Spring graduation coming up

The best kept secret at Portland State is who will be the keynote speaker at spring graduation.

According to Angela Garbarino, degree requirements and veteran certification supervisor of Admissions and Records, the name of the keynote speaker has not yet been released and verified.

PSU President Daniel Bernstine told the faculty that the name of the keynote speaker will be announced in two days.

This year, formal spring commencement is scheduled for Sunday June 17 at 10 a.m., and will last approximately two hours in the Rose Garden Arena.

Those students who will participate in the spring commencement are those who will have earned degrees or certificates in fall 2000, and winter and spring 2001. Except for doctoral candidates, degree candidates for summer 2001 can also join the spring ceremony.

Doctoral students must have their earned degrees and certified by the Office of Graduate Studies before participating in any the commencement ceremony.The expected number of graduating students for spring 2001 is nearly 2,500 and approximately 400 faculty members will participate in the event.

Graduating students can invite an unlimited number of guests; the Rose Garden’s seating capacity is over 20,000 people. This year’s commencement ceremonies are not ticketed, but seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, in the future the commencement office will likely ticket the event.

This Wednesday, student speaker nominees will perform their speeches to the commencement committee. One or two student speakers will be chosen from the nominees.

Students can purchase regalia at the Portland State Bookstore. Jostens will return to campus on June 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Smith Center 298 to distribute cap and gown orders.

Honor cords can also be purchased during this time for $10. To qualify for an honor cord, a graduating student must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 to 3.74 for the silver cord and a G.P.A. of 3.75 to 4.00 for the gold honor cord.

Bachelor degree students can purchase cap, gown and tassel for $17 and masters students will pay $30 to include a hood with their package. Doctoral degree students purchase the cap for $35 and rent their gown and hood, which they must return promptly after the ceremony.

The Rose Garden Arena doors will open to the guests at 9 a.m. Students are to report for assembly by 8:45 a.m. in the Memorial Coliseum Exhibit Hall.Students and guests are encouraged to use public transportation due to expected traffic congestion and limited parking spaces.

In addition, guests are encouraged not to bring helium balloons or alcoholic beverages, which are prohibited at the event. The use of cell phones and chewing gum is strongly discouraged.

Informational mailings for the ceremony will be sent to graduating students. Informational commencement booklet will be sent to registered students mid-May.

For more commencement info, visit www.ess.pdx.edu/adm/commencement.