The caps and gowns have been ordered and the stages are almost set for the annual spring commencement programs to be held on each of the 14 state universities.
Slippery Rock University will hold its ceremonies on the weekend of May 10 and 11. Graduate students will receive their degrees at 7 p.m. on May 10. The program for undergraduates in the colleges of Health, Environment and Sciences and Liberal Arts will be held at 10 a.m. on May 11, and for those in the colleges of Business and Education at 2 p.m. on the same day.
Cal U will also hold its graduation that same weekend. The featured speaker will be Terence Carter from 20th Century Fox Television, who is responsible for developing and overseeing shows including Empire, Gotham, The X-Files, Glee and Bones.
Carter is the great-great grandson of Elizabeth “Jennie” Adams Carter, California’s first African-American graduate. Jennie Adams Carter graduated with a normal school diploma in 1881 and went on to become a respected teacher, school administrator and orator. Her photo and related artifacts are displayed in Carter Hall, a Cal U residence hall that also houses the university’s Multicultural Center.
Clarion and Edinboro’s ceremonies are scheduled for May 4.
IUP’s ceremonies will be held May 10 and 11.
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education comprises 14 public universities, which combined enroll the largest number of Pennsylvania residents among all four-year colleges and universities in the Commonwealth.