News Release

Contact
Laurie E. Bick-Jensen
Director, Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 295-1164
laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu

Wilmington University Celebrates 46th Winter Commencement Sunday, January 29

1,740 graduates participate in dedicated day of accomplishment with families and friends.

Wilmington University will award 1,740 degrees in its 46th Winter Commencement ceremonies at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on Sunday, January 29.

The class of 2017 graduates as part of a total Wilmington University enrollment of more than 21,000 students. Its alumni number over 43,000.

Three consecutive ceremonies honoring graduates of the university’s six academic colleges will take place at the following times:

9:30 a.m. College of Business (Undergraduate)

College of Education (Undergraduate)

College of Health Professions (Undergraduate)

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Undergraduate)

College of Technology( Undergraduate)

1:00 p.m. College of Arts and Sciences

College of Business (Graduate)

College of Education (Graduate)

College of Health Professions (Graduate)

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Graduate)

4:30 p.m. College of Technology (Graduate)

University President Dr. Jack Varsalona will deliver the customary greeting to the graduates and their families and will hand degrees out to each individual student. Executive Vice President Dr. LaVerne Harmon will address the unique qualities of the 2016 graduating class and Dr. James D. Wilson Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs, will present the candidates for their degrees.

A select number of undergraduate and graduate degree recipients are set to receive academic awards. Chief among these are the President's Award and the Trustees Award. Student award winners are not made aware that they will be receiving their awards prior to their graduation ceremony.

Each ceremony features a student speaker specially selected by the University for their exemplary academic performance and service to the community. In order of the ceremony time during which they will speak, the speakers are:

Kenneth J. Lutz

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Ken graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health and a 3.98 grade point average.

Cheryl L. McBride

Cheryl is director of student life at Rowan College - Gloucester County, NJ. She will graduate a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management after maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout her program of study.

Roberto A. Rodriquez

Roberto, a resident of Falls Church, Virginia, graduates with a Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technology and a concentration in Information Assurance and a 3.88 grade point average.

Graduate Information

All graduating students who will be attending the ceremonies are asked to arrive at the Chase Center 1 hour before their designated College commencement time. Each student should report first to the Check-in Desk then proceed to the Student Robing Room to prepare for their procession to the ceremony. Graduates should refer to the web page at www.wilmu.edu/graduation for additional instructions and guidance.

All three commencement ceremonies will be live-streamed via Wilmington University’s website. Those who are interested but unable to attend can go to http://www.wilmu.edu/graduation/live to watch one or all of the events.

Audience and Attendee Information

All attendees must check in at the receiving desk at the Chase Center main entrance.

Due to fire regulations, only ticketed attendees, Wilmington University faculty, University staff and the media will be permitted to enter. Plan to arrive early as parking and seating will be at full capacity.

About Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the third fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2003 – 2013 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu.

Published: Thursday, January 26, 2017 - New Castle, DE

Cheryl L. McBride is director of student life at Rowan College - Gloucester County, NJ. She is also the student speaker at the 1:00 p.m. Wilmington University Winter Commencement ceremony on Jan. 29 as she also graduates with a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management and a 4.0 grade point average.

Kenneth J. Lutz is the student speaker at the 9:30 a.m. Winter Commencement ceremony on Jan. 29. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Ken graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health and a 3.98 grade point average.

Roberto A. Rodriquez completed his Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technology with a concentration in Information Assurance and a 3.88 grade point average. Roberto is the student speaker at the 4:30 p.m. Winter Commencement ceremony on Jan. 29. He is a resident of Falls Church, Virginia, and is employed as a manager at Capital One in Cyber Intrusion SME .