FOR RELEASE: May 1, 2002
Contact: Linda Grace-KobasOffice: 607-255-4206E-Mail: [email protected]
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University will celebrate its 134th Commencement Sunday, May 26, with President Hunter Rawlings presiding over the ceremony at 11 a.m. on Schoellkopf Field. Rawlings will present the commencement address and confer degrees on more than 6,000 eligible candidates, capping two days of celebratory activities.
Popular actor and human rights activist Danny Glover will present the Senior Convocation address Saturday, May 25, which will be held in Barton Hall at noon for graduates and their families and guests. Also speaking will be Lisa Adelman, senior class president, and Class of 2002 alumni co-presidents Khary Barnes and Tracy Zuckerman.
Best known as an international film star for his portrayal of Roger Murtaugh in the "Lethal Weapon" movie series, Glover has had a long and distinguished career in theater and film. Born and raised in San Francisco, he trained at the Black Actor's Workshop of the American Conservatory Theater and performed in productions at the Los Angeles Actors Theater and the Eureka Theater. On Broadway, he gained national recognition for his performance in Athol Fugard's "Master Harold and the Boys."
He has appeared in more than 30 films and received critical acclaim for his performances in the Academy Award-winning film "Places in the Heart," as well as in "The Color Purple," "Silverado," "A Rage in Harlem," "Angels in the Outfield" and "Beloved." His most recent film is "The Royal Tenenbaums." He received an Emmy nomination for his supporting role in television's highly-rated "Lonesome Dove," and his second NAACP Image Award for his performance in the title role of HBO's "Mandela." In 1991, Glover was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
A staunch advocate for human rights, in 1998 Glover was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program. He has received the Amnesty International USA Lifetime Achievement Award. His political activities range from raising awareness about the AIDS crisis in Africa to literacy and the well-being of African-Americans and of impoverished communities in the United States. He is a staunch opponent of the death penalty. Other Commencement weekend events include:
Saturday, May 25:
Phi Beta Kappa Induction: New members of the Cornell chapter of Phi Beta Kappa will be inducted in a ceremony in G-1 Uris Hall at 10 a.m.
ROTC Commissioning: The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Brigade will commission officers into the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force during a ceremony in David L. Call Alumni Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, at 2 p.m.
President's Parent Reception: President Rawlings and the Cornell Board of Trustees will host a reception for degree candidates, their families and guests from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on the Arts Quad.
D.V.M. Hooding Ceremony: New doctors of veterinary medicine will take the Veterinarian's Oath and individually receive hoods that signify their doctoral degrees and the institution awarding them, in Alice Statler Auditorium beginning at 3 p.m.
Ph.D. Recognition Ceremony: Recipients of doctoral degrees will be individually recognized for their significant academic achievements in Barton Hall at 5 p.m. President Rawlings will preside over the ceremony. Degrees will be conferred during the general Commencement ceremony Sunday.
Other special events for graduates and their families on Saturday include tours of Cornell Plantations from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., a Cornell Wind Ensemble concert on the Arts Quad at 3 p.m. and the Senior Week Concert by the Glee Club and Chorus in Bailey Hall at 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 26:
Baccalaureate Service: Rabbi Richard Jacobs, who serves as spiritual leader to the Westchester New York Reform Temple, will give the Baccalaureate Address in the service that begins at 8:30 a.m. in Bailey Hall. This interfaith service honors all graduating students and retiring faculty members. The university choruses and Cornell Wind Ensemble will perform.
Commencement: The Commencement procession will assemble on the Arts Quad at 9:20 a.m. The ceremony in Schoellkopf Field will begin at 11 a.m.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on Time-Warner cable television Channel 16 in Tompkins County beginning at 10 a.m. Viewing will be available on campus in Bartels Hall, Statler Hall, Kennedy Hall and Martha Van Rensselaer Hall.
From 12:30 to 3 p.m., individual colleges and schools will hold receptions at locations throughout the campus.
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