UW Tacoma readies for 21st Commencement

Members of the University of Washington Tacoma's Class of 2011, the institution's biggest graduating class to date, will celebrate their accomplishments at Commencement on June 10, 2011, in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D St., Tacoma. Doors open at 9 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Organizers advise graduates and families to arrive early, as traffic and parking will likely be heavy, particularly due to road construction on Pacific Avenue and East D Street.

Around 1,150 students will graduate this year. The exact number will be known after grades are submitted and degrees are posted. The previous year, 1,067 diplomas were awarded.

Organizers expect about 850 graduates to participate in Commencement ceremonies.

At Commencement, the national anthem will be sung by junior Jeong H. Lee. MBA graduate Christopher Inverso will deliver the student speech.

UW Interim President Phyllis Wise will officiate during the Commencement ceremonies. UW Tacoma Chancellor Patricia Spakes, who is retiring June 30, will deliver the keynote speech.

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

The first class of graduates from two new majors, Healthcare Leadership, and Information Technology and Systems, will walk at the 2011 Commencement.

After this year's degrees are awarded, the estimated number of UW Tacoma alumni will surpass 11,000.