RIT grads take center stage in May 19-20 ceremonies

RIT's first graduation of the millennium will see more than 3,500 students graduate during the university's 115th annual commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20.

U. S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley (see separate story), will give the 2000 RIT commencement speech during the academic convocation on Friday evening, May 19. During the convocation, Norman Jewison, filmmaker, director and producer (see separate story), will receive an honorary degree for his success in the motion picture industry and his contributions to education in new media and visual arts.

The convocation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the tent in parking lot U. A reception for all graduating students and their families, faculty and staff will take place outside the tent, weather permitting, beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Commencement ceremony schedule

Friday, May 19

* College of Applied Science and Technology, computer science department and information technology department ONLY (All other departments will graduate on Saturday), Frank Ritter Ice Arena, 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 20
* College of Applied Science and Technology, Tent, U-lot, 8:30 a.m.

* College of Science, George H. Clark Gymnasium, 8:30 a.m.

* Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Frank Ritter Ice Arena, 9 a.m.

* National Technical Institute for the Deaf, George H. Clark Gymnasium, 11 a.m.

* College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Tent, U-lot, 11:30 a.m.

* College of Business, Frank Ritter Ice Arena, noon

* College of Liberal Arts, George H. Clark Gymnasium, 1 p.m.

Consult the commencement program for information about individual college receptions.

Other highlights of the academic convocation include a student address by Amotz Zakai of the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences and recognition of this year's recipients of the Eisenhart Awards for Outstanding Teaching and the Richard and Virginia Eisenhart Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching. President Albert Simone will officially confer degrees to the graduating class during the academic convocation.

"I believe our two-day commencement celebration will be a culminating experience for graduates and their families and friends. It is a capstone of their time at RIT and a fitting finale to years of hard work and sacrifice," says Simone. "All of us at RIT--faculty, staff and trustees--congratulate all the graduates and their families, and wish them continued success."

RIT's commencement will focus on individual recognition of the graduates. Once again student delegates (see separate story) will speak at each ceremony. The festive campus atmosphere will feature banners, music and food.

"Graduation is the highlight event of the academic year," says Stanley McKenzie, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "It is a time for everyone to take great pride in our students' accomplishments and tell them what a wonderful job they've done meeting the rigorous academic demands of RIT."