May 10, 2018

Media Advisory – Spring 2018 Commencement

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Nearly 2,800 professional, graduate and undergraduate students are candidates for degrees. 

Many times out-of-town guests turn to local media outlets to confirm commencement schedules. We would appreciate your help in sharing this schedule with your audiences. Graduation ceremonies are open to the public and tickets are not required. 

The sixth annual “Forever SIU: A Commencement Celebration” on Friday will celebrate the members of the Class of 2018 and their families. Festivities are from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Student Center. The festivities will include food and drinks, dueling pianos, karaoke, bowling, billiards, photo booths and graduation craft projects to document memories.  

On Friday, commencement ceremonies begin with exercises for SIU School of Law graduates at 3 p.m. at Shryock Auditorium. SIU men’s basketball Barry Hinson will deliver the keynote address. 

Commencement ceremonies are open to the public, and there is no ticket requirement. Each ceremony will be available via livestream. Previous commencement ceremonies are also available on the university’s YouTube channel.  

Commencement ceremony schedule for May 12  

Here is the ceremony schedule and the honorary degree recipient and distinguished service award recipient where applicable.  

9 a.m. – SIU Arena

  • College of Agricultural Sciences
  • College of Liberal Arts
  • College of Science
  • School of Medicine 

Janice L. Jacobs, an SIU Carbondale alumna with a 33-year career as a U.S. diplomat and foreign affairs officer, will receive a Doctorate of Public Service.

Award-winning children’s novelist Richard W. Peck, who will receive a Doctorate of Literary Arts, has published more than 40 novels for children and young adults in his 45-year career.

Bob G. Gower, who will receive a Distinguished Service Award, is an international business leader in the chemical industry. 

1:30 p.m. – SIU Arena

  • College of Business
  • College of Education and Human Services 

Harvey Welch, Jr. will receive a Distinguished Service Award. 

5:30 p.m. – SIU Arena 

  • College of Applied Sciences and Arts
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Mass Communication and Media Arts 

Actor and humanitarian Richard Roundtree will receive a Doctorate of Performing Arts. While on campus, Roundtree will participate in “A Conversation with Richard Roundtree” at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Christian H. Moe Theater in the Communications Building.  

Additional background information on the honorary degree and distinguished service award recipients is available.