(Editor’s Note: During morning drive time, traffic will be heavier than usual on West End Avenue near Vanderbilt from about 7:30 to 9 a.m. because of commencement.)
Graduating students will receive diplomas at Vanderbilt University’s Commencement on Friday, May 9, starting at 9 a.m. on Alumni Lawn, near West End Avenue and 23rd Avenue North. Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos will give the Commencement address to graduates. Vanderbilt is granting 3,215 degrees this year, 1,541 to undergraduates and 1,693 to graduate and professional students. Nineteen students will claim dual degrees. About 2,578 graduates are expected to attend the ceremony. Following Zeppos’ address, graduates from the graduate and professional schools will recess at about 10:15 a.m. for separate hooding and diploma-awarding ceremonies. Undergraduates will stay on Alumni Lawn to receive their degrees. The ceremony on Alumni Lawn will be webcast live starting at 9 a.m. with a link at www.vanderbilt.edu. A mult box will be available stage right.
In case of severe weather, the event will be moved to Memorial Gym on 25th Avenue South. For more commencement information, go to www.vanderbilt.edu/commencement.
WHAT: 2008 Commencement exercises at Vanderbilt
WHERE: Alumni Lawn. Severe weather location is Memorial Gym.
WHEN: Friday, May 9, 9 a.m.
Media parking: A limited number of parking spaces for print and television photographers will be available in Lot 1A at Vanderbilt Place and West Side Row between Tri Delta sorority house and the Euclid building (Directions – At 24th Avenue South, turn left onto Vanderbilt Place and it will dead end into the Sarratt Student Center. Then turn left onto West Side Row.) Reporters can park at Terrace Place Garage, at 21st Avenue South and Terrace Place just off West End Avenue. All media must show valid news identification to park. If Commencement is moved to Memorial Gym because of severe weather, photographers/TV news crews can park at Kensington Garage on 25th Avenue South next to Memorial Gym.
Media Contact: Princine Lewis, 615-322-NEWS
princine.l.lewis@vanderbilt.edu