At the University of Evansville’s 2011 Winter Commencement ceremony, 76 students will receive 80 degrees. As the first class of graduates to participate in a new tradition, they will also receive a symbolic gift: a blank key bearing UE’s logo.
Winter Commencement will take place at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14 in the UE Student Fitness Center. A reception, sponsored by the University of Evansville Alumni Association, will follow in the Class of 1959 Gallery and Lounge in the Ridgway University Center.
Beginning with this year’s Winter Commencement, each UE graduate will receive a gift of a blank key from the Alumni Association. The key, which can be customized to fit a lock of each graduate’s choosing, symbolizes that a UE education and connections to UE alumni can unlock a world of opportunities.
John David Lutz, chair of the Department of Theatre and a 1964 UE graduate, will present students with keys after they cross the stage to receive their diplomas.
This year’s Winter Commencement speaker is James Berry, UE associate professor of anthropology, who was named the 2011 Outstanding Teacher of the Year at May’s commencement exercises. The Alumni Association presents this award annually to a faculty member who is nominated by students, faculty, or administrators for his or her exemplary teaching abilities.
Berry came to the University of Evansville in 1978 after earning his PhD in anthropology from Indiana University. He also holds a Master of Arts in anthropology from IU and received his undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota.
During his 33 years at UE, Berry has received the Dean’s Teaching Award for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Sydney and Sadelle Berger Award for Service.
Source: evansville.edu – will also be live streaming the event
