Gearing up for 2012 Commencement

Gearing up for 2012 Commencement & related activities

News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3585  lhancock@eou.edu

June 12, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – The conclusion of the academic year will be marked with celebration later this week when roughly 400 students fill the field at Community Stadium for Eastern Oregon University’s 2012 Commencement Ceremony.

The outdoor event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16 at the stadium located at 6^th St. and “G” Ave. on the EOU campus. Student check-in is at 8 a.m. in Quinn Coliseum. Lineup for faculty is at 8:45 a.m., also in Quinn near the entrance to the Fitness Center.

Students walking at Commencement represent 58 percent of the total number of graduates anticipated this year. EOU will confer an estimated 593 bachelor’s degrees, 95 master’s degrees, one certificate and seven associate’s degrees, pending completion of final grades for spring and summer terms.

Senior Nathan Smutz has been selected as the EOU president’s scholar and will deliver the keynote address to the graduating class. Smutz, a Union County native, is completing his bachelor’s degree in computer science with minors in business and mathematics.

Other scheduled EOU speakers include Bob Davies, president, and Brianna Coulombe, student member of the State Board of Higher Education. John Turner, president of Blue Mountain Community College, will also give greetings, and student Jonathan Davidson will perform the National Anthem and Alma Mater.

Seating at Community Stadium is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests should arrive early and bring sunscreen, water and a hat or umbrella. Free parking is available in all campus lots, excluding reserved spaces.

A reception for graduates and families will be held on the northwest lawn of the stadium following the presentation of degrees.

Loveland Funeral Chapel and the Union County Victims’ Impact Panel will provide a designated driver offering free rides within La Grande and Island City from 10 p.m. Saturday to 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Goss Motor Company, Legacy Ford and Frontier Motors are donating vehicles. Call 541-786-4331 to reach a designated driver for this event only.

Related activities leading up to Commencement include the Oregon Health and Science University Convocation and Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday in McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall.

Also on Friday will be the annual Student Awards Assembly beginning at 1:30 p.m. in McKenzie Theatre.

For more information visit www.eou.edu/commencement. Questions regarding faculty lineup should be directed to Kristen Kruse in the President’s Office at 541-962-3512 or at kkruse@eou.edu.