Newswise — Preparing diplomas and engraving Jefferson cups are just a few of the items on Catherine “Kitty” Smiley’s to-do list. Smiley is the Darden School of Business registrar who has planned the school’s annual commencement exercises for the last 38 years. With little more than a week to go, Smiley and a host of others within the Darden Community will work together to make final arrangements for approximately 1,600 guests who will attend Darden’s 54th Commencement Exercises.
The ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 22, beginning at 1:15 p.m., in Flagler Court on the Darden School Grounds. Families, friends, faculty and staff members belonging to the Darden Community will witness the presentation of diplomas, awards and hoods. A luncheon will be held following the ceremony.
This year’s Full-Time MBA graduation student speaker will be Timothy “Adam” Harr (MBA Class of 2011) of Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of Middlebury College. While at Darden, Harr served as the president of the Darden Technology Club, a member of the Media Entertainment and Sports Club, and “Chips and Quips” editor of the Cold Call Chronicle, Darden’s student newspaper.
John Dowd (MBA Exec Class of 2011) of Virginia Beach, Va., will be this year’s MBA for Executives graduation student speaker. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Dowd is the CEO of Precision Ads, a technology platform that helps small businesses better target consumers. Prior to starting his company and attending Darden, Dowd served his country as a Navy Seal.
Professors Alec Horniman and Bob Landel were selected by the Class of 2011 to serve as graduation Faculty Marshals, who will lead the graduates as they process down U.Va.’s historic Lawn and then through Flagler Court at the Darden School.
Those unable to attend the commencement exercises may watch the ceremony live on Darden’s website. Darden Media, the school’s multimedia and television production team, will provide real-time coverage of the event. For viewing instructions, please visit the graduation live webcast page. After graduation, this event can be seen on the school’s MBA YouTube Channel.
Prior to Darden’s commencement ceremony, U.Va. will hold its 182nd final exercises. At 10 a.m., students will follow their Faculty Marshals to their proper position on the U.Va. Lawn. If the ceremony finishes late, Darden’s exercises will begin 30 minutes after the University’s ends. More information about the university-wide final exercises is available on the U.Va. website.
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