UW News

May 18, 2006

131st Commencement at UW’s Seattle campus–2 p.m., June 10, Husky Stadium

News and Information

Mark A. Emmert, University of Washington president, will officiate at Commencement ceremonies in Seattle, as well as Commencement ceremonies at UW Tacoma June 9 and UW Bothell June 11.

The June 10 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.

The ceremony will be telecast live on UWTV and also is available on the Web through www.uwtv.org

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 2005-2006 academic year. An estimated 10,225 degrees will be awarded in Seattle. The UW will award about 7,000 bachelor’s degrees, 2,300 master’s degrees, 475 doctorates and 450 professional degrees.

The Commencement speaker is William D. Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Ruckelshaus will receive an honorary doctorate degree in the ceremony.

Other recipients of special honors to be acknowledged at the Seattle commencement include: the Alumna Summa Laude Dignata, 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 10 a.m. Friday, June 9 at the Tacoma Dome. Commencement speaker is Donald Brownlee, UW professor of astronomy. Patricia Spakes, chancellor of UW Tacoma, will present baccalaureate degrees; Suzanne Ortega, dean of the Graduate School, will present graduate degrees. The ceremony also will spotlight a recipient of the Outstanding Student Award for academic achievement. Cheryl Greengrove, 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 800 bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

UW Bothell will hold ceremonies at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11 in the Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on the UW campus in Seattle. The Commencement speaker is Senator Patty Murray. Steven Olswang, interim 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 2006. The Distinguished Teaching Award will be given to Ron Krabill, assistant professor of interdisciplinary arts and sciences. UW Bothell will award an estimated 650 bachelor’s and master’s degrees.