June 7, 2010
135th Commencement at UW’s Seattle campus–2 p.m. June 12 at Husky Stadium
Note: Reporters and photographers should go to Husky Stadium’s southeast entrance to receive a media credential. Because of security, this is the only entrance media should use. Parking for news media is available in Lot E-21, south of the stadium.
Mark A. Emmert, University of Washington president, will officiate at his final Commencement ceremonies in Seattle on June 12, as well as Commencement ceremonies at UW Tacoma June 11 and UW Bothell June 13.
The June 12 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 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on channel 27 throughout the Puget Sound region and also online; for more information, see http://uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.aspx?rID=31624.
Commencement speaker is William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The UW will be awarding honorary doctoral degrees to Francia Russell and Kent Stowell, the founding creative directors of the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
About 4,700 graduates are expected to attend, with an audience of about 45,000 family members and guests. Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements some time during the 2009-2010 academic year. An estimated 11,550 degrees will be awarded in Seattle — 7,500 bachelor’s degrees, 2,805 master’s degrees, 735 doctorates and 510 professional degrees.
Other recipients of special honors to be acknowledged at the Seattle commencement include: the Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus, Distinguished Teaching Awards and the President’s Medals — presented to two graduating seniors (a four-year student and a transfer student) with the most distinguished academic records.
One of the graduates’ first gifts will be from the UW Alumni Association. UW graduates who wish to upgrade their auto license plates to official UW license plates will have their first year’s fee, a $50 value, covered by the association. After that, if they choose to renew the plates, $28 will go directly to support UW student scholarships.
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 begin at 10 a.m., Friday, June 11 at the Tacoma Dome. The keynote speaker is Mark Pendras, assistant professor of urban studies. Patricia Spakes, chancellor of UW Tacoma, will present baccalaureate degrees; Jerry Baldasty, vice-provost and dean of the Graduate School, will present graduate degrees. The recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal for academic achievement will be revealed and presented with the medal.
Michael Honey, professor, interdisciplinary arts and sciences, will be honored with the Distinguished Research Award and Mark Pendras, assistant professor, urban studies, will be honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award. Graduating senior Ashley Walker, interdisciplinary arts and sciences, will deliver the student speaker address, and Mark Tegen ’98, co-founder and CEO of Inventure Chemicals, will deliver the alumni address. UW Tacoma will award an estimated 870 bachelor’s degrees and 190 master’s degrees. UW Tacoma began accepting freshmen in 2006. That class will receive bachelor’s degrees at these Commencement ceremonies.
UW Bothell will hold ceremonies at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 13 in the Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on the UW campus in Seattle. Chancellor Kenyon Chan, UW President Mark Emmert, and ASUWB President Xheni Diko will present remarks and reflections. Donna Oved will receive the President’s Medal and Jose Rodriguez will receive the Chancellor’s Medal for their outstanding achievements. The Commencement speaker is alumna Mahnaz Aflatooni Javid, founder of the Mona Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting grassroots educational initiatives, raising the status of women and girls in the U.S. and abroad.
The Distinguished Teaching Award will be given to Diane Gillespie, professor in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Program. UW Bothell will award an estimated 722 bachelor’s degrees, 172 master’s degrees and also will recognize 53 students receiving their Washington State teaching certificates.
