Whitman Commencement Fact Sheet

News Release Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

WHERE: Outdoor ceremony, Memorial South Lawn, off Boyer Ave., Walla Walla, Wash.

WHEN: 11 a.m., Sunday, May 24

HOW MANY: Approximately 350 seniors will receive bachelor of arts degrees.

VISITORS: About 4,000 parents, grandparents, family members and friends.

SPEAKER: Ryan Crocker ’71, former Ambassador to Iraq, addressing “Lessons From a Long War.”

STUDENT SPEAKER: Elliott Okantey, addressing “I’m not Worried.”

STUDENT MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: John Todd Hawes, performing Bruce Springsteen’s “The Promised Land.”

HONORARY DEGREES: Doctor of Humane Letters, presented to Bishop Othal Hawthorne Lakey ’57; Doctor of Humane Letters, presented to Bill Priedhorsky ’73.

REUNION: Members of the Class of 1959 reunite on campus and will march with the graduates.

TRADITIONS: Awards presented to middle and high school teachers as nominated by graduating seniors. This year to Michael Schaefer, an advanced placement U.S. history and social studies teacher at Olympia High School in Olympia, Wash.

TV CREWS:  A multi-box will be available for sound feed.

PARKING:  Space in the immediate vicinity will be tight in lots and along city streets. Call 527-5156 in advance for assistance.