Commencement Set For May 19

On Sunday, May 19 at 10 a.m., Graceland’s 2013 116th Commencement Convocation ceremonies will be held in the Eugene E. and Julia Travis Closson Physical Education Center. A total of 649 students from 15 countries will be graduating, with 376 earning Baccalaureate degrees and 295 earning Master’s degrees. Dr. Parris R. Watts, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, will address the graduates.

Honorary Doctorates will be conferred upon Ramon LeRoy Chase, an accomplished aeronautical engineer, and Arliss Howard, an internationally known actor, writer, director and producer. Howard will deliver an address to the 2013 graduating classes. Samuel G. Smalldon, Alumni Board President, will give the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Watts will confer Professor Emeritus status upon Jerome D. DeNuccio, Ph.D., Professor of English.

Following the ceremonies, a special buffet for graduates and family members will be available at a modest cost in the Floyd M. McDowell Commons.