WHAT: Washington University’s 146th Commencement. The university will bestow degrees on more than 2,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The university also will bestow honorary degrees on six individuals.
WHO: • Tim Russert, managing editor and moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and political analyst for “NBC Nightly News” and the “Today” show, will deliver the 2007 Commencement address. His talk is titled “A View From Washington.”
• During the ceremony, Russert also will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Washington University’s five other honorary degree recipients and their degrees are: David C. Farrell, former chairman and chief executive officer of the May Department Stores Co., doctor of science; Henry Givens Jr., Ph.D., president of Harris-Stowe State University, doctor of humanities; Paul Harvey, ABC News broadcaster, doctor of journalism; William S. Sly, M.D., the Alice A. Doisy Professor and chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the James B. and Joan C. Peter Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Saint Louis University, doctor of science; and Shirley M. Tilghman, Ph.D., president of Princeton University, doctor of science.
WHERE: Brookings Quadrangle, which is directly west of Brookings Hall, the university’s main administration building that sits on hill overlooking Forest Park.
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 18, 2007
MEDIA SEATING: News organizations sending a reporter to Commencement should call Sue Killenberg McGinn by 5 p.m. May 17 to make arrangements for a reserved seating ticket. Mult boxes will be available.
MEDIA PARKING: Reserved media parking is available near the south end of Brookings Hall. Take Forsyth Boulevard or Forest Park Parkway to Hoyt Drive; take Hoyt to south leg of the circle drive that leads up to Brookings Hall, where a parking attendant will direct you. Please show attendant a media ID.
VIOLENT WEATHER PLAN: Commencement will be held outside rain or shine. However, in case of violent weather, Commencement for undergraduates will be held in the Athletic Complex’s Field House, still beginning at 8:30 a.m. If the violent weather schedule is necessary, media will be notified by 7:30 a.m. Friday.
For more information the morning of Commencement, call Sue Killenberg McGinn at 314-603-6008.