New 'Mountaineer Send-off' for graduating seniors highlights WVU commencement weekend

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!" will be a familiar theme during WVU's 2015 May Commencement Weekend. The first place they can go will be a new event, "Mountaineer Send-off," where more than 4,500 soon-to-be graduates can convene for one last time as the entire Class of 2015.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” will be a familiar theme during West Virginia University’s 2015 May Commencement Weekend.

The first place they can go will be a new event, “Mountaineer Send-off,” where more than 4,500 soon-to-be graduates can convene for one last time as the entire Class of 2015.

President Gordon Gee will greet the class at the inaugural Thursday evening farewell event set for 7-8:30 p.m. May 14 at the WVU Coliseum.

“We’re going to create a new tradition here, which will be a way for us to celebrate,” Gee said.

“Mountaineer Send-off” will be a chance for the entire Class of 2015 to come together one last time – similar to the New Student Welcome when freshmen first arrive on campus – before heading out into the world of work, travel or more school.

A special photo opportunity for graduating seniors will also take place the week prior to graduation courtesy of University Relations. Students will have the chance to have their graduation photo taken for free in front of the Health Science Center Pylons (May 11) or Woodburn Circle (May 12). You can view example photos and sign up for a time at http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/graduation_photos.

Seniors are asked to use the #WVUgrad hashtag to join the conversation surrounding Commencement at the University. Also, follow WVU on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (WestVirginiaU) for different contests leading up to Commencement weekend.

As usual, the University will host a series of individual, personalized ceremonies for each school and college at a variety of venues on the Evansdale Campus and around Morgantown, including the Coliseum, Creative Arts Center and Morgantown Event Center from May 15-17.

Those events are scheduled as followed:

Friday, May 15:
School of Public Health, 4 p.m., Morgantown Event Center
Speaker: Ron Stollings, West Virginia state senator, doctor, WVU graduate

Saturday, May 16:
School of Dentistry, 9 a.m., Morgantown Event Center
Speaker: Daniel J. Strinkowski, dentist, WVU graduate

College of Education and Human Services, 9 a.m., Coliseum
Speaker: Gregg Behr, executive director of the Grable Foundation

Reed College of Media, 9:30 a.m., Creative Arts Center
Speaker: Rob King, senior vice president, SportsCenter and News at ESPN

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, 1 p.m., Coliseum
Speaker: Preston Chen, founder and chairman of Ho Tung Industries, WVU graduate

School of Nursing, 1 p.m., Morgantown Event Center
Speaker: Elisabeth Shelton, associate dean of academics, WVU School of Nursing

College of Law, 1:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center
Speaker: Arthur L. Rizer, associate professor of law, WVU College of Law

School of Pharmacy, 5 p.m., Morgantown Event Center
Speaker: Lucinda Maine executive vice president and CEO, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

College of Creative Arts, 5:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center
Speaker: Jacob Lewis, director, Jacob Lewis Gallery in New York, WVU graduate

College of Business and Economics, 6 p.m., Coliseum
Speaker: Doug Van Scoy, former Smith Barney investor, founder and partner of Pit Partners, WVU graduate

Sunday, May 17:
School of Medicine: M.D. and Ph.D., 9 a.m., Morgantown Event Center
Speaker: Michael Gaziano, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of the Division of Aging at Brigham and Women’s Hospital,

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, 9:30 a.m., Coliseum
Speaker: Ralph Currey, board director at Iberdrola Renewables, WVU graduate

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Doctoral and Master’s, 9 a.m., Creative Arts Center
Speaker: Julie Smith, founder, ChangePartner, WVU graduate

College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, 12:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center
Speaker: Ken Herock, former NFL player and administrator, WVU football player

School of Medicine: Professional Programs, 2 p.m., Morgantown Event Center
Speaker: Mike Schlappi, motivational speaker, gold medalist

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor’s, 2 p.m., Coliseum
Speaker: Sylvia Mathews Burwell, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, West Virginia native

University College, 4:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center
Speaker: Kerissa Kuis, CEO and founder of the University of Wellness, WVU graduate

The University reminds graduates that participation in Commencement exercises does not guarantee the completion of a WVU degree. Questions regarding eligibility to participate should be directed to the student’s school or college.

Diplomas will be mailed after all grades are finalized and certified by WVU’s Office of the University Registrar.

Students and their families are encouraged to visit the Commencement website for event updates, as well as information about photography, lodging and traditions.

-WVU-

js/td/04/22/15

CONTACT: University Relations/News
304.293.6997

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.