The University of Colorado Boulder will hold its spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Folsom Field.
Because of ongoing construction on U.S. 36 leading into Boulder and anticipated traffic delays, early arrival is strongly advised. Gates open at 7 a.m. and guests should plan to be seated by 8:15 a.m. The ceremony will be held outdoors in the stadium regardless of the weather. In the event of heavy rain or snow an abbreviated ceremony will be held.
For the safety of all guests, only soft-sided bags or containers no larger than 12x12x12 (the size of a purse or small backpack) are permitted at Folsom Field. Clear plastic grocery-type bags are strongly recommended to facilitate security screening at the gates. All persons and packages are subject to screening prior to entry into the stadium. Please report unattended or suspicious bags to police immediately.
The ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will honor 5,927 candidates for degrees including 4,545 bachelor’s degrees, 908 master’s degrees, 149 law degrees and 325 doctoral degrees.
Cathleen Black, a former media executive and author, is the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Black served as president and chairman of Hearst Magazines and was an executive with USA Today and New York magazine.
Also during the ceremony, four honorary degrees will be awarded.
CU-Boulder Distinguished Professor Emeritus Richard Jessor spent his entire professional career at CU-Boulder (1951-2009) and is the longest serving faculty member in the university’s history. Jessor, who was a founding member of the Institute of Behavioral Science, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
John Darrah, a former senior scientist at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory who helped better equip the U.S. Armed Forces to fight in a nuclear battle and who led the charge to make CU a preeminent institution for space study, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Peter Balsells and Joan Charlotte von Bartheld Balsells, met at CU-Boulder as fellow engineering students, and thus began a lifelong partnership. In 1958 they founded a small manufacturing business, Bal Seal Engineering Company, which grew into a worldwide manufacturer of springs, seals and connectors used in a variety of aeronautical, automotive, electronics, engineering and medical equipment. They went on to establish a fellowship program at universities including CU-Boulder and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Joan Charlotte von Bartheld Balsells died in 1995. Peter Balsells will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree and Joan Charlotte von Bartheld Balsells will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree posthumously.
City and campus roads may be congested for approximately one and a half hours before the ceremony and about an hour afterward. Parking lots and gray meters near the Coors Events Center are free for commencement parking. Traffic officers and parking supervisors and attendants will be available to assist campus visitors.
Many departments within CU-Boulder’s schools and colleges will hold events to personally recognize their graduates. Students should check with their individual departments for more information. For a schedule of individual ceremonies visit http://www.colorado.edu/commencement/ceremonies/spring/department-recognition-ceremonies.
For more information about the commencement ceremony visit http://www.colorado.edu/commencement/ceremonies/spring.
To join the conversation and celebrate the accomplishments of CU-Boulder’s newest alumni in social media, people can use #ForeverBuffs on commencement photos and stories, and follow @CUBoulder and @CUBoulderAlumni on Twitter and Instagram, and follow the campuswide celebration of the class of 2015 at https://www.colorado.edu/social/2015-spring-commencement.
Contact:
Sarah Adderholt, 303-735-0533
Greg Swenson, CU-Boulder media contact, 303-492-3113
greg.swenson@colorado.edu
