Apr. 26, 2011
Shawnee State University Spring Commencement will take place at Shawnee State University at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 with nearly 450 students graduating. The commencement is scheduled to take place outside on the campus Alumni Green. Tickets are not needed when commencement is outside.
"We now hold two commencements a year, one in the spring and one in the fall, to accommodate the growing number of Shawnee State graduates," Dr. Rita Rice Morris, SSU president, said. "These two events are tremendous sources of pride for everyone on campus. This is what our students work so hard to reach - and what our faculty dedicate their lives to helping their students attain."
This spring's class of graduates will join the more than 13,000 who have earned degrees from Shawnee State University. Morris said that as SSU celebrates its 25th anniversary, this growing number holds special significance.
"As we talk about our history and our growth, more than numbers, it's the lives that have been changed because Shawnee State University is here that truly makes the difference," she said. "Our graduates can be found all over the world using the knowledge they gained at SSU."
While the May 7 commencement ceremony is planned for outdoors, in the case of anticipated severe weather, two indoor ceremonies will be held with limited seating. Graduates will be notified during their rehearsal if indoor ceremonies are needed and guest tickets will be issued.
"After last year's inclement weather shortened our ceremony, we began discussions on campus with this year's class about available options to have an indoor ceremony that would not be affected by weather," Dr. Dave Todt, SSU Provost, said. "Students overwhelmingly said they wanted the ceremony to remain outside on the Alumni Green with no limitations on the number of guests, so we are keeping that as our plan. As a contingency, depending on the forecast, we have made preparations for smaller indoor ceremonies."
For more information about commencement, please contact Becky Herpy (740) 351-3377 in the Registrar's Office, or Mistie Spicer in the President's Office at (740) 351-3635.