Commencement last step for graduating seniors

An expected 715 bachelor’s and 95 master’s candidates will participate in commencement ceremonies at UW-River Falls on May 12.

Two ceremonies will be held at the Robert P. Knowles Recreation Center. The first, at 9:30 a.m., includes candidates from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the College of Business and Economics, and Graduate Studies. The 2 p.m. ceremony includes candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Graduating senior Kate Mendenhall, a music education major from Maple Grove, Minn., will sing the national anthem. Faculty Senate Chair Marshall Toman and Student Senate President Tyler Halverson will offer congratulatory messages to the candidates.

Assistant Professor of Biology Cheng-Chen Huang will speak as the 2012 Distinguished Teacher. Marvin G. Lansing will be recognized as the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus and W. Bradford Martin will be recognized with an Honorary Doctorate.

Degrees will be conferred by Chancellor Dean Van Galen and presenting candidates for degrees are: Fernando Delgado, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dale Gallenberg, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; Glenn Potts, dean of the College of Business and Economics; Nanette Jordahl, assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs; Bradley Caskey, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Larry Solberg, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies.

A reception in the W. H. Hunt Arena will follow the commencement ceremonies.