Counting the days to commencement; more than 1300 to walk

Counting the days to commencement; more than 1300 to walk
Gov. Christine Gregoire to deliver Evergreen's commencement address

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire will deliver the keynote address at The Evergreen State College's 35th commencement ceremony Friday, June 16 at the college's Red Square. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m.

More than 1300 students will receive their diplomas as an audience expected to number more than 5000 looks on.

The college will confer bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees, as well as joint BA/BS degrees and masters degrees in teaching, public administration and environmental science.

This academic year is one marked with extraordinary endorsements of Evergreen's academic challenge and student engagement — notably, the college's distinction as one of the most academically challenging colleges in the nation for freshman students and the high degree of student engagement. The National Survey of Student Engagement, sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released their study highlighting Evergreen's strengths last November.

National Public Radio featured Evergreen in February as the only public college or university in America to be named as a "College That Changes Lives" by author Loren Pope.

Evergreen president Les Purce says Gov. Gregoire delivering the commencement address is an honor for the college. "I'm very pleased that the governor has accepted the invitation to speak at our 35th graduation. She has a distinguished record of support for public education - and an equally strong record of public service."

For more information about the ceremony and for individuals needing special accommodations, go to www.evergreen.edu/graduation.