seattle commencement include: the Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus, the Outstanding Public Service Award, Distinguished Teaching Awards, Excellence in Teaching Awards and the President’s Medals—presented to two graduating seniors with the most distinguished academic record.

Members of the Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the University’s 17 colleges and schools will participate in the Seattle ceremony. University officials also will be present at the Tacoma and Bothell ceremonies.

Many of the colleges and schools also have separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies. Complete information is available at www.uwgraduation.com.

UW Tacoma’s ceremonies are at 11 a.m. Friday, June 11 at the Northwest Concert Center of the Western Washington Fairground in Puyallup. Commencement speaker is former Washington Governor Gary Locke. Patricia Spakes, new chancellor of UW Tacoma participating in her first UWT Commencement, will present baccalaureate degrees; Elizabeth Feetham, acting dean of the Graduate School, will present graduate degrees. The ceremony also will spotlight a recipient of the Outstanding Student Award for academic achievement. Michael Allen, associate professor of interdisciplinary arts and sciences, will be recognized as the recipient of the UW Tacoma’s Distinguished Teaching Award. UW Tacoma will award an estimated 785 bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

UW Bothell will hold ceremonies at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12 in the Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on the UW campus in Seattle. The Commencement speaker is Donna Berry, associate professor of biobehavioral nursing and health systems at the University of Washington, Seattle. Warren Buck, chancellor of UW Bothell, will present the graduates. A Chancellor’s Medal and a President’s Medal will be awarded to outstanding students in the Class of 2005. The Distinguished Teaching Award will be given to Carole A. Kubota, associate professor in the Education Program. UW Bothell will award an estimated 670 bachelor’s and master’s degrees.