University of Pittsburgh Holds Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement Convocations, April 29 and 30

PITTSBURGH—Starting a new tradition, the University of Pittsburgh will hold two commencement ceremonies this year, offering students and their families a more personal and engaging graduation experience. Also new for 2017, each of the more than 5,300 graduate, undergraduate and professional degree recipients will have their names read aloud as they accept their diplomas.

Pitt’s graduate student commencement convocation will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. The University’s undergraduate commencement convocation will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. Both events will take place in the John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center, 3719 Terrace St., Oakland. The ceremonies will be livestreamed here, and an online video will be available in the days following.

Attendees for both events are encouraged to arrive early to allow for time to pass through security. Backpacks, packages and oversized purses will not be permitted for security precautions. A sign language interpreter and accommodations for guests with disabilities will be provided. Further instructions for graduates and attendees can be found here. Parking and other travel information can be found here.

Both ceremonies will open with Robin Kear, University marshal and vice president of the University Senate, leading the commencement procession into the auditorium. The procession will consist of the 2017 graduating class, administrative officers, the Council of Deans and University Board of Trustees. The University of Pittsburgh Symphonic Band, led by Pitt Director of Bands Bradley G. Townsend, will provide music. Andrea S. Groves, a student in the School of Pharmacy, will sing the national anthem. Following each ceremony, a reception will take place on the Concourse Level and Plaza of the Petersen Events Center.

Information specific to Saturday’s graduate ceremony follows:

Graduates are to arrive by 2:30 p.m. through the Lawn Level Entrance. Doors will open for attendees through the Lobby and Concourse A entrances at 3 p.m.

Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson, Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of the School of Medicine Arthur S. Levine and Board of Trustees Chair Eva Tansky Blum will bestow an honorary Doctor of Science upon featured speaker Larry J. Merlo. Following Merlo’s remarks, Ansel Barchowsky, who is graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the John A. Swanson School of Engineering, will deliver the graduate student address.

Gallagher will confer more than 1,900 doctoral, master’s and professional degrees.

Information specific to Sunday’s undergraduate ceremony follows:

Graduates are to arrive no later than 11:30 a.m. through the Lawn Level Entrance. Doors will open for friends and family through the Lobby and Concourse A entrances at 10:30 a.m.

Gallagher, Beeson, Levine and Blum will present an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree to featured speaker S. Epatha Merkerson. Connor Kelly Jobes, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, will deliver the undergraduate student address.

Gallagher will confer more than 3,400 bachelor’s degrees at the undergraduate ceremony.

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4/25/17/amm/rkc/jw