U of M commencement ceremonies to begin April 27

Throughout the coming weeks, the University of Minnesota will host numerous commencement ceremonies, recognizing thousands of students across its five campuses.

Notable speakers participating in this year’s ceremonies include:

Cathy Wurzer, host of Morning Edition for MPR News and co-host of Almanac produced by Twin Cities Public Television, who will address graduates of the College of Nursing at 2 p.m., Friday, May 11 at Northrop. Wurzer has has won four Emmy Awards for her work on Almanac. She has also been a talk show host for WCCO-AM radio, a producer for KMSP-TV, and political reporter for KSTP-AM radio.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, who will address graduates of the U of M Medical School and University of Minnesota Morris at 2 p.m., Friday, May 4, at Northrop Auditorium and at 1:30 p.m., Saturday May 12, on the Campus Mall, respectively. Senator Klobuchar was the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the United States Senate.

Senator Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, who will address graduate students in Arts, Sciences and Engineering at noon, Friday, May 4, at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Senator Dibble has been a state legislative leader on bullying prevention and HIV/AIDS issues, as well Minnesota's challenges on human rights, transportation and transit, energy efficiency, the environment, housing and economic development.  

Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International Inc., who will address graduates of the U of M Law School at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 12 at Northrop. A 1983 graduate of the Law School, Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012—the first without the Marriott surname.

David Gerbitz, chief operating officer of Pandora Media, who will address graduates of the College of Liberal Arts, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Sunday, May 13, 3M Arena at Mariucci. Gerbitz is responsible for driving Pandora’s growth engine across all digital and broadcast solutions, across all devices and all demand channels.

The complete commencement schedule, including speakers for the University’s colleges and schools, is as follows:

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Graduate Ceremony: 2:30 p.m., April 27, Jeff Stamp, Ph.D., Chief Storyteller at Bold Thinking, Northstar Ballroom, 2017 Buford Ave., St. Paul.

Honors Recognition Ceremony, University Honors Program: Joseph Haj, Artistic Director at the Guthrie Theater, 7 p.m., Thursday, May 3, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Graduate Student Commencement: D. Scott Dibble, Minnesota State Senator, noon, Friday, May 4, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

Medical School: Dr. Jakub Tolar, dean of the Medical School and interim vice president for the Health Science, and Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota, 2 p.m., Friday, May 4, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

International Student and Scholar Services: U of M student Mazen Elsaid, 4 p.m., Friday, May 4, Weisman Art Museum, 333 E. Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Lavender Celebration: Stef Jarvi, director of education, Office for Equity and Diversity, University of Minnesota, 6 p.m., Friday, May 4, Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis.

University of Minnesota Duluth: Don Ness, former mayor of Duluth and UMD alumnus, 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 5, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center & AMSOIL Arena; 350 Harbor Dr., Duluth. *The graduate and undergraduate ceremonies are combined with two ceremonies in both venues.

College of Continuing & Professional Studies (CCAPS): Dr. Kathryn Pearson, an associate professor of political science in the College of Liberal Arts, 10 a.m., May 5, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE): Dr. Eric Kaler, President of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Aurelio Curbelo, Director MCAE, Dr. Michael Goh, Interim Vice President for Equity and Diversity, Steve Davis, Director, Multicultural Affinity Groups Alumni Association, two U of M students, 1 p.m., Saturday, May 5, Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S 4th St, Minneapolis.

University of Minnesota Crookston: Peggy (Lee) Hilton, Class of 1968, 2 p.m., Saturday, May 5, Lysaker Gymnasium, UMC Sports Center, 2900 University Avenue, Crookston.

College of Pharmacy: Chris Dimos, President of Retail Solutions, McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Health, 2 p.m., Saturday, May 5, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

College of Veterinary Medicine: Dr. Beth Thompson, executive director and state veterinarian at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, 7 p.m., Saturday, May 5, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

College of Education and Human Development (CEHD): Bill Doherty, professor in the department of Family Social Science and director of the Citizen Professional Center, will speak at the graduate ceremony at 12:30 p.m., and Michael Goh, professor in the department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development; Interim Vice President for Equity & Diversity, will speak at the undergraduate ceremony at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

School of Dentistry: Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota, will provide opening remarks. 10 a.m., Friday, May 11, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Undergraduate Ceremony: Chris Policinski, President and CEO, Land O' Lakes, Inc., 2 p.m., Friday, May 11, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

School of Nursing Undergraduate Ceremony: Cathy Wurzer, MPR Morning Host, 2 p.m., Friday, May 11, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

College of Science & Engineering Undergraduate Ceremony: Cindy Kent, President and General Manager, 3M Infection Prevention Division, 6:45 p.m., Friday, May 11, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

Law School: Law Alumnus Arne Sorenson (‘83), President & Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International, Inc., 10 a.m., Saturday, May 12, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

University of Minnesota Rochester: U of M Regent Steve Sviggum will confer degrees, 11 a.m., Saturday, May 12, 2018, Mayo Civic Center Ballroom, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester.

University of Minnesota Morris: Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota, 1:30 p.m., Saturday May 12, Campus Mall, 600 East Fourth Street, Morris.

Humphrey School of Public Affairs Graduate Ceremony: Anne-Marie Slaughter, president and CEO, New America. Former high-ranking official in the U.S. State Department, former dean of Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, 3 p.m., Saturday, May 12, Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. 4th St., Minneapolis.

College of Design: Professor Nancy Skolos and Senior Critic Thomas Wedell from the Rhode Island Design School, 3 p.m., Saturday, May 12, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

College of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Ceremony: Dr. Robin Wright, Director of Undergraduate Education Division, National Science Foundation, 5 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

College of Liberal Arts: CLA alumnus David Gerbitz ('96), Chief Operating Officer, Pandora Media, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Sunday, May 13, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

Carlson School of Management: Carlson alumna Marcia L. Page (’83), Executive Chair of Värde Partners, will address the graduate ceremony at 9 a.m., and undergraduate ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday, May 14, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

School of Public Health: Nicole Lurie, M.D., M.S.P.H., Strategic Advisor to the CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Initiatives (CEPI) and Advisor to the World Bank and the World Health Organization, 5 p.m., Monday, May 14, Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.