 A graduate pumps her fists at one of last year’s commencement ceremonies. |
Drake University will honor a total of 1,421 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree recipients at its 2009 commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, in the Drake Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave.
The schedule of events, which will be available through live streaming video online, is listed below:
- Friday, May 15 — Hooding Ceremony for Pharmacy Graduates, 4 p.m., 134 recipients, with the keynote address presented by 2008-09 Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Robert Soltis.
- Friday, May 15 — Drake Law School Commencement, 7 p.m., 143 recipients, with the commencement address, “Your Life’s Blueprint: From Pericles to Facebook,” presented by Drake Law School alumnus and U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett of the Northern District of Iowa.
- Saturday, May 16 — The 128th Commencement Ceremony for Undergraduate Degree Recipients, 10 a.m., 730 recipients, with commencement addresses presented by Drake President David Maxwell and Jill Swenson, winner of the 2009 Oreon E. Scott Award for the outstanding senior.
- Saturday, May 16 — The 128th Commencement Ceremony for Graduate and Doctoral Degree Recipients, 2 p.m., 548 recipients, including 134 pharmacy graduates, with the commencement address presented by Suku Radia, a Drake trustee and the CEO and president of Bankers Trust Co.
President Maxwell and First Lady Madeleine Maxwell also will host the President’s Reception for all graduates and their families from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15, in Parents Hall at Olmsted Center, 2875 University Ave. There is no charge and the attire is dress casual.
In addition, a commencement lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, in Hubbell Dining Hall, 1315 30th St. Tickets are $5.75 in advance or $6.75 at the door. Students may use their meal cards.
For more information about commencement activities, visit the Drake Web site or call 1-800-443-7253 or 515-271-3093 or 515-271-3901.