Spring Commencement Scheduled for May 9

VALDOSTA-- Valdosta State University will hold three separate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May. 9, in the P.E. Complex on Baytree Road. More than 1,200 candidates have applied to graduate, making this one of the largest graduating classes in the university’s history.

The 10 a.m. session will include the Dewar College of Education and commissioning of 10 ROTC cadets as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force. The 1 p.m. session will include the College of the Arts, Langdale College of Business Administration, College of Nursing, Division of Social Work, and Master of Library and Information Science. The 4 p.m. session includes the College of Arts and Sciences.

Two new traditions will be featured during this semester’s commencement ceremonies. The Order of the Red and Black at 10 a.m. and presentation of the President’s Medallion at 4 p.m., are anticipated to become part of future commencement ceremonies for years to come.

The Order of the Red and Black will honor graduates from the past 50 or more years and helps bridge alumni from the past with today’s graduates. These honored alumni will be recognized at the 10 a.m. ceremony, given a tour of the campus and attend a luncheon.

The President’s Medallion honorees are selected individuals who have demonstrated remarkable generosity of time and personal resources to Valdosta State University. Three Valdosta couples will be announced at the 4 p.m. ceremony and receive a specially designed medallion from President Patrick J. Schloss.

The Valdosta State University Alumni Association will host a reception immediately following each ceremony. The public is invited to attend the ceremonies and tickets are not required. Guests are encouraged to arrive early. Additional graduation information is available at http://www.valdosta.edu/specialevents/ . All three ceremonies will be Web cast live on http://www.vstateblazers.tv/ .