SRU plans Dec. 17 winter commencement
Dec. 2, 2015
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Commencement is a special time at Slippery Rock University. Whether you're a student, faculty member, family member or friend, graduation is an important event that marks a momentous occasion in the lives of not only the graduates, but the entire University community.
That occasion will arrive for nearly 600 SRU students when they cross the commencement stage Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. inside Morrow Field House.
Rehearsal for the event is Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m., also at Morrow Field House.
Undergraduate degrees will be bestowed upon 460 graduating seniors, while 130 master's degrees will be awarded.
Tickets are required for admission with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. All graduates have received their allotted tickets for distribution to friends and family.
Alan Levy, professor of history, will serve as grand marshal opening and closing the ceremony. Levy received his undergraduate degree from Washington and Jefferson College ('73) and his masters ('74) and doctoral degrees ('79) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
A member of the SRU faculty for the past 31 years, Levy is the author of several books on various topics in American history, including: "Tackling Jim Crow," a study of the origins, breakdowns, and legacies of racial segregation in professional football that was the basis for the 2011 CBS documentary, "Third and Long."
SRU President Cheryl Norton will open the ceremony with welcome remarks, and Matthew Lautman, chair of the SRU Council of Trustees, will bring greetings from the council.
Philip Way, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs; Lawrence Shao, dean, College of Business; Keith Dills, dean, College of Education; Jerry Chmielewski, interim dean, College of Health, Environment and Science; and Jennifer Keller, interim dean, College of Liberal Arts, will present the graduates for their degrees, which will be officially conferred by Norton.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Barta, professor of military science and head of SRU's Army ROTC program, will confer the oath of office to Allan Dick, an information technology major from Slippery Rock and induct him into the U.S. Army as second lieutenant.
SRU's Army ROTC unit will also present the colors to open the ceremony.
Lisa McCullough Holmes, a 1988 SRU graduate and member of the SRU Alumni Association, will induct the graduates into the association.
The SRU Student Brass Ensemble will provide music for the ceremony.
Nicholas Kochanov, a music performance: voice major from North Huntingdon, will sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the "SRU Alma Mater."
A reception for graduates and their guests will follow in the GrassTex area of the field house immediately after the ceremony.
Additional information, including guest instructions, special needs seating, transportation, parking and lodging is available at http://www.sru.edu/events/commencement or by phoning 724.738.2849.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu