Purdue set to host spring commencement ceremonies; traffic plan set

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — More than 5,400 students at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus will cross the stage and receive their diplomas in six commencement ceremonies May 12-14.

All ceremonies will take place in the Elliott Hall of Music, and due to road construction in the area, the best routes from each direction and parking information are provided here.

The commencement schedule is as follows:

* Friday, May 12. 3 p.m. Graduate School (All schools and colleges).

* Friday, May 12. 8 p.m. The College of Health and Human Sciences (includes Doctor of Audiology) and the College of Education.

* Saturday, May 13. 9:30 a.m. The College of Liberal Arts and Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

* Saturday, May 13. 2:30 p.m. The colleges of Agriculture and Pharmacy, and School of Management.

* Sunday, May 14. 9:30 a.m. The colleges of Science, Veterinary Medicine, and Engineering (Aeronautical and Astronautical, Industrial).

* Sunday, May 14, 2:30 p.m. The College of Engineering (Agricultural & Biological, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Construction, Electrical and Computer, Engineering Education, Environmental & Ecological, Materials, Mechanical, Nuclear).

Purdue President Mitch Daniels will speak at all ceremonies, and each will also feature a student responder.

Destiny R. Matthews of San Antonio, who is to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition science and dietetics from the College of Health and Human Sciences, will be the student responder in the Friday (Division II) ceremony.

Abhishek Balaji of Westborough, Massachusetts, who will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in computer and information technology from Purdue Polytechnic Institute, will be the student responder in the Saturday morning (Division III) ceremony.

Zachary McCormack of Avon, Indiana, who will receive a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the College of Pharmacy, will be the student responder in the Saturday afternoon (Division IV) event.

The Sunday morning (Division V) student responder is Peter Boyd of St. John, Indiana, who will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in applied statistics, actuarial science, mathematical statistics, and statistics with a math emphasis, from the College of Science.

Thomas A. Palcheck of Schaumburg, Illinois, who is to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering, is the student responder for the Sunday afternoon (Division VI) ceremony.

Tickets are required for admission to Elliott Hall. Doors open 90 minutes prior to each ceremony.

While a “clear bag” policy is not in place, audience members who have no bag or bring their belongings in a clear bag similar to one used at athletic events will be able to enter Elliott Hall more quickly. Also permissible is one small clutch bag (no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches) - approximately the size of a hand - with or without a handle or strap. For more information on the type of bag allowed, click here.

A reminder to all planning on attending commencement ceremonies: State Street Redevelopment Project construction is under way. This work will close a portion of State Street and significantly affect surrounding thoroughfares in West Lafayette.

About 6,785 students are candidates for degrees, and approximately 4,210 undergraduates are participating in the commencement ceremonies. Also participating will be 982 graduate students and 232 students from the professional programs.

All students will have their name called and receive their actual diploma at the ceremony. Diplomas for all candidates who do not attend commencement will be mailed approximately six weeks after the May ceremonies.

The commencement exercises will be livestreamed at the following (video will play once broadcasting starts): http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/phbbo

Commencement videos will be available for $30 per DVD. Order forms can be obtained at the Loeb Playhouse box office, online at http://www.purdue.edu/commencement/documents/DVD_Form.pdf or by calling 765-494-3933. Forms may be submitted within two weeks of the event. 

Commencement ceremonies also will be held for the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, and the Purdue University Northwest campuses.

IPFW will hold its 50th commencement ceremony at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum at 4 p.m. May 10. Daniels and Indiana University President Michael McRobbie will speak. About 1,842 students are candidates for degrees or certificates. Srilatha Dasari will be the student responder.

Purdue Northwest will hold commencement at the Hammond campus at 3 p.m. May 5, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. May 6. Rep. David Ober from Indiana’s 82^nd district will speak. About 519 students are candidates for degrees or certificates. Student government president Melissa Sida-Diaz will be the student responder.

A commencement ceremony will be held on Purdue Northwest’s Westville campus at 3 p.m. May 8. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. will speak. About 249 students are candidates for degrees or certificates. Student government president Zachary Jakubowski will be the student responder. 

Writer: Tim Doty, 765-496-2571, doty2@purdue.edu 

Sources: Christine Pass, 765-494-6163, dehahn@purdue.edu

Nicole Hahn, 260-760-7409, nicole.hahn@ipfw.edu

Noemi Elizalde, 219-989-2334, elizalde@pnw.edu