Media Advisory: Virginia Tech to hold Fall Commencement Ceremony Dec. 19

Virginia Tech will hold its Fall Commencement for graduate and undergraduate students Friday, Dec. 19 in Cassell Coliseum. The University Ceremony for undergraduate students will begin at 11 a.m. The Graduate School Ceremony will follow at 3 p.m. It is expected that approximately 1,250 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students will participate in the two events.

Virginia Tech president Charles W. Steger will preside over both ceremonies. Mathematics Professor Ezra 'Bud' Brown, a member of the Virginia Tech faculty since 1969, will give the commencement address at the undergraduate ceremony. Walter Rugaber, Virginia Tech Presidential Fellow and former president and publisher of the Roanoke Times, will deliver the keynote address to graduate students.

Members of the press are encouraged to attend the event. Opportunities for print and video cameras may be arranged during the ceremony upon request. Interviews with student speakers, keynote speakers or university officials are also available upon request.

For additional information, please contact Mark Owczarski, director of news and information at Virginia Tech at (540) 320-5223 (he can be reached on his cell phone (540) 357-0126 on the day of the event.).