MEDIA ADVISORY: Commencement set for May 14 at Vanderbilt University

(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.)

Tradition and technology will each be a part of Vanderbilt University’s annual Commencement on Friday, May 14. Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos will deliver the traditional Commencement address in a ceremony beginning 9 a.m. on Alumni Lawn. Undergraduates will receive their degrees after the chancellor’s address, while graduate and professional students will adjourn for their own 10:30 a.m. degree ceremonies. Vanderbilt is granting about 3,500 degrees this year, 1,600 to undergraduates and 1,900 to graduate and professional students. About 3,100 graduates are expected to attend the ceremony. Undergraduates will stay on Alumni Lawn to receive their degrees.

Graduates are invited to tweet their thoughts during the ceremony and a new text messaging service is available for updates on weather, events and other Commencement issues. The ceremony on Alumni Lawn will be webcast live starting at 9 a.m. 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

An event map is available here: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/commencement/vumaps/CWM_10_1.pdf

WHAT: 2010 Commencement exercises at Vanderbilt

WHERE:
Alumni Lawn. Severe weather location is Memorial Gym.

WHEN: Friday, May 14, 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 in Kensington Garage on 25th Avenue South. The garage is next to Memorial Gym. Media may park on levels five and above in Kensington Garage.