UAF to celebrate 89th commencement
May 12, 2011
907-474-7902
5/12/11
Download Sitara Chauhan's speech
The University of Alaska Fairbanks expects to confer 1,192 degrees on 1,141 students during its 89th commencement ceremony Sunday, May 15 at the Carlson Center. The university's first commencement took place in 1923, when the sole graduate, John Sexton Shanly, received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
Preliminary figures show that 658 women and 483 men have applied for graduation; some students will receive more than one degree. The commencement ceremony includes graduates from summer and fall 2010 and spring 2011. Graduates this year are wearing gowns made from recycled plastic bottles.
UAF expects to award 21 occupational endorsements, 106 certificates, 229 associate degrees, 545 bachelor's degrees and 214 master's degrees on Sunday. 46 students are expected to receive doctoral degrees, the highest number in UAF’s history, while 30 are expected to receive recommendations for education licensure. Graduates range in age from 18 to 68. Several members of the University of Alaska Board of Regents will help UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers confer degrees. UA President Patrick Gamble will also participate in the ceremony.
The Ahtna Heritage Dancers will lead the processional. Graduates, faculty members, honorary degree recipients and university officials will participate in the ceremony beginning at 1:20 p.m.
Oceanographer, meteorologist and Navy Rear Adm. David Titley will give the keynote address. As director of the Navy’s Task Force Climate Change, Titley has been proponent of the Navy’s renewed interest in the Arctic and in climate change. He holds a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University and two degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School: a master’s degree in meteorology and physical oceanography and a doctorate in meteorology.
UAF will award three honorary degrees during the commencement ceremony. This year’s honorary degree recipients are Titley, Athabascan elder Katie John and health and social services leader Banarsi Lal.
The student speaker is Sitara Chauhan, who will be receiving a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. UAF will also honor winners of this year’s awards for graduating seniors: Ashton Compton; the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award; Amy K. Snider, the Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award; and Jonathan Dillon, the Joel Wiegert Award.
Douglas Kane, professor of civil engineering, will serve as the procession’s grand marshal. Kane is among 16 retiring faculty members who will be granted emeritus status on Sunday, a title given to those who have served the university with distinction for at least 10 years.
Others receiving emeritus status are: Robert Arundale, professor of communication; F. Stuart “Terry” Chapin, distinguished professor of biology; Kenneson Dean, research professor of remote sensing; Thomas Clausen, professor of chemistry; John Fox, associate professor of land resources management; Carol Gold, professor of history; Marjorie Illingworth, associate professor of developmental studies; John Lehman, professor of business administration; Kristine Long, professor of Extension; David Porter, professor of business administration; William Schneider, professor of library science; Richard Seifert, professor of engineering Extension; Davis Sentman, professor of physics; Roger Smith, director and professor of physics; Brenton Watkins, professor of physics.
Commencement rehearsal for graduates is Saturday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. at the Carlson Center. There will also be a picnic that day from 12:30–2 p.m. at the UAF Wood Center for graduates and their families and friends to celebrate with Chancellor Brian Rogers. Graduation mass will take place Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Schaible Auditorium.
The Carlson Center will open for guest seating at noon on Sunday. The processional will begin at 1:20 p.m. The event will also be available as a webcast. Visit www.uaf.edu/commencement and click on the webcast link.
Graduates, their families and UAF alumni are welcome to attend a reception hosted by the UAF Alumni Association in the Carlson Center’s Arthur Buswell Pioneer Room immediately following Sunday’s commencement ceremony.
ON THE WEB: www.uaf.edu/commencement
Class of 2011 profile
The following statistics provide a snapshot of UAF’s 2011 graduating class. Please be aware that these are only preliminary numbers, current as of May 11, 2011. Final statistics will not be available until after commencement. With that in mind, here’s this year’s class profile:
• 1,192 awards expected to be conferred on approximately 1,141 students:
Degrees:
• 21 occupational endorsements
• 106 certificates
• 229 associate degrees
• 545 bachelor’s degrees
• 214 master’s degrees
• 46 doctorates
• 30 recommendations for education licensure
• 3 graduate certificates
• 658 women graduating and 483 men
Diversity breakdown:
• 184 Alaska Native/American Indian
• 44 Asian
• 32 Black
• 39 Hispanic
• 29 Other
• 63 International
• 750 White
• Youngest graduate is 18; oldest graduate is 68.
• Median age of class: 27
• Seven programs are new and have graduates for the first time: Emergency management (bachelor’s), clinical-community psychology (doctorate), construction management (graduate certificate), environmental studies (certificate), natural resources management and geography (master’s), pre-nursing (certificate), Yupik language and culture (bachelor’s)
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