Newsroom


Dec. 12, 2007

SMU to hold graduation ceremonies Saturday

DALLAS (SMU) – Some 705 students are expected to receive diplomas during December graduation ceremonies at Southern Methodist University on Saturday, Dec. 15.

Because of the growing number of students who graduate at the end of the fall semester, the two-hour event, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held in Moody Coliseum for the first time. The principal address will be given by Paul Ludden, SMU’s provost, vice president for academic affairs and a scholar in environmental biochemistry.

The number of students graduating in December has increased by more than 80 percent in the last 10 years, from 386 in 1997 to more than 700 this year. For Saturday’s ceremonies, there are 322 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, 329 for master’s degrees, 37 for professional degrees, 16 for doctoral degrees and one for a certificate.

The tradition of Rotunda Passage will be observed at 5 p.m. Saturday in Dallas Hall. During students’ first year at SMU, they participated in the Rotunda Processional, a walk through the Rotunda of Dallas Hall, signifying their entry into the University community. Undergraduates who are graduating Saturday may repeat the journey, walking back through the Rotunda, symbolizing their transition from students to alumni.

Those attending graduation activities may park in any of the University’s parking facilities, including the parking garage at Airline Road and SMU Boulevard and the Moody Coliseum parking lot on Airline north of Mockingbird Lane. Maps showing the location of parking lots and campus buildings, and directions to campus are available at http://www.smu.edu/maps.

More information about SMU's December graduation is available at http://www.smu.edu/registrar/December_Graduation/. For questions, please call 214-768-3417 or send an e-mail to graduation@smu.edu.

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Media Contact:
Gary Shultz
gshultz@smu.edu
tele. 214-768-7650