May 05, 2014
Spring commencement ceremonies set for May 10
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s commencement ceremonies are set for Saturday, May 10.
There are 3,285 candidates for degrees as of May 1, including: 2,448 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, 579 candidates for master’s degrees, 124 candidates for doctoral degrees, 90 law degree candidates, and 44 candidates for associate degrees.
Three separate commencement ceremonies will be at the SIU Arena for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Commencement ceremonies are open to the public, and there is no ticket requirement. For the first time, each of the commencement ceremonies will be available via livestream at siusalukis.com/allaccess/.
Here is the schedule of the May 10 commencement ceremonies:
- 9 a.m. -- College of Liberal Arts, College of Science, SIU School of Law, and SIU School of Medicine.
- 1:30 p.m. -- College of Business and College of Education and Human Services.
- 5:30 p.m. -- College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Applied Sciences and Arts, College of Engineering, and College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.
Author and actress Ali Wentworth is the keynote speaker for each of the three commencement ceremonies. Wentworth, who has a column in Marie Claire magazine, started in the Starz series “Head Case,” and is the author of two books -- “Ali in Wonderland,” a New York Times best-seller and “The Wasp Cookbook.” Wentworth’s film work includes “It’s Complicated,” and “Jerry Maguire,” and as a regular on the television series “In Living Color.” She is also a frequent guest, host, or commentator on programs including “The View,” appeared frequently on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and was an on-air correspondent for “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Wentworth was also host of the Yahoo.com web series, “Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth.”
Wentworth is the daughter of a political journalist and President Ronald Reagan’s social secretary. She and her husband, ABC’s political host and “Good Morning America” co-anchor George Stephanopoulos, live in New York City with their two daughters.
The university will also honor two individuals during commencement for their service and commitment with Distinguished Service Awards.
James L. Moody, one of the nation’s leading lighting designers, will receive his honor during the 9 a.m. commencement exercise. Moody graduated in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in theater.
Charles Priester, a widely recognized aviation industry leader whose commitment to the program spans more than 30 years, will receive his honor during the 5:30 p.m. commencement ceremony.
More than 470 students will wear special medallions and honor cords during the ceremonies that reflect significant academic achievement. Among the 478 students earning recognition, 268 will receive Cum Laude distinction, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.749; 122 will receive Magna Cum Laude distinction, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.899, and 88 students will receive Summa Cum Laude distinction, carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.9 to 4.0. There were also 54 students in the University Honors Program who maintained an average GPA of 3.3 and 22 SIU Carbondale student-athletes who earned Latin honors.
In addition, graduating student military veterans will wear red, white and blue cords provided by the University in recognition of their sacrifice, commitment and service to our country.