December 7, 2007

Purdue to award degrees in winter commencements

Ceremonies for the West Lafayette campus are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in Elliott Hall of Music. Ceremonies for the Calumet campus will be at 6 p.m. CST in the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Ind.

Purdue President France A. Córdova will address graduates during the West Lafayette ceremonies. Chancellor Howard Cohen and John Rowan, a professor in the Department of English and Philosophy, will speak at the Calumet ceremony.

There are 2,758 students who are candidates for degrees at the West Lafayette campus, of which 1,980 are undergraduates, 766 are graduate students and 12 are professional candidates. At the Calumet campus, 720 students are candidates for degrees.

The 9:30 a.m. ceremony will be for students in agriculture, education, engineering and liberal arts. Degrees in consumer and family sciences, management, science, technology, pharmacy, nursing and health sciences and veterinary medicine will be awarded in the afternoon.

Jennifer Elaine Allen of Elnora, Ind., who will receive a bachelor's degree in agricultural systems management from the College of Agriculture, will provide the student response during the morning ceremony. Kara N. Eschbach of Grosse Ile, Mich., who will receive a bachelor's degree from the Krannert School of Management, will provide the student response during the afternoon ceremony. Otis Brewer III of Highland, Ind., who will receive a bachelor's degree in human resources, will provide the student response at the Calumet commencement.

The West Lafayette ceremonies will feature two large video screens above the Hall of Music stage. The screen will display a close-up image of graduates as they receive their diplomas. The ceremonies also will be shown live via Webcast at mms://video.dis.purdue.edu/graduation Windows Media Player, which can be downloaded for free, is required for viewing the Webcast.

Tickets, issued to graduation participants for family and friends, are required for admission. The doors will open 90 minutes before each ceremony.

Candidates requiring special assistance to participate in the West Lafayette commencement exercise should contact Abby Yankovich, assistant registrar, at (765) 494-8219, abby@purdue.edu .

Commencement videos will be available. A DVD costs $30, and order forms are available at Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse box office or by calling (765) 494-3933. Order forms can be submitted both before and after the ceremony.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources:   Christine L. DeHahn, assistant registrar, (765) 494-6163, dehahn@purdue.edu

Abby Yankovich, assistant registrar, (765) 494-8219, abby@purdue.edu

Mary Martinez, Purdue Calumet graduation coordinator, (219) 989-2210, martinem@calumet.purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Members of the media planning to cover West Lafayette commencement ceremonies will need tickets to attend. For tickets, contact Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

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