Weber State University will confer degrees upon 2,600 graduates at commencement exercises Friday.
The school's commencement will begin at 7:40 a.m. with an academic processional into the Dee Events Center, followed by a formal program and presentation of diplomas at 8 a.m.WSU officials said the class of '95 includes approximately 1,490 bachelor's degrees, 1,000 associate's degrees, 65 master's degrees and 45 institutional certificates.
Patricia P. Henry, a retired WSU professor of mathematics, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary doctorate. Henry, who taught from 1967 to 1994, is renowned nationally for her math textbooks, conference presentations and curriculum materials for elementary math education.
Also receiving honorary degrees are Robert L. Marquardt, CEO and chairman of Management Training Corp.; Richard E. Myers, president of Myers Mortuaries; Raymond J. Noorda, former chairman of Novell, Inc.; and Louis S. Peery, past president of the Weber County Medical Association.
Myers, president of Myers Mortuaries, graduated from the then two-year Weber State College with honors in 1952. He has served as chairman of the WSU Board of Trustees and led the institution's drive to university status in 1991. He also organized the first university development fund and served as president of the alumni association.
Noorda, former chairman of Novell, helped build the Utah firm from a $3.8 million company to a $600 million software giant and earned a computer industry reputation as a turnaround expert.
Peery, past president of the Weber County Medical Association and 1931 graduate of the college, developed the first orthopedic surgery medical practice in Ogden. He and his wife, Janet, established a $275,000 endowment for the training of nurses at WSU and donated $75,000 for the construction of a new alumni center.
Marquardt, CEO and chairman of Management Training Corp. in Ogden, received the "top contractor" award from the U.S. Job Corps in 1993. He founded and serves as chairman of the Ogden Dinosaur Park and Museum Foundation.
Student speakers are Nicholas Coburn-Palo, national champion debater; Dan Dillingham, leadership, campus and community director for Associated Students of Weber State University (ASWSU); and Ryan Taylor, athletic-promotions director of ASWSU.
The following individual convocations will be held following commencement:
10 a.m. - College of Applied Science & Technology, Dee Events Center; College of Education, Austad Auditorium; Associates of General Studies, Shepherd Union Building ballroom.
10:30 a.m. - College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, stadium.
Noon - College of Arts & Humanities and BIS degrees, Austad Auditorium; College of Health Professions, Dee Events Center; College of Science, Shepherd Union Building ballroom.
2 p.m. - College of Business and Economics, Austad Auditorium.
The WSU nursing program will hold convocation programs Thursday in the following locations: associates of nursing, 2 p.m. in the Austad Auditorium; practical nursing, 5 p.m. in the Allred Theater; bachelor's of nursing, 7 p.m. in the Austad Auditorium.
A picnic for graduates, guests, faculty and staff will be held on the field adjacent to the information booth and west of the Miller Administration Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At 4 p.m., "Putting Students Through College," a program honoring parents, spouses and friends who supported graduates, will be presented in the Austad Auditorium of the Browning Center.