SUNY Potsdam 2012 Commencement Ceremonies Announced

POTSDAM, NY (05/09/2012)(readMedia)-- The State University of New York at Potsdam will honor more than 900 undergraduate and graduate students as they earn their degrees during the College's 178th Commencement celebration on May 19 and 20.

The 2012 Master's Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 19 at 10:15 a.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. 173 graduate students are expected to cross the stage and receive their hood to earn their master's degrees at this ceremony.

Dr. Galen K. Pletcher, Dean Emeritus of The School of Arts and Sciences, will serve as the featured keynote speaker for the SUNY Potsdam Master's Commencement Ceremony.

The 2012 Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 20 at 10:15 a.m. in the Academic Quad. 749 graduates are expected to turn their tassels and earn bachelor's degrees that day.

The ceremony will be streamed live online at www.potsdam.edu. The live stream, which will not be available until the morning of the ceremony, will be at potsdam.canwebcast.net/commencement.

The College has decided to hold its Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony outside in the Academic Quad, rain or shine. Guests are asked to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and bring umbrellas or blankets if need be. There will be an option for guests who are uncomfortable with the weather conditions to watch the ceremony on a large screen inside, in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room.

There is an emergency weather plan for the bachelor's ceremony in the case of extremely inclement conditions like lightning or freezing temperatures. In this case, there will be two ceremonies. At 10 a.m., there will be one ceremony for graduating majors in visual arts, music, theatre and dance in Hosmer Hall at Crane. All other majors will attend a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in the Jerry Welsh Gymnasium in Maxcy Hall. Each graduate will receive five tickets for the emergency plan, and all other guests are welcome to view the ceremonies via live stream in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room.

Revolutionary scientist Dr. Anthony B. Brennan '75, the inventor of Sharklet and an endowed professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Florida, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his ingenuity, enterprise and generosity, at the Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony. Dr. Brennan will also deliver the keynote address.

A special guest will bestow Brennan with his honorary degree. SUNY Trustee Kaitlyn Beachner '08, the outgoing president of the SUNY Student Assembly and the current student representative on the SUNY Board of Trustees, will return to her alma mater to join the stage party, just four years after she spoke at her own Commencement as the graduating Student Government Association president.

During the Commencement celebrations, the College will also recognize two recipients of its most prestigious awards. Dr. Stephen D. Immerman '75, the President of the Potsdam College Foundation Board of Trustees and the President of the Montserrat College of Art, will be presented with the 2012 Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award at the bachelor's ceremony. In addition, the 2012 Leadership Through Service Award will be presented to the Stewart's Foundation.

To find out more about Commencement at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/commencement.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

-www.potsdam.edu-