May 2, 2002 — A diverse group of students, representing 47 countries, 44 U.S. states and 21 Utah counties, will receive their degrees at the University of Utah’s Commencement on Friday, May 10, in the Jon M. Huntsman Center, at 9 a.m. The processional will begin at 8:20 a.m.

“The University of Utah values diversity in its students, faculty and staff,” notes Karen Dace, associate vice president for diversity. “This year’s graduates have benefited from being part of a diverse student body. As the city, state, nation and world become more heterogeneous, valuing diversity helps us ensure that the University has prepared its students to deal with different ways of knowing, thinking and being.”

Of the total 6,486 graduates, 4,580 will receive bachelor’s degrees. Another 1,906 students will receive graduate, including J.D. and M.D., degrees. Of this year’s graduates, 3,346 are men and 3,140 are women. The average age of bachelor’s degree candidates is 25.4, with an average grade point average of 3.14. The youngest bachelor’s degree recipient is 19 and the oldest is 71. The college of Social and Behavioral Science will award 1,493 degrees, the greatest number of any college on campus.

The average age of recipients of this year’s graduate degrees is 32.5. The youngest recipient is 21 and the oldest is 77. The Business College, awarding the greatest number of master’s degrees, will present 252 master’s diplomas to this year’s U graduates. The college of science will present the greatest number of doctorate degrees: 80.

University of Utah President Bernie Machen will officiate at this year’s commencement. The featured speaker will be Justice Christine Durham, the first woman to serve as the Utah Supreme Court’s chief justice. The student speaker will be Joel Adams, a graduate in finance from the David Eccles School of Business. Honorary degrees will be presented to James E. Faust, Louis H. and Ellen Callister and Jon Jory, who will be recognized during the graduation ceremonies. Distinguished teaching, research and service awards will be presented to faculty. The Rosenblatt Prize, the most prestigious award the University bestows on its faculty, will be announced as well.

Convocations for the College of Nursing and the Graduate School of Social Work will take place the day before the commencement ceremony-on May 9, both in Kingsbury Hall. The College of Nursing will hold its convocation at 5 p.m. and the Graduate School of Social Work will hold its convocation at 7:30 p.m.

On May 10, following the commencement ceremony, individual colleges will hold convocations throughout the day. The schedule is as follows:

– David Eccles School of Business: Jon M. Huntsman Center at 11:15 a.m.
– Graduate School of Architecture: Olpin Union Ballroom at 11:30 a.m.
– College of Education: Kingsbury Hall at 11:30 a.m.
– College of Mines and Earth Sciences: Fine Arts Auditorium at 11:30 a.m.
– College of Pharmacy: Skaggs Hall at 11:30 a.m.
– College of Engineering: Jon M. Huntsman Center at 1:15 p.m.
– College of Fine Arts: Kingsbury Hall at 1:30 p.m.
– College of Social and Behavioral Science: Jon M. Huntsman Center at 3:15 p.m.
– College of Health: Kingsbury Hall at 3:30 p.m.
– College of Humanities: Jon M. Huntsman Center at 5:45 p.m.
– College of Science: Kingsbury Hall at 5:30 p.m.

The College of Law and the School of Medicine will hold their convocations on Saturday, May 25, in Kingsbury Hall. The College of Law’s convocation will be at 10 a.m. and the School of Medicine’s convocation will be at 2 p.m.