More than 800 graduates expected to participate in 20th Annual Commencement

The University of Washington Tacoma will hold Commencement exercises at 10 a.m., on Friday, June 11, in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D St., Tacoma. The doors open at 9 a.m.



More than 800 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony. Several thousand friends and family members will be on hand to witness the formal ceremony.

The entire 2010 graduating class (including those not participating at Commencement) totals more than 1,200, which breaks down to about 1,000 undergraduate and 200 graduate students.



This year's graduating class will put UW Tacoma over the mark of 10,000 graduates since opening in 1990.



Many of the first class of freshmen accepted into UW Tacoma in 2006 will receive bachelor's degrees this year. Last year, two members of that class graduated early.



UW President Mark Emmert and UW Tacoma Chancellor Patricia Spakes will preside over the exercises.



Mark Pendras, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies, will deliver the Commencement address. Pendras received his bachelor's degree in 1994 from the University of Washington, and his master's and doctorate from Rutgers University.



The 2010 Distinguished Teaching Award will be bestowed on Pendras during the ceremony. Michael Honey, professor of history, will receive the 2010 Distinguished Research Award.



Mark Tegen, co-founder and CEO of Inventure Chemical Technology and a 1998 graduate of UW Tacoma with a bachelor's degree in business finance, will speak on behalf of alumni.



The winner of the Chancellor's Medal, which goes to the senior with the highest academic achievement, will be announced during Commencement.



Graduating seniors with special parts in the proceedings include:

• Breanne Orndorff will sing The Star Spangled Banner.
• Cruz Credle, president of the Associated Students of UW Tacoma, will speak on behalf of students.
• Ashley Walker will give the student address.