News releases

May 11, 2009

TO: News directors, editors
FROM: Liz Beyler, University Communications, 608-263-1986, lbkraak@wisc.edu
RE: MEDIA ADVISORY: SPRING COMMENCEMENT COVERAGE

University of Wisconsin-Madison commencement ceremonies will be held Friday-Sunday, May 15-17.

Credentials for reporters and photographers will be available inside the Kohl Center media entrance on Frances Street an hour before each ceremony. The credentials allow media representatives to move freely around the floor, but access to the stage is not allowed.

Media parking will be available in Lot 91 behind the School District Administration Building. Permits are not required. Media representatives should enter on Bedford Street and tell the parking attendant they are there to cover commencement.

A mult box will be available for broadcast recording. It will be located at the electricians' table to the right of the stage.

Chancellor Biddy Martin will speak for approximately 10 minutes early in the ceremonies.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig will deliver the charge to the graduates at all four ceremonies on May 16 and 17. He is scheduled to begin speaking 10-15 minutes into each ceremony. His remarks will be approximately 10 minutes in length.

All of the ceremonies will be streamed live via the university's home page, http://www.wisc.edu. Windows Media Player and a broadband connection are required to view them. The stream will not be available until the start of each ceremony. Transcripts of the major commencement speeches will be posted on the university's Web site by noon on Monday, May 18.

The schedule of ceremonies is as follows:

- Friday, May 15, 5:30 p.m.: Honorary degrees and all doctoral and professional degrees (including Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Juridical Science, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Audiology, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Laws, Master of Legal Institutions and Master of Public Health).

- Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, and the schools of Education, Human Ecology, Medicine and Public Health, Nursing and Pharmacy.

- Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the School of Business and College of Engineering.

- Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of Letters and Science, majors A through H (African languages and literature through history of science).

- Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of Letters and Science in majors I through Z (international public affairs through zoology).

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