UAA to celebrate the Class of 2008 on Sunday, May 4

The University of Alaska Anchorage continues to grow and contribute to Alaska's growing workforce with its spring graduating class of more than 2,100 students. A packed house of family and friends is expected at the Sullivan Arena to cheer on the hundreds who will walk across the stage during Commencement exercises beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.

Commencement is the University of Alaska Anchorage's capstone event celebrating the achievements of its students and the lifetime achievements of extraordinary faculty and community members. UAA Chancellor Fran Ulmer will confer degrees on students from the following schools and colleges: Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Public Policy, Health and Social Welfare, Education, the Community and Technical College and the School of Engineering. In all, UAA will confer more than 550 associate's, 1,072 bachelor's, 363 master's degrees, and 124 certificates and licenses from over 180 programs and areas of study.

Read the full news release here.

Visit the UAA Commencement 2008 Web site at www.uaa.alaska.edu/commencement/ for additional information. 

The details of the Commencement Ceremony are as follows:

WHERE: Sullivan Arena (1600 Gambell St.). Students should check in at the floor level; faculty members should go to the faculty lounge (located in the southeast corner of the arena); and deans/directors, emeriti and stage party members should go to the VIP lounge.

WHEN: Sunday, May 4, 2008, from 3 p.m. until approximately 6 p.m. Students and faculty should arrive at 2 p.m. (doors will not open until then).

MANDATORY STUDENT REHEARSAL: 10 a.m. Sunday, May 4 (the same day as Commencement), at the Sullivan Arena. An optional breakfast, hosted by UAA's Alumni Association, will be held from 9-10 a.m. in the lobby of the Sullivan Arena. Students should enter through the security doors between the NW and SW main entrances.

COST: None. All family, guests and media members are welcome to attend.

PARKING/ SHUTTLE BUS: There is no charge for parking. UAA will provide continuous shuttle service from the University Center (3901 Old Seward Hwy. -- UAA South Entrance) to the Sullivan Arena and back every 15 minutes, from 1:30-6:30 p.m. The shuttle will be available to take people back to the University Center at any point during the ceremony.

BROADCAST: Videotapes or DVD's of the ceremony can be purchased for $20 after May 15. For more information call (907) 786-6177 or (907) 786-4486, or e-mail distance@uaa.alaska.edu.

SPECIAL NEEDS: American Sign Language interpreters will attend the rehearsal and ceremony. Attendees with other special requests are encouraged to call Annie Route at (907) 786-1215.